Showing posts with label Michael Lynche. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Lynche. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Michael Lynche & The Black Saints perform "Change Gonna Come"
Michael Lynche & The Black Saints performing the Sam Cooke classic "Change Gonna Come" at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Michael Lynche & The Black Saints perform Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" Live
Michael Lynche and The Black Saints performing Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" at Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, Virginia.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Michael Lynche & The Black Saints perform "Purple Rain"
Michael Lynche and The Black Saints performing Prince's "Purple Rain" at Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, VA.
Friday, February 7, 2020
"Crazy Gina" - Michael Lynche & The Black Saints
Michael Lynche & The Black Saints perform "Crazy Gina" Live at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Michael Lynche performs original song "There Will Be Love"
American Idol alum "Big Mike" appears on the ABC Tampa Bay Morning Show for an interview to discuss performing songs of R&B Legends with The Florida Orchestra, and performs his original "There Will Be Love"
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Michael Lynche - American Idol audition
Michael Lynche sings The Righteous Brothers "Unchained Melody" for his American Idol Season 9 audition:
With Michael Lynche & 3 other Idols sporting new ink, Season 9's Top 6 talk tattoos
Crystal Bowersox: Sporting fresh ink on her left wrist -- a beautifully illustrated gadfly-like twist on the classic medical symbol with a syringe down the middle and the words Type 1 Diabetic written across the top, Crystal said she got the tattoo because she is a "diabetic for life" and also "because I am really horrible about wearing medic ID bracelets and necklaces." But beyond practical purposes, Crystal says it sends a message to others and serves as a reminder to herself. "It's important now being in the position that I'm in," she explained after Tuesday night's show. "I have a responsibility to take good care of myself. There's lots of little kids out there with juvenile diabetes who need to take care of themselves, and they need a good role model." As for the art itself, she proudly declared, "I designed my own thing."
Siobhan Magnus: Ever the jokester, Siobhan first tried to convince us she had Michael Lynche's and Lee DeWyze's names written on her butt cheek, leaving "room on the other side for everybody else.... I'm sorry I can't show you," she said with a hilariously straight face. But in all seriousness, she couldn't show us the roman numeral IX she had stenciled on her "hip area," but she could explain the digit's significance: "It's been a really good number for me," said Siobhan. "I was 19 years old when I tried out in 2009 for season 9. And the more I think about it, then the more nines come up. Like memory vomit -- I was 9 years old when I figured out I loved to sing, and I was born in 1990, I could go on and on...."
Lee DeWyze: Fans first spotted Lee's adornment at a "Shrek Forever After" screening over the weekend. Lee explained the symbol: "I got a silhouette of the Chicago flag ... (because of) everything that's happened to me there, and that's where this all started for me."
Casey James: When it comes to future tats, the wheels are already turning in Casey's mind. One of which, he teased, involves "a symbol from a movie" on his arm. He later 'fessed up: it's a Star Wars thing, which he'll share with his brother and cousin. "I've got a few (tattoos) drawn up that I'm getting when I go back home," said Casey. "My brother has one on his arm that's my initials on music bars, and I'm going to get his, which is BC."
Aaron Kelly: Though he's now one year closer to 18, Aaron's mother would likely not approve of a tattoo on her little guy -- even if it said "Mom" -- but if he were to go under the pen? "I'd probably go (with something) like Siobhan's," said Aaron. "But she did a roman numeral IX and I'd probably get the (number) 9 for season 9 of American Idol."
SOURCE: Shirley Halperin, LATimes.com
'This Woman's Work': Story Behind Michael Lynche's 'Idol' Cover
American Idol judges often rail on contestants for not making the right song choices. But on Wednesday night, personal trainer and new dad Michael Lynche provided a textbook example of how to pick the perfect song.
The 26-year-old Florida native, whose wife gave birth their firstborn while he was performing during the show's Hollywood Week, moved judge Kara DioGuardi to tears with his sensitive take on British singer Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work."
On a night when the judges criticized some singers for not connecting with the words they sang, Lynche astutely picked a song that mirrored the tumultuous changes in his personal life. The combination of Lynche's velvety, gospelized vocals and the song's connection to his life's journey made for dramatic TV.
DioGuardi felt the emotion, tearfully telling Lynche, "I've never cried after hearing something like that. It's amazing. You were amazing. And it's so relevant for you and I can feel it. It's your life right now. It's your respect for your wife, what you've gone through ... and as a woman who doesn't have a child, I can relate to it so much and it brought me to tears."
"This Woman's Work" is one of Bush's most beloved tunes, and the biggest commercial success from an artist who has always followed her peculiar muse. Bush's career began in the late 1970s, when Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour turned label EMI on to the then-teenaged songwriting prodigy. In 1985, she released her most celebrated album, Hounds of Love. That album featured the hits "Running Up That Hill" and "Cloudbursting," and it helped cement her reputation as an enigmatic pop poet.
