Hot Music Beat

The music event is apparently going to be taken over by all of the Simon Cowell’s minions from previous seasons of the “talent” show American Idol. Apparently, the awards will feature Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and perhaps even more. There are all American Idol trained. It looks like Simon Cowell has finally achieved his life’s goal of producing and authentic, functional and seemingly respectable star factory. Ah, the blood of industrialization runs deep in his British veins. Who could possibly compete with his skill and the large number of “Idol” shows he has established across the span of his mere lifetime.

Apparently, one of Carrie Underwood’s song writers met with country singer Brittany McDonald after hearing and loving the latter’s song ‘Bang’. The meeting took place well before the 26-year old American Idol champ’s new single ‘Cowboy Casanova’ was written and recorded and now there is suspicion that Carrie’s latest single is a plagiarized song from Brittany. I’ve listened to both songs and they do sound eerily similar. While there are a lot of songs out there that sound similar, it’s highly suspicious that one of Carrie’s song writers met with Brittany before Carrie’s song even came to life. I hope Carrie isn’t involved in any shape or form in any plagiarism acts.

Jason Mraz just carved himself into the foundations of history as his song ‘I’m Yours’ is now the longest0running song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its 51-year history. The singer has officially beaten the likes of LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood. The song is also the only track to reach number 1 on each of the following four radio-based charts, namely Mainstream Top 40/Pop Songs, Adult Contemporary, Adult Top 40 and Triple A. And it still doesn’t seem like his song will be going anywhere soon and Jason still has the chance to edge out a lead that might prove to be unbeatable. Congratulations!

Carrie Underwood met and performed for the soldiers at the ‘Salute to the Troops’ concert at the Division Parade Field taking place in Fort Campbell, Kentucky last week. As part of the 2009 Week of the Eagles, the 26-year old American Idol alum was joined by fellow country singer Hank Williams Jr. The event-filled biannual celebration pays tribute to the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division who will soon be returning from their service in the Middle East. Welcome home guys! And thanks for protecting the country and the rest of the world from terror. You’ve made a lot of people proud.

Carrie Underwood exchanges a microphone for a softball bat this past Wednesday when she participated in the 19th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge which was held at Greer Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The 26-year old American Idol alum played for the Grand Ole Opry Team while Dancing with the Stars cast Julianne Hough and boyfriend Chuck Wicks played on the other team, After Midnight. Carrie’s team won 11-5 after the country singer scored a run, hit a double and got an RBI. Who knew Carrie could play such good ball? She can have a career in sports if she wants to.

Jessica Simpson, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Julianne Hough read the nominees for the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee last week. Unfortunately, the only wannabe of the group, Jessica, didn’t walk away with any nods. This year’s nominees for Entertainer of the Year are Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood. Hurray for Carrie Underwood! She’s representing the females of country! I hope she wins that category. I think Carrie Underwood is one of the best that country music has to offer.

Carrie Underwood opened the 2009 Annual People’s Choice Awards held last week by singing ‘I Know You Won’t’. The 25-year old singer wore 3 different dresses throughout the whole ceremony – 1 for the red carpet, 1 for her performance and 1 for after her performance. The American Idol alum walked away with 3 awards – Favorite County Song for ‘Last Name’, Favorite Star Under 35 and Favorite Female Singer. It doesn’t take numerous awards for us to know that Carrie is a favorite. The fact that her career is still going strong when others who have been on AI with her are falling so far behind is enough testament to that. Number 1 singles and albums also help.

Carrie Underwood sparkled in a Badgley Mischka mini at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards which was held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on Sunday. The 25-year old American Idol champ took home the Top Female Vocalist award for the second year in a row. In her acceptance speech, Carrie said “Wow! God is good! God is good! I would like to thank the most wonderful family in the world. I have great parents, great sisters, great family. … There are so many people who have done so many wonderful things for me, and I know I don’t deserve it. But I’ll take it! Oh, fans! Thank you fans! Duh! Fans got me everything that I have and I owe everything to you, so thank you fans.”

Much like John Mayer, country singer Carrie Underwood is aware of the power of YouTube. The American Idol alum has launched her very own YouTube page at YouTube.com/CarrieUnderwood. Check the page every so often for more updates which may include some footage from backstage at the Opry from last Sunday.

And unlike Oprah who prevents embedding on her YouTube channel, Carrie’s videos are embeddable-friendly. That is how you win fans over – when you give them what they want. Carrie is such a sweetheart for doing that! I wonder if she’ll be posting any personal videos and video blogs too. Now that will be something.

What do Amy Winehouse, Justin Timberlake, and Feist have in common? Besides having an incredibly successful 2007, each artist has been nominated for a Grammy and has secured a spot on the 2008 Grammy Nominees CD. The 15th edition of the best-selling compilation includes 21 tracks nominated across the spectrum of categories this year. Over 15 million Grammy® Nominees CDs have been sold worldwide!

2008 GRAMMY® Nominees CD Final Tracklisting

1. Justin Timberlake
What Goes Around… Comes Around (Interlude)
Record of the Year

2. Amy Winehouse
Rehab
Record Of The Year
Best Pop Vocal Album
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year

3. Beyoncé
Irreplaceable
Record Of The Year

4. Foo Fighters
The Pretender
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year

5. Maroon 5
Makes Me Wonder
Best Pop Vocal Album

6. Feist
I234
Best Pop Vocal Album
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

7. Bon Jovi
(You Want To) Make A Memory
Best Pop Vocal Album

8. Paul McCartney
Dance Tonight
Best Pop Vocal Album

9. Christina Aguilera
Candyman
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

10. Nelly Furtado
Say It Right
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

11. Kanye West Featuring T-Pain
Good Life
Album Of The Year

12. Herbie Hancock
River Featuring Corinne Bailey Rae
Album Of The Year

13. Vince Gill (Guest Vocalist: Sheryl Crow)
What You Give Away
Album Of The Year

14. Carrie Underwood
Before He Cheats
Song Of The Year

15. Plain White T’s
Hey There Delilah
Song Of The Year

16. Corinne Bailey Rae
Like A Star
Song Of The Year

17. Green Day
Working Class Hero
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

18. Daughtry
It’s Not Over
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

19. Nickelback
If Everyone Cared
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

20. The White Stripes
Icky Thump
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

21. U2
Instant Karma
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

Jonas Brothers will be taking the stage at Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve! Nick, Kevin, and Joe are set to join Miley Cyrus and Carrie Underwood during this year’s bash live in Times Square. The party ushering in 2008 will be hosted by Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest.

The Grammy nominations have been announced, and the Plain White T’s have earned two honors! The band is up for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” and “Song of the Year” for their smash hit “Hey There Delilah.” The T’s will be battling 2007 sensations like Carrie Underwood, Amy Winehouse, Daughtry, and Rihanna for the honors.

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