Carrie Underwood, 'Last Name' -- Video of the Day

Artist: Carrie Underwood
Song:
'Last Name'
Why You Should Watch: After a few drinks and some flirtatious dancing, the usually well-behaved country sweetheart gets a little carried away (no pun intended) in Sin City.


Continue reading.. Carrie Underwood, 'Last Name' -- Video of the Day

Exclusive: 'American Idol' Stamps Revealed

'American Idol' is giving back to the community by putting your favorite contestants on postage stamps. Each Thursday, Ryan Seacrest announces which former winner graces the next 'American Idol Gives Back' stamp, but we have your exclusive sneak peek right here every Tuesday.

This week's stamp will be (drum roll please!) Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks. The limited-edition stamps already revealed include Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard. New photo stamps will be released each week featuring an 'Idol' winner until this season's finale, after which the new winner will get his or her own stamp.

The stamps, which can be used for actual postage, all benefit 'Idol Gives Back,' a program helping the less fortunate around the world. For each stamp purchased, $10 is given to the charity. Only 2,000 stamps will be printed for each winner in each of the 50 states, so the stamps will likely dramatically increase in value. You can purchase them at www.photostamps.com. See pictures of the postage after the jump.

Continue reading.. Exclusive: 'American Idol' Stamps Revealed

Kelly Clarkson Shares Naked Tendencies

Kelly Clarkson has undergone several transformations in her relatively short career. Among them: Her hair, her clothing style and not to mention her musical style, as evidenced on her self-professed "edgier" sophomore album. Most recently, it seems Clarkson is ramping up her ongoing quest to shake her "good girl" image.

Us Weekly reports that the 26-year-old Grammy-winning singer loves to walk around her house naked. The kicker? It's not just an alone habit, like plucking your eyebrows or doing an facial mask. A source told the gossip rag that Clarkson prances around in the buff even when her home is "filled with strangers for photo shoots or fittings."

We commend her on her free spirit, but moreso for her unapologetic excuse: "I just really like being naked."

Continue reading.. Kelly Clarkson Shares Naked Tendencies

Ferras Finds a Friend in Fred Durst

Who knew Fred Durst had a sensitive side? When singer-songwriter Ferras stopped by our Sessions studio and explained how the Limp Bizkit frontman helped jumpstart his career, we were a bit surprised.

"I got a call from Fred Durst and he asked, 'Can you come out and play live for me? I really dig your stuff,'" the 25-year-old musician tells PopEater. "So I met Fred -- an amazing, awesome guy -- and he was like, 'I'm signing you,' and he spent the next two years really trying to find the right home for me in terms of a record label."

Find out what captured Durst's attention by checking out Ferras' intimate Sessions performance, where he sings tracks off his debut album, including the 'American Idol' hit 'Hollywood's Not America.'

Continue reading.. Ferras Finds a Friend in Fred Durst

Bo Bice Goes To 'Idol Camp'

'American Idol' contestant Bo Bice is preparing to give up a handful of touring days to spend nights sleeping in tents, roasting marshmallows and singing 'Kumbaya.' The Southern rocker has donated time to teach music at 'Idol Camp,' a summer outing for kids aged 10 to 15.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I'm hoping I get to teach guitar and songwriting," Bice told PopEater.

Bice said he will use his four-year experience managing a Birmingham, Ala.-area guitar store when stepping in front of students at 'Idol Camp,' which runs in two-week segments running June 15 through Aug. 23 in San Bernardino.

Continue reading.. Bo Bice Goes To 'Idol Camp'

Clay Aiken, 'On My Way Here' -- Song Premiere

Artist: Clay Aiken
Song: 'On My Way Here'
Why You Should Listen: The pop superstar will be releasing his eagerly-awaited album 'On My Way Here' on May 6 -- his first collection of original songs since 2003. And since Clay fans are just "Aiken" to hear new music, satisfy your sweet tooth with the inspiring first single, written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder.

Continue reading.. Clay Aiken, 'On My Way Here' -- Song Premiere

Colbie Caillat Collaborates With Taylor Swift

Colbie Caillat has a new friend and new fan in Taylor Swift. The two have written and recorded a song together for Swift's upcoming sophomore album.

"Colbie Caillat is No. 1 on my 'Cool People List,'" Swift tells Dial-Global. "She's got this amazing album that I've fallen in love with, and I got the great opportunity to write a song with her. I've got this awesome tape of us both singing it, and I'm playing guitar and she starts singing these backup vocals and I'm like, 'Oh my God, she's got the best voice ever.' And so that's a really cool thing that I'm very excited about on this album."

Swift has also written a song with her good friend Kellie Pickler that will appear on Pickler's sophomore album. Swift's new album is due in late '08.

Continue reading.. Colbie Caillat Collaborates With Taylor Swift

Clay Aiken, 'On My Way Here' - New Album Webisode

Artist: Clay Aiken
Album: 'On My Way Here'
Why You Should Watch: Claymates, rejoice! Your favorite 'Idol' is back with a new album on May 6. Until then, check out this exclusive clip in which the newly-blond singer discusses his collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Kipper (who has previously worked with Sting and Mary J. Blige, among others).

