Constantine Maroulis in "Rock of Ages"
Photo: MTV News

History has not been kind to the hair-metal era of the late 1980s.

It was a time of leather and strategically ripped denim, of bangles and hoop earrings, of pumping fists and devil horns, of eyeliner and rouge. It was a time when women lusted after men who wore more hairspray, makeup and jewelry than they did. It was a time when Poison, Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake and Warrant ruled the charts, and bands with names like the Bang Tango, Britny Fox, Kix and Faster Pussycat were almost considered cool.

It was a time of glorious cheesiness. It was, to quote a hit of the era, nothin' but a good time.

So it was just a matter of time before somebody made a hair-metal musical, right?

In theory, it sounds awful. And by all rights, it should be. But the hilarious "Rock of Ages" — a new musical that revels in the cheese of the era, tacking a corny plot to anthems of the era by Whitesnake, Journey, Twisted Sister, Poison, Foreigner, Night Ranger and many others — gets it just right by laughing at itself as hard as its audiences do. It's not just your typical cheesy off-Broadway musical. It's your typical cheesy off-Broadway musical on steroids. (Imagine a hair-metal "Mamma Mia.")

It's got mullets, bimbos, spandex, a sleazy club owner and wannabe rockers galore. Not cheesy enough? It's even got "American Idol" castoff Constantine Maroulis in a lead role.

"Let's set the scene," he says. "1987, Sunset Strip, lots of big dreams, lots of big guitars, big hair, stripper poles, naked chicks, really funny characters ... and two dreamers move to L.A. and try to make it big."

The plot centers on (you guessed it) a boy, Drew, and a girl, Sherrie, with dreams of making it big in the music business, moving to Hollywood in the late '80s and working at a rock club on the Sunset Strip (a winking stand-in for the Whisky a Go Go). The two fall for each other, but wait! Starstruck Sherrie has a seedy one-night stand (in the club restroom) with sinister superstar Stacee Jaxx, who then promptly forgets her. Discouraged, she and Drew lose sight of their dreams; she becomes a stripper, he joins a wack rap combo. Then, the club is about to be demolished to make way for condos! All seems lost!

You'll never guess how it plays out.

And in case the plot gets a little too complicated — which is pretty much an impossibility — a narrator is there to help the story along. And he takes his job very seriously.

"The narrator, it's an ancient rock-and-roll device used back in the day to involve the crowd," said Mitchell Jarvis, the mulleted, Jack Black-channeling narrator. "Because a lot of time the music and the lyrics are so complicated that you need that layman's voice."

The plot is so filled with winks that everyone in the house is in on the joke. But what really makes the show, believe it or not, is the music. The extroverted nature of the songs translates beautifully to a Broadway setting, and anyone who doesn't walk out of the theater with respect for the craft of "Here I Go Again" or "Don't Stop Believin' " has no sense of fun. Adding to the ambience, the theater is loaded with concert posters from the era, fake lighters are distributed along with the programs, and — not insignificantly — alcohol is served.

"It's kind of like the anti-Broadway musical," says Will Swenson, who steals the show as Stacee Jaxx. "It's super-interactive with the crowd, people are ordering drinks and singing along with the songs."

"What we've done is taken those '80s bands and theatricalized them and put them into a musical with a really big plot," says Kelli Barrett, who plays Sherrie. "Rock and roll for us is the priority. It's a light show, we've got the hazer fog, and we've got an amazing band."

For those reasons and many others, "Rock of Ages" works much better than it should. As Jarvis says, "The magic happens when I put this mullet on and go out there and do my thing."

• 'Rock Of Ages' Is The 'Anti-Broadway Musical'

• Constantine Maroulis
• Whitesnake
• Poison

UGK's <i>Underground Kingz</i>
Photo: Jive

Talk about a summer drought — even though it's only halfway through the season, there are hardly any heavy hitters left on the horizon until the fated September 11, when Kanye West and 50 Cent square off for their epic back-to-school battle. But between now and then, expect ripples to be made by the "High School Musical 2" soundtrack, Yung Joc and his Hustlenomics, and that's about it — save one big release this week, that is ...

Fit to Be Kingz?: Bun B and Pimp C formed UGK in Texas 20 years ago, if you can believe it, and while age usually isn't kind to hip-hop vets, the duo could make the biggest debut of their career on the strength of their huge summer single, "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)" (featuring Outkast). Only two of the group's seven studio albums have opened in the top 20 on the Billboard albums chart, but with T.I., Lil Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross scattered across the two-CD Underground Kingz, the chart-topping glory could be theirs.

Soul Food: Public Enemy have a year or two on UGK, and their first album came out much earlier — if you're keeping score at home, that would be Yo! Bum Rush the Show, which dropped in March 1987. It probably isn't a good sign of sales to come that Chuck D recently gave away vouchers for free copies of the group's new album, How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, in New York. Equally foreboding is that the group's last effort, 1999's There's a Poison Goin' On, didn't even make it onto the Billboard albums chart. But PE do get a boost from Bomb Squad's Gary G-Wiz, who reunited with the crew to produce the LP; and KRS-One, who helps grease "Sex, Drugs and Violence." Don't miss "Frankenstar," "Head Wide Shut" and "Black Is Back," too.

The New Testament: Coming from the other end of the age spectrum is Fort Myers, Florida, rapper Plies, who is stepping out with his first major-label effort, The Real Testament. The LP features another summer banger, "Shawty" (featuring T-Pain), as well as contributions from Akon, Tank and producer J.R. Rotem, but give Plies credit for being creative: "Ain't Slippin' " features a bonus verse from a fan who won a lyrics contest the rapper held earlier in the year.

He's No Keanu: Speaking of music contests, "American Idol" fans no doubt recall fourth-season finalist Constantine Maroulis, who is finally delivering his long-in-the-works solo disc, Constantine. Issued through his own Sixth Place Productions banner, the set features a songwriting assist from Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas and also includes "Everybody Loves," a track soap-opera aficionados might recall from "The Bold and the Beautiful."

They're Frontin': Lots of activity on the frontmen front this week. Drowning Pool usher in a new singer, Ryan McCombs, on their new album Full Circle. The first 500 fans who preordered the disc through the band's Web site received autographed copies of the disc, which boasts "Reasons I'm Alive," "Upside Down" and "37 Stitches." Hard-rock kindred spirits Fuel have a new singer of their own: Toryn Green, who is introduced on the band's Angels & Devils.

Hot Water Music frontman Chuck Ragan is stepping out with his first solo album, Feast or Famine, which guests Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, Jolie Holland and James Fearnley (the Pogues). And former Azure Ray co-frontwoman Orenda Fink is putting her energy these days into Art in Manila, whose Set the Woods on Fire debut comes courtesy of tastemaking indie label Saddle Creek. But it's psych-pop four-piece 54 Seconds who have probably the most unique frontman of the bunch: Bee Gee Robin Gibb's son Spencer. The band's Postcards From California features "Pocket Full of Numbers," "My Crazy Life" and "Dirty Little Secret."

Comp Troller: If you're into the whole various-artists thing, this is the week for you. For the soundtrack to the new Ethan Hawke movie "The Hottest State," Feist, Bright Eyes, Cat Power, M. Ward and others chalked up newly recorded versions of songs written by Grammy winner Jesse Harris, who co-produced the disc. The musical accompaniment to "The Trials of Darryl Hunt" is also packed with coffeehouse-worthy tracks, including unreleased cuts from Andrew Bird, Mark Kozelek, Portastatic and Califone. It reps the rap set too, with new songs from Dead Prez, Ras Kass and the Last Poets (featuring Dälek). Last but not least is Little Steven's Underground Garage Presents: The Coolest Songs in the World! Vol. 2, a new comp drummed up by Steven Van Zandt of E Street Band and "Sopranos" note. The set runs the garage-rock gamut from Joey Ramone and Buzzcocks to the Donnas and the Raveonettes.

