American Idle

Jordin Sparks has been busy these days, which is more than I can say for most American Idol winners.

Taylor Hicks? Broadway singer. Ruben Studdard? Same. But Sparks, despite looking like an NFL linebacker at times, has managed to parlay her Idol success into cash money.

And this song is no exception. “Road To Paradise” won’t win a Grammy, but the kiddies will love it (since it’s for a Disney film) and it will sell.

So good on ya, Jodrin, for you are one American Idol whose singing career hasn’t gone down the crapper.

Here’s her Disney song below.

Jordin Sparks - “Road To Paradise”

It sounds like Jordin Sparks is about to join Britney Spears on the second leg of her American tour, which hits cities near you. Spears is traveling in support of her newest album “Circus” and it’s selling out like crazy everywhere she goes.

Getting this kind of support should do good things for Sparks’ career.

Sparks continues to go out on tour, which is more than what I can say for other former Idol winners. She has been all over the world in the past year, and so her career is right where it needs to be.

Sparks will open for Spears during the U.S. stops on the tour only, but it’s still a good thing for the pop sensation. For Spears, it probably adds some class and some character to her tour.

Here are the deets from PR Newswire:

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Platinum-selling 19 Recordings/Jive Records artist Jordin Sparks will join “The Circus Starring Britney Spears” as special guest on the second North American leg of the tour. Sparks will perform on the U.S. portion of the trek including dates in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Detroit, Chicago and more before concluding on September 26 & 27 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. Previously announced opening act Kristinia DeBarge will join the tour for all dates; while up-and-coming acts Girlicious and One Call will appear in select cities (see full details below). For tickets, VIP packages and detailed tour information, fans should visit www.britneyspears.com or http://aeglive.com/.

19-year old star Jordin Sparks rose to fame in 2007 when she became the youngest contestant ever to win American Idol. She performed the national anthem to an audience of nearly 100 million viewers at Super Bowl XLII, and was named Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist at the American Music Awards. Her current sophomore album, Battlefield, is in stores now and features the title track as Sparks’ latest single. Her previous release, Jordin Sparks, featured platinum-certified Top 10 single, “Tattoo,” and smash hit single “No Air.”

“Britney’s show is incredible and for me to be a part of it is a great opportunity,” said Sparks.

Jordin Sparks was on Good Morning America promoting her upcoming release, “Battlefield,” which has already done well in terms of popularity.

Tomorrow it gets its just due, as it’s released to the public. Sparks, the season 6 winner of American Idol, has always had a loyal following.

That’s something that can’t be said for all the Idol winners. In fact, Sparks is unlike most Idol winners.

For one, she had a successful first album, followed by some good numbers on her singles leading up to the release of her sophomore album.

Combine that with her current tour, in which she’s opening for the Jonas Brothers and she’s doing very well, all things considered.

Here is her performance on GMA:

Jordin Sparks - “Battlefield”

Tickets to Jordin’s summer tour are below.

In anticipation of her album, “Battlefield,” which will drop on July 21 according to the latest reports, Jordin Sparks got down to business Saturday night.

Business is good for Sparks, who just returned stateside and is now the opening act for the Jonas’ world tour.

It started off well, with over 45,000 people in Dallas seeing the first show on the Jonas’ tour.

Jordin Sparks has her new video “Battlefield” coming out Monday, and it finally looks like the girl has turned into a woman. This is only a 30-second fraction of the whole video, but you can see the progress Sparks is making.

I was beginning to worry at first, with all of her songs on her first album about teen angst, getting tattoos and things that frankly belonged posted to the walls of her high school locker.

But something magical has happened in this video, minus the lip-synching. Sparks has finally grown up.

Maybe it’s the long tours all over the world, maybe it’s the fact she lives on her own now, or maybe it’s just the new man in her life, singer Steph Jones.

Whatever it is, it is a welcome change from the Jordin Sparks we once knew, and now maybe she’ll actually start putting out some music that everyone enjoys, instead of just a small cross-section of the country.

Jordin Sparks was back on Idol last night, performing her hit single “Battlefield” before the results were announced and we found out Danny Gokey was going home.