Continue reading.. Clay Aiken, 'On My Way Here' - New Album Webisode

About to Pop: Ferras

Who: Ferras
Album: 'Aliens and Rainbows'
Hails From: Los Angeles, CA
For Fans Of: The Fray and Gavin DeGraw

Why He's About to Pop: When Ferras' (pronounced Fer-AHSS) parents divorced, his father tricked the singer into going to his native Jordan by telling him they were going to Disneyland. The bait and switch landed him in the foreign country for three months, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While in Jordan, Ferras got acquainted with a Casio keyboard and began writing songs. Now the 25-year-old is enjoying rising stardom with a performance on NBC's 'Today' show and the use of his single "Hollywood's Not America" in two episodes of this season's 'American Idol.' Ferras' debut album, 'Aliens and Rainbows,' hits stores on April 1.

Continue reading.. About to Pop: Ferras

Video of the Day: Ferras, 'Hollywood's Not America'

Artist: Ferras
Song: 'Hollywood's Not America'
Why You Should Watch: You may recognize the Tinseltown-inspired tune from the current season of 'American Idol,' but check out the official video from the 25-year-old singer-songwriter.



Continue reading.. Video of the Day: Ferras, 'Hollywood's Not America'

P's & Q's: Leona Lewis Says 'Pinch Me' About Her Rocketing Career

Leona Lewis' life has lately been filled with what she calls "pinch me" moments.The 22-year-old Londoner had a series of them ever since she won 'X-Factor,' a British variation on 'American Idol.' Just 24 hours before speaking to us, she was performing at the Brit Awards on the same stage as Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse and other stars. Then that's what happens when you have the most-played song in the world, the infectious 'Bleeding Love.' Despite coming off a big night, Lewis found the time to answer questions about the U.S. release of her debut album, 'Spirit,' meeting her idol Whitney Houston and her fear of spiders.

What was it like sharing a stage with Paul McCartney at the Brit Awards?

It was just amazing for me because I actually went to the Brit School, which is funded by the Brits ... I got to go there when I was 14. And I've always wanted to perform there, so it was incredible. Rihanna performed as well, so it was amazing I actually got to perform alongside them.

What can people expect from your album, 'Spirit'?

Well, people can expect a real melody-driven album and they can expect some big ballads, as well as some more edgy stuff like my single, 'Bleeding Love.' It's just a mixture of all my different influences, and I think it's quite a positive message throughout and a lot of subjects that people can relate to on there as well.

What are some of those positive messages?

I've got a song called 'Better in Time,' which is kind of about time being a healer and sometimes getting stuck in a bit of a rut and thinking that you're kind of getting nowhere, but actually you are and it's just about timing and waiting for things to get better.

Continue reading.. P's & Q's: Leona Lewis Says 'Pinch Me' About Her Rocketing Career

Taylor Swift is Blender's Cover Girl

It may be a rock 'n' roll magazine, but this month's Blender is all about country cutie Taylor Swift. The 18-year-old beauty is pictured on the cover of the March issue, which hits newsstands today.

In the feature story, titled 'Taylor Swift: Little Miss Perfect,' the singer-songwriter talks about avoiding wild parties in favor of hanging out with her family.

"There could be drinking there or whatever," she says. "Your career could go up in smoke just like that. It's not worth the risk."

But the article is not all sweet and innocent. Swift also dishes dirt on several boys who've served as songwriting inspiration. And she tells a funny story of exerting a little "blond power" with Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood when the three were approached by an overzealous fan. Click here for the full article.

Continue reading.. Taylor Swift is Blender's Cover Girl

Full CDs: Randy Jackson, The Presidents of the U.S.A. + More


Randy Jackson, 'Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume 1'

Stars abound on the 'American Idol' judge's first solo album, featuring guest appearances by Joss Stone, Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul.

Continue reading.. Full CDs: Randy Jackson, The Presidents of the U.S.A. + More

Video of the Day: Daughtry, 'Feels Like Tonight'

Artist: Daughtry
Song: 'Feels Like Tonight'
Why You Should Watch: The multi-platinum rock band has been touring all over the country, and its latest video proves that the guys can play absolutely anywhere. From the desert to the city, Daughtry just keeps on rockin'.

Continue reading.. Video of the Day: Daughtry, 'Feels Like Tonight'

Paula Abdul Announces New Album With Old Favorites

Paula Abdul is working on her first new album in more than 13 years. The 'American Idol' judge is revisiting her pop-star past, returning to the studio with a horde of producers to record new music and to re-record a number of her smash hits from the '80s.

"It was really nice being able to have no one expecting anything," she told Rolling Stone about the process of recording incognito. "No one knew that this was coming, it just kind of crept up from behind, and it was nice not having to feel the pressure of a time constraint."

Although Abdul maintains that the album is still in its preliminary stages, the first single is expected in early June. She has already given fans a taste of her musical comeback with the song, 'Dance Like There's No Tomorrow,' which premiered during the Super Bowl pre-show.

Despite her chronic pain condition, Abdul is not dismissing the idea of a tour to support the new album. She'll be reaching into the dark corners of her closet for her dance shoes as she announces plans to not only assist with the show's staging and visual aspects, but with choreography as well.

"I'm very particular about how I want to approach touring," she said. "I want to do something that's very different and that really kind of embraces all that I do."


Continue reading.. Paula Abdul Announces New Album With Old Favorites

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