Justin Guarini Part 2

In Part 2, Justin discusses life after American Idol and building his own career and brand from the ground up.


# 7 So tell us about life after American Idol. Describe the process of creating your first self titled album. Do you think you were given less opportunities than more recent runner-ups?



#8 A lot of singers today choose to not write their own lyrics or music. Tell us why you've chosen recently to focus on writing your own music.



#9 You’ve been covering American Idol for the past two seasons on the TV Guide Network. How did this job come about, and do you plan on continuing into next season and possibly beyond that?



#10 What’s it like being back on old turf, attending Idol tapings and taping Idol Tonight right outside the studio? Did you frequent the studio much before this gig with TV Guide, or is this something that came about once you were working for them?



#11 You’ve just recently released an acoustic EP through your official website. What provoked the decision to release music in this fashion? When did you make the decision to go the acoustic route?




#12 You’re working on a full-length album. Is there a time table on it’s production and release? Will we hear the new “acoustic” Justin on this record, or will it be different?


#13 Recently you’ve launched a new official website and MySpace, along with something you’re calling “The Revolution.” Explain what this is.



#14 Anything else we should be looking out for in the near future? Performances, telvision appearances, movies, etc…




Our thanks to Justin Guarini for agreeing to do this for us. To learn more about what Justin's been up to or to keep up with him yourself, please visit http://myspace.com/justiniguarini or head on over to his newly revamped official website http://www.justinguarini.com ... We hope you all enjoyed this interview and we hope you pass it along to your friends
- Rob and Katie

IDOL FIXATION EXCLUSIVE: Our First Interview-- Justin Guarini (PART 1)

Recently the first season runner up and TV Guide Supahstah sat down to answer a few of Katie's and my questions. In this interview, he talks about everything from his idol past, to his idol present, and what fans should be awaiting in the future. We hope you enjoy it, and we hope you share this interview with anyone you think would be interested. We are extremely prud of how this turned out and so grateful to Justin for agreeing to do this for us.

In Part 1 of our interview, Justin describes his life during and immediately after the show.

# 1 Since leaving the show, while most idol cast-offs really try and distance themselves from the "American Idol" label you seem to really have embraced where you got your start. What do you think the difference is and what do you think of those who try and erase their American Idol past?



# 2 Since you're still very much an insider on the show now, what can you say are a few major differences between your saeason and these newer seasons?



# 3 Some idols say it's really hard to watch the show without cringing after having experienced it first hand. I know you get paid for watching, but what do you feel towards the contestants as you watching the show having once been in their shoes?



# 4 At the time you auditioned for Idol, no one had a single clue what the show was or the phenomena it had been overseas. What did you think you were getting yourself into and what surprised you as the show progressed?



#5 Some say you started the talk-back-to-the-judges trend after performing "Sunny." If you could have taken it back, would you? And what do you think of how bold contestants have become?



#6 American Idol is notorious for creating rivalries among fans of opposing contestants. What are your thoughts on fan wars and do you find them as stupid as many of us do?

David Cook - People's Hottest Bachelors 2008

Check out this video courtesy of people.com . it's a behind the scenes look at a photo shoot Idol winner David Cook did for an upcoming issue of People Magazine in which he was named third hottest bachelor behind A.C. Slater and Brody Jenner (From the Hills). Anyway, check out some of David's fan questions; I especially like his answer to "Craziest thing a fan has done to you"

Michael Johns Talks Up a Storm

Check out this recent Michael Johns interview. In it, Michael talks about his post-Idol plans including the Idol tour and a new CD. He's got a lot planned and it's become pretty clear Papa John's "Aussie Posse" will be at his side for all of it.

WATCH THIS SPACE

Interviews with some of your favorite Idol contestants are coming soon! Watch this space for more details!

Catching Up with Haley Scarnato

She was the leggy engine that could in Season 5, defying the odds and proving her worth week after week. And now Haley Scarnato is gearing up to do huge things musically. With her fans painstakingly at her side, Scarnato has released a new single called "Girls Night Out" to her myspace that is taking off in big ways. Check it out yourself here: http://www.myspace.com/haleyscarnato

Catching Up with Jason Castro

Last week, Jason Castro's hometown of Rockwall Texas went through with Jason Castro Day, originally planned for Top 3 week during the show. Jason posted pictures of the day on his myspace page linked below.