In 1988, Bush provided "This Woman's Work" to director John Hughes for his coming-of-age drama "She's Having a Baby" The song, reportedly written specifically for the film, plays during a scene in which new father Kevin Bacon is pacing outside the delivery room where his wife is having their first child, fretting about the changes his family is about to face.
Bush's self-directed video for "Work" parallels the story of the film. The primly dressed singer, seated at a grand piano, plays the haunting melody, and shots of her are intercut with images of a nervous man in the waiting room of a hospital. A ghostly image of Bush stands behind the man and hugs him as he breaks into tears and stares ominously into the dark. A flashback then reveals Bush collapsing and being rushed to the hospital as the man wails in agony. At the end of the clip, a smiling nurse comes over to the man and puts her hand on his shoulder, appearing to give him good news as Bush quietly shuts the lid on the piano.
"Work" later appeared on Bush's 1989 album The Sensual World, which contained a number of tunes about the perils and pitfalls of love ("Love and Anger," "Between a Man and a Woman") and a title track inspired by Irish author James Joyce's epic "Ulysses." In the years that followed, the song underscored dramatic scenes in a number of TV shows ("Felicity", "Alias" and "Party of Five").
In 1997, it was covered by Maxwell during his MTV Unplugged appearance. He later included a studio version of the track on his 2001 album Now, and it peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.
Bush has rarely toured, and she took a lengthy break between her 1993 album The Red Shoes — which featured contributions from Prince, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton — and her 2005 double album Aerial to raise her family.
The 26-year-old Florida native, whose wife gave birth their firstborn while he was performing during the show's Hollywood Week, moved judge Kara DioGuardi to tears with his sensitive take on British singer Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work."
On a night when the judges criticized some singers for not connecting with the words they sang, Lynche astutely picked a song that mirrored the tumultuous changes in his personal life. The combination of Lynche's velvety, gospelized vocals and the song's connection to his life's journey made for dramatic TV.
DioGuardi felt the emotion, tearfully telling Lynche, "I've never cried after hearing something like that. It's amazing. You were amazing. And it's so relevant for you and I can feel it. It's your life right now. It's your respect for your wife, what you've gone through ... and as a woman who doesn't have a child, I can relate to it so much and it brought me to tears."
"This Woman's Work" is one of Bush's most beloved tunes, and the biggest commercial success from an artist who has always followed her peculiar muse. Bush's career began in the late 1970s, when Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour turned label EMI on to the then-teenaged songwriting prodigy. In 1985, she released her most celebrated album, Hounds of Love. That album featured the hits "Running Up That Hill" and "Cloudbursting," and it helped cement her reputation as an enigmatic pop poet.
In 1988, Bush provided "This Woman's Work" to director John Hughes for his coming-of-age drama "She's Having a Baby" The song, reportedly written specifically for the film, plays during a scene in which new father Kevin Bacon is pacing outside the delivery room where his wife is having their first child, fretting about the changes his family is about to face.
Bush's self-directed video for "Work" parallels the story of the film. The primly dressed singer, seated at a grand piano, plays the haunting melody, and shots of her are intercut with images of a nervous man in the waiting room of a hospital. A ghostly image of Bush stands behind the man and hugs him as he breaks into tears and stares ominously into the dark. A flashback then reveals Bush collapsing and being rushed to the hospital as the man wails in agony. At the end of the clip, a smiling nurse comes over to the man and puts her hand on his shoulder, appearing to give him good news as Bush quietly shuts the lid on the piano.
"Work" later appeared on Bush's 1989 album The Sensual World, which contained a number of tunes about the perils and pitfalls of love ("Love and Anger," "Between a Man and a Woman") and a title track inspired by Irish author James Joyce's epic "Ulysses." In the years that followed, the song underscored dramatic scenes in a number of TV shows ("Felicity", "Alias" and "Party of Five").
In 1997, it was covered by Maxwell during his MTV Unplugged appearance. He later included a studio version of the track on his 2001 album Now, and it peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.
Bush has rarely toured, and she took a lengthy break between her 1993 album The Red Shoes — which featured contributions from Prince, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton — and her 2005 double album Aerial to raise her family.
When Harry met Casey ... and Lee and Crystal and Michael and Aaron
It's not every day you walk into the "American Idol" studio and find Harry Connick Jr. at the piano, but that's where the jazz legend was, dressed Monday casual in a baggy white button-down and loose black pants, walking Big Mike through his big-band arrangement -- one that Harry himself came up with -- and making sure the Top 5 contender was comfortable with the twists and turns of a Sinatra song. Judging from the fist bump at the end, it was all good.
