"American Idol" Expert Says Jessica Sanchez Can't Win

Michael Becker / FOXMany people feel that if American Idol contestants were judged by sheer vocal talent alone, Jessica Sanchez would be the one crying with joy while standing under a shower of confetti Wednesday night.  But that's usually not the deciding factor -- and that's why one American Idol expert feels that Jessica has no chance of taking home the Idol crown.

Richard Rushfield, author of the book American Idol: The Untold Story, points out that for the past four years, America has handed the Idol title to a cute dude who plays the guitar -- a trend that Idol pundits call the  "White guy with a guitar" or "WGWG" factor.  According to Rushfield, since America crowned David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze and Scotty McCreery, there's no reason why they won't do it again, which means a Phil Phillips victory.

"Jessica cannot win," he says definitively.  "Unless there is some sort of act of God comes down, the cute white boy dynasty seems well entrenched.  Any smart betting person would have to guess that having done this four times, they will do it a fifth."

But why?  The Idol audience has crowned female contestants before; and at least two of those female winners -- Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson -- have been among the Idol winners with the most successful post-Idol careers.

But Idol voters aren't thinking like record producers, according to Rushfield.  "You have this alliance between young girls and grandmas and they see it, not necessarily as a contest to create a pop star competing on the contemporary radio, but as...who's the nicest guy in a popularity contest," he says, "And that has led to this dynasty of four, and possibly now five, consecutive, affable, very nice, good-looking white boys."  

We'll find out if Rushfield is right or if Jessica can buck the trend when American Idol's big finale airs Wednesday night on Fox.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Joe Walsh Discusses Eagles' Plans for a 40th Anniversary Tour

Credit: Sam JonesJoe Walsh just launched a solo tour in support of his soon-to-be-released Analog Man album that will keep him on the road throughout the summer, but the Eagles guitarist also is looking ahead to the band's 40th anniversary plans.  Walsh has confirmed to Rolling Stone that the group is indeed hoping to put together a special tour to celebrate the milestone that would feature the band playing a career-spanning selection of songs chronologically, as well as archival video footage.

"We have archives all the way back, and we've been talking about doing some retrospectives," he explains, adding the band members would like to dust off a variety of rarely performed tunes for the trek.

As for when the outing might get under way, Walsh says, "We're saving it all for next year and taking this year off just to get ready.  But I think if we can get it together, it'll be really good."

Walsh also doesn't rule out the possibility that former Eagles members Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon could take part in the tour.

"Maybe [they could perform at] some of the big shows, if we put one together for a DVD," he suggests.  "I think it would be an important part of it if they showed up."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kelly Clarkson's Happy Relationship Turns Her Angry Songs into "Butterflies & Rainbows"

RCAIf you want songs about broken relationships, betrayals and kiss-offs to loser boyfriends, then Kelly Clarkson's your girl -- but she may not be for long.  The singer says that now that she's in a happy relationship she's finding it difficult to write her signature angry tunes.

Kelly tells People magazine that her relationship -- with talent manager Brandon Blackstock -- is "killing me," adding, "I'm trying to write a tough song and it is coming out like butterflies and rainbows."  

The singer further joked that her relationship with Blackstock, her manager's son, who she's been dating since late last year, is "ruining my creativity," and says, "I'm writing all this happy [stuff]."

In fact, Kelly jokes when people hear the result of her latest songwriting sessions, they're "going to be like, 'What the hell happened to you?'"  But, she admits, "I love it.  It's an awesome problem to have."

Brandon Blackstock is the son of Kelly's manager Narvel Blackstock, who is married to Reba.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Spoon Frontman Britt Daniel Forms New Band, Divine Fits

Merge RecordsSpoon frontman Britt Daniel has announced that he has partnered with Wolf Parade singer Dan Boeckner and New Bomb Turks drummer Sam Brown to form a new band called Divine Fits.  The new group is currently putting the finishing touches on their as-yet-untitled debut album which is set to be released sometime this year.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

"The Other F Word" Featuring Members of Blink-182, Red Hot Chili Peppers to Premiere on Showtime in June

Facebook.com/TheOtherFWordAfter a limited run in theaters across the U.S. last year, the documentary about fatherhood called The Other F Word, and featuring Mark Hoppus from Blink-182, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tim McIlrath from Rise Against, will soon be hitting your TV screen.