Song Title of the Week:

"Let's Undress and Listen to CSS" from All Teeth and Knuckles' Club Hits to Hit the Club With

Album Cover of the Week:

Tarentel's Ghetto Beats on the Surface of the Sun

Other Notables:

Magnolia Electric Co.'s The Sojourner Boxset:
Why record one album when you can record three? That's apparently the Magnolia Electric Co.'s MO these days — the Secretly Canadian group's ridiculously ambitious new release encompasses three full-lengths, one EP and one DVD created by more than a dozen people. The LPs are Nashville Moon, which features the Jason Molina-led Ohio collective's most consistent lineup and was recorded with Steve Albini; Black Ram, featuring a much different lineup and recorded by Cracker's David Lowery; and Sun Sessions, tracked at Memphis' legendary Sun Studios. The EP, Shohola, is just Molina with a guitar and microphone; and the DVD, "The Road Becomes What You Leave," trails the band through Canada and "shows the loneliness and isolation one can feel even when traveling in a pack," according to a press release.

Okkervil River's The Stage Names:
The Texas band is on Secretly Canadian's sister label Jagjaguwar and faces high expectations with its fourth album, which succeeds 2005's critically beloved Black Sheep Boy. Frontman Will Sheff wrote the nine tracks — including "A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene" and "You Can't Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man" — while traveling across the States, and to ensure that fans are along for the ride, the deluxe edition has a second disc brimming with solo demo versions of each song.

Two Dollar Pistols' Here Tomorrow Gone Today:
Hitting the digital sphere this week is the latest by the country/R&B/rockabilly crossover crew, which was aptly produced by Southern Culture on the Skids main man Rick Miller. On its first album in three years, the group coaxes SCOTS bassist Mary Huff for "Stranger Things Have Happened," while members of Tres Chicas lend support on "Anyone Else but Me." And for good measure, the group busts out a Farfisa organ for the less-than-amicable "I Don't Know You (But I Don't Like You)."

New Releases:

· 54 Seconds - Postcards From California (Rock Ridge)
· All Teeth and Knuckles - Club Hits to Hit the Club With (Lujo)
· Art in Manila - Set the Woods on Fire (Saddle Creek)
· Sam Baker - Pretty World (BlueLimeStone)
· Benzos - Branches (Stinky)
· Dave Brubeck - Indian Summer (Telarc)
· Brunettes - Structure & Cosmetics (Sub Pop)
· Buck-O-Nine - Sustain (Asian Man)
· Peter Case - Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (Yep Roc)
· Copperpot - WYLA? (EV Productions)
· Kat DeLuna - 9 Lives (Sony) [Buy Now]
· DeSol - On My Way (Adrenaline)
· Christopher Denny - Age Old Hunger (Megaforce)
· Drifting in Silence - Fallto (Labile)
· Drowning Pool - Full Circle (Eleven Seven)
· Falu - Falu (Monsoon)
· The Fire the Flood - Truth Seekers (No Sleep)
· Robben Ford - Truth (Concord)
· Donovon Frankenreiter - Recycled Recipes (EP; only available at indie retailers and online; Lost Highway)
· Fuel - Angels & Devils (Epic) [Buy Now]
· Ezra Furman & the Harpoons - Banging Down the Doors (Minty Fresh)
· Gwendolyn - Lower Mill Road (available through CD Baby; Whispersquish)
· Bruce Hornsby, Jack DeJohnette, Christian McBride - Camp Meeting (Legacy)
· Johnny Irion - Ex Tempore (Rte 8/RCAM)
· Jonas Brothers - Jonas Brothers (enhanced; Hollywood) [Buy Now]
· June - Make It Blur (Victory)
· Magnolia Electric Co. - The Sojourner Boxset (box set with three CDs, one CD EP and one DVD; Secretly Canadian)
· Constantine Maroulis - Constantine (6th Place)
Read: " 'American Idol' Vets Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis Can't Stop Rockin' "
· Mirah and Spectratone International - Share This Place: Stories and Observations · Marissa Nadler - Song 3: Bird on the Water (Kemado)
· National Product - Luna (Innovative Distribution Network)
· Nedelle - The Locksmith Cometh (available at indie stores only; Tangram 7s)
· Oh No Oh My! - Between the Devil and the Sea (EP; Dim Mak)
· Okkervil River - The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar)
· People - Misbegotten Man (enhanced; I and Ear)
· Plies - The Real Testament (Atlantic) [Buy Now]
Read: "Akon Might Have Made Plies' Song Into A Hit — Without Him — But There's No Beef"
· Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - This Is Somewhere (Hollywood)
· The Pretty Things - Balboa Island (Zoho)
· Public Enemy - How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? (with DVD; Slam Jamz) [Buy Now]
· Chuck Ragan - Feast or Famine (Side One Dummy)
· The Receiving End of Sirens - The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi (Triple Crown)
· Inga Rumpf & Friends - Rockpalast (MVD Audio)
· Luther Russell - Repair (Adrenaline)
· Schooner - Hold on Too Tigh (54-40 or Fight)
· Secret Stealth - Hooked on You (Kosmic)
· Simple Kid - 2 (Yep Roc)
· Spokane - Little Hours (Jagjaguwar)
· Slighty Stoopid - Chronchitis (Megaforce)
· Still Remains - The Serpent (Roadrunner)
· The Stabilisers - Wanna Do the Wild Plastic Brane Love Thing? (Wicked Cool)
· Tarentel - Ghetto Beats on the Surface of the Sun (two CDs; Temporary Residence)
· Testa Rosa - Testa Rosa (Latest Flame)
· Throwdown - Venom and Tears (Trustkill)
· Tiger Stripes - Safari (MVD Audio)
· Castor Troy - Patience Above (EP; Rock Ridge)
· UGK - Underground Kingz (two CDs; Jive) [Buy Now]
Read: "Ex-Con Pimp C Juiced For UGK Album, Says He Has Lessons To Teach"
· Underminded - Eleven: Eleven (Uprising)
· The Warriors - Genuine Sense of Outrage (Victory)
· Yakuza - Transmissions (Prosthetic)
· Zap Mama - Supermoon (Heads Up)
· ZO2 - Ain't It Beautiful (Riker Hill)
· Various artists - Land of a Thousand Rappers (Asthmatic Kitty)
· Various artists - True Colors: The Tour CD (Tommy Boy)
· Various artists - "The Hottest State" soundtrack (Hickory)
· Various artists - "Superbad" soundtrack (Lakeshore)
· Various artists - "The Trials of Darryl Hunt" soundtrack (Young American)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· Andy and the Bey Sisters - 'Round Midnight (Prestige)
· Chet Atkins - The Early Years: 1946-1957 (five-CD box set; JSP)
· Drake Bell - Telegraph (Backhouse)
· Bitter: Sweet - The Remix Game (Quango)
· James Brown - The Singles, Volume Three: 1964-1965 (two CDs; Hip-O Select)
· John Coltrane - Stardust (Prestige)
· Miles Davis Quintet - Steamin' With the Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige)
· Diamond Rio - 16 Biggest Hits (Arista)
· The Dickies - Second Coming (Captain Oi!)
· Bo Diddley - You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover (Music Avenue)
· Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends - Ladies and Gentlemen (two CDs; Shout! Factory)
· Art Farmer - Farmer's Market (Prestige)
· Red Garland - Soul Junction (Prestige)
· Billie Holiday - Remixed & Reimagined (RCA/Legacy)
· Alan Jackson - 16 Biggest Hits (Arista/Legacy)
· Mississippi Fred McDowell - An Introduction to Mississippi Fred McDowell (Fuel)
· Ju Suk Reet Meate - Solo 78/79 (De Stijl)
· Magic Sam - An Introduction to Magic Sam (Fuel)
· Gretchen Peters - Burnt Toast & Offerings (Thirty Tigers)
· Rivingtons - Papa Oom Mow Mow: Rockin' R&B and Boss Ballads (Shout! Factory)
· Diana Ross - Last Time I Saw Him - Deluxe Edition (two CDs; Hip-O-Select)
· Joe Satriani - Surfing With the Alien: Legacy Edition (with DVD; Epic/Legacy)
· Third Day - Chronology, Volume Two: 2001-2006 (two CDs; Essential)
· Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat: The Songs of Leonard Cohen - 20th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)
· Various artists - The Best of Newport '57 - 50th Anniversary (Verve)
· Various artists - Classic Bluegrass Collection, Vol. 1-4 (eight-CD box set; Time Life)
· Various artists - Classic Soul Ballads (10-CD box set; Time Life)
· Various artists - Lifetime of Country Romance and Lifetime of Romance (10-CD box sets; Time Life)
· Various artists - Little Steven's Underground Garage Presents: The Coolest Songs in the World! Vol. 2 (Wicked Cool)
· Various artists - The Soul Story (10-CD box set; Time Life)
· Various artists - Superstars of Country (10-CD box set; Time Life)