It's Ol' Blue Eyes week, which means it felt a little like a Christmas rom-com and a lot like "When Harry Met Sally" on Stage 36. Only this was when Harry met Lee and casey, Crystal and Aaron, along with the aforementioned Michael Lynche. Truth be told, Harry Connick is one heck of a multi-tasker. Not only did he orchestrate all the parts of each individual song, but he also played conductor, cheerleader and vocal coach.
The process, however, was pretty much the same. Each contestant got at least three run-throughs plus an instrumental to sing along to sans amplification, with musical director Rickey Minor looking on from the judges' table. The band, which includes nine string players, 13 brass and one drummer, looks like it was put together by HCJ. And as we previously reported, no one is allowed to play an instrument this week.
How did that pan out? Kind of nicely, I must admit. Without the weight and obstruction of a guitar, however minor, it seemed as though the Top 5 opened up vocally -- like they got more power, volume and reach with that little bit of extra air. Or maybe that's just confidence taking control. After all, it's been a couple of months of high-stress competition.
And how was Season 9's guitar golden boy Casey James handling the adjustment? "We'll see," he said with a hint of skepticism, then explained how he'd come to terms with what he "signed up for." Meaning, he's not driving this well-oiled machine. Nevertheless, Casey was pleasantly surprised by this new guitar-less sound. "Walking around sounds different," he enthused in a moment of self-discovery. Leave it to stage manager Debbie Williams to chime in with a very important message for Casey: "You know who we should fix you up with? Kellie Pickler". As if Casey needs help in the dating department. Really, Debbie.
We kid, but in all seriousness -- someone's gotta go every week. This is what Casey James was explaining after mentioning our shiva for Siobhan. That's right, the guy in the bottom two was trying to console me. I'm not sure if that meant he'd resigned himself to the possibility that Tuesday is his last night or whether Casey was just speaking the truth, but I liked the way he ended his thoughts: "Well, you have two more days to mourn." And: "What matters to me me is what happens after the show." He's wiser than he even realizes...
Speaking of smarts, Aaron Kelly's got some, otherwise how would he have made it to the Top 5? With his sleeves rolled up (as always) and his schoolwork out of the way, he was down to big-band business and what he does best: belt. Last week, I asked him about hitting the "money note" -- that big sustain at the end of every one of his performances. "It's not that I'm trying to show off," he explained, "it's what feels right for the song. Sometimes, I feel like it's gonna be boring if it doesn't have a big, grand ending." And going one step further in proving he's Season 9's David Archuleta, little Aaron dutifully hugged everyone within arm's reach (Crystal, vocal coach Debra Byrd, Fox staffers etc.), vintage Archie style. No wonder he keeps getting all those votes!
As for our front-runners, needless to say, Lee and Crystal handled their starring turns with aplomb, even if somewhat fidgety without their instruments. So instead of the strum, it was the snap, which seems all too appropriate considering the genre du jour. Lee was especially thumb-happy and also looking quite chummy with Mr. Connick, while Casey, who held onto his microphone for dear life, was simply starstruck. "I'm not even alive right now, it's like I'm in a dream," he said while watching Harry have his way with a Hammond organ.
To that end, expect a little New Orleans groove in Tuesday's episode (it is, after all, Harry Connick's hometown), as evidenced by Crystal and Rickey Minor's impromptu twirl at the base of the stage while Lee sang his heart out. Similarly, Lee and Casey both stood at attention while Crystal ran through her Sinatra number. But even with only 30-some people in the room, the show's last girl standing garnered the loudest applause from this influential focus group. Next stop: final four.
-- Shirley Halperin, L.A. Times, American Idol Tracker
Order the American Idol Season 9 Album Now
Click the image below to order:
Track Listing:
1. Treat Her Like A Lady - Lee DeWyze
2. Forever - Andrew Garcia
3. Paint It Black - Siobhan Magnus
4. Me And Bobby McGee - Crystal Bowersox
5. Jealous Guy - Casey James
6. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aaron Kelly
7. Ready For Love - Michael Lynche
8. Under My Thumb - Tim Urban
9. Play With Fire - Didi Benami
10. Let It Be - Katie Stevens
Want to check out any of your favorite Idol's Blogs? Just click their name above!
"The Day After:" Michael Lynche Speaks About Elimination
Following Wednesday night's American Idol elimination, Michael Lynche made his rounds talking to FOX affiliates and media outlets from all across the country today.
Below, you will find a transcript from today's press teleconference, which AI Now was a part of.
On his experience as a whole:
Hollywood Week for me is really when this got real. It wasn't hoping that you do well anymore, I had to do well. Because of the sacrifice I was making at that time, it was very important for me to do well. My wife always supports me no matter what and it's nice that I get to be the family man and I'm not anybody else but that. It was nice that that was my story.
