[silent_jonny]

Barney's going to be in the choir!? My Barney!?

That's right.__________________
_______________But Barney can't sing.
I know.__________________

He's a warm, wonderful person and
I love him dearly; but he can't sing.

That's true.

He's kind, considerate, good-hearted - the most
gentle person I've ever known; but he can't sing.

You’re right.

He's the man I want to marry - the man I
want to be the father of my children …

But he can't sing.________________

Not a lick!

[silent_jonny]

Welcome once again to the …
Smoky Backroom!

Where anything can happen, and usually does!
Enter at your own risk

“I'm ascared in the Smoky Back Room!
… How did we wind up in here?” ~ TiredofLaundry

“We're dirty, dirty boys and girls,
I guess … I feel so naughty” ~ Retrokitten

“[It's] like detention with all the cool kids” ~ MOgirl

Reminder from Mayor Bloomberg:
There is no smoking allowed in the Smoky Backroom

And no trans-fat either

“I'm ascared in the Smoky Back Room!
… How did we wind up in here?” ~ TiredofLaundry

“We're dirty, dirty boys and girls,
I guess … I feel so naughty” ~ Retrokitten

[silent_jonny]

10,000th Post Winners!

Texasflower ~ May 26, 2005

Retrokitten ~ March 9, 2006

MaggieF ~ May 2, 2006

Retrokitten ~ May 25, 2006

[silent_jonny]

The Idols Meet
President Bush

The Top 10 pose with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office.

July 28, 2006: the fifth season finalists are
the first Idols invited to the White House

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and his fellow finalists, including runner-up Katherine McPhee, visited the White House Friday – but President Bush provided the entertainment.

"We gave him some presents," Idol's Ace Young tells PEOPLE. "On behalf of Taylor winning, we gave him a harmonica that said American Idol on it that he attempted to play. He didn't sound bad! And Taylor gave him a Soul Patrol T-shirt and he said it'll be his new jogging shirt. And I gave him an Ace beanie. He said it's a little too hot for the beanie, but he'll save it for winter."

Elliott is late for the group photo,
so Paris’s mom, Jamecia Bennett (far left),
squeezes herself into the picture.

The President, who posed for photos with the Idols and gave them a tour of the Oval Office, asked them how long it had been since they'd seen their families and told them, "This is the highlight of my day."

"Before we walked in," Young says, "everyone was asking who voted for him. … A majority (of us) didn't [or couldn’t]. But when we walked out, every single person said, 'Wow, what a great guy!' It felt like we were just hanging out with him."

Elliott finally arrives

Elliott Yamin missed the first part of the visit with the President. About five minutes after it started, he was seen racing down the hall toward the Oval Office, wiping his brow and saying, "Phew!"

"He was sleeping!" Young explains, adding that the Idols – who have been on the "American Idols Live" tour since July 6 – arrived in Washington, D.C., at 5:30 a.m., and that some of them have been having a hard time sleeping on the bus that takes them from city to city.

Before meeting the President, the Idols, accompanied by finalist Paris Bennett's mother, Jamecia, were given a tour of the White House by the First Lady's press secretary, Susan Whitson – Hicks's onetime 9th-grade English teacher.

A favorite stop? The library, where the Idols took books off the shelves looking for a secret passageway – to no avail. "We lost Kellie (Pickler) for a little while," says Young, laughing. "We thought she'd found something! When we were up in the Oval Office, Kellie told President Bush we'd been looking for secret passageways. In a joking manner, he said, 'Yeah … don't.' "

The visit came just hours before the Idols hit the stage at D.C.'s Verizon Center – the first time McPhee performed with them on tour since recovering from bronchitis and laryngitis. "She hasn't shown any nerves," says Young. "She'll get right back into it."

Source: people.com

[twin2]

Let me be the first to say it, Yeah!!!!!!!


Thanks jonny and I look forward to fabulous year!!!!

