Elliott Yamin

Zac Efron Has Appendix Removed; Plus Heidi Montag, Joel Madden, Nicole Richie, Rihanna, Hawthorne Heights & More, In For The Record

15 Jan 2008 10:47:00 EST

Montag wants to be Madonna with solo LP; Madden blogs about his and Richie's baby; Rih Rih teams with Marc Jacobs for purse.
By MTV News staff

Zac Efron
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star — who recently signed on for "High School Musical 3" — was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder — all the greats." Montag also dished on new parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" — which is already sizzling in the streets — and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow striking Guild employees to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a 2006 lawsuit against Victory, and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a fatal drug interaction, has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back — the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 — and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé — replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI — home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts — will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" — which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others — will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc — which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends — will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.

1.14.08

Nearly six years after the alleged sex tape first surfaced, the court proceedings in the R. Kelly case continue to move at a snail's pace. The prosecutors originally sought to have testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Sharon Cooper, cover several different areas — the age of the girl on the tape based on forensic pediatrics, the identification of the man on the tape based on the vein pattern on his hands, and the behavior profile of the girl based on the psychology of child sex-abuse victims. Judge Vincent Gaughan had previously ruled that Dr. Cooper could testify about the victim's age, but not the behavior profile, so prosecutors had asked him to reconsider. At a hearing on Monday (January 14), Gaughan ruled once again that Dr. Cooper would not be able to testify about why the girl in the case would deny that she was a victim, or how common denial is in sex-abuse cases. Kelly is due back in court March 12 for another pre-trial hearing, while the trial itself is slated to start on May 9. ...

And the Wu-Tang Clan infighting goes on. U-God — who complained about RZA being callous toward him in the studio nearly four years ago — is now suing Wu's label, alleging that he is owed $170,000, according to TMZ.com. U-God (born Lamont Hawkins) reportedly filed papers in a New York district court, alleging that Wu Music owes him money for services rendered dating back to March of last year. Wu Music is licensed to Universal Music. ...

Paula Abdul doesn't just have the seventh season of "American Idol" on her mind these days. "I want kids!" the singer recently told Ladies' Home Journal for its February issue. "If it doesn't happen naturally, I can always adopt." The 45-year-old Abdul opened up even more about her personal life, saying of 32-year-old boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, "I've experienced real loneliness, so I love knowing there's someone I can share the good and the not-so-good with." ... Everyone's wondering how the seventh season of "Idol" is going to fare in light of some retooling and the writers' strike, but if you ask Chris Daughtry, the show is "in a state of decline." The Daughtry frontman recently spoke with RollingStone.com about the show, adding that if it doesn't right itself, "it's probably not gonna last too much longer. I'm sure that'll be used against me, but that's the truth, you know?" He also said the show is "definitely lacking some credibility at this point." ...

White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Mark Ronson, Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Cheifs and recent MTV Artist of the Week Kate Nash have all landed Brit Award nominations, although Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That have scored the most, with four apiece. Rihanna, Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney are slated to perform at the February 20 ceremony. ... R.E.M. have pulled the curtains back on a new Web site surrounding the April 1 release of their 14th studio album, Accelerate. Their NinetyNights.com Web site has daily high-definition-video snippets shot by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Moon ...

Björk attacked a newspaper photographer who was attempting to take her picture at the Auckland International Airport on Sunday, according to reports in the New Zealand press. The singer, who was flying in to perform at the Big Day Out concert on Friday, reportedly ripped New Zealand Herald photographer Glenn Jeffrey's shirt after he snapped a photo of her. Jeffrey told the New Zealand Press Association that he was warned by a man traveling with Björk not to take her picture, and once he did, the singer came up behind him, grabbed the back of his shirt and tore it before tumbling to the ground. In 1996, Björk attacked a reporter in an airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after she objected to being photographed. ... The Walkmen and White Rabbits will hop along the U.S. this month for nine shows. On the itinerary are Pittsburgh (Wednesday); Detroit (Thursday); Milwaukee (Friday); Madison, Wisconsin (Saturday); Chicago (Sunday); St. Louis (January 21); Columbus, Ohio (January 22); Philadelphia (January 23); and Baltimore (January 24). ...

