On a special Wednesday, March 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) performance show, the Top 10 finalists (Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Megan Joy, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver) will return to the ‘Idol’ stage to celebrate and pay tribute to “50 Years of Motown” as well as perform classic Motown songs.
Tune in the following night Thursday, March 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to find out if the judges use their save or if America sends another finalist home. Also, Smokey Robinson will perform, and ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard will return to the ‘Idol’ stage to perform his new single, “Together.”
Smokey Robinson has been synonymous with the Motown sound since the late 1950s when he first met Motown founder Berry Gordy in Detroit. Gordy took Robinson and The Miracles under his wing, and in 1960, signed them to Motown. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles began turning out a string of hits in the early 1960s, including “Shop Around,” “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby” and “I Second That Emotion.” Robinson quickly became involved in every facet of Motown’s operations, writing and producing his own work as well as that of Mary Wells & the Supremes, and he helped establish The Temptations. Robinson left The Miracles in 1971 to concentrate on his role as Vice President of Motown, and the following year, he launched his solo career. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. A familiar face on the ‘Idol’ stage, he performed a medley of his hits with the Top 6 male finalists on the ‘American Idol’ Season Six finale.
Songwriter, producer, director and entrepreneur Berry Gordy is the man behind the Motown sound and acts such as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie & the Commodores, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and Gladys Knight & the Pips, Chris Clark, Rick James and Teena Marie. Under his leadership, Motown achieved one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century by creating music that broke down barriers in a segregated country, touching all people, regardless of color. Starting out in a house that came to be known as Hitsville, USA, he built Motown into a record company with one of the most impressive rosters of artists in the history of pop music. In the 1960s, Gordy booked his artists on television shows including “American Bandstand” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” and in clubs such as New York’s Copacabana, paving the way for other Motown artists and R&B acts. What Berry Gordy and Motown accomplished in music, television and film had never been achieved before; their contributions to music past, present and future are truly immeasurable.
The distinctive, upbeat and uplifting music of Motown Records brought together pop and soul, white and black, old and young, like never before and continues to this day. Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American owned business in America. Today, the label is part of the Universal Music Group, with its classic recorded music catalog managed by Universal Music Enterprises, and the timeless songs of Motown from 1959 to 1985 are represented by EMI Music Publishing. Through the end of 2009, Universal Music Group and EMI Music Publishing will mark the 50th anniversary of the historic Detroit label’s musical achievements with a series of initiatives, including monthly music releases.
Since winning the second season of ‘American Idol’ in 2003, Ruben Studdard’s impact on the music charts has been impressive. His single “Flying Without Wings” debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100, and his version of “Superstar” peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart. In December 2003, his first album, “Soulful,” had advance orders of over a million copies, which automatically qualified it for platinum certification and allowed the record to enter The Billboard 200 at No. 1. His follow-up single, “Sorry 2004,” reached No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart. Studdard’s new album, “Love IS,” helmed by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, is scheduled for release on May 19 through a joint venture with Hickory Records and 19 Recordings. The album is a collection of love songs featuring original recording as well as covers of classic hits.
‘American Idol’ is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.
Taylor Hicks’ brand new video for “What’s Right Is Right” has just premiered on Yahoo! Music. Head over to Yahoo! to watch the crooner do his thing in the video and perform in a dark lounge with his trademark soulful sound. “What’s Right Is Right” will appear on Taylor’s upcoming release, The Distance, due out March 10th.
Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Taylor Hicks will thrill longtime fans, and inspire new audiences, with the release of his anticipated new studio album, The Distance, on March 10. The album will be released on Hicks’ Modern Whomp Records label and distributed through a partnership with independent artist services company Artist To Market (A2M). Debuting January 27 digitally is the first single “What’s Right Is Right,” a mid-tempo song about love and commitment, driven by funky keyboards and sax work.
Produced by Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill), and tapping the talents of guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Nathan East and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., The Distance includes eleven tracks, some co-written by Hicks: “Wedding Day Blues,” “Seven Mile Breakdown,” “What’s Right is Right,” “Hide Nor Hair,” “Woman Gotta Have It,” “New Found Freedom,” “The Distance,” “Nineteen,” “I Live on a Battlefield,” “Yes We Can,” “Maybe You Should,” “Once Upon a Lover of Mine,” “Keepin It Real” and “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness.”
Since becoming Season 5 winner of “American Idol,” Taylor Hicks has seen his self-titled debut album certified platinum, performed with Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Jackson Browne, toured through Asia, penned the Random House memoir Heart Full of Soul, and made his Broadway debut as Teen Angel in Grease. At the beginning of 2009 Taylor has embarked on a national US tour with Grease with stops in Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.
