Video of the Day: An Announcement from Ellen – The Ellen DeGeneres Show

http://music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds

David Archuleta’s singing was an unstoppable force of nature. Somewhere in the family’s genetic chemistry, the music seeped right into his bones, and then fate or providence or whatever you want to call it lent a hand.
What if his father hadn’t left a “Les Miz” record lying around the house?

What if his mother, a singer and dancer, hadn’t emigrated from Honduras to Florida, where she met his father, who was there only to do temporary sales work for a summer?

What if his sister’s boyfriend hadn’t stumbled into a legendary voice coach, or what if the voice coach hadn’t needed help with his computers?

“So many things have happened along the way to make this happen,” says Jim Archuleta, David’s grandfather.

David, the sweet-faced 17-year-old “American Idol” sensation from Salt Lake City, was drawn to singing the way most boys are drawn to football and video games. As fate would have it again, the 5-foot-4 teen developed a big, full voice that belies his stature. And with the soulful voice, he sang with purpose.

“Since David was 8, his goal has been to achieve enough celebrity that he would be able to reach many people with the gospel message through his music,” says his grandfather. “He is very LDS.” Read More.

SIMON SAYS: MUSICIANS INSTITUTE ALUM BROOKE WHITE GAVE “ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF THE NIGHT” ON AMERICAN IDOL
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Often Compared to Carly Simon and Carole King, Former MI Student Is A Top 11 Finalist on American Idol

For three weeks running now, the legendarily acerbic American Idol judge Simon Cowell has showered praises on Musicians Institute voice alum Brooke White. After her heartfelt grand piano and vocal performance of the Beatles classic “Let It Be,” he said: “I thought, Brooke, it was again one of the best performances of the night…a brilliant choice of song…three weeks running now…great!”

Cowell’s compatriots Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul completely agreed, with Jackson admitting, “I’m a fan!” and Abdul adding “This is your niche.”

Cowell was equally enthusiastic in previous weeks. When White performed Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” during 70s week, he exclaimed, “OK, Brooke, I absolutely loved it.” After a stripped down version of Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield” during 80s week, he said, “Once again, two weeks running, you’ve done a great performance!” White accompanied herself on keyboard for “You’re So Vain” and acoustic guitar on “Love Is A Battlefield.”

A shining example of the caliber of vocalists and musicians at the Hollywood, California based music school, White continues the exciting connection between MI (www.mi.edu) and American Idol that began with the success of Season Three finalist LaToya London.

MI hosted a viewing party for both students and alumni to support White while she appeared on last weeks show. The viewing party held at MI on March 11 was covered by the local Los Angeles Fox News affiliate.

Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a performance-based contemporary music school taught by working professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.

The MUSICIANS INSTITUTE is our interest.

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For more information on MUSICIANS INSTITUTE, contact:
Steve Levesque or James Levesque at Luck Media & Marketing, Inc. at (818) 760-8077
info@luckmedia.com, www.luckmedia.com, or www.mi.edu

While this poll is in no way associated with AI, I think in past years it was pretty accurate in predicting who went home and who didn’t. Just thought it’d be cool for you to check out, and keep checking back with for the rest of the season as the contestants get narrowed down.

(Thanks to Andie for this information!)

I’m still shaking my head — Melinda deserves to win American Idol on talent alone — however I do think this will be a blessing for her — to make her own record deal (probably tons better than the American Idol contract) — and probably give her more freedom to go the direction she wants to go.

At this point, I think Jordin will win. I feel a bit bad for her if she does, simply for the fact that she is so young, and I hope she won’t give in to the pressure to become the “typical” teen star — dressing too sexy, focusing too much on fame, etc. I worry about these young stars.

I do think Blake has a chance to win — with the young girls voting — and I think he would do well as a winner or not. So at this point I don’t really care which one wins.

But, I’ll certainly miss the quality of Melinda’s singing next week! Good luck to you Melinda — I’ll be looking for your album to come out!

My Tivo cut out right as Simon was going to make his comments — I missed it! I would have loved to hear his response to Melinda going home — if any of you saw it, let me know what he said. Thanks!

Elliott Yamin’s performance was good — I’m not sure I love the hair or the new teeth — it kind of takes away from what I loved about him, but I guess if I saw him enough and got used to it then it might not bother me. I’ve always loved his voice and hope his album does well.

I like Blake and Jordin both, but they never seem to rise above the good performances to really make an impact on me. They are both very good but Melinda brings the emotion and power in her performances.

I think Blake will go home tonight.

“Ellen DeGeneres will head into the primetime realm when she hosts Wednesday’s live two-hour Idol Gives Back special. While Ryan Seacrest hosts the elimination episode from the show’s regular soundstage, DeGeneres will hold court at L.A.’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Idol star Kelly Clarkson will make a special appearance on the episode, along with Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Bono, who’ll talk with the Top 6 finalists about his ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History. They’ll also perform “American Prayer,” a song the rocker cowrote with Dave Stewart about the AIDS crisis in Africa, on Wednesday.

Idol Gives Back will benefit Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, a relief organization which benefits impoverished young people in America and Africa. “

— People Magazine