For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon reportedly shared the same stage at a gig by Jones' new band, Carbon/Silicon. The duo performed "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" during the set. ... Megadeth have recruited Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to be their newest guitarist, following the recent departure of Glen Drover. Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4, at a gig in Finland. ...

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali said the band will not be revived following the late November death of frontman Kevin DuBrow. In an online statement, Banali claims he had been "approached to see if I would be interested in contacting Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo and to audition singers for Quiet Riot." He said that he's even fielded an offer to re-form "the version of Quiet Riot that included Paul Shortino, Carlos Cavazo and Sean McNabb." But Banali rejected any suggestions of the band performing live. "My friendship, love and respect for Kevin DuBrow, as well as my personal love and affection for Kevin's mother and his family, makes it inconceivable for me to ever entertain any ovation to re-form or to continue Quiet Riot," he wrote. "It would also be a disrespect to the fans who have supported [the band] for nearly 25 years." ...

Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested on Sunday after a fatal single-car crash in Ojai, California. According to a Reuters report, Avary, 42, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, and was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Andreas Zedini, a 34-year-old passenger in the car, died of his injuries at a local hospital. Avary's wife, Gretchen, 40, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries after being thrown from the car.

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For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Notorious B.I.G., Carrie Underwood, Elliott Yamin, Paris Hilton & More

17 Apr 2007 06:54:00 EDT

Spears mocks management in video; Biggie family files another wrongful-death suit; Underwood reigns at CMT Music Awards.
By MTV News staff

Britney Spears
Photo: Chris Jri Mat/ bauer-griffin.com

Britney Spears took over a paparazzi video camera and made her own statement over the weekend, sarcastically noting that the world is nice, the press always prints the truth and "my management totally knew what they were doing when they sent me to rehab — they're so right!" The singer did two takes of the video, posted on X17Online.com, and noted, "You have to believe everything you read, because you're smart, and I'm stupid." ...

The family of the late Notorious B.I.G. has filed another wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, according to documents obtained by TMZ.com. The new suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, involves state-related claims and names two ex-police officers as co-defendants. The rapper's mother, two children and widow, singer Faith Evans, are suing for unspecified general, compensatory and punitive damages. ...

Carrie Underwood reigned at the CMT Music Awards Monday night, with her "Before He Cheats" clip nabbing trophies for female video, overall video and also video director of the year. "Thank you, fans," the former "American Idol" winner said in her acceptance speech. "I've had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything." Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland also won big. ... Speaking of Idols, former finalist Elliott Yamin is celebrating the #3 Billboard albums chart debut of his self-titled debut with a 25-city tour across the States. The jaunt will start May 15 in Atlanta and hit New York, Philadelphia and Detroit before winding down June 19 in Tuscon, Arizona. ...

Paris Hilton is scheduled to appear in court May 4 for allegedly driving with a suspended license, The Associated Press reports. Los Angeles city prosecutors contend that the heiress violated her probation and that it should be revoked, which could lead to a sentence of up to 90 days in jail. Hilton was arrested in September for alcohol-related reckless driving and later sentenced to 36 months' probation. ... On Monday, actor Rip Torn pleaded guilty to charges of driving while impaired, AP reports. He agreed to pay $380 and give up his license for 90 days. ... Some prospective jurors in the trial of Phil Spector are already saying that they've made up their minds about the embattled music producer, AP reports. "Honestly, I think he did it," one woman said during jury selection Tuesday in Los Angeles. Roughly 100 people are being questioned for jury service for the trial, and none of the prospective jurors have been removed from the panel yet. ...

Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing dropped Tuesday (April 17), but she's making room for hubby Deryck Whibley and his Sum 41, who just put a new single, "March of the Dogs," on iTunes. The band is gearing up for the release of its fourth studio LP, Underclass Hero, which drops July 24. ... Bobby Valentino previewed songs from his forthcoming album, Special Occasion, Monday night at New York's Canal Room as part of Vibe magazine's VSessions. The Southern singer belted his current hit, "Anonymous." ... BET's "106 & Park" co-host Terrance J was joined by his co-host Rosci, DJ Clue, Joe Budden and members of the New York Giants Monday night to celebrate his birthday at night club Sol in Manhattan, New York. ...