Did the pressure get to him?
I live for pressure. If you're going to be something great, you have to be able to deal with a pressure situation. I did well ... and felt good about what I did and it just didn't happen for me to be in the Top 3. But I'm where I'm supposed to be and God definitely has a plan for my life. I really feel that I'm where I'm supposed to be ... I don't feel like I let anyone down. I came out and did what I do and the people just didn't vote that way.
Do contestants always need to work on making a song their own?
I feel like you should always do something original. Everybody should always make the song their own. I think you get into the karaoke zone when you just do a good version, so I always wanted to have the song feel like I wrote it.
On his experience moving from football to back to music:
My mom had failing health for a long time. She was diagnosed with cancer and my heart really was missing home and missing my mom and being with her. Then my mom ended up passing away and it just really kind of threw me for a loop for a bit. I lost my way and I started working with kids at a middle school, special ed kids, and it really was just the best thing for my heart at the time. Really was the best work I've ever done in my life.
At the same time, I bought a guitar again -- I hadn't had a guitar for awhile because my plan was to play professional football. But that [music] side started growing again, I just really hadn't explored it because of athletics. When I left [the University of Central Florida], it was a really confusing time in a young guy's life, just really trying to find my way. But I got to spend some great last time ... at home with her in that last little bit of time here on earth.
On the save situation:
I like that concept of "sing for your life" because for me, every week is sing for your life. Your time [on the show] isn't guaranteed at all, I never wanted to take anything for granted. When I got to that point and it was literally sing for your life, I felt that I could do that ... When it got down to Andrew and I, I wanted it to be me in the moment, I didn't want him to have to go through that, he's a good buddy of mine. I felt strong enough to take that on. I wasn't surprised that they saved me, just extremely grateful to be around.
And is the save is a good thing for the show to have?
It's two-sided. As far as the voting goes, it's really one of my favorite parts of the show, that people get to pick their champions. But I think as far as the save goes, it really speaks to your work ethic and your professionalism and what they see of you ... on set and around the crew. It just speaks to who you are as a professional, to take a chance to say to America, "Think about this again because this person really has shown us to be somebody worth taking another look at."
And on missing the birth of his daughter for "Idol." Was it worth it?
I don't think you can say anything is worth missing the birth of your child. Only time will let those wounds heal, but I think it definitely gives my family a good chance in the future and gives my daughter a better chance that I did it and took that sacrifice. But me personally, of course I didn't want to miss it and of course I would choose that over ["American Idol"], but it wasn't a choice. This was what I needed to do for the family. I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time, but my schedule ... hasn't really thinned out yet. And it's the time to keep sprinting and charging ahead so you use this opportunity that you've been seen on TV to an advantage.
Source:ainow
Below, you will find a transcript from today's press teleconference, which AI Now was a part of.
On his experience as a whole:
Hollywood Week for me is really when this got real. It wasn't hoping that you do well anymore, I had to do well. Because of the sacrifice I was making at that time, it was very important for me to do well. My wife always supports me no matter what and it's nice that I get to be the family man and I'm not anybody else but that. It was nice that that was my story.
Did the pressure get to him?
I live for pressure. If you're going to be something great, you have to be able to deal with a pressure situation. I did well ... and felt good about what I did and it just didn't happen for me to be in the Top 3. But I'm where I'm supposed to be and God definitely has a plan for my life. I really feel that I'm where I'm supposed to be ... I don't feel like I let anyone down. I came out and did what I do and the people just didn't vote that way.
Do contestants always need to work on making a song their own?
I feel like you should always do something original. Everybody should always make the song their own. I think you get into the karaoke zone when you just do a good version, so I always wanted to have the song feel like I wrote it.
On his experience moving from football to back to music:
My mom had failing health for a long time. She was diagnosed with cancer and my heart really was missing home and missing my mom and being with her. Then my mom ended up passing away and it just really kind of threw me for a loop for a bit. I lost my way and I started working with kids at a middle school, special ed kids, and it really was just the best thing for my heart at the time. Really was the best work I've ever done in my life.
At the same time, I bought a guitar again -- I hadn't had a guitar for awhile because my plan was to play professional football. But that [music] side started growing again, I just really hadn't explored it because of athletics. When I left [the University of Central Florida], it was a really confusing time in a young guy's life, just really trying to find my way. But I got to spend some great last time ... at home with her in that last little bit of time here on earth.
On the save situation:
I like that concept of "sing for your life" because for me, every week is sing for your life. Your time [on the show] isn't guaranteed at all, I never wanted to take anything for granted. When I got to that point and it was literally sing for your life, I felt that I could do that ... When it got down to Andrew and I, I wanted it to be me in the moment, I didn't want him to have to go through that, he's a good buddy of mine. I felt strong enough to take that on. I wasn't surprised that they saved me, just extremely grateful to be around.
