Renowned Vocalist Pia Toscano to Present Anthem at Ford 400

American Idol finalist and 19/Interscope recording artist to sing “Star-Spangled Banner” before NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship race

MIAMI— Homestead-Miami Speedway today announced that American Idol finalist Pia Toscano will sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Ford 400 race on Sunday, November 20. Track President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

The 19/Interscope recording artist just completed the American Idol Live Tour and is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album, scheduled for release early next year. Toscano has opened for the Barenaked Ladies and performed with Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden.

“I am so excited and honored to sing the National Anthem at the NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship race – the Ford 400,” said Toscano.

“It’s fitting that an entertainer of Pia’s caliber presents the Anthem at NASCAR’s Championship race,” said Becherer. “We are excited and confident that it will be a rendition that fans at the track and those tuning in worldwide will enjoy.”

More About Pia Toscano:

19/Interscope recording artist and American Idol finalist, Pia Toscano, began her singing career appearing in talent shows when she was four, was the official National Anthem singer at her middle school, and performed at every event including graduation.

Widely considered one of American Idol’s Season 10 frontrunners thanks to her powerhouse vocal ability and dark-haired beauty, Pia‘s early elimination shocked and visibly upset judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler. The latter said of the voting public:

“They’re wrong. I don’t know what happened with this. She’s beautiful. When she sings, she’s a bird.” Outraged fans took to Twitter to express their support, including celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Ellen DeGeneres, Alyssa Milano, Dax Shepard,
Marlon Wayons, and Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher phoned in to “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” to opine: “I think she was probably the best pure singer on the show, and she’s got all the makings of what it means to be a star in my opinion, so I was just irked [when she was voted off].”

Source: http://www.catchfence.com/2011/sprintcup/11/14/renowned-vocalist-pia-toscano-to-present-anthem-at-ford-400/

Thia Megia – US National Anthem Video

Thia Megia, American Idol season 10 finalist, sings the US National Anthem at the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.

 

Nikki Reed Releases Duet With Husband Paul McDonald

Nikki Reed is showing off her singing skills on a new duet called 'Now That I Found You,' which she recorded with husband and 'American Idol' alum Paul McDonald.

The newlywed couple premiered the tune on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, revealing a sweet acoustic ditty that includes lyrics written by the 'Twilight' actress. Although Paul takes the lead on the song, Nikki holds her own with pretty back-up vocals.

According to the 23-year-old star, the duet "happened about a month ago," and this isn't the first time she's dabbled in music. "I've experimented with writing lyrics for other people in the past," she said.

Will the couple continue to make sweet music together? The outlook is good. "He really wants me to," Nikki added. "He's really supportive and encourages everything, so he wants to be a super team. I'm a little more shy. We've done some open mics together. I probably will end up doing it."

American Idol Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart Release Christmas Video – WATCH

Former American Idol contestants Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart have released a music video for their Christmas song, Baby, It’s Cold Outside.


Casey and Haley both appeared on season ten of the Fox TV singing competition which was eventually won by Scotty McCreery. Abrams was eliminated eighth and Reinhart was the eleventh contestant to get kicked out on the public vote.

Throughout their time on the show there were rumors that the two were dating each other. Now they are making sweet music together.

Their jazzy style duet was released earlier this year. Haley said she grew up singing the song so it is one of her favorite Christmas songs.

Reinhart signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/Interscope Records earlier this year, making her the fourth finalist on the tenth season to secure a deal following McCreery, runner-up Lauren Alaina and Pia Toscano.
She previously told reporters that she was hoping to release an album that was “sultry, bluesy rock,” adding, “I also love jazz so if I can get more into that in the future I’d love to do that. I’m definitely loving that feel.”
Watch the music video below and let us know what you think of the Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams music collaboration.

James Durbin Album pre-order

Just though that I'd ad this post as well.  Letting you know that you can pre-order the new album 'Memories of a Beautiful Disaster' on Amazon.com! :-)

James Durbin Will Sign Autographs Monday at Streetlight Records

Monday will be Durbin Day part two, when the American Idol finalist appears in Santa Cruz at Streetlight Records to sign copies of his new disc.

The store at 939 Pacific Ave. opens at 11 a.m. and the hottest singer from Santa Cruz with a new album out will sign copies of it at 4:30 p.m.

The store expects 300-500 people  to show up, not the 20,000-30,000 who came to hear him play last May.
Contrary to other published reports, Durbin is not performing, just signing, according to store employees Wednesday night. There will also be special T-shirts for the occasion.

This week's Good Times had a nice profile and interview with the man they call the "Durbinator."

How much money Scotty McCreery & Lauren Alaina make?

It seems to be what many wonder nowadays?  Do Idols get paid?  And if so, how much money do they get paid?

So how much are Scotty and Lauren Alaina taking home from their Idol run?

Scotty McCreery, a winning American Idol, will get majority of the pay.  His winning recording contract will pay him $250K. But he will also get many other posh perks such as first class travel, hotel accommodations for him and his parents.  

And since he's a minor, certain allowances have been put in place for his best interest: Idol must deduct 15 percent of his earnings until he's 18 and place that money in a trust for the singer; his parents, Judith and Michael McCreery, were named custodians of it. The contract also states that McCreery signed an exclusive deal with 19 Records and that, among his other obligations, he must participate in an Idol-themed stage show with Disney Hollywood Studios and go on the now-standard post-season American Idol tour.
As for Aliana, the teen will take home a little less than a third of McCreery's pay, as the second-place spoils total up to $87,500. However—and here's the good news for Lauren and her accountants—that figure could double up to a not-too-shabby $175,000 if when she actually records an album.

Source: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b244213_heres_how_much_scotty_lauren_made_from.html#ixzz1NUn0mpq5