Chuck D, DMC and Large Professor are lighting up Guitar Center's "GC Sessions" educational-forum series for musicians. The three will convene at Manhattan, New York's Guitar Center on April 26 and are slated to perform as well. ... Speaking of artists showing up at unlikely venues, Tapes 'N Tapes, Dinosaur Jr., the Rapture, Klaxons, Rogue Wave and the Ponys are among the acts who are staging free in-store shows at Urban Outfitters outlets as part of the Free Yr Radio Tour to benefit indie radio stations. The tour kicked off last week and will run through July 21. ...

Queens of the Stone Age major-domo Josh Homme gives fellow QOTSA contributor Chris Goss a boost with his Goon Moon project on its Licker's Last Leg, due May 8. The band also features Jeordie White — a.k.a. Nine Inch Nails bassist Twiggy Ramirez — and the disc also guests drummers Josh Freese of NIN and Zach Hill of Hella. ... Fishbone are coming back April 24, after six years of silence, with a new record: Still Stuck in Your Throat. The album was recorded in spurts over 2005 and 2006 with producer David Kahne, who helmed some of their earliest works. Look for the set to include "Jackass Brigade," "We Just Lose Our Minds," "The Devil Made Me Do It" and a cover of Sublime's "Date Rape." ...

Dopesnake, the first album by Hollywood Roses, will feature some of the more impressive guest stars you'll see playing with a Guns N' Roses tribute band. Even more surprising: The band also covers non-GN'R songs on the LP. Ex-GN'R member and current Rockstar Supernova axeman Gilby Clarke joins two members of Cinderella for a cover of Van Halen's "Ice Cream Man"; Rolling Stones's Mick Taylor chimes in on a cover of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak"; Pat Travers lends a hand on "Lights Out"; and two more former GN'R members, Tracii Guns and Teddy Zig Zag (a.k.a. Teddy Andreadis), also provide support. The LP, produced by Bradley Cook (Queens of the Stone Age, Yellowcard) drops May 15. ...

Elvis Presley's Graceland is getting a fresh marketing push, Washington Post reports. The "Discover Your Inner Elvis" campaign is the first time the company is advertising nationally on TV, radio, print and beyond. ... On a similar note, a Led Zeppelin-themed roller coaster is planned for the Hard Rock Theme Park, which is under construction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The looping, 150-foot-tall steel roller coaster, called "Led Zeppelin - The Ride," will feature a high-fidelity onboard audio system that soars to Zep's "Whole Lotta Love." The 140-acre theme park is scheduled to open in spring 2008 and will boast more than 40 attractions for rockers of all ages.

4.16.2007

Madonna arrived in Malawi on Monday (April 16) with David Banda, the Malawian boy she is adopting, to continue her charity work in the country, Reuters reports. The visit is fueling rumors the singer wants to adopt a second child. ...

Jennifer Lopez hopes to tour in support of Como Ama Una Mujer, she told MTV Europe — and reveals that she'll have more music out before the year is up. "I have an [English-language] album that's coming out this year that I'm finishing up right now," she said. "First single in June, so it's a big musical year for me." ... Two Anna Nicole Smith diaries up for auction over the weekend failed to sell, ABC News reports. They're now available for a minimum big of $25,000 apiece at Dallas' Heritage Auction Galleries. ...

Senator Hillary Clinton isn't about to get embroiled in the Sanjaya Malakar hubbub, The Associated Press reports. When asked about the "American Idol" hopeful on a New Hampshire radio station, the Democratic presidential candidate diplomatically replied, "Well, you know, people can vote for whomever they want. That's true in my election, and it's true on 'American Idol.' " ... Kirsten Dunst, Tobey Maguire and other "Spider-Man 3" castmembers strolled down the red carpet at film's world premiere in Tokyo on Monday, Reuters reports. ...