Music DVDs:

· GG Allin & the Murder Junkies - "Hated" (MVD Visual)
· David Bowie - "The Plastic Soul Review" (Sexy Intellectual)
· Solomon Burke - "The King Live at AVO Session Basel" (MVD Visual)
· Larry Coryell, Al Di Meola and Bereli Lagrene - "Live At Montreux 1989" (Eagle Eye)
· Deftones - "The Complete Story" (Video Music)
· The Delfonics - "Live in Concert" (Soul Concerts)
· Fleetwood Mac - "Videobiography" (Classic Rock Legends)
· George Jones - "Greatest Hits: Live Recordings From the Church Street Station" (MVD Visual)
· Led Zeppelin - "Videography" (two DVDs; Classic Rock Legends)
· Harold Melvin - "Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes: Live in Concert" (Soul Concerts)
· Melba Moore - "Melba Moore: Live in Concert" (Soul Concerts)
· Musical Youth - "This Generation: Musical Youth Live in the U.K." (MVD Visual)
· The Platters - "The Platters With Special Guests the Crickets & Lenny Welch" (MVD Visual)
· Elvis Presley - "Memories of the King" (Classic Rock Legends)
· Inga Rumpf & Friends - "Rockpalast" (MVD Visual)
· Edwin Starr - "Live in Concert" (Soul Concerts)
· Barbra Streisand - "Inside the Actors Studio" (Universal)
· Uriah Heep - "Transmissions" (with CD and book; Classic Rock Legends)
· The White Stripes - "The Document" (with CD; Video Music)
· Various artists - "A Night at the Family Dog" (Eagle Vision)
· Various artists - "Blues, Rags & Hollers: The Koerner, Ray & Glover Story" (MVD Visual)
· Various artists - "Vintage Reggae Bash" (MVD Visual)

Digital Releases:

· Sportsguitar - Cicadas' Chirping; Fade/Cliché; Happy Already; Married, 3 Kids; and Surface (reissues; Kitty-Yo)
· Two Dollar Pistols - Here Tomorrow Gone Today (8th House)

Coming Attractions:

August 14:
· Blaqk Audio - Cexcells (Interscope) [Preorder]

Read: "AFI Members Have Another Fire Inside: Side Project Blaqk Audio"
· Wayne Wonder - Foreva (VP)
· Various artists - "High School Musical 2" soundtrack (Disney)
Read: " 'High School Musical' Stars Dish On Sequel's Showstoppers, Love Triangles"

August 21:
· As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us (Metal Blade)
· Cartel - Cartel (Epic) [Preorder]
Read: "Pop-Punks Cartel Show Off Grandma's Digs, Borrow Benz For 'Cribs' "
· Talib Kweli - Ear Drum (Reprise) [Preorder]
Read: "Stung By Criticism Of Last LP, Talib Kweli Promises No Sting Samples This Time"
· New Pornographers - Challengers (Matador)
· Swizz Beatz - One Man Band Man (enhanced; Motown) [Preorder]
Read: "Beyonce Hitmaker Swizz Beatz Defies Radio Rules With Two-Minute Single"

August 28:
· Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass (Def Jux)
· Ice Water - Raekwon Presents: Ice Water - Polluted Water (Babygrande)
· Yung Joc - Hustlenomics (Bad Boy) [Preorder]

• UGK
• Plies
• Public Enemy
• Okkervil River
• Constantine Maroulis

Bo Bice
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

So much for striking while the iron's hot. Instead of rushing out an album right after his ouster from the 2005 edition of "American Idol," Constantine Maroulis has spent the past two years indulging his love of musical theater, acting in a soap opera and putting together an empire under his snarkily named Sixth Place Productions banner.

(Are you an "Idol" junkie? Don't miss our recap of the Wednesday night finale, see a 60-second recap, watch our carpet coverage here, and read about Sanjaya and Carrie Underwood strutting their stuff on the red carpet.)

"I'm an actor, I love to host and I'm a singer. I did Broadway, and I produced my own tours and started my own label," said Maroulis, who appeared on Broadway in "The Wedding Singer" musical and is currently playing a singer on the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful" (see "Constantine Maroulis Hopes For 'Roseanne'-Type Success"). "Would I trade all that work for making one successful album right off the show? I don't have that answer. I think this record is better than the one I could have made right off the show. It's more grassroots — I picked the band, financed it and co-wrote a bunch of the songs."

The album, titled Constantine, will drop August 7 on his label, with distribution from Sony/Red. Self-proclaimed "blue-collar guy" Maroulis is confident that his fans will find it and buy enough copies to keep him on the road. "I can sell a couple hundred thousand copies and do what I love to do: play clubs," he said. "I don't need to be a huge star."

Just in case, though, he did bring in some ringers, including Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas, who co-wrote a song on the album, as well as Nashville songwriter Angie Aparo (Faith Hill's "Cry"). "It's got a distinctly rock sound, kind of an East Coast Bon Jovi/Rob Thomas vibe with great pop hooks," Maroulis said. The first single, "Everybody Loves," has been featured on "The Bold and the Beautiful" and is on iTunes now. The next single, "Girl Like You," will soon be tied to a story line on the show.

Season four's other rocker, #2 finisher Bo Bice, is also prepping an album for later this year: his yet-untitled sophomore release. His 2005 debut, The Real Thing, featured assists from Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and former Evanescence member Ben Moody that were brokered by Bice's label (see "Intestines, 'Idol,' Baby And Bon Jovi Helped Inspire Bo Bice's Debut"). The longhaired Southern rocker says he called the shots this time around.

The album, which Bice is recording with noted country producer Frank Liddell (Faith Hill, Dixie Chicks), features the music hound's wish list of famed session masters. "I was throwing around ideas of the people I wanted to play on it," Bice said. "And I was like, 'Yeah, sure, these guys will play on my album. Right!' " But a few phone calls landed him Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell — who Bice met a decade ago when he delivered a package of Christmas CDs to Leavell's house — as well as Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel (Keith Richards, Tom Waits) and bluegrass icon David Grisman.

"It's a star-studded cast, and I'm the only one on there who's not famous," the ever-humble Bice joked. "I picked and co-wrote the songs that if I was a guy who would be spending my hard-earned money buying an album I would want to hear." That means original back-to-basics Southern rock and country-tinged singer/songwriter tunes co-written with A.J. Croce (son of 1970s singer Jim Croce) and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats").

Bice said he wrote 31 songs for the album and is narrowing down the list to 10-12 that will make the final cut, including four songs that are currently vying to be the first single.

"I didn't have a lot to do with the first record," said Bice, who took time off in late 2006 to have another surgery to finally correct a nagging intestinal blockage that hospitalized him 15 times last year. "It was very RCA and Clive [Davis]-driven. It was an excellent album, but it was a revolving door of one guy in this week, another guy the next. This time I was here for every aspect [of it], and I'm a lot more comfortable."

Bice and Maroulis were the trailblazers for rock singers on "Idol." They paved the way for the show's latest breakout star, last season's #4 finisher Chris Daughtry, a fact Bice takes pride in (see "If It Weren't For Bo, Could Chris Rock Out On 'Idol'?").

"It made me proud that Chris said I was part of what inspired him to audition," said Bice, who is in the midst of an acoustic U.S. tour. "There was never a bone in my body that thought I was going to win or make it that far. To see people progress and see more rock people on there makes me proud."

Bice has eight dates left on his acoustic tour, according to his management: Yuma, Arizona (Saturday); Anaheim, California (Tuesday); West Hollywood, California (Wednesday); San Diego (Thursday); Bakersfield, California (June 1); Tucson, Arizona (June 3); Odessa, Texas (June 7); and Dallas (June 9).