And is the save is a good thing for the show to have?
It's two-sided. As far as the voting goes, it's really one of my favorite parts of the show, that people get to pick their champions. But I think as far as the save goes, it really speaks to your work ethic and your professionalism and what they see of you ... on set and around the crew. It just speaks to who you are as a professional, to take a chance to say to America, "Think about this again because this person really has shown us to be somebody worth taking another look at."
And on missing the birth of his daughter for "Idol." Was it worth it?
I don't think you can say anything is worth missing the birth of your child. Only time will let those wounds heal, but I think it definitely gives my family a good chance in the future and gives my daughter a better chance that I did it and took that sacrifice. But me personally, of course I didn't want to miss it and of course I would choose that over ["American Idol"], but it wasn't a choice. This was what I needed to do for the family. I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time, but my schedule ... hasn't really thinned out yet. And it's the time to keep sprinting and charging ahead so you use this opportunity that you've been seen on TV to an advantage.
Source:ainow
Michael Lynche and Tim Urban interview each other (video)
During a break from rehearsals for the upcoming American Idol Live summer tour beginning July 1, and after running through their group number - a cover of Kelly Clarkson's “My Life Would Suck Without You” more than a dozen times - the Top 10 Idols paired up to grill each other. While some Idols did their interviews completely unscripted, others had the help of index cards. All offered plenty of laughs!
American Idol's Michael Lynche and Tim Urban interview each other:
American Idol's Michael Lynche and Tim Urban interview each other:
Michael Lynche: The Uinterview interview
Michael Lynche is the American Idol runner-up who blew the judges away with his soulful sounds.
Q: During the season, the judges used their one time only power to save you from being sent home. How did it feel knowing that they were secretly rooting for you in the long run? - Alexa Greenberg
A: [laughs] Well I guess it's not so secret anymore. It made me feel good because I always wanted to approach the competition as a really big job interview. For them to be professionals in the music business and me, an aspiring professional in the music business, I felt like it was professional-to-professional saying 'we see your work ethic and potential. We believe in you.' It made me feel like I was on the right path.
Q: Were there any moments where you thought the judges were too harsh on you? - Monica Davies
A: No, I never felt they were too harsh on me. I thought sometimes maybe they missed the point. They never really critiqued me on my singing so in a singing competition you would think that would be the focus but sometimes they focused on the staging of the song and whatnot and sometimes song choice but still they would always say I sang the song well. I think sometimes maybe they just missed the point of what I was trying to do with it. Some of my goals in the season were to show my versatility. I think it could be easy to miss on some of the songs I did that weren't right up R&B alley.
Q: The night that you were finally eliminated on May 12, what was your feeling when you got the news? - Monica Davies
A: There was definitely disappointment. I really wanted to keep moving forward in the competition. I had a goal to win the thing that I set out and my wife and I made over a year in advance and to get close gives you a feeling of disappointment. But I feel like if you're not a little bit hurt at least, your heart's not in it enough. I felt like I fought hard all year long. I was pleased with my performances and looking back at where I ended up in the competition, it's where you're supposed to land so you really can't live too much in the woulda-shoulda-coulda land and you just gotta move forward now.
Q: You had one of the most interesting stories of all the contestants in that your wife gave birth during the filming of the show. What was that like to be in one place when such a momentous event was going on? - Uinterview User
A: It was just a time where I really wanted to focus. There was so much going on and my emotions were just torn and I was just ripping myself up inside with the situation 3000 miles away. My wife is having our first child and I'm here trying to fight for our future and it was just a crazy, crazy, crazy, time. I really just zeroed in my focus and got really, really intense about setting my goal and succeeding during that week of Hollywood week and getting done with it so I could get back on the plane and get back home. I was focused on every single aspect of what I was doing right then and there.
Q: Did you ever think about dropping out to be with her? - Jake Gable
A: No, it wasn't really an option. You've come so far. I've come 3000 miles so literally I've come so far. So I was like, 'You might as well get it done, get this victory and get back home.'
Q: Who did you form the closest relationships with behind the scene of the various idols? - Jake Gable
A: It's hard to say because I had very special relationships with everybody. I'm kinda like the big brother of the group. Andrew Garcia and I are very, very close. Lee DeWyze and I are extremely close as well. Me and Crystal Bowersox got a very special bond just because we're both parents on the show. And then I'm kinda a big brother to Katie Stevens, to Aaron Kelly. Casey James and I recently got extremely close after both of us left the show in successive weeks so we were able to talk, and we were roommates for a long time. But I guess Andrew and Lee would probably be my closest guys on the show. But I spend time with everybody though.