Since these videos won't embed I'll link to http://www.rockwalllovesjason.com/video.html which is where you'll find highlights of the whole day's events.

In order to keep the blog looking spiffy and professional however, I'll post a youtube video of Jason covering "Clumsy" by Chris Rice from before he was on Idol.

http://myspace.com/jasoncastromusic

The Justin Guarini Show

Justin Guarini has added yet another project to his already busy itinerary. Tonight he broke out his newest endeavor, hosting the first installment of his very own radio show on BlogTalk Radio. The description from the site is as follows:

"Let your voice be heard! The Justin Guarini show presents a unique opportunity for fans to get in direct touch with the musicians they love. Tune in to hear signed and unsigned artists live, special guests ranging from producers to managers to agents that will help you figure out hwo to make your music your way and how to get it out to the masses. The Justin Guarini Shwo is a free-flowing program that always has surprises in store for registered listeners, and is a must-listen for the independent artist and avid fan alike."

On tonight's show, Justin's guest was Shaun Ingram, a friend who helped in the writing of his new EP. Next weeks show will feature musical guest Vallejo.

Registered listeners are able to listen to the show live, as well as contribute in the adjoining chat room in which Justin is also a participant. Listers are able to speak to him during the show through the chat room, as well as call into the show to talk with him live.

The show will stream live every Tuesday night at 9 P.M. EST. Follow the link below to get more info and register.

CLICK!

Photo by Stewart Volland

Kelly Clarkson's 4th Album Well Underway!

On her blog at kellyclarkson.com, Kelly recently posted two very excitedly written entries about recording a new record. She has been reportedly working with One Republic's Ryan Tedder for some time now on songs for a CD due by December. All of this has been happening amidst the announcement that Kelly and Country Goddess Reba McEntire were extending their aamazingly successful 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour into the fall of this year. Presale dates have just been announced. Having seen the show in the winter, I assure you this isn't a show you should be skipping. Here are the 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour dates







DATE - CITY - VENUE - ON SALE

9/25 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre - June 13
9/26 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre - June 14
9/27 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place - June 14
10/9 - Boise, ID - Taco Bell Arena - June 20
10/10 - Salt Lake City, UT - Energy Solutions Arena - July 19
10/11 - Reno, NV - Reno Events Center July 19
10/16 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Allen Co. War Memorial July 26
10/17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena - August 2
10/18 - Reading, PA - Sovereign Center - July 26
10/23 - Grand Forks, ND - Ralph Engelstad Arena - August 16
10/24 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center - Sept 13
10/25 - Moline, IL - iWireless Center - Sept 13
10/30 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena - Sept 20
10/31 - State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center - Sept 5
11/1 - Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard - August 23
11/6 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center - Sept 6
11/7 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center - Sept 6
11/8 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena - Sept 6
11/13 - Biloxi, MS - MS Coast Coliseum - Sept 13
11/14 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Arena - Sept 13
11/15 - Little Rock, AR - ALLTEL Arena - Sept 19
11/20 - Columbus, OH - Value City Arena - Sept 26
11/21 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Arena - Sept 27
11/22 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena - Sept 27

David Cook in OK Magazine

The following article comes from the latest issue of OK Magazine on newsstands now. Here are just a few highlights from the interview, the rest of the interview can be read at the link below.

ON HIS FAMILY LIFE....

My brothers are my bookends. I don't know if I would have been able to do this without either one of them. I'm happy to have my family be there for that, so I think from here on out, it's just a matter of trying to stop and embrace this for a minute. I've got a great family to help me do that.

ON HIS NEW CD....

I'm going to be involved in the writing process, but at the end of the day I just want a record with as many strong songs as possible. However that happens, I'm open to it. I've always just written from a place of trying to take negative energy and turning it into a positive source. A lot of my songs revolve around "that girl." I really don't see any reason to reinvent the wheel now, just kind of keep on doing what I'm doing.