Listen to the first single, “What’s Right Is Right,” here, and for more information please visit www.taylorhicks.com.
American Idol favorite Melinda Doolittle is back with the first single “It’s Your Love” off of her debut solo album, Coming Back to You, which hits stores February 3, 2009
“It’s Your Love” Audio Streams:
Bio:
Poised to become this generation’s ambassador of R&B and soul, Melinda Doolittle will release her hotly-anticipated debut solo album, Coming Back to You, on Hi Fi Recordings in January 2009. Featuring production by Grammy-nominated producer Mike Mangini (Joss Stone, Run DMC, The Jonas Brothers), Melinda’s debut solo album is an R&B tour de force that combines the fiery electricity of Tina Turner’s early years with the slick production and lush instrumentation of today’s pop-soul renaissance.
Recorded with a team of live musicians in Nashville and New York City, Coming Back to You displays Melinda’s extraordinary talent and versatility as a vocalist and sees her seamlessly transcend genres as she combines R&B, soul, blues, jazz and funk to create a sound all her own. From the first note, Melinda reaches back into a rich pool of musical influences and carries the torch of the greats – Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle – into the musical landscape of today.
“I’m so excited to be using live instruments and to be singing music that really paints a picture,” said Melinda. “I knew my task was to just go in the studio and be me and the music would take care of the rest.”
“Melinda is a hugely talented vocalist and performer, and we are honored to be the home of her debut album,” commented Hi Fi Recordings Chairman/CEO John Hecker. John Titta, President/COO of Hi Fi Recordings, also noted, “Melinda’s album is one of the most exciting that we’ve heard in years – a throwback to the classic soul albums of the 70’s with a modern twist that will undoubtedly capture the ear of today’s music fan. We can’t wait for everyone to hear what she can do.”
Melinda’s undeniable talent has resulted in a timeless collection of 13 songs that will take listeners on a journey from the blues clubs of Louisiana to the churches of Mississippi, to the piano bars of New York City and back. From the first horn blasts of “Declaration of Love,” listeners will feel a driving pulse and unstoppable energy that is reminiscent of Tina Turner’s iconic hits, while “Coming Back to You” and “Wonderful” feature Melinda’s silky voice wrapped around the smooth, sleek sounds of classic R&B. Melinda commands the emotional storytelling and funky delivery of the blues in “Dust My Broom” and “Walkin’ Blues”, and her impeccably artful and expressive voice has never been more on display than on the beautifully lush ballad “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” and the stripped down jazzy melody of “Wonder Why.”
A skilled and accomplished performer who perfected her craft as a backup singer for some of the biggest names in R&B, gospel and soul, including Michael McDonald, Aaron Neville, BeBe and CeCe Winans and Jonny Lang, Melinda became a household name as a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. She was immediately recognized as one of the most talented performers in the show’s history and won over millions of fans and critics alike with her powerhouse vocal performances, engaging personality and now-classic renditions of songs like “My Funny Valentine,” “I’m a Woman” and “Nutbush City Limits.” The New York Times called her a “phenomenally gifted, stylistically adroit…Gladys Knight-Tina Turner hybrid…[who] brings a compelling honesty to every phrase she sings.” Eventually finishing in third place, Melinda finally entered the studio in 2008 to record the debut album that the world was waiting for.
Hot off the heels of her 18th # 1 song comes the brand new Mariah Carey single “Bye Bye” which is available for download at iTunes NOW! Fans can watch Mariah’s live performance of “Bye Bye” TODAY, April 14th on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and again on American Idol this Wednesday, April 16th. And don’t forget to watch MTV all week for Mariah skits and performances!
“Bye Bye” was written by Mariah Carey and So So Def/Island Records recording artist Johnta Austin, and produced by Mariah and the Norwegian hit-making duo Stargate.
Mariah’s new album E=MC 2 is in stores everywhere TUESDAY, APRIL 15! Download a copy of “Bye Bye” the most beautiful ballad of the year from the most anticipated album of the year E=MC 2 at iTunes TODAY!
Listen to “Bye Bye” HERE
The official E=MC² Contest: http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2149
E=MC² Album Tracklist:
1. Migrate feat. T-Pain
2. Touch My Body
3. Cruise Control feat. Damian Marley
4. I Stay In Love
5. Side Effects feat. Young Jeezy
6. I’m That Chick
7. Love Story
8. I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time
9. Last Kiss
10. Thanx 4 Nothin’
11. O.O.C.
12. For The Record
13. Bye Bye
13. I Wish You Well
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