Q: Was there one thing that surprised you the most about being on the show that you wouldn't have suspected going into it? - Virginia Chu
A: Nothing that necessarily surprised me so much. Except for the fact that you surprise yourself when you see that you actually can do it. It's big and it is like, overwhelming. To see that you actually have the stamina to do it and you got the guts and once we get our routines and our schedule you're like, 'Ok I'm not nervous for these interviews and I'm not nervous going here and I'll make sure I know what to say to the band to get my song the right way.' You start figuring out the way the machine works and you figure out in yourself that you can do it. That's kind of an interesting day when you have that epiphany of, 'I can do this. I can go far on this.'
Q: On the night of the finale there were so many amazing stars and celebrity mentors and performances on the show. Did you get a chance to bond with any of the mentors or any of the stars that you performed with? - Virginia Chu
A: I did. I definitely bonded with Michael McDonald. We got the chance to exchange information and he invited me to come out and see him this summer. That's quite cool. And also Chicago, who Lee sang with, they made sure they came and found me and I got a chance to talk with them for a long time. It's interesting because my band in New York was kind of based off of Chicago. Just with the horn and section and the very tight harmonies. So it was interesting that they kind of found me and wanted to talk. Their kids liked me so we got the chance to talk and exchange info as well.
Q: Did they give you any advice? - mandycohen15
A: They didn't really. They really just told me I have what it takes. Which is so cool when one of your heroes feels like you can be one of them. It was kind of 'Welcome to the club' kinda thing. They were saying that to a bunch of us. It's interesting to be on this side of it now. You deserve what you work for. It's super interesting. I think all of us who were still around, the top 5 of us for Harry Connick Jr. nobody's ever gonna forget that ever. He was amazing. He wanted to make sure that he bonded with each one of us so that was super special for us.
Q: In the finale, were you surprised by the outcome that Lee beat Crystal? Where did you come down on that? - Mandy Cohen
A: Not surprised. I thought it could have gone either way. I thought Crystal killed in the finale. I thought they both did a really good job of tapping into their fan base and being who they've been all year. Crystal's always been good, and confident, and soulful, and tapping into her spirit, and she really did that. Lee's always kinda been this guy who's just about his surface to burst out but his personality is one that you really, really, want to root for. I thought that he was that guy to a T and obviously, because it ended up getting the victory. But I wouldn't have been surprised either way I just think that you can see who the main voting demographic is as we've seen in the last few years of winners come up and I look forward to next year for some kind of change in that. I want to see somebody from left field come out and win. I want to see people not just latch on to whatever the normal thing has become the last few years on the show.
Q: Has the Idol tour started yet? - Ahmed
A: No, we're just in rehearsal now. We're with the band, some crazy kids, and it's super laid back. It's gonna be a great tour.
Q: What are you singing? - Ahmed
A: I'm gonna sing a couple of my great songs from the show and I got something special that I'm doing for a third one. It's gonna be a little bit of a surprise. We may throw one more in there, we're still working that out but it's gonna be worth coming to check out.
Q: What are your plans after the tour? - Uinterview User
A: Get working on the album is first and foremost. I want to do an amazing album. If you're gonna set goals and you gotta do something you might as well shoot for the moon. I just wanna do an album that moves your spirit and just comes from my heart. I want to do something really, really special.
Q: During the season, the judges used their one time only power to save you from being sent home. How did it feel knowing that they were secretly rooting for you in the long run? - Alexa Greenberg
A: [laughs] Well I guess it's not so secret anymore. It made me feel good because I always wanted to approach the competition as a really big job interview. For them to be professionals in the music business and me, an aspiring professional in the music business, I felt like it was professional-to-professional saying 'we see your work ethic and potential. We believe in you.' It made me feel like I was on the right path.
Q: Were there any moments where you thought the judges were too harsh on you? - Monica Davies
A: No, I never felt they were too harsh on me. I thought sometimes maybe they missed the point. They never really critiqued me on my singing so in a singing competition you would think that would be the focus but sometimes they focused on the staging of the song and whatnot and sometimes song choice but still they would always say I sang the song well. I think sometimes maybe they just missed the point of what I was trying to do with it. Some of my goals in the season were to show my versatility. I think it could be easy to miss on some of the songs I did that weren't right up R&B alley.
Q: The night that you were finally eliminated on May 12, what was your feeling when you got the news? - Monica Davies
A: There was definitely disappointment. I really wanted to keep moving forward in the competition. I had a goal to win the thing that I set out and my wife and I made over a year in advance and to get close gives you a feeling of disappointment. But I feel like if you're not a little bit hurt at least, your heart's not in it enough. I felt like I fought hard all year long. I was pleased with my performances and looking back at where I ended up in the competition, it's where you're supposed to land so you really can't live too much in the woulda-shoulda-coulda land and you just gotta move forward now.