The film, which was  inspired by the book Punk Rock Dad -- No Rules, Just Real Life by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg, examines what it means to be a father as well as a punk rocker. The film also features interviews with Art Alexakis from Everclear, Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo, Lars Frederiksen from Rancid and many others. The Other F Word will premiere on Showtime just a few days before Father’s Day on June 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

More Stars Added to CMT Music Awards Performers Lineup

CMTThe CMT Music Awards lineup just got a big boost with the addition of performers Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Pistol Annies and Willie Nelson. Hank Williams, Jr.is also set to perform on the live broadcast Wednesday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CMT and CMT.com.

Kristen Bell and Toby Keith will host the show. Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band and Little Big Town have previously been confirmed as performers.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

"American Idol" Finale to Include Rock, R&B and Country Legends, Former Contestants, Pop Stars & Tributes

Michael Becker/FOXAmerican Idol's big finale Wednesday night will feature the usual mix of legendary artists and current pop stars, as well as several tributes to the big names in music we've lost recently.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the female finalists will pay tribute to the late Donna Summer with help from R&B and disco icons Gloria Gaynor, Thelma Houston and Gladys Knight, as well as Nelly Furtado, Sheila E., Jennifer Holliday and Kristin Chenoweth, the latter of whom will sing the Barbra Streisand/Donna Summer duet "Enough Is Enough" with Jessica Sanchez.  The girls will also perform with Chaka Khan later in the show.

The male finalists will perform songs from the Bee Gees, in honor of the late Robin Gibb, who died on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Creedence Clearwater Revival rocker John Fogerty -- two of whose songs were performed this season -- will duet with Phillip Phillips, while country icon Reba McEntire will sing with Skylar Laine.  Joshua Ledet will perform with former Idol champ Fantasia, creating the long-awaited "Mantasia" mash-up.  Another former American Idol champ, Jordin Sparks, will duet with Hollie Cavanagh on a Broadway show tune.

In addition, legendary crooner Neil Diamond will perform a group number with the boys, and Jessica will join Jennifer Holliday for another round of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," which Holliday originated in the stage musical version of Dreamgirls.

As previously reported, Aerosmith and Rihanna will also entertain during the blowout finale, which will see either Jessica or Phillip crowned the American Idol champ.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Songs by Donna Summer, Booker T. & the MG's Named to Library of Congress' National Recording Registry

Facebook.com/DonnaSummerOn Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C., less than a week after Donna Summer passed away, one of her songs will be named to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

Each year, the Library of Congress selects for the Registry a handful of songs and albums that have been judged to be "cultural, aesthetic and/or historic American treasures."  This year, Donna's 1977 hit "I Feel Love" is one of those recordings.  The futuristic-sounding tune laid the groundwork for dance music for decades to come, since it was one of the first to have a completely electronic backing track.

Also being added to the Registry this year is "Green Onions," the classic instrumental by Booker T. & the MG's, whose bass player Donald "Duck" Dunn died less than two weeks ago.

Other new entries into the Registry this year include Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors," The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley" and "I'm a Man," Prince & the Revolution's 1984 Purple Rain soundtrack, Love's acclaimed 1968 psychedelic album Forever Changes, Parliament's 1975 Mothership Connection LP, a May 1977 concert recording of The Grateful Dead at Cornell University's Barton Hall and the soundtrack album from A Charlie Brown Christmas, by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, which features the well-known "Linus & Lucy" theme.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Songs by Donna Summer, Prince Named to Library of Congress' National Recording Registry

Facebook.com/DonnaSummerOn Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C., less than a week after Donna Summer passed away, one of her songs will be named to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. 

Each year, the Library of Congress selects for the Registry a handful of songs and albums that have been judged to be "cultural, aesthetic and/or historic American treasures."  This year, Donna's 1977 hit "I Feel Love" is one of those recordings.  The futuristic-sounding tune laid the groundwork for dance music for decades to come, since it was one of the first to have a completely electronic backing track. 

Also being added to the Registry this year is Prince & the Revolution's 1984 Purple Rain soundtrack, which made Prince into a worldwide superstar.  It spawned the hits "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," "I Would Die 4 U" and the epic title track, and also included the racy and highly controversial "Darling Nikki."

Other new entries into the Registry this year include Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors," Booker T. & the MG's "Green Onions," "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang, a May 1977 concert recording of The Grateful Dead at Cornell University's Barton Hall and the soundtrack album from A Charlie Brown Christmas, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, which features the well-known "Linus & Lucy" theme.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Chris Brown Tells Fans to Stop Sending Death Threats to Critics

ABC/TIM OGIERChris Brown took to Twitter on Tuesday, urging his fans to "stop sending death threats!," presumably to model Chrissy Teigen, who set off a firestorm when she made a comment many assumed was about Chris lip-synching his song, "Turn Up the Music," at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.  Chrissy's fiance John Legend also performed during the show.