[silent_jonny]

Taylor Hicks

Taylor’s major-label debut album was released just before Christmas, selling a respectable 500,000 copies so far (certified gold) and reaching #2 on The Billboard 200. (billboard)

Taylor performs for service members and their families during a
holiday concert aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, December 19, 2006.

Taylor has also signed a $750,000 deal with Random House to write his autobiography. The book will be ghost written by Rolling Stone’s David Wild and is due to hit the shelves this spring; about the same time that Taylor will begin his nationwide tour. (wikipedia)

But [Hicks] vows nothing that's happened or in the works will change him …"I'm not going to change for anything. I'm just who I am. I'm the same guy that I am now as when I started the competition." (cbsnews)

[silent_jonny]

Chris Daughtry

McShocked!

May 10, 2006—elimination night.

After receiving mixed reviews for her performances the night before, it was no surprise that Katharine McPhee found herself, once again, facing elimination. What was a surprise, however, was seeing fan favorite Chris Daughtry standing beside her in the bottom two.

“Katharine,” said Seacrest, “you’re safe.”

“Chris, you’re going home.”

“OH NO!” ~ Jrabbit

“I am pissed!” ~ MaggieF

“this is just damn wrong...” ~Mystery-AK

“HOLY CRAP!!!” ~ Fawn

“Show's over for me.” ~ AnnaZ

“Uneffinbelievable.” ~ Petronski

“The look on Simon's face said it all.” ~ Misterrob

But don’t feel bad for Chris. His debut album “Daughtry” was recently certified platinum with over one million copies sold (the first non Idol winner/runner-up to accomplish that). And both the album and Daughtry himself have received favorable reviews from even the most cynical music critics. Not bad for a guy that finished 4th place.

“… each tune bears a writing credit by Daughtry, and most of them are solo credits. Listening to these songs, it would be easy to mistake them for the work of seasoned pros: they not only follow the template of post-grunge well, they do it with better hooks and a commercial flair lacking from bands like Fuel and Shinedown, bands that have inspired Daughtry but who he betters here. To put it mildly, that's a surprise -- not just that Daughtry pulled off the tricky move of being pop enough for his ‘Idol’ fans and rock enough for post-grungers, but that he pulled it off on the strength of his own work.”

~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Daughtry is scheduled to begin a nationwide tour in early 2007. Click here for more information.

[colorcountry]

WOW Jonny! Is that sketch yours? The one at the top of the page....it is fantastic!

Thanks for the ping. I will be silently watching and reading during mountain time. But know that I am here with you in spirit.

[silent_jonny]

Paris Bennett

The annoyingly cute Paris is working on an album that will be released between February and March of this year. Two songs from that album are now available on her myspace page.

Both sound horrible to me, but her fans seem to like them. Here’s a review from a satisfied myspace customer:

“Im lovin both of dem songz da beatz iz hot and bangin and paris iz sangin up som stuff”

Allrighty then.

[silent_jonny]

Kellie Pickler

The first singer from the ’06 season to release an album wasn’t Hicks, McPhee or anyone in the top 5. It was 6th place finisher Kellie Pickler.

Her album “Small Town Girl” actually made it to #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Chart and has sold nearly 300,000 copies to date. (Billboard)

But if her singing--and the critics’ reviews-- are any indication, Kellie will probably make a more favorable impression as an actress.

She was recently offered a sitcom deal where she will play “a naïve small town girl” (that’s a stretch) who discovers that her biological father is the governor of North Carolina.

The FOX sitcom is being developed by the same creative team behind “That 70’s Show” and will be produced by American Idol’s 19 Entertainment. (eonline)

Pickler is content with completing what seems to be her own Cinderella story … "It's taken me 20 years but for once in my life I'm actually happy with what I see when I look in the mirror," Pickler said in an uncharacteristic soft voice. "You know, I'm happy with who I am and what I'm about. Life is good." (Ocala.com)

[silent_jonny]

Bucky Covington

Last season, as he was entering the semifinals, Bucky was asked: If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?

