Idol’s Other Cook Lands Record Deal
American Idol’s most proudly (or maybe just strategically) American finalist has landed herself a record deal.
Maybe she can celebrate with some apple pie.
The recently betrothed Kristy Lee Cook has inked a deal with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville for a twang-heavy album debut, with her first single, “15 Minutes of Shame,” already getting an Aug. 11 release date.
The as-yet unnamed album will be recorded, as with Davids Cook and Archuleta, on the road this summer during the Idols Live! tour. While no firm release date has been announced for the album, like the Davids’, it will be due out this fall, presumably after David Cook’s.
Kirsty Lee Cook is wasting no time taking a page out of past Idols’ playbooks: Arista Nashville is also home to Carrie Underwood, and her album is being produced by Brett James, who cowrote Underwood’s megahit “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
(Hopefully Cool will fare better than Idol alums Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard, Katharine McPhee and Blake Lewis, all of whom have been dropped by their respective RCA-owned labels this year.)
Signing up with Arista Nashville also marks a return to Cook’s roots, as the singer was signed to the label as a countrified teen but parted ways with the company before getting the chance to record anything.
Idol alums to participate in Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Katharine McPhee and Jordin Sparks will be performing at this year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The Idol alums will be joined by country music sensation Kenny Chesney and British chart-topper Natasha Bedingfield. McPhee, who is currently working with David Foster on her second album, will perform “Save The Last Dance for Me” at the event. Sparks, who is nominated for a BET Viewer’s Choice Award for her duet with Chris Brown, is set to perform her latest single “One Step at a Time.” Chesney will sing “Never Wanted Nothing More” and Bedingfield will sing “Pocketful of Sunshine.” Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today and Tiki Barber of Today and Football Night in America will co-host the event on Independence Day.
The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will air from 9-10 p.m. on NBC. Sound like something you’d watch? I don’t know if I’ll be tuning in for this. I’d rather find a local fireworks show than watch one on TV.
Vanessa Hudgens Hits the Nation’s Capital
Vanessa Hudgens Hits the Nation’s Capital
It was a travel day for Vanessa Hudgens, as the High School Musical star was spotted boarding a flight at LAX on Friday (December 7).
Landing in the nation’s capital later that evening, the 18-year-old beauty is in Washington D.C. for a big television appearance for a TNT Benefit Show.
On Sunday, Vanessa will be performing on the annual holiday special, Christmas in Washington, which is set to be hosted by Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw.
Benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center, Miss Hudgens will be joined by the likes of Colbie Caillat, Ne-Yo, Alan Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Katharine McPhee, and Heather Headley.
Vanessa Hudgens’ D.C. Experience
Vanessa Hudgens’ D.C. Experience
In town to tape the TNT Holiday special “Christmas In Washington,” actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens was spotted wandering about the streets and shops of Washington DC on Saturday (December 8).
After grabbing a Starbucks and checking out the city’s offerings, the High School Musical star was put to work - as she made her way to a rehearsal to practice up for the actual televised performance (being filmed later today).
Joining Vanessa at the rehearsals were fellow “Christmas In Washington” performers Katharine McPhee, Ne-Yo and Colbie Caillat.
One fan at the scene of the practice sessions told press about the experience, “I MET HER (Hudgens)!!! First time ever! She talked on her cell phone for a little bit and mentioned ‘Ashley (Tisdale?)‘. She didn’t have an actual duet with Ne-Yo, although Colbie Caillat and Ne-Yo did sing a song together. All four performers than sang a song in unison with the huge children’s choir. Her voice was SOOOOOOOOO beautiful. My dad and I were blown away. She was SOOO nice and sweet. She was great with the little kids and was joking around on stage after she performed. Totally down to earth.”