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• MTV News RAW: Bo Bice

• Bo Bice
• Constantine Maroulis

Jennifer Hudson as Effie Melody White in "Dreamgirls"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

When it comes to post-"American Idol" careers, a certain movie title comes to mind. "From Justin to Kelly" not only stands as the worst after-"Idol" decision ever, but the title perfectly sums up the divide between what can happen if things go terribly wrong or terrifically right.

Justin Guarani has had the most disastrous career of any former winner or runner-up since "Idol" began (although, God bless him, he's still trying). And Kelly Clarkson has arguably had the greatest, with her third album one of the most anticipated releases of 2007.

So what did Kelly do right and Justin do wrong? It's not easy to pinpoint, but it's safe to say translating "American Idol" fame into legitimate stardom is no easy task. Fortunately — with Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler and other "Idol" alumni attempting to launch careers this fall — those who have been there were willing to share some lessons learned.

"Really stick to what got you to the finals," Guarini offered. "That's the most important thing. I think that at times with my first album, it was a little bit of 'throw it at the wall and see what sticks,' whereas I hope with these guys, they're going to stick with the sound that got them there."

After "From Justin to Kelly," Guarini also learned it's OK to say no. "I got offered reality shows, do this, do that, left and right," said Guarini, who recently self-released a jazz vocal album. "That's not the kind of entertainer I feel that I am. If other people chose that for themselves, good for them, but for me I really wanted to make sure that what I did spoke from my heart."

Since parting ways with the management and record label associated with "Idol," Guarini has juggled managers (including Jennifer Lopez mastermind Benny Medina) and publicists, something season-three finalist Jennifer Hudson cautioned against.

"You wanna have everything in place, make sure you've got your whole team together, because you're gonna need that support behind you," said Hudson, who is garnering Oscar buzz for her role in "Dreamgirls" after a slow start. "Just be ready, because it's gonna be crazy. You're gonna be thrown back out into the world, but you're not gonna be that same Jennifer that nobody knew."

Like Hudson, fellow season-three finalist Jon Peter Lewis failed to get a major-label contract right out of the gate (although Hudson just inked a deal with Clive Davis' Arista Records), but he's since self-released an album and is touring regularly.

"I would say that anybody from 'Idol,' winner or loser, has to learn to take good advice," JPL said. "There's a lot of people who are gonna tell you a lot of things, and you gotta look past the B.S. and listen to people when they have a good thing to say."

Since his departure from the show, Lewis has been keeping in touch with fans through his Web site, JPLewisMusic.com.

"You definitely want to take advantage of that fanbase that you have," fellow season-three finalist LaToya London said. "A lot of people don't have that privilege, to have that fanbase so fast. So [keep in touch through the] Internet, do it however you can."

London, Lewis and many others moved to Hollywood after their "Idol" adventures (Lewis' album is called Stories From Hollywood), but one successful runner-up said that isn't always the best move for an artist's sanity.

"Being in Hollywood makes it a lot different than being in North Carolina or in most anywhere," said Clay Aiken, who moved home after a stint in Los Angeles. "It's just a different beast, and I kinda wanted to be back with people who knew me and didn't think of me as Clay Aiken the singer but, you know, Clay Aiken the dork. I needed to be close to family, and I just kinda liked the stability of that."

Of course, Aiken's success allowed him that freedom, but for still-struggling singers, Hollywood is probably the best place to make things happen. Just don't expect it to come easy.

"It's a lot of hard work," third-season finalist Jasmine Trias said. "You have to meet the right people, make the connections and make the right decisions, and at the same time really hone your craft. You really have to practice and improve yourself as a performer."

"You gotta hustle, because when the show is over, nobody is gonna care about you," fourth-season finalist Anthony Fedorov added, more glumly. "I mean, they will, but it's not gonna be the same."

Regardless, it's important to stay confident, which is the advice from Constantine Maroulis, the fourth-season finalist who has found success on Broadway.

"Believe in what you're doing," he said. "Sometimes things take a bit of time, but you need some patience and you need to do quality work, and all will be revealed."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• American Idols Aren't Staying Idle
• 'American Idol' Alumni Report

• Jennifer Hudson
• Justin Guarini
• Clay Aiken
• Constantine Maroulis

Constantine Maroulis
Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Kanye West, Nas and John Legend jointly performed Nas' "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" at a high-profile benefit in New York Thursday night, according to The Associated Press. West also performed "Jesus Walks," "Gold Digger" and more in front of a crowd that included Diddy, Moby, Terrence Howard and Maroon 5's Adam Levine. The event was staged to benefit the nonprofit Foundation for AIDS Research. ...

Jessica Simpson began streaming her new single, "A Public Affair," on her Web site on Friday (June 23). The song is the title track from her new album, due August 29. ... Pharrell will front Louis Vuitton's fall/winter menswear ad campaign, the company announced Friday. Models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell will also be participating. ...

Constantine Maroulis has begun recording his debut solo album. "It's rock and roll, but it's not like the band," the former "American Idol" finalist said, referring to his former group, Pray for the Soul of Betty. "It's a bit more commercial, a bit more pop. I'm a little older now, and it's got a mature sound, a bit of a Rob Thomas/ Santana thing. It's got some great Bon Jovi elements, a little Ricky Martin in there. And I'm writing a lot of it too." ... Meanwhile, fellow fourth-season finalist Anthony Fedorov is also recording. "It's gonna be Richard Marx meets Marc Anthony," he said of his first effort. "It's gonna be ballad-heavy, very powerful and strong." ... And in yet more "Idol" news, third-season finalist Jon Peter Lewis has released his debut single, "If I Go Away." "I wrote it and I produced it and we're getting ready to go on tour with it," JPL said. "I'm working with some other great musicians right now. I have a drummer who's done some work for Josh Groban and Vertical Horizon, and our piano player plays for Gnarls Barkley." ...

Jay-Z fans shut out of his sold-out show at New York's Radio City Music Hall are getting a second chance to see the rapper perform Reasonable Doubt in its entirety. Hova has a "special preview rehearsal performance" scheduled for Saturday at the Nokia Theater in Times Square, and he's releasing a limited number of tickets to the public. Tickets for the preview go on sale through Ticketmaster Friday at 5 p.m. ... Exactly how cool can a kid be when he's only four weeks old? Pretty cool, if you ask OK! magazine, which has named Kingston James McGregor Rossdale — son of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale — "the coolest kid on the planet" on its June 26 cover. The baby, who "sat quietly and calmly in his parents' arms, with only an occasional cry," is pulling for dad's home team in the World Cup matches with a "Come on England" bib, and has a collection of lambs in his crib — a nod to mom's L.A.M.B. fashion line. (Check out OK!'s photos of the happy family at home). ...

The Hollywood Walk of Fame committee has finalized the 2007 honorees, and Mariah Carey, Diddy and Jamie Foxx lead the list. More than 200 nominations were received and 23 stars in all will make the Walk next year, including the Doors, singers LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain, director Robert Altman and actors Kiefer Sutherland, Matt Damon and Michael Caine. ... A photographer was arrested Thursday in Malibu, California, after he was discovered hiding outside the daycare center attended by Angelina Jolie's son Maddox Jolie-Pitt, AP reports. Clint Brewer, 25, was trying to take pictures of the 4-year-old boy, according to Brad Pitt's publicist. Brewer was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and released on $1,000 bail. ... Jason Mraz has announced a few intimate shows he's calling Songs for Friends. The dates, which will feature rarely played album tracks and early material, begin July 17 in Chicago and end July 24 in Saratoga, California. ...

Nick Hexum is hosting a live online chat on CourtTV.com Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST to discuss global warming. The 311 singer's Liberal Hexum organization is making the issue its top priority. ... Now that he's put Grandaddy out to pasture, former band leader Jason Lytle is getting ready to go out on the road for an acoustic tour he's calling the Look Who Drifted Into Town Tour - An Evening With Jason Lytle. The string of 13 intimate performances will kick off July 18 at the Sonar club in Baltimore and hit Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco and other major cities before winding down with a two-night stand at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe on August 11-12. Jackpot multi-instrumentalist Rusty Miller will accompany Lytle on the dates. ...