"Why sing when you can dance?" Chrissy tweeted, sparking a barrage of disturbing messages from Breezy fans, some who tweeted her, writing that they hoped she would die, or be "raped and murdered."

Chrissy retweeted some of the notes, making jokes in some instances.  When one person wrote, "And your ironically a hoe...," Chrissy wrote back, "I'll give you a burger king gift card if you can tell me how that's ironic."

The violent messages continued through Tuesday, when Chris finally stepped in, tweeting, "Team Breezy!... I know y'all bout that life but it's the wrong message! Ur turning haters into victims!" He added, "And that only furthers their pointless existence!"

Without mentioning Chris by name, Chrissy acknowledged Chris' messages, writing, "Passive aggressive, but a wise move."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Recordings by The Grateful Dead, Prince Named to Library of Congress' National Recording Registry

Dead.netA bootleg recording of a May 1977 Grateful Dead concert at Cornell University's Barton Hall is one of 25 new entries chosen for the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.  Each year, the Library of Congress selects for the Registry a handful of songs and albums that have been judged to be "cultural, aesthetic and/or historic American treasures."

Also being added to the Registry this year are Prince & the Revolution's 1984 Purple Rain soundtrack, Love's acclaimed 1968 psychedelic album Forever Changes, the classic Booker T. & the MG's instrumental "Green Onions" and rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley" and "I'm a Man."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Drummer Lars Ulrich on 3D Movie: “You’re Onstage with Metallica”

Warner Bros. RecordsNew details have been revealed about Metallica’s upcoming 3D movie, set to be released in 2013.  Drummer Lars Ulrich says that the band is hoping that the film will be a unique visual experience for their fans.

“You’re not watching Metallica onstage, you’re onstage with Metallica,” Ulrich tells Rolling Stone.  “In IMAX, [frontman] James Hetfield is 38 feet tall, snotting on you, spitting on you.  It’s 2,000 decibels.  If there’s an earthquake outside, you wouldn’t notice.”

Hetfield added that the movie will be much more than your average concert film. “Our intention is to make something that is completely insane and blows minds,” explains the singer.  “I also want a story line.  I want this to be a cult-type film.”

In addition, the band has just announced that they will be filming their upcoming show at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, on August 24 for the 3D film.  "We couldn't think of a better place than Vancouver to end our three week new stage run with cameras capturing it all, so bring your nuttiest, craziest Metalli-self to the show, be a part of movie history, and show the rest of the world how much Vancouver rocks," said the band in a group statement.

Members of Metallica’s Met Club can purchase pre-sale tickets for the Vancouver show on Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time.  Tickets will be available to the general public on Friday.

In other Metallica news, Ulrich will show off his acting skills next week.  He'll be playing Dutch documentary maker Joris Ivens in the upcoming HBO film Hemingway & Gellhorn, which will air on HBO on May 28 at 9 p.m. ET.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Country Star Trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockWhat was David Nail's first top 10 hit? ANSWER: "Red Light."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Country Music Hall of Fame to Host Autograph Sessions During CMA Music Festival

Green Room PRThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host several autograph sessions during the CMA Music Festival next month. Josh Thompson is set to sign and perform at the Hall on Wednesday, June 6. Lee Brice and Tracy Lawrence will be there on June 7, and Love & Theft and Casey James will sign on June 8. Kellie Pickler is also set to sign autographs and talk about her songwriting at the Country Music Hall of Fame on June 9.

David Nail is also set to perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 5.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw to Share the Stage on Brothers of the Sun Tour

Fun StarKenny Chesney and Tim McGraw have wrapped up rehearsals for their Brothers of the Sun tour, kicking off June 2 in Tampa, FL.  Fans attending one of their stadium shows this summer will be treated to solo sets from both acts with a special treat at the end.

Kenny explains, "Tim and I have never played music together and not shared the stage. That's gonna happen."

Preparations for this tour have been going on before Kenny even finished last year's trek.  All that hard work is now coming together.

"We're trying to figure out ways to make that entertaining as it can be, and we're coming up with some pretty cool things," Kenny says.  "It's gonna be a lot of music -- a lot of music."

Fans won't have any time to rest at this concert either.  Kenny wants fans on their feet for the entire show.

He says, "It's gonna be loud.  I love going to concerts where I can feel the kick drum go right through my chest.  That's what this is gonna be."