Q: You had one of the most interesting stories of all the contestants in that your wife gave birth during the filming of the show. What was that like to be in one place when such a momentous event was going on? - Uinterview User
A: It was just a time where I really wanted to focus. There was so much going on and my emotions were just torn and I was just ripping myself up inside with the situation 3000 miles away. My wife is having our first child and I'm here trying to fight for our future and it was just a crazy, crazy, crazy, time. I really just zeroed in my focus and got really, really intense about setting my goal and succeeding during that week of Hollywood week and getting done with it so I could get back on the plane and get back home. I was focused on every single aspect of what I was doing right then and there.
Q: Did you ever think about dropping out to be with her? - Jake Gable
A: No, it wasn't really an option. You've come so far. I've come 3000 miles so literally I've come so far. So I was like, 'You might as well get it done, get this victory and get back home.'
Q: Who did you form the closest relationships with behind the scene of the various idols? - Jake Gable
A: It's hard to say because I had very special relationships with everybody. I'm kinda like the big brother of the group. Andrew Garcia and I are very, very close. Lee DeWyze and I are extremely close as well. Me and Crystal Bowersox got a very special bond just because we're both parents on the show. And then I'm kinda a big brother to Katie Stevens, to Aaron Kelly. Casey James and I recently got extremely close after both of us left the show in successive weeks so we were able to talk, and we were roommates for a long time. But I guess Andrew and Lee would probably be my closest guys on the show. But I spend time with everybody though.
Q: Was there one thing that surprised you the most about being on the show that you wouldn't have suspected going into it? - Virginia Chu
A: Nothing that necessarily surprised me so much. Except for the fact that you surprise yourself when you see that you actually can do it. It's big and it is like, overwhelming. To see that you actually have the stamina to do it and you got the guts and once we get our routines and our schedule you're like, 'Ok I'm not nervous for these interviews and I'm not nervous going here and I'll make sure I know what to say to the band to get my song the right way.' You start figuring out the way the machine works and you figure out in yourself that you can do it. That's kind of an interesting day when you have that epiphany of, 'I can do this. I can go far on this.'
Q: On the night of the finale there were so many amazing stars and celebrity mentors and performances on the show. Did you get a chance to bond with any of the mentors or any of the stars that you performed with? - Virginia Chu
A: I did. I definitely bonded with Michael McDonald. We got the chance to exchange information and he invited me to come out and see him this summer. That's quite cool. And also Chicago, who Lee sang with, they made sure they came and found me and I got a chance to talk with them for a long time. It's interesting because my band in New York was kind of based off of Chicago. Just with the horn and section and the very tight harmonies. So it was interesting that they kind of found me and wanted to talk. Their kids liked me so we got the chance to talk and exchange info as well.
Q: Did they give you any advice? - mandycohen15
A: They didn't really. They really just told me I have what it takes. Which is so cool when one of your heroes feels like you can be one of them. It was kind of 'Welcome to the club' kinda thing. They were saying that to a bunch of us. It's interesting to be on this side of it now. You deserve what you work for. It's super interesting. I think all of us who were still around, the top 5 of us for Harry Connick Jr. nobody's ever gonna forget that ever. He was amazing. He wanted to make sure that he bonded with each one of us so that was super special for us.
Q: In the finale, were you surprised by the outcome that Lee beat Crystal? Where did you come down on that? - Mandy Cohen
A: Not surprised. I thought it could have gone either way. I thought Crystal killed in the finale. I thought they both did a really good job of tapping into their fan base and being who they've been all year. Crystal's always been good, and confident, and soulful, and tapping into her spirit, and she really did that. Lee's always kinda been this guy who's just about his surface to burst out but his personality is one that you really, really, want to root for. I thought that he was that guy to a T and obviously, because it ended up getting the victory. But I wouldn't have been surprised either way I just think that you can see who the main voting demographic is as we've seen in the last few years of winners come up and I look forward to next year for some kind of change in that. I want to see somebody from left field come out and win. I want to see people not just latch on to whatever the normal thing has become the last few years on the show.
Q: Has the Idol tour started yet? - Ahmed
A: No, we're just in rehearsal now. We're with the band, some crazy kids, and it's super laid back. It's gonna be a great tour.
Q: What are you singing? - Ahmed
A: I'm gonna sing a couple of my great songs from the show and I got something special that I'm doing for a third one. It's gonna be a little bit of a surprise. We may throw one more in there, we're still working that out but it's gonna be worth coming to check out.
Q: What are your plans after the tour? - Uinterview User
A: Get working on the album is first and foremost. I want to do an amazing album. If you're gonna set goals and you gotta do something you might as well shoot for the moon. I just wanna do an album that moves your spirit and just comes from my heart. I want to do something really, really special.
Michael Lynche sings "Ready for Love" Live on the Idols Live Tour
American Idol Season 9's Michael Lynche sings India.Arie's "Ready for Love" Live on the Idols Live Tour!
Michael Lynche & Casey James sing "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman"
American Idols Michael Lynche and Casey James perform "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" by Bryans Adams. This was the only duet performed at the second night of the American Idols LIVE Tour at Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Summerfest.
American Idol's Michael Lynche & Andrew Garcia Get "Straight Up"!!
American Idol Season 9 finalists Michael Lynche and Andrew Garcia perform Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" at Studio Square in Astoria, New York during Big Mike's special performance in his adopted hometown.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
American Idol Viewers Send "Big Mike" Packing, plus Results Recap Video
Michael Lynche Eliminated after Predictable Michael Jackson Cover During Movie Week
By Joyce Lee
"Michael Lynche came painfully close to his dream of making it to the top three, but fell short when he received the fewest votes on Wednesday night's episode of American Idol.
Lynche, the 26-year-old personal trainer from St. Petersburg, Fla., left the viewers and the judges unsatisfied with his predictable performance of Michael Jackson
's "Will You Be There." The judges deemed his performance safe and unimpressive.During the results portion of the show, Casey James was the first contestant granted relief. This came as a shock since everyone assumed he would land in the bottom two with Lynche."
Next up was Lee DeWyze. Ryan Seacrest reminded the audience of the judges' assessment from last night. Lee didn't think his performance was karaoke-like, and was happy with the performance, but thought he could have done more with the arrangement. Ryan then called Mike's name, then asked him to "hang tight for a second." Then he said "Lee...friends, Lee is headed back to Chicago."
Lee DeWyze is safe!
"Instead, Crystal Bowersox was the one left standing next to Lynche at the end. But it was no surprise to hear she was saved, as she's a strong favorite to win the whole competition, or at least advance to the final two.
Despite being saved from elimination by the judges five weeks ago, Lynche had a good run. He won the viewers over early with his charm, and they were further endeared to him when his wife gave birth to their first child during the audition rounds.
American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino
opened the show with her performance of "Bittersweet," a powerful ballad from her upcoming album. Bon Jovi
also took the stage to sing "Superman Tonight."Later, Season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry returned to the Idol stage with his rock band and performed "September." Grammy-nominated Daughtry
offered a few words of advice to the finalists."Stay hungry and don't compromise the music you love -- stay what's true to you," he said.
Wednesday night's results show had 37 million viewers, a record high for the season.
Next week, the Season 9 Top 3 finalists - Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze and Casey James - will get a chance to visit their hometowns before hitting the stage once more, with one more contestant sent home before the May 26 finale."
On next Tuesday night's show, the Top 3 will sing 2 songs each – a song the judges choose for them and a tune they pick themselves. (At the time of writing, no theme had yet been announced for the Top 3 show. Wouldn't it be nice to have a theme-free night?) Traditionally, the contestants find out their judges' pick during their hometown visit - as if the finalists do not have enough on their minds during their whirl-wind tour of parades, ribbon cuttings, keys-to-the-city ceremonies and "God Bless America"'s.
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with additional reporting by M.S. Chloe
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Top 4 Idols Mentored by Jamie Foxx During Cinema Week!
On the Wednesday night results show, Daughtry will perform their new single, “September.” Bon Jovi is also set to perform.
Each of the four – Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, Casey James and Michael Lynche will sing a solo. But, the 4 contestants will also pair up to sing a duet.
Duets for tonight! Crystal Bowersox/Lee Dewyze and Casey James/Mike Lynche! What do you think of that?
Another development: The list of songs have been expanded from 34 to 50. And man, the list is full of re-treads! Yikes. Not liking this list so much… Why are there so many bad 80’s songs on it?
New songs on the list include Prince’s “Purple Rain”, which is notable, because Prince rarely clears his songs for Idol. (He allowed fellow Minnesotan, Paris Bennett, to sing “Kiss” back in Season 5.) And there are songs nobody wants covered on Idol again, like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Falling Slowly”.
The sixteen additional songs don’t improve the original list, that’s heavy on cinema cheese and total WTF? Should be an amusing night.
So, what do you think the Idols should sing? Check out the list and leave your comments below!
* (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
* (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
* A Whole New World – Brad Kane & Lea Salonga
* Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – The 5th Dimension
* Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross
* Beauty and the Beast – Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson
* Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
* Can I Have This Dance – Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron & the Cast of HS Musical
* Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John & London Community Gospel Choir
* Can’t Fight the Moonlight – LeAnn Rimes
* Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
* Don’t You Forget About Me – Simple Minds
* Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
* Evergreen – Barbra Streisand
* Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
* Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
* Flashdance (What a Feeling) – Irene Cara
* Footloose – Kenny