School's out, and that means it's time for the School of Rock All-Stars to hit the road. The 13- to 17-year-olds will launch a 23-city trek July 28 at Hollywood's Knitting Factory, but they'll perform for a considerably larger crowd when they play Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 6. ... Former Everclear drummer Greg Eklund has resurfaced as a singer and guitarist in the Oohlas. The band's debut album, Best Stop Pop, is due September 26. ... Kool & the Gang co-founder and lead guitarist Claydes Charles Smith died Tuesday following a long illness, AP reports. He was 57. Smith's publicist did not disclose the cause of death. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Smith learned jazz guitar from his father and helped create Kool & the Gang's R&B/funk/pop sound, writing the group's 1984 hit "Joanna" and co-writing Kool classics including "Celebration" and "Jungle Boogie." He was an active member of the band until January, when illness forced him to stop touring. ...

Following complaints by children's charities, the Who guitarist Pete Townshend removed from his Web site a story he'd written that included a teen-sex scene, the BBC reports. "I have to accept that even if I write fiction I do so as someone who is well-known and carry my past and controversy with me," he wrote on his site after pulling down the story. Townshend was arrested in 2003 for paying to access a child-pornography site. The guitarist, who said he'd visited the site to research child sexual abuse while writing his autobiography, was cleared of the charges but is listed on a British sex-offender registry. ... Vanessa Anne Hudgens, the actress who plays Gabrielle Montez in "High School Musical," has signed with Hollywood Records. Her debut is due September 26. ... Jeannie Ortega, who teamed up with Papoose for the summer anthem "Crowded," has been added to Rihanna's summer tour, which kicks off Monday. Ortega will also make an appearance and perform "Crowded" on ABC's "One Life to Live" on July 17. Her album, No Place Like Brooklyn, is due August 1. ...

Richard Ashcroft was arrested at a youth club in Chippenham, England, on Monday, the BBC reports. The former Verve singer, who police say was drunk and disorderly at a preteen event, was fined and released. ... British band JJ72 are calling it a day after 11 years. "Mark Greaney, Fergal Matthews and Sarah Fox wish to express their deepest and darkest gratitude to all of those with impeccable taste who helped and supported the band," the group said in a statement. ... Preliminary ratings show that Opie & Anthony are doing much better in Howard Stern's old radio slots than fired morning host David Lee Roth. At Stern's former flagship station, 92.3 FM in New York, the number of 18-34 listeners tripled in May to 4.2 percent from DLR's anemic 1.4 in April, according to a Reuters report. The numbers for that category also tripled in Boston and were up from 2.4 to 7.7 percent in Philadelphia.

06.22.2006

After several false starts, Outkast's long-awaited "Idlewild" looks like it just might make its latest release date. Not only has "Mighty O," the first single from the film's soundtrack, hit Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart, the duo already have their follow-up single lined up. "Morris Brown," a Big Boi solo track featuring Scar, Sleepy Brown and the Morris Brown College Band will be released next, Jive Records announced. Outkast's "Idlewild" soundtrack album is due August 22, and the film is slated to hit theaters three days later (check out "Idlewild" photos here). ...

Eminem and Kimberly Mathers met in a private hearing on Thursday (June 22) as part of their divorce proceedings, The Associated Press reports. Details of the meeting were not made public, and Kimberly Mathers' lawyer would not comment on it. ...

DMX was cited last week outside a Scottsdale, Arizona, nightclub for carrying a concealed handgun, The Arizona Republic reports. It was his third run-in with the law in just three weeks. X was stopped Friday by police who claimed they'd seen him remove a gun from a holster and slide it beneath the front seat of his 1964 Chevrolet convertible. DMX was not arrested, but was cited for a misdemeanor weapons violation as he did not have a permit to conceal the gun beneath the automobile's seat. ...

Celebrity weeklies insist that Britney Spears and Kevin Federline are having marriage trouble, but the couple have nothing but nice things to say about one another. Spears called K-Fed an "amazing" husband with an "awesome heart" in an interview with Matt Lauer aired last week, and now Federline is returning the kind words. "I think she's wonderful, man," he told entertainment-news show "Extra" on Wednesday. While Britney and Kevin know just what to call each other, they haven't decided what they will call the child they're expecting. "We haven't thought of a name," Federline said. "We're still in discussions. We don't want to know what it is or anything like that." ...

Reese Witherspoon is the latest celebrity to take the tabloids to court. On Wednesday, the actress filed a lawsuit against Star, accusing the magazine of running a story that falsely claimed she was pregnant with her third child, AP reports. "The true facts are that plaintiff is not pregnant, does not have a baby bump and has not otherwise gained weight such that she has had to resort to wearing empire-waist dresses," the lawsuit read. Mike Kahane, the general counsel to the tabloid's parent company, called the suit "frivolous." ...

Jamie Foxx will perform July 2 at the Essence Music Festival, joining Chris Brown, Jaheim, New Edition, Bobby Brown and Doug E. Fresh's Pioneers of Hip-Hop (featuring Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Biz Markie, Dana Dane, the Sugar Hill Gang and Whodini) in the lineup for the event, which runs July 1-3 at Houston's Reliant Park. ... Harry Potter fans who prefer to see their hero stand six-stories tall usually have to wait a little longer than those satisfied with the regular big-screen experience, but Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" will premiere on IMAX screens the same day it hits conventional theaters: July 13, 2007. Only 386 days to go. ...

Last weekend in Paradise Cove, California, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and his longtime girlfriend Kyoko Ito were married in a small ceremony that was attended by a who's-who of the Weezer universe, including all Cuomo's current bandmates, former bassist Matt Sharp and guitarist Jason Cropper, along with Make Believe producer Rick Rubin. According to a post on Weezer.com, the ceremony featured "fine live string-quartet music and delicious vegan fare." ... "Snakes on a Brain" by Los Angeles pop band Captain Ahab beat out nearly 500 entries in a contest to have a song on the "Snakes on a Plane" soundtrack. New Line Cinema and social-networking site TagWorld selected Louden Swain as the runner-up and will also include their "Here Come the Snakes" on the soundtrack, due August 18. ... Former Diddy protégé Loon is releasing his next album, No Friends, on his own label, Boss Up Entertainment. The record is due August 29. ...

Pearl Jam will be the main attraction for a rare theater gig that's scheduled for July 20 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. Tickets for the concert, a benefit for the Northwest Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, go on sale Saturday. Comedian David Cross will deliver a stand-up set before Pearl Jam take the stage. The band is in the midst of a U.S. tour that's scheduled to conclude with a two-night stint at the Gorge in George, Washington, July 22 and 23. ... Kylie Minogue, who postponed the Australian leg of her Showgirl Tour when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005, plans to make it up to fans in November, Reuters reports. Concert promoter Michael Gudinski said the tour has been renamed the Showgirl Homecoming Tour, and will run a bit longer to allow Minogue more downtime between shows. He added that the singer is currently recording new music. ...

Selma Blair and Ahmet Zappa are ending their two-year marriage, according to People magazine. The "Legally Blonde" actress cited irreconcilable difference with the son of Frank Zappa. ... Pete Yorn is scheduling free afternoon concerts at local independent record stores during his summer tour. The brief in-store performances will be recorded for a limited-edition souvenir-CD series, Live From ... , to be available exclusively at the local independent record store that hosts the show. ... The Shout Out Louds have released a remix EP on iTunes and other digital retailers. Combines includes one new song, "I Meant to Call," and a remix of "The Comeback." ... Lou Barlow and company are reissuing their Sebadoh III album on September 5. A bonus disc with rare tracks and B-sides will be included. ...

If you want to be like the Hulkster, it will take years of training and dedication. But if you have $25 million at your disposal, there is a short cut to living like the legend. Hulk Hogan has put his Belleair, Florida, home — featured on VH1's "Hogan Knows Best" — on the market, AP reports. The 17,000-square-foot mansion on 2.3 acres boasts seven fireplaces, a swimming pool, a waterfall and a guest house. The Hogans are leaving the Tampa area behind to head to Miami in an effort to support the careers of daughter Brooke and son Nick. ... Tom Petty has signed with Rick Rubin's American Recordings. "Having Tom on American is a dream come true for me," read a statement by Rubin, who has produced Petty in the past. ...