Lil Jon even represents Atlanta on ice. He's currently blogging about his love for hockey's Atlanta Thrashers at NHL.com, and revealed that while it's his 8-year-old son that actually plays the game, Jon's got his own place on the NHL team. "[Atlanta goalie] Kari Lehtonen actually has my picture on the back of his helmet," Jon wrote in a recent post. "We always go in the locker room to say 'what's up' to him before a game." Jon admits that he hasn't been following the Thrashers' every move this season, but he's tuning back in for the playoffs — and hopes to see the team bring the Stanley Cup to ATL. The Thrashers are currently in the first round of playoffs, down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series. ...

M-1 of Dead Prez appeared on Fox News' "Your World With Neil Cavuto" on Friday afternoon to debate hip-hop's role in the Don Imus scandal. The political-minded MC said drawing a parallel between rap lyrics and the racially insensitive remarks that cost Imus his job is like "comparing apples and oranges." Cavuto countered, "If Imus uses the expression and then you use the expression, you've both said 'ho,' " but M-1 noted that he didn't use the word "ho" in his lyrics. The rapper added that there's "something wrong" with offensive language being used whether it's by Imus or in hip-hop, but asserted that there is a difference between Imus' words and rap lyrics due to the "historical relationship of oppression" between black and white Americans. ...

Barry Gibb, the former Bee Gee who in 2006 bought the Johnny Cash Tennessee house that burned down last week, says he and his wife will rebuild a new home nearby. "Linda and I have decided to build our own home on the higher ground surrounding the Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash home and the original foundations shall be kept intact and preserved for the people of Hendersonville and the people of Nashville," he said in a statement obtained by AP. ... A woman injured in a car crash involving Godsmack frontman Sully Erna has had her condition upgraded to serious, according to North Andover, Massachusetts' Eagle-Tribune. Lindsay Taylor, 25, was in a coma and on life support following Wednesday's collision. Taylor was a backseat passenger in a Toyota Camry that was struck from behind by a Hummer H3 driven by Erna, who was not injured in the accident. The crash remains under investigation by state police, but so far, no citations or charges have been filed against any of the drivers involved. ...

Nickelback have raised almost $400,000 for Amnesty International and International Children's Awareness Canada via their aptly titled new single "If Everyone Cared." ... Ben & Jerry's will be releasing a new ice cream inspired by Queen. Called Bohemian Raspberry, it's the latest in a series of music-themed flavors, including Phish Food and Cherry Garcia. Sales of the ice cream will benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which was established to combat AIDS worldwide. ... DJ Clue, Ray J and Lance Armstrong were among the partygoers who helped Q-Tip celebrate his birthday in New York on Saturday. The surprise party was held at a downtown Manhattan loft. ... Richard Gere is getting some serious flak in India after kissing and hugging Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty at a recent AIDS-awareness event, AP reports. Angry throngs burned effigies of the American actor in New Delhi and Mumbai, while protests broke out elsewhere in the country. ...

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge warned prospective jurors in the trial of Phil Spector on Monday that the proceedings will not be a chance for them to have their "15 minutes of fame," AP reports. The prospective jurors were to be directly questioned by lawyers on Monday afternoon, with a focus on the questionnaire answers they provided when screened a month ago. ... The Village People's policeman is off the hook, AP reports. Victor Willis was arrested last month after his girlfriend accused him of choking and threatening her. Maria Velasquez, a spokeswoman for the San Diego City Attorney's Office, said the case would not be pursued for "evidentiary reasons." ... Don Ho, the man who came to personify Hawaiian music, died on Saturday in Honolulu at age 76. Ho, best known for his kitsch classic "Tiny Bubbles," with which he opened and closed each show, died as a result of heart failure, according to The New York Times. Ho was a tourist staple on Waikiki at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber hotel for more than 40 years, performing his signature song and telling jokes and hosting his own ABC variety series, "The Don Ho Show," from 1976-77. His daughter, Hoku, who released her own hit album in 2000, was often featured in his live show.