Jake Owen and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals are also on the bill for Kenny and Tim's Brothers of the Sun tour.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kris Allen Picks Jessica Sanchez to Win "Idol," Talks New Album "Thank You Camellia"

19 Recordings/RCA RecordsKris Allen was the second cute guitar-playing dude to win American Idol, following David Cook in season seven.  Since then, two more have won: Lee DeWyze and Scotty McCreery.  But if Kris has his way, this year's crown won't be taken by yet another guitar-playing dude. 

Asked if Phillip Phillips or Jessica Sanchez will triumph on Wednesday night's big American Idol finale, Kris tells ABC News Radio, "My pick...and no offense to Phillip at all 'cause I think he's great but...I feel like Jessica is the frontrunner."  When asked if he really believes that Jessica could become the first female to win American Idol since Jordin Sparks in season six, Kris said, "I think that if anyone's going to, it's gonna be her, just because she's done so well throughout the show."

He adds, "I think people have -- since her little 'getting voted off' [incident] -- really been on it with her.  Like, they've been voting every week, and so she's really good." 

In addition to rooting for Jessica to win, Kris is busy promoting his brand-new sophomore album, Thank You Camellia.  "Camellia" isn't actually a woman, though: it's a street in Los Angeles called Camellia Avenue.  Kris explains, "My friends live there and they allowed me to stay with them when I was making this record for a long, long, long period of time and sleep on their couch.  So, I felt like they needed a big thank you!"

Kris co-wrote every song on Thank You Camellia, and all the songs are about love -- all aspects of it, from the romantic to the universal.  So what has Kris, who'll celebrate this fourth wedding anniversary this September, learned about love?  "Nothing," he laughs.  "I'm still learning.  But I think that's the great thing about the album: it takes you through all these different parts of a relationship or just love in general." 

He adds, "I think the biggest thing that I've learned from writing these songs and listening back to them is that I've still got a lot to learn, but as long as I keep on trying, it's gonna be OK."

So far, fan feedback on Thank You Camellia has been great, and Kris says that's because they get the sense that there's a lot more of his own artistic vision on this record than on his first, which he had very little time to make. 

"I think people see it as, 'This is what Kris wants to do,' you know?" he tells ABC News Radio.  "And I think because I feel that way about [the album], I feel like when people listen to the record, they can feel that...when we go to shows and play the songs or in just looking at stuff on Twitter, that's kind of people's reaction." 

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Britney Spears Launching New Perfume: Fantasy Twist

Courtesy Elizabeth Arden/LandovThis fall, fans won't just be able to tune into Britney Spears on The X Factor, they'll also be able to buy her newest beauty product.  People reports that the new product is called Fantasy Twist, because it's a special package that includes two of her more popular previous perfumes: Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy.

Britney tells People, "With Fantasy Twist, I wanted to combine two of my favorite fragrances into a sophisticated bottle, giving my fans the power to choose the scent they desire at any given moment." 

The sphere-shaped bottle twists in half, revealing two smaller bottles, one containing Fantasy, the other containing Midnight Fantasy.  The perfumes can be layered or worn separately.

Fantasy Twist hits shelves in October, with prices starting at $39.50.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Beastie Boys Fans Launch Campaign to Rename Brooklyn Park After Adam Yauch

NastyLittleMan.comBeastie Boys fans are looking to pay tribute to late rapper Adam "MCA" Yauch in his hometown of New York City. Some enterprising Brooklyn residents have set up a Facebook page, the purpose of which is to get Squibb Park in Brooklyn Heights named after Yauch.

According to the Facebook posting, Squibb Park is “currently undergoing a transformation into a skateboarding facility and gateway to Brooklyn Bridge Park.” The post goes on to say that since the park is under construction, it would be “a fitting tribute” to have the park named after Yauch, a Brooklyn Heights native.

Naming parks after musicians in Brooklyn Heights is nothing new.  Harry Chapin Playground, which sits across from Squibb Park, is named for the late singer-songwriter and fellow Brooklyn Heights resident who died in 1981.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Justin Bieber Announces North American Tour

Island Def JamBieber Fever is about to get a big boost.  Justin Bieber has just announced a North American tour in support of his upcoming album, Believe, which hits retailers June 19.

The tour kicks off September 29 in Glendale, AZ and wraps up January 26, 2013 in Miami, FL, for a total of 46 dates in 44 cities -- Justin will play two shows in Los Angeles October 2-3, and two in Rosemont, IL October 23 and 24. Justin's protégé Carly Rae Jepsen will open for him for the January dates.