The woman who claimed Michael Jackson molested her son — her married name is Janet Jackson, coincidentally — was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on a charge of welfare fraud. According to the AP, the 37-year-old woman entered a plea of not guilty and her lawyers hope the case can be resolved without trial. She is accused of accepting $8,000 in fraudulently obtained assistance and committing perjury four times on welfare applications by hiding the fact that she received a substantial settlement in a civil suit against department-store chain JC Penney before filing for benefits. She pleaded the Fifth to protect herself against self-incrimination on questions about the welfare issues during the musician's trial, which ended in his acquittal on child-molestation charges. ...

New York teenager Darren Samuel was convicted Tuesday of robbery and second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing of a 15-year-old over an iPod. Samuel, 17, faces up to 25 years in prison for his part in the attack of Christopher Rose, who was stabbed in the chest when he and friends resisted a group that accosted them in the street and demanded they give up an iPod one of them was carrying, according to the AP. Samuel admitted to being part of the group that robbed Rose during his trial, but said he "froze" during the attack and did not participate in the stabbing. His 20-year-old cousin will be tried on murder charges next month.

• Gwen, Gavin & Kingston In 'OK!' Magazine

• Constantine Maroulis
• Anthony Fedorov
• Jay-Z
• Gavin Rossdale
• Gwen Stefani

Constantine Maroulis
Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Constantine Maroulis has split from his pre-"American Idol" band, Pray for the Soul of Betty. "Right now he's working on too many solo projects to be fair to the band," his spokesperson said. "It was time to move on, and the fans have been supportive." Maroulis is working on a solo album, a television pilot and an indie film. ...

VotefortheWorst.com is at it again. The Web site, which encourages readers to call in for the "American Idol" contestant they deem least worthy of the title, is backing Kevin Covais this time around. And what if the 16-year-old, nicknamed "Chicken Little," gets the boot? A post on the site reads: "Don't worry, Pickler. If Kevin goes home, we'll be back." The campaign, which aims to "keep around an entertaining antagonist" picked Scott Savol last year. ... Barry Manilow, who helped "Idol" hopefuls prepare for Tuesday night's 1950s theme, will be front and center when one of his advisees is knocked out of the competition Wednesday (March 22). Manilow, whose The Greatest Songs of the Fifties was certified platinum this week, will perform "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" on this week's elimination show. ...

Moby will issue a live DVD, "Moby Live — The Hotel Tour 2005," April 18. Recorded in Belgium in May and directed by George Scott, the disc also has a handful of videos and two unreleased short films. Last but not least, the set features a CD with Hotel tracks reinterpreted by Mylo, Tiga, Steve Angello, Booka Shade and Axwell. ... The Coachella documentary — aptly titled "Coachella" — will be released on DVD April 18. Previously seen in limited theatrical release only, the Drew Thomas-directed film features performances by Radiohead, the Pixies, the Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire and a slew of other bands. A bonus DVD features interviews from many of the festival's veterans, including Belle and Sebastian, the Libertines and the Bravery. ...

The first-ever PJ Harvey DVD, "PJ Harvey on Tour: Please Leave Quietly," will hit stores May 2. Directed by Maria Mochnacz, the disc features performances and behind-the-scene footage taken from Harvey's 2004 tour supporting Uh Huh Her. Two previously unreleased tracks, "Uh Huh Her" and "Evol," will also be included, as will Harvey's video diaries and a lengthy interview. ... The second annual AutoRox Awards roll into Las Vegas April 7, with Ice Cube at the wheel. Whips chosen by a panel of auto-industry pros, members of the media and car-enthusiast celebrities will be honored in categories including Best Luxury Car and Chick Magnet. Cube will host the ceremony and perform "Chrome and Paint" and "Why We Thugs" from his upcoming LP, Laugh Now, Cry Later. The awards show airs April 18 at 10 p.m. on Spike TV. ...

Buckcherry will release Fifteen, their first studio album in four years, April 11. The Los Angeles rockers are promoting the record — and their current single, "Crazy Bitch" — with a tour that kicked off this week in Los Angeles and wraps up June 10 in Kansas City, Missouri. ... The self-titled LP from the Drips, the band featuring Distillers guitarist Tony Belivaqua and the Bronx's Matt Caughthran and Joby J. Ford, will hit stores April 25. It was recorded over two days this past summer. The band will perform March 24 in Glendale, California. ...

Soulful songstress Leela James recently finished shooting the video for her second single, "Good Times," in Los Angeles. The throwback-themed clip was helmed by Coodie and Chike, the same directorial team that has worked with Kanye West and Mos Def. James also recently unleashed a digital six-track EP, Leela James: Live in New Orleans, exclusively on iTunes. The set tracks a November 2004 gig at the Big Easy's House of Blues, where the singer previewed joints from her acclaimed 2005 debut, A Change Is Gonna Come. It will be available at other online retails outlets starting in April. ... British grime rapper and Jay-Z signee Lady Sovereign is deep into production on her still-untitled debut album. Before heading out to SXSW, the diminutive MC was working with Beastie Boy Ad-Rock (who worked with Sov on a British-only EP) and had already cut records with the Neptunes, according to a spokesperson for her label. The album is expected later this year. ...

Ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach's been hard at work on his forthcoming solo album, which Spitfire plans to release in July. According to a post on Bach's Web site, he's got 13 songs written so far and summer and fall tours are in the works. "[This year] is gonna kick ass," Bach wrote. ... Detroit soul singer Robert Bradley will release his first full-length live album April 11. What About That: New Year's Eve in Bloomington was recorded a the Bluebird in Bloomington, Indiana, and finds the blind singer backed by an expanded, 10-piece version of his band, the Blackwater Surprise.

03.21.2006

Who knew Ashlee Simpson could surf? The singer is hitting the waves for the "Kelly Slater Celebrity Surf Invitational," airing on MTV March 25 at 4:30 p.m. and also featuring Jack Osbourne and Ashley Parker Angel. Braxton Olita, Simpson's bandmate and boyfriend, came along for the special — "He's my love!" she told Jane magazine for its April cover story. (Check out photos from the spread right here.) Simpson's relationship with Braxton first came to light following her collapse in Japan in December, but she's been dating him since the summer. The reason for the collapse remains in dispute, as she now claims in Jane that she was sicker than reported at the time. "I was dehydrated. I had bronchitis. Who knows exactly what it was? I think it was just complete exhaustion." And apparently celebrity status doesn't equal celebrity care. "I didn't go to a nice emergency room — I ended up in one with blood on the walls," she tells the mag. ...

Fans already clamoring for New Edition's 2008 reunion tour will have their appetites sated sooner than later — the Bobby Brown-led group has agreed to perform at this year's Essence Music Festival in Houston, according to The Associated Press. Diddy, Chris Brown and Jaheim were also just added to the July 1-3 bill, which already included participants Mary J. Blige, Steve Harvey, LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx. ...

Former Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne will have to wait a bit longer to find out if his assets will be unfrozen, so he can pay off some legal bills and help out his family. Lawyers for the MC — who now goes by the name Moses Michael Leviy — are trying to get an exemption from New York's "Son of Sam" law, which is blocking Leviy from gaining access to a $500,000 advance he got from his former record label. A hearing on the motion was delayed for at least two weeks on Monday when the judge in the case was forced to recuse himself because of a conflict of interest. As it turns out the judge's brother-in-law was once represented by the same firm that is seeking some funds from Shyne. ...

Constantine Maroulis has signed on for his first movie role. "I can't tell you too much about it yet, but it will be a super-sexy indie feature and [the filmmakers] have been really avid about making me a part of it," he said. "They want me to supervise the music as well and want some of my music to be [included]." ... Maroon 5 have contributed a cover of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day" to the soundtrack of "Hoot," due April 18 on Jimmy Buffett's Mailboat Records. Buffett plays a small part in the comedy, which is about a man fighting to save endangered owls, and has several tracks on the album alongside G. Love, Toots and the Maytals and Mofro. ...