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Idols Now: Elliott Yamin 'Movin' On' With Limp Bizkit's DJ Lethal

8 Mar 2007 06:01:00 EST

Soul singer says self-titled debut is 'for the ['Idol'] viewers, for the young cats, for everyone in between.'
By Corey Moss

Elliott Yamin
Photo: Nick Spanos

A bit of "American Idol" trivia: Josh Abraham, a seasoned rock producer who has helmed albums for 30 Seconds to Mars, Staind and Velvet Revolver, is the cousin of season-five finalist Elliott Yamin.

And more than that, Abraham is one of several studio wizards lending their talents to Yamin's self-titled debut, due March 20. DJ Lethal of Limp Bizkit, Stargate (Beyoncé), Michael Mangini (Joss Stone) and Derek Bramble (David Bowie) are among the others.

"It's an eclectic mix of just different sounds for every listener out there — for the ['Idol'] viewers, for the young cats, for everyone in between," Yamin said. "We worked with so many different ideas and sounds ... and it's not your typical-sounding album."

Lethal helmed the first single, "Movin' On," which Yamin recorded before he hit the road on the American Idols Live Tour last summer (see "Taylor Dusts Off Harmonica, Kellie Puts Country Spin On 'Grease' For 'Idol' Tour"). And while the title may bring to mind similarly named post-"Idol" songs like Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," he swears it's not about the show.

"You know, I never did actually think about that," he said. "I guess I am moving on, but none of this would be possible without that show. I'm forever in debt to that show."

Truthfully, the single is about "trying to get this girl's attention and she's not giving you any rhythm, so you're just ready to move on," Yamin said. "It's got an uptempo, dance vibe to it."

Other tracks on the album include second single "Wait for You," the bluesy ballad "Take My Breath Away" written by John Mayer guitarist David Ryan Harris, and the socially conscious "Find a Way."

Yamin also covers Leon Russell's "A Song for You," which Yamin's idol, Donny Hathaway, recorded in 1971 and which brought Paula Abdul to tears when Yamin sang it on "Idol."

"I have a throwback voice," Yamin said. "People listen to my voice and tell that I'm really influenced by that era, by that genre of music. We did a good job of modernizing that to a certain extent on some songs, but I'm always going to stay true to my style and choice of music. I don't think we compromise that at all."

With his album taking up the majority of his time, Yamin has not watched much of the latest "Idol" season, but he made sure to catch the premiere. "I just felt really proud, knowing what I went through and being on the other side again and knowing what everybody else is going through right now," he said. "You know, we're in a class of our own. It's a really cool feeling."

Yamin, who roomed with Taylor Hicks throughout the season, talks to the winner "all the time," as well as the rest of the top 10. "As cliché as it sounds, we are like a family — especially the guys," he said. "Us five guys on tour really bonded, and I miss them all."

As for his advice to this year's finalists: "I would just tell them to sing what you want to sing. Don't compromise your style or your taste," he said. "And become really thick-skinned, because it is a good crash course of how the business really is."

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

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'American Idol' Top 10 Add 20 More Shows To Summer Plans

25 May 2006 09:01:00 EDT

The 59-date Idols Live tour kicks off July 5 in New Hampshire, runs through September 24 stop in Pennsylvania.
By Gil Kaufman

"American Idol" season five top 10 finalists
Photo: Ray Mickshaw/Fox

With newly crowned champ Taylor Hicks still basking in the glow of his win Wednesday night, the "American Idol" TV juggernaut isn't the only 800-pound gorilla in the franchise. The American Idols Live Tour has added 16 fresh stops and tacked on second shows in four markets to make it one of the summer's biggest outings.

The now 59-date tour will kick off with a pair of shows in Manchester, New Hampshire, on July 5 and 6, then hit Worcester, Massachusetts, for a two-fer on July 7 and 8, before doubling up a week later in East Rutherford, New Jersey (July 13, 14) and Uniondale, New York (July 15, 16).

The additional September dates will keep the 10 finalists — Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Mandisa, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Elliott Yamin and Ace Young — on the road through a September 24 date in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at the Wachovia Center, according to a press release on the official "Idol" Web site. Tickets for the new dates will go on sale Saturday.

American Idols Live Tour dates, according to the show's official Web site:






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