It’s a lot more grown up than her previous fare, and a lot more saucy! Whoa, didn’t know she had it in her.

I think this single is good and the lyrics are more mature than, say, “Tattoo,” which was honestly ridiculous.

It will be interesting to see what Sparks has in her when her next album comes out, since it will be her sophomore album, and we all know what a pain sophomore joints have been for former Idols in the past.

And enjoy the interview below with American Idol Extra, which happened after the show. Extra had to be moved outside because they were already tearing down the stage for the coin toss.

After listening to Jordin Sparks sing “Crazy” at a Nashville club earlier this week (Video above) she may follow in the footsteps of other Idols who found their way to Nashville. Or, rather, that Nashville found them. It’s been the one constant in the life of an American Idol, the ticket to the Music City, and subsequently, a tried-and-true music career. So who’s to say that someone who is more adult contemporary like Sparks can’t be a country singer as well? If she does, though, she’d better start liking pickup trucks and heartbreak. Those are prerequisites in any country singer’s repertoire.

David Archuleta is in the process of putting together another song…and it’s not on his album. That’s the good news for all the Archies out there. The Build-A-Bear Workshop, a company which brings in $20 million per according to its Web site, is planning to release their own song, “Let’s Talk About Love,“ which will be recorded by various artists during 2009. The first of those singers to lend their vocal cords will be Archuleta. - Fans Of David

And finally, all of the hubbub and conjecture has subsided regarding the title of Kelly Clarkson’s new album. The name of it has been released and it will be called “All I Ever Wanted.” (Picture is above.) A catchy title to be sure, but nonetheless cheesy. About what I expected from a Clive Davis joint, honestly. Does anyone else think this album is doomed because of Clarkson’s association with Davis? I mean, it’s not like these two haven’t fought before over things like this. Anyway, the album is due out in stores and on iTunes on March 17. Mark your calendars for that! - Official Kelly Clarkson Web site

Have a great weekend!

With the talk around the water cooler now switching from what could be to what will, the eighth season of American Idol is five days from fruition. That said, there are many changes to the show’s format that will have an effect, good or bad, on your viewing.

First off, what effect will new judge Kara Dioguardi have on the other three more established judges? Do the other three like her? According to Paula, she and Kara go way back, since Dioguardi has written and produced a song for Abdul. So does that mean the two won’t clash when it comes to singers? It sounds like Dioguardi is opposite of Abdul when it comes to critiquing. She’d rather take Simon Cowell’s lead. The other noticeable thing you will see is backstage. Will that mean fighting? More importantly, is Idol 8 gonna go the way of Jerry Springer? And what effect will the wild-card rounds have on the judges? These are all important questions to answer, along with the fact there will be younger mentors. - Los Angeles Times http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/01/season-eight-co.html

Guess who’s blogging for season 8? Phil Stacey, the bald dynamo from season 6 who made it all the way to the final six, will be doing his play-by-play for the Naples News, a Florida newspaper. He’ll be doing it on a weekly basis, giving us behind-the-scenes looks at Idol 8 the way only a former Idol can. He describes his experience on Idol 6 as one in which he felt like Willy Wonka at the Chocolate Factory. He’ll go into the way auditions are done, and which contestants you should “keep an eye on.” All told, Stacey was a formidable opponent himself in season 6, garnering a record deal as well as performing on some of the biggest stages around. - Naples News http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/08/american-idol-blog-former-idol-finalist-write-week/And finally, some Idols cleaned up at the People’s Choice Awards. Carrie Underwood won three such awards, garnering “Favorite Female Singer,” “Favorite Star Under 35,” and “Favorite Country Song.” In the above video (thanks MJ) she sings “I Know You Won’t” during the awards ceremony. And Jordin Sparks took home a trophy, a “Favorite Combined Forces Award,” for her song featuring Chris Brown which was called “No Air.” don’t you just love these award titles? LOL Anyway, it’s good to see so many Idols staying in the spotlight. Hope it continues.

Well, the ladies of American Idol have been busy in the new year, haven’t they?

Jordin Sparks isn’t anywhere near the continental United States for the holiday season, but that’s okay with her. Sort of. You see, she’s kind of hoping she could be home for the holidays, but her schedule just won’t allow it.