Diddy's Bad Boy South has partnered with Southern hip-hop label Block Enterprises for the release of several albums, beginning with one by Yung Joc, whose "It's Goin Down" is a recent mixtape favorite. New Joc City is due in May. ... Former Destiny's Child singer LeToya (she's dropped her last name, Luckett) will release her self-titled solo debut July 18. Scott Storch worked on the album, which features guest appearances from fellow Houstonians Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Bun B and Slim Thug. ...

It used to be that you couldn't find a Red Hot Chili Peppers track on iTunes to save your life. But the Peppers have finally given in to the digital-music market, making their entire back catalog available for 99 cents a track. All the Chilis albums are also being made available — with bonus tracks — along with videos and short documentary downloads. Fans will have to wait until May 9 to download Stadium Arcadium, the band's forthcoming double LP; the discs are nicknamed "Jupiter" and "Mars." ... The album art for Tool's next album, 10,000 Days, has been posted on the band's Web site. Once again Tool called on artist Alex Grey — who crafted the art for 2001's Lateralus and whose daughter appears in "The Shaggy Dog" — to come up with the cover design. The 77-minute, 11-song 10,000 Days is due in stores May 2. ...

Having already released two full-length albums in 2005 — Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning — the super-prolific Bright Eyes, a.k.a Conor Oberst, is already working on another effort. At Monday night's "Bring 'Em Home Now" concert in New York, Oberst said he's written new material but doesn't feel the need to rush it out until 2007. (See snaps from the concert right here.) "We have a bunch of songs recorded and we are going to put out a record probably next year," he said. "The music's good. It keeps my life turning around." ... At the same event freak-folk rocker Devendra Banhart said he's been switching musical gears in his new home in Mexico. "We're working on some weird stuff inspired by the tropicalista movement in Brazil, Caetano Veloso, Os Mutantes ... that whole movement is really special to us because it is about embracing where you are from but also being open to other cultures and other things." ...

Thursday's A City by the Light Divided, due May 2, will feature 11 tracks: "The Other Side of the Crash/ Over and Out (Of Control)," "Counting 5-4-3-2-1," "Sugar in the Sacrament," "At This Velocity," "We Will Overcome," "Arc--Lamps, Signal Flares, a Shower of White (The Light)," "Running From the Rain," "Telegraph Avenue Kiss," "The Lovesong Writer," "Into the Blinding Light" and "Autumn Leaves Revisited." ... 3 Doors Down and Lynyrd Skynyrd, both Southern-rock giants but from two different eras, will co-headline a 15-city trek. The Double Trouble Summer Tour kicks off June 25 in Cincinnati and wraps up July 22 in Biloxi, Mississippi. ... Five more dates have been added to this summer's Unholy Alliance Tour, featuring Mastodon, Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, Thine Eyes Bleed and headliners Slayer: June 9 (Denver), June 19 (Cincinnati), June 24 (Dallas), June 30 (Cleveland) and July 16 (Salem, Oregon). ...

With "Rock Star" winner J.D. Fortune behind the mic, INXS will embark on a second leg of their Switched on Tour April 21 in Memphis, Tennessee. The outing ends June 1 in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... In the immortal words of Ice Cube in the film "Anaconda," "There's snakes out there this big?" Yes there are, and apparently they're infesting planes too, judging from the "Snakes on a Plane" trailer that's making the rounds online. Aspiring musicians take note: New Line Cinema wants you to compose the theme song for the flick. If you're eager to make songs for Samuel L. Jackson to bash snakes to, submit them to TagWorld.com/SnakesonaPlane by April 11 and they'll be taken into consideration.

• Ashlee Simpson Poses In "Jane" And Surfs For Kelly Slater
• "Bring 'Em Home Now" Concert In New York

• Constantine Maroulis
• Moby
• Radiohead
• Ice Cube
• Buckcherry

Constantine Maroulis
Photo: Chrissy L. Nguyen/ MTV News

He may have finished sixth on last year's "American Idol," but Constantine Maroulis isn't about to let you forget about him.

The dark-haired Greek brooder was one of the few "Idol" contenders who went into the show with an established fanbase, thanks to gigs in musical theater and his New York rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty. Now, Maroulis says, he's ready to show the rest of the world what his fans already know: He's the real deal.

"We have a lot of fans waiting to see what happens with this album ... and I don't really want to talk about it [too much] because talk is cheap, but we're excited about the material and we have a lot of confidence in what we're doing," said the singer, who debuted about six songs for the crowd at the "American Idol" Season 5 launch party in Hollywood on Saturday.

Along with Bo Bice, Maroulis was deemed one of the show's resident rockers before he was booted off. But don't expect too much rock and roll on his solo disc; Maroulis says he's hoping to cater to a different crowd this time around.

"[This album] is probably not something you'd expect from me. We're working on a really good summer song right now that I like. It's a little more pop, and there's definitely rock, but it also touches on the adult-contemporary side [too]," Maroulis explained. "[The album] is a bit more vocally driven and it's going to be super-sexy, with great arrangements and some classic stuff. Basically [it'll have] a little bit of everything."

"Idol" judge Randy Jackson has been helping Maroulis with his solo endeavor, hooking him up with musical director Paul Pesco, who oversaw his recent New York solo shows.

"We also have some great writers and great producers onboard," the singer added, while keeping most of the LP's main details top secret for now. "There will definitely be collaborations, but you'll have to stay tuned for that too."

With albums already out by Bice and winner Carrie Underwood, what took the more mysterious Maroulis so long to jumpstart his solo music career? Well there's simply not enough Constantine to go around. After finishing up the "Idol" tour last summer life (see "American Idols Live Kickoff: One Ticket, 10 Different Concerts"), Maroulis devoted his time to playing with Pray for the Soul of Betty and developing the still-untitled ABC sitcom that will be loosely based on his life (see "Constantine Maroulis Hopes For 'Roseanne'-Type Success").

He still needs to shoot the pilot for the show, which is being overseen by Kelsey Grammer's production company, but Maroulis says he's hopeful the sitcom will make the channel's lineup next fall. Besides, the veteran stage performer — who has toured with the musical "Rent" and made brief appearances on shows like "Law & Order: SVU" — is eager to slip back into acting after a brief hiatus.

"I'm an actor. I grew up in the theater," Maroulis said. "So hopefully [the show] is part of the near future as far as the television world goes, but it's all up to the big boys now."

Maroulis' solo LP is due in September.

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• Constantine Maroulis

Constantine Maroulis
Photo: Getty Images

There's no title yet (and Keanu Reeves might have a lock on "Constantine"), but "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis has revealed that his in-the-works ABC sitcom will be based on his own life.

"I've had a really interesting life," Maroulis said, laughing. "I have some crazy characters in my family and in my life and I think that's what TV needs again. I grew up watching great family shows, 'Cosby,' even reruns of 'All in the Family' and 'Happy Days,' great shows like that that are missing from television now. So I'm hoping to bring it back to the forefront and make it all cool again."

Constantine comes from a "massive" Greek American family, with more than 20 cousins just on his mother's side. And he's always been a bit of a fish-out-of-water — a classic setup, of course, for a TV sitcom.

"I sort of grew up like this black sheep of the family," Maroulis said. "I've done everything from theater to rock and roll and everything in between, and my parents are very traditional, so I think it'll be fun.

"And that's what ABC wants," he continued. "They want a real show, they don't want some high-concept stuff. They want the realness, they want New York, they want a real blue-collar family. If we could have like the same success in the vein of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' or 'Roseanne' we'll be thrilled."

The singer is planning to shoot the pilot this fall, with Kelsey Grammer's production company overseeing (see " 'Idol' Finalist Constantine Maroulis Got A Lot Done At All Those Parties"). He's also been auditioning for movies and hopes to be shooting something in the spring.

"I went from struggling in New York trying to just find an agent, and now I'm with the biggest agency in the galaxy and people are sending me scripts left and right," said Maroulis, who played Roger in the musical "Rent," among other Broadway roles. "It's insane."

Despite his acting prospects, Constantine hasn't set aside his pop-star dreams entirely. In fact, he just returned from a solo tour in the Philippines, has two East Coast shows next week and will launch a North American tour with his band Pray for the Soul of Betty (see " 'Idol' Singer Constantine Maroulis' Band Inks Label Deal") on January 16 in San Diego.