Bucky’s answer: Move to Nashville and keep trying.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Competing on the show in front of millions of viewers was "a really big learning experience," Covington explains. "And I was thrilled to reach number eight. I thought that it was one of the best moves that I could have made."

The very next day [after he was eliminated], calls from people in the music business started pouring in. But it was the first call that he received from Ron Harris, of O-Seven Artist Management who manage Sawyer Brown, that really made things click for Covington. Ron put Bucky in touch with Mark Miller, and a conversation with Mark drove things home. "Instead of telling me all they were going to do for me, he asked me what kind of music I wanted to make and he never brought up money. He let me talk rather than selling himself. Every time I talked to him and Ron, I could tell they were serious and legitimate and that they meant what they said.

"And the kind of things I was saying were: 'I don't care about becoming a millionaire in the next five years. I'm not looking for that. I want a 30-year career. I don't care how fast I get there. I just want longevity,'" says Covington.

Bucky poses with fans backstage at the
GAC (Great American Country) Christmas Tour.
Bucky replaced Nashville Star winner Buddy Jewell
after a wrist injury forced Jewell from the tour.
Click HERE for more photos.

“It’s so amazing, what ‘American Idol’ can do for a singer,” said Bucky. “People don’t realize that when they pick up the phone to vote they’re helping to make someone’s dream come true … Now I’m living in Nashville, signed to Lyric Street Records, and getting ready to release my first single and debut album. Man, it’s unbelievable!”

Source: BuckyCovingtonMusic.com

Bucky’s first single, “A Different World” will debut on Country radio January 16, followed by an album scheduled for release on April 17.

[silent_jonny]

Mandisa

The big girl with the big voice has also moved to Nashville and has signed a record deal with Christian label EMI-CMG. In addition to performing, Mandisa is currently writing a book titled Idol Eyes: My New Perspective of Faith, Fat and Fame (wkrn.com/nashville)

“More than just a career, I really want to have a ministry that has an impact on people,” Mandisa declares. “I want to be able to use the platform the Lord has given me to speak to people about race issues within the body of Christ and also about health issues. I just want to follow through with what is in my heart. I never want to look back and wonder, ‘What would have happened if….’”

Source: myspace.com/Mandisa

[silent_jonny]

Lisa Tucker

The 17 year old from California didn’t leave much of an impression, but rounding out the Top 10 of American Idol has some perks, at least. Tucker recently appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day and has made cameos as herself on a few TV shows. She graduated high school last June and plans to attend Cal State Fullerton eventually, “but will be taking her first year off to work on her major-debut album” (wikipedia).

[silent_jonny]

A BIG special thank you to

Wolfstar

for all her help in assembling this thread.

You all do!

“This is so much fun....I look forward to Tuesday and Wednesday....I feel like we're all friends....” ~ BamaDi

“I wouldn't be neeeeeearly as hooked on AI if it weren't for this thread!” ~ Hetty Fauxvert

“This thread is my absolute favorite part of FR and I never feel more at home and among friends as I do when I come here for the show.” ~ Conservativebabe

[silent_jonny]

The 4 hour American Idol season premier
is this Tuesday and Wednesday, January 16 & 17
Starting at 8pm EST

See you then

Fife, out!

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the ping...bookmarking the thread!!

[GraniteStateConservative]

I had no idea you were a painter, and so good at it.

[EmilyGeiger]

Gorgeous picture jonny! Breathtaking. Such talent!!



LOL to the Barney and the singing. One of my favorite episodes and perfect for this thread. Pinch me, I must be dreaming that my two favorite shows are on again this week!!! Thanks for the ping and for being such a gracious host.

[Wolfstar]

Jonny, in the spirit of the Smokey Backroom, I offer a prayer (well, sort of) to ward off the cranks and distruptors who are sure to stop by from time to time:

[bert]

Lest we forget greatness....

[tapatio]

Bookmark