ON WORKING WITH A MODERN MUSIC LEGEND...

Yeah, I'm really excited I get to work with Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace because I'm a huge fan of that band. To be able to work with Raine is huge for me. He actually was really cool and reached out to me after I sang his song ["Innocent"], and we've managed to kind of correspond a couple of times with email, so it seems like there is a mutual respect, which is cool.

READ THE REST OF THE INTERESTING ARTICLE HERE

Idol Music Post

Check out these new releases from some of Idol's most notable contestants

• Brooke White from Season 7 has rereleased her independent record from 2006 "Songs From the Attic"
  

Track Listings

1. Free
2. The Way Things Used to Be
3. Dream On
4. Come to my Rescue
5. In Love
6. Like I Do
7. Change
8. Yellow
9. Let It Go
10. Follow Me
11. Keep Running

Justin Guarini has released a 3 track Acoustic EP on his website.
Track Listing:
1. Sweet Time
2. Rock Bottom
3. When She Cries
Purchase it HERE

American Idol Tour 2008!

The Idols are setting out on their annual summer tour. As usual, the show is sponsored by PopTarts and promises special performances from each of the top 10. On Larry King Live last week, the top 10 mentioned a few songs they were considering performing -- David Archuleta may be singing "Angels" by Robbie Williams, while Jason Castro mentioned busting out the ukulele for his cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
The rumor mill is also buzzing with news of a possible Carly Smithson/Michael Johns duet, and of Jason Castro perhaps backing David Cook on the drums during one of the winner's performances. The Idol tour is an exciting continuation of a brilliant past season and has definitely proven in the past to be something fans will remember for good. Tour dates below...


July 1 - Glendale, AZ - jobing.com Arena
July 2 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
July 3 - Fresno, CA - SaveMart Center
July 5 - Las Vegas, NV - Thomas & Mack Center
July 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center
July 8 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion at San Jose
July 9 - Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
July 11 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden
July 12 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome
July 14 - West Valley City, UT - The "E" Center
July 15 - West Valley City, UT - The "E" Center
July 18 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
July 19 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
July 20 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
July 22 - Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse
July 23 - Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena
July 24 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
July 26 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
July 27 - Rochester, NY - BlueCross Arena
July 29 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
July 30 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
July 31 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
August 2 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
August 4 - Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum
August 5 - Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum
August 6 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center
August 8 - Hartford, CT - XL Center
August 9 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center
August 10 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Center
August 12 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
August 13 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
August 14 - Washington DC - Verizon Center
August 16 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
August 17 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Arena
August 18 - Duluth, GA - Arena at Gwinnett Center
August 20 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
August 21 - Tampa, FL - St Pete Times Forum
August 24 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
August 25 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
August 26 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center
August 28 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
August 29 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
August 30 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
August 31 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
September 2 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
September 3 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
September 4 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
September 6 - Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard
September 7 - Providence, RI - Dunkin Donuts Center
September 8 - Wilkes Barre, PA - Wachovia Arena
September 10 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Allen County Memorial Coliseum
September 11 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
September 13 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
WILL YOU BE ATTENDING AN IDOL CONCERT THIS SUMMER?
If you are, please email us with your pictures, videos, stories, etc. We'd love to hear from you and feel like we were there too!

Cookwell? Dimberly? Who Knows!

We don't plan on becoming too gossipy, but it would be impossible to start an Idol blog and ignore the biggest news around the Idol blogosphere at the moment. Newly crowned Idol David Cook has been spotted around town with 2nd season contestant Kimberly Caldwell after asking her out during a post Idol interview.
After initially sweeping the new relationship under the rug and avoiding the question, David mentioned on Live with Regis and Kelly this week that he and Kimberly are in fact dating-- or at least have gone on a date.When asked if he had enjoyed himself on the Ruths Chris Steakhouse outing David replied " I did... we'll probably hang out again"
I feel so gossipy posting that, but right now since David's win, this is the big Idol news at the moment.
[source]
Posted by Rob