"Fans can expect an eclectic mix of classic songs, some new stuff and some great ballads," Maroulis said.

Also sure to be tossed in is his rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" from the Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen album (see "Constantine, Jason Mraz, Sum 41 Bow To Queen For Tribute LP"), which he performed recently on "The Tonight Show."

"That was just the greatest moment of my life," Maroulis confessed. "Fans came from all over the world to see the show."

As for the next album from Pray for the Soul of Betty, Constantine's bandmates are going to have to wait just a little longer.

"Right now I just sorta need to concentrate on my solo stuff, otherwise it'll go away," Maroulis said. "It's hard to balance both but I'm trying."

Keeping his momentum going is his priority for now.

"Hopefully we keep rocking and rolling for a little while," Maroulis said. "I like doing this, this is what I do. Not having to work at a bar or restaurant and being able to focus on my art is the coolest thing in the world."

Pray for the Soul of Betty tour dates, according to their publicist:

• 1/16 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
• 1/17 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
• 1/18 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
• 1/20 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
• 1/22 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
• 1/23 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave/ Eagles Club
• 1/24 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
• 1/25 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
• 1/26 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
• 1/27 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre
• 1/29 - Towson, MD @ Recher Theatre
• 1/30 - Boston, MA @ Avalon
• 1/31 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre Times Square
• 2/1 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

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• Constantine Maroulis

Queen's Freddie Mercury (file)
Photo: Getty Images

When My Chemical Romance and the Used collaborated earlier this year on a version of Queen and David Bowie's 1982 hit "Under Pressure," they had no idea they'd wind up inspiring Queen's label to kick-start a long-discussed Queen tribute album. But when the single debuted at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100, the staff at Hollywood Records started buzzing.

"It proved that a cover version of a Queen song could be a big hit," says Geoffrey Weiss, vice president of A&R at the label. "The combination of that and the fact that Queen were planning a tour made us go, 'OK, now's the time to do this.' "

Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen comes out Tuesday and features 16 artists from a variety of genres, including R&B, pop, rock, punk, alternative and metal. Highlights include Jason Mraz doing "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy," Shinedown tackling "Tie Your Mother Down," Joss Stone taking on "Under Pressure," Sum 41 nailing "Killer Queen," and "American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis and the Flaming Lips performing radically different versions of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The Maroulis track, performed with the London cast of the Queen musical "We Will Rock You," is faithful to the original and similar to the one Maroulis performed on "American Idol" (see " 'Idol' Covers Paying Off For Gavin DeGraw, Los Lonely Boys"). The track will be the first song on the disc to go to radio. The Flaming Lips' take on the tune, by contrast, is more haunting and textural, filled with layered keyboard effects, wobbly guitars and demented vocals.

"We really attempted it in a full-force Flaming Lips behemoth production style," singer Wayne Coyne said. "We recorded 100 tracks of our beloved pedal steel guitar and 100 guitar overdubs for the music, and for the vocals we stacked all these crazy harmonies. We wanted to add different layers that people might expect from us, but we tried hard not to change the fundamental nature of the song."

About a week after the Flaming Lips submitted their version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" Weiss got a call from Constantine's management saying he was interested in performing the track for the record, and because of his mainstream visibility, Weiss gave him the thumbs up. "I thought having the two versions is kind of poetic as well," Weiss said. "That the same Queen song can appeal to everyone from 'American Idol' to the Flaming Lips speaks a great deal about the range of the band's music."

Weiss started hunting down acts for Killer Queen in November and within weeks had generated a strong roster of musicians. Gavin DeGraw was the first to hand in a song, submitting his soulful version of "We Are the Champions" in January. Others took far longer. Joss Stone and Jon Brion turned in "Under Pressure" and "Play the Game," respectively, in June as the album was being mastered, and Antigone Rising, who did "Fat Bottomed Girls," didn't finish the legal paperwork until the last minute. Then there was Macy Gray, who finished recording but didn't complete the contract forms in time, and had to be left off the album.

"When you're going after artists who have careers and are working hard, it's not anyone's number one priority to contribute to a tribute album, and we didn't have years to do it," Weiss said. "So dealing with timetables and working around people's schedules was the biggest problem."

Fortunately, many felt such a kinship with the project that they found time for it. And, because of their immense respect for the material, most of the artists went above and beyond to live up to the challenge. Jason Mraz, for example, layered delicate piano, bobbing bass, gliding strings and mellifluous vocal harmonies for his take on "Good Old Fashioned Loverboy."

"To me, Queen represented real variety as well as world-class professionalism," he said in a statement. "They were the musicians' musicians, and because of their insight, they were often seeing their finely detailed recordings soar over the heads of their listeners, because in essence what they did was perfect."

Sum 41 worked hard to capture the drama, dynamics and heaviness of "Killer Queen," but perhaps the most impressive aspect of their performance is Deryck Whibley's spot-on sophisticated vocals, which are a major departure for the pop-punk prankster.

"The biggest impact Queen has had in our music is structure of songs," he said in a statement. "They've always had crazy structures, but still the songs have great flow. It proves that [a song] doesn't have to be typical to work."

Other songs on Killer Queen include "Stone Cold Crazy" by Eleven with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, "Death on Two Legs" by Rooney, "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Breaking Benjamin and "Bicycle Race" by Be Your Own Pet.

On September 13, about a month after the release of Killer Queen, Queen will release the double live CD Return of the Champions, which was taped during their May 9 performance in Sheffield, England. A DVD of the set will follow on October 24. Both releases feature vocalist Paul Rodgers (ex-Bad Company) and include at least one new song. Between tours of Europe and Japan, Queen will play two shows in the United States: October 16 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and October 22 in Hollywood.

• Queen
• Constantine Maroulis
• Jason Mraz
• Sum 41
• The Flaming Lips

Constantine Maroulis (file)
Photo: Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

TAMPA, Florida — Between the time he was eliminated from "American Idol" and the launch of the finalists' tour, Constantine Maroulis was spotted at Tara Reid-like numbers of Hollywood parties.

Before you knock the guy for his hyper-socializing, however, consider the networking he accomplished. In those few short months, the New York rocker inked a pilot deal with Kelsey Grammer's production company, booked a fall tour for his band Pray for the Soul of the Betty (see " 'Idol' Singer Constantine Maroulis' Band Inks Label Deal") and talked with several record labels about releasing a solo album.

"I've been busting my butt a long time, trying to get gigs, trying to get acting jobs, finishing school and taking care of my family and everything, so for all of this madness to happen to a guy like me, at my age, and where I was in my work, is just insane," Maroulis explained backstage at a recent American Idols Live tour stop (see "American Idols Live Kickoff: One Ticket, 10 Different Concerts"). "I'm glad I can represent for the struggling New York artists, people with an education and a lot of talent that might not be getting a second look right now. I feel like I went out [on 'Idol'] and rocked for all those cats."

Constantine, who had done a lot of theater before the fourth season of "American Idol," plays a musician in the as-yet-untitled series he is developing with Grammer.

"We're looking to find the right home for that," he said. "It's something I think is missing in TV today, a great family drama. We're being very picky right now 'cause we really believe in the project and we want it to last."

Constantine is also still looking for the right home for his solo music. He's talking to "a bunch" of major labels and hopes to have a record in stores by early 2006.

"I've always had a vision of the perfect record I wanna make on my own, so we'll see what happens with that," he said.

In the meantime, Maroulis will appear on Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, due August 9. The singer worked with the cast of "We Will Rock You," the musical currently playing at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, on a rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody," which he performed on "Idol" to much fanfare.

"Every end of the spectrum is on there, so I'm really psyched about that," Constantine said of the album, which also features Josh Homme, Flaming Lips, Sum 41, Joss Stone, Gavin DeGraw and others. "Oliver Leiber produced [my song]. His father is Jerry Leiber, and Leiber and Stoller was one of my favorite songwriting teams of all time, so to work with him was just awesome."

Fans can catch Constantine performing "Bohemian Rhapsody," as well as "Hard to Handle" and "My Funny Valentine," on the American Idols Live tour.

For an in-depth feature on the tour, check out "On the Road Again With 'Idol.' "

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