If you're a member of Justin's fan club, you can buy you tickets now: the presale kicks off at noon Wednesday at BieberFever.com.  An American Express presale begins tomorrow, with general public sales beginning June 1 for Canadian residents, and June 2 for U.S. fans.  VIP packages are also available, which include meet-and-greets, autographed memorabilia and more.

As an added incentive and regardless of whether you're a fan club member, when you buy your tour tickets, you can pre-order a digital copy of Believe.

As he has before, Justin will also donate part of ticket sales proceeds to his favorite charity, Pencils of Promise -- in this case, a dollar from every ticket sold.

Justin also announces his tour during an appearance today on The Ellen Degeneres Show in a pre-recorded appearance, during which he gives everyone in the audience a pair of tickets to the tour.  Check your local listings to see when Ellen airs in your market.

Here's the tour itinerary:

September
9/29 -- Glendale, AZ, Jobing.comArena
9/30 -- Las Vegas, NV, MGM Grand

October
10/2 -- Los Angeles, CA, STAPLES Center
10/3 -- Los Angeles, CA, STAPLES Center
10/5 -- Fresno, CA, Save Mart Center
10/6 -- Oakland, CA, The Oracle Arena
10/8 -- Portland, OR, Rose Garden
10/9 -- Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome
10/12 -- Calgary, AB, Scotiabank Saddledome
10/15 -- Edmonton, AB, Rexall Place
10/16 -- Saskatoon, SK, Credit Union Centre
10/18 -- Winnipeg, MB, MTS Centre
10/20 -- Minneapolis, MN, Target Center
10/21 -- Milwaukee WI, BMO Harris Bradley Center
10/23 -- Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena
10/24 -- Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena
10/26 -- Kansas City, MO, Sprint Center
10/27 -- St. Louis, MO, Scottrade Center
10/29 -- Dallas, TX, American Airlines Center
10/30 -- Houston, TX, Toyota Center

November
11/1 -- Memphis, TN, FedExForum
11/2 -- Louisville, KY, KFC Yum! Center
11/4 -- Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center
11/5 -- Washington D.C., Verizon Center
11/9 -- East Rutherford, NJ, IZOD Center
11/10 -- Boston, MA, TD GARDEN
11/12 -- Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center
11/20 -- Pittsburgh, PA, CONSOL Energy Center
11/21 -- Auburn Hills, MI, The Palace of Auburn Hills
11/23 -- Kanata, ON, Scotiabank Place
11/26 -- Montreal, QC, Bell Centre
11/28 -- New York, NY, Madison Square Garden

December
12/1 -- Toronto, ON, Rogers Centre

January 2013
1/5 -- Salt Lake City, UT, EnergySolutions Arena
1/7 -- Denver, CO, Pepsi Center
1/9 -- Tulsa, OK, BOK Center
1/10 -- N. Little Rock, AR, Verizon Arena
1/12 -- San Antonio, TX, AT&T Center
1/15 -- New Orleans, LA, New Orleans Arena
1/16 -- Birmingham, AL, BJCC Arena
1/18 -- Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena
1/19 -- Greensboro, NC, Greensboro Coliseum
1/22 -- Charlotte, NC, Time Warner Cable Arena
1/23 -- Atlanta, GA, Philips Arena
1/25 -- Orlando, FL, Amway Center
1/26 -- Miami, FL, American Airlines Arena

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Taylor Swift Sends Flowers, Makes Call to Family of Fallen Marine

Big Machine RecordsTaylor Swift has reached out to the family of Sgt. Wade Wilson, a U.S. Marine from Leona, Texas who was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 11, 2012.

According to KBTX, Swift sent flowers and placed a personal call to the fallen Marine's family; she was alerted to his death by a fellow Marine, Corporal Josh Marreel, who posted a heartfelt video message to the star on YouTube.

"This is a shout-out to the one and only Taylor Swift," Marreel says to the camera. "I know you have no idea who I am but this video isn't about me. This is about a good buddy, Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, who was killed in action...Anybody that knew Willy knew that he worshiped you. He even slept with a poster of you in between our beds in Afghanistan on his first deployment there."

"This guy was my best friend," Marreel says. "I know a lot of people on here ask celebrities to go to dances and s**t with them, all I'm asking is for you to think about him."

Taylor's hand-written floral card reads, "Wade, Thank you for loving my music. I won't forget it, and I will never forget you. All my love, Taylor Swift."

According to KBTX, Swift told Wilson's family she wanted to wear his dogtags in tribute in her next video, and they were moved by her gestures of condolence.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio