Fergie Gets Ready For Bluesfest
Fergie Gets Ready For Bluesfest
With white snakeskin handbag in arms, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson made her way to Los Angeles International Airport for a departing flight on Thursday (July 3).
Followed by paparazzi from her house to the LAX security checkpoint, the Black Eyed Peas frontwoman was reportedly catching a flight to Canada as she prepares to perform at the Ottawa Bluesfest on Tuesday (July 8).
The festival, which kicked off yesterday, is in it’s 15th year and is now Ottawa’s largest music festival with more than 200 acts ready to perform.
Press reports tell that the entertainers are divided among six stages each day - with the Black Crowes, James Taylor, the Tragically Hip and Great Big Sea joining Fergie as the main stage headliners.
America’s Got Talent: Episode 303
“A complete and utter waste of time.” - Piers to 41-year-old country western line dancer Corky
This week on America’s Got Talent we saw acts from Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta. As usual, some acts were bad, some were good, and some were touching. However, this time around we were treated to some really weird acts such as the one displayed in the picture above. How do people come up with these ideas is beyond me. But one thing is for sure, they help make the show entertaining and unpredictable.
Corky, the country western line dancing - As soon as Corky said he was a line dancer, I knew this act would tank. Line dancing is supposed to be performed by a group of people and not only one person. Corky didn’t do much to impress the judges and the crowd. He moved his legs up and turned around. That’s pretty much it. The three judges and the crowd were thankfully unanimous: the act was bad, really bad. Corky didn’t have the needed style and rhythm needed for such a dance. Bye bye cowboy!
Holly, singer - I was a bit scared at first when Holly said she didn’t know if she lived far from Dallas or not. Even if she didn’t give the best singing performance we’ve seen so far, I thought she was good enough to move on. As the judges told her, her song choice wasn’t the best and, after hearing her perform some Dolly Parton, she seems best suited for that style of song. If she wants to move on, she should sing something like “9 to 5″ since it’s a well-known Dolly Parton song that is usually fun to hear.
Beyond Belief Dance Company - A million divided by 22 equals about $45,455. That’s how much each member of this dance troop will get if they win the competition. Then again, they’ll also get a good pay from the Las Vegas gig that comes with the prize. The dance routine didn’t impress me that much. It was too crowded on stage and the moves were not impressive. However, based on some of the dancing acts that went through, BBDC deserved a ticket to the next round. Let’s hope they get better costumes because those really sexy outfits were just plain wrong for 12 to 17 year olds.
Smithfield, the pig - Oh. My. God. What was that woman thinking? I guess she wanted to be on TV and ensured herself some screen time by bringing the pig along. That pig didn’t know how to paint at all! Plus it had a terrible temper.
Tucker, the dog, and Paul - This was one simple acrobatic canine act but it was really entertaining to watch. It must have taken months to train Tucker to catch, spin, and do backflips like that! It’s unlikely this duo will go far though because how many tricks does the dog know?
Paul, the Frank Sinatra imitator - Other contestants should learn a lesson or two from this 71-year-old man. A lot of people who audition never really practiced their “art” and wonder why they didn’t get a ticket to Vegas. Paul studied Sinatra for years and years and it paid off. He gave a heartfelt performance that not only impressed the judges but also the crowd. It isn’t my favorite performer of the evening but I’m really glad he was vote through because we need more performers that age in the competition to add diversity and to show the world that older people can still do things.
Junior and Emily, dancing - They gave a really impressive performance. They were as good as the professionals on Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Adjectives that came to my mind as I watched them: energetic, entertaining, and professional. They gave a very good performance. Sadly for them, I doubt that such an act will win since it’s unlikely a dancing duo will headline a Las Vegas show.
Zane and Stephanie, singing - This young couple wasn’t that bad at singing. However, this type of performance is outdated. Piers said it best: “That was the cheesiest thing I’ve seen in my life.”
George the giant - “When you are my size, you have two choices: play basketball or be a freak,” he said after his performance. Since he doesn’t play sports, George chose the second path. And a freak he is. That huge straw going around the audience member’s body and through his nose was just plain disturbing. It got freakier when he started to drink the milk. The second trick (see picture on top post) was scary but not as creepy. As expected, Sharon voted no since she said in an earlier show that she didn’t want to vote through acts that could get too dangerous. However, George will be back since he got two “yes.” I doubt he’ll win the show but such an act could definitely be center stage on the strip since people would come see him to see how far he’ll go.
Jessica, singer - I was impressed by Jessica as soon as she said she wanted to be a positive role model. In a world where Britney and Paris make the headlines, we need more people like Jessica to show young girls the right path to take. She gave a good performance. Even if she was stressed, I totally felt her emotions in her singing. I’m glad she was voted through. It wouldn’t surprise me that the show tries to reunite her with her father in order to get an emotional follow-up story.
Alistair, the burlesque performer - Unique act?! Years of practice?! Need I say more to express what I thought of Alistair?!
Busty - Was she for real?
Southern Belles, clogging - Their 10 years of practicing paid off. They had fast moves, were energetic, and were fun to watch. Not only was the choreography nifty, but they also chose a popular and recent song that appealed to the crowd.
Dan, the sword swallower - This was a scary act. I’m extremely surprised Sharon said yes since she many times that she didn’t want to vote for an act that could lead to injuries or death. It was an impressive act, but I don’t think it’s AGT material since there is so much he can do.
11-year-old David, singer - Since the show aired clips of David all week in the previews and during the show, it was a given that not only would the story be really touching but that he would get a ticket to Las Vegas. Even if his singing wasn’t always perfect, David gave a very good performance. He remembered all the lyrics, followed the rhythm very well, was polite and had great answers for the judges. As The Hoff said, David won the hearts of America this week.
Other tidbits of interests and things to ponder:
- Lesson #1: If you bring a horse to an audition, you should do a few neat tricks. Otherwise, the money you spent to bring the animal on stage is going down the drain.
- Lesson #2: If you want to do an animal trick, start training months before the competition, not days.
- Lesson #3: If you do an animal trick, don’t forget a dog on stage when your act is over.
- Lesson #4: If you do a burlesque act, make sure that you have the right “equipment.”
- Quote of the night: “He looks surprisingly like Piers Morgan!” - The Hoff after seeing the pig on stage
America’s Got Talent: Episode 302
“I have shoes older than you but I’d like to try you on!” - Sharon to 23-year-old Joseph, an Elvis impersonator.
The second episode of America’s Got Talent auditions brought more great acts and more terrible performances. This week, we were treated to 15 complete acts that ranged from singing to magic (see picture) not forgetting impersonators and Drumtazia! Oh, and, unless I’m mistaken, we also saw the judges give 3 Xs to someone who finished in 4th place in another talent competition! More on that at the end of my review.
Victoria, the singing fairy - Even if the singer/songwriter was a bit weird, as Piers said, she wasn’t that bad. Okay, she wasn’t AGT material but I could see her put up together a CD of fairy songs for young girls. No?
Eli Mattson, singer - To advance in a competition when you are a singer you must not only have talent but chose the right song. How many times did we hear the judges on American Idol tell contestants that their song choice was questionable? Well, Eli Mattson didn’t make this mistake during his captivating and entertaining AGT audition. He will be one of the front runners this season and, even if he doesn’t win, I’m pretty sure he’ll get a record deal.
Miss Pussykatt, the grinder - Personally, I didn’t care much for this act. It was intriguing but where’s the talent? The woman just makes sparks and some of her moves go along with the music. It’s the type of act that could be part of a larger show and not on its own. Since she sparked the judges interest, she got a ticket for Las Vegas. I can’t wait to see if she can improve her act and make it more daring and entertaining. I foresee her not going very far in the competition.
Tumblers from New Orleans - Their performance was entertaining and pleased the crowd and judges. However, for me to fully support them, they’ll need to be more in tune with the song and link their moves together better. Right now, it’s just a series of cool tricks.
Drumtazia - Oh. My. God. My ears are still buzzing from that horrendous and loud performance. Can you believe this guy thinks he offers the greatest drum show on earth? Some words to describe the act: loud, noisy, no grace, no rhythm. If the 57-year-old limo driver wants to make it in the drumming world, he needs to learn some basic techniques first (aka, flam, paradiddle, rolls, drag, ratamacue, etc.) and get some lessons.
Next II None - The boys 5-hours of practice a day paid off. They offered a very good performance of *NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye.” The family boy band has the looks (I’m pretty sure some of the girls in the audience already called dibs on them), the attitude, the moves and the voice needed to make it. However, as Piers pointed out, they are missing a lead singer. That can come in time when they evolve as a group. Unless they try to set themselves apart without having a front runner or two.
Russian Bar Trio - Talk about an impressive act! No, I’m not just saying that because the trio is Canadian like I am. Jerry even said it was the most impressive act he’s seen in the past two years. I’m not totally agreeing with him but what they showed us was daring and entertaining! The woman almost knocked her head on Sharon’s X! Even if I, the crowed, and the judges, enjoyed this act, I doubt it’ll go very far in the competition. What will they do next? If they remain a trio, the only ways I can see them make this act more impressive is if they add some juggling, fire, spikes, etc.
Michael, Ozzy’s impersonator - This guy took a huge risk during his audition with performing as Ozzy in front of Sharon. A bigger risk would have been performing in front of the Prince of Darkness himself. That said, Michael sucked. Big time. He quickly got 2 Xs. It was fun to watch Piers, who would have Xed such an act after a second, wait, and wait, and wait. He was amused by the fact that Sharon was not a happy camper. He even pushed the envelope by giving a “yes” to Michael! This could have turned into a verbal fight between the judges but things ended up in laughter. Poor Michael. He’ll have to find another potential job.
The Taubl Family - As Piers said it, the Taubls are good musicians but not the best singers. I thought their act was pretty good until the youngest boy started singing. It was off. Luckily, when the others joined in, it got better. The group’s weakest moments are when people sing alone. As a musical act, they could go on for a few more rounds.
The DC Cowboy Dance Company - Since the judges allowed last week’s Slippery Kittens Burlesque to move on, they had no choice but to give the cowboy dancers a ticket to Las Vegas. The men were entertaining and nice to look at, but their dance moves were pretty basic and they were not always in sync. They’ll need to perform more complex and spectacular dances if they want to go further in the competition.
Kevin Taylor, breaking of bricks - As I watched the feature on 39-year-old Taylor, I was worried that his act would be, as Piers said, just another boring martial arts act. However, Taylor proved me, and Piers, wrong by setting the cement bricks on fire. Even if he has an idea for his next act, how can he outperform himself if he moves on beyond the first round in Las Vegas?
Chellena, vocalist - What a voice! With her first note, she won the crowd and the judges over. She gave a heartfelt performance. She may not be the greatest singer so far this season, but the lady has a great voice.
Johnny, magician - When you hear a contestant say that he is really entertaining before we even see his act, you know that there is a 99% chance that he’ll suck. So was the case with magician Johnny. How can you be a magician if you can’t even manipulate your props properly?
The Pendragons - 30 years in the business and a huge scar that confirms you are willing to do anything for your art. The Pendragons are a good example of perseverance. Their audition act was pretty basic (see picture on top of the review) but it was performed well. Even if there are a lot of magicians in Las Vegas, magic shows always draw crowds. I can’t wait to see their next act to see if they can become the next AGT winners.
Joseph, the Elvis impersonator - There are loads of Elvis impersonators out there. Loads! Some are really crappy, some are really great. Joseph showed us in his audition that he is from the latter group. Not only does he have the looks, but he has a voice similar to the King’s and he has most of the moves as well. The crowd was so wild during his performance that Piers even had to tell them to control themselves. Since he gave a good performance and because there are millions of Elvis fans out there, it wouldn’t be surprising if Joseph makes it far in the competition.
Other tidbits of interests and things to ponder:
- David Avila is definitely not related to Canadian Idol’s winner Eva Avila or with Luciano Pavarotti. He’s yet another example of someone who thinks he is a singer and whose friends aren’t able to tell him the truth about his lack of talent.
- Again this week, someone with a sort of dual neck guitar auditioned and was sent home.
- If you have backup singers or musicians, make sure they smile and seem proud of your work during your performance. Otherwise, you don’t stand a chance. (See Polina and her not smiling pianist mother.)
- Can the “Gone Completely Crakers” ads be gone completely? They bring nothing to the show at all.
- The Hoff complained about Piers speaking only about himself!?! Hello? And The Hoff never speaks about himself?
- There was a bad crop of magicians in Chicago! The guy whose dove ran off. Dennis who tried to perform a levitation act but fell down as soon as the first chair was removed. Becky, the lady magician who had troubles with her rings and her bra. And Bizzaro, who had quite a bizzare act that included flames…
- During the previews and the “Gone Completely Crakers” bit, we saw a glimpse of the George Bush impersonator. As soon as I saw him, I thought I recognized John Morgan who finished 4th in last year’s The Next Best Thing on ABC and does impersonations of the President here, there, and everywhere around the U.S. So when he appeared on screen in the second part of this week’s episode, I made point to note down the name of the performer: John Morgan, 51. Could it be the same performer? If so, how can the AGT judges give him 3 Xs? He was so good on The Next Best Thing, appeared on other shows and makes appearances during major corporate events. We didn’t see much of his AGT audition, but he seemed to give a fair performance. What gives? I’m not saying that he should have moved on, but 3 Xs to one of the best George Bush impersonators out there?
Taylor Swift Films Cameo Role For “Hannah Montana”
Taylor Swift Films Cameo Role For “Hannah Montana”
In a welcome announcement, the highly anticipated “Hannah Montana: The Movie” currently being filmed in and around Nashville features a cameo role from Nashville native and country sensation Taylor Swift.
The 18-year-old award winning Swift filmed her role a week ago, playing herself and singing one of her own songs in the background of a scene.
American Idol contestant Bucky Covington and fellow country singers Rascal Flatts also appear in the movie. All three acts are also signed to Disney’s Lyric Street Records.
Miley Cyrus and her dad Billy Ray Cyrus both star in the Hannah Montana movie, due out in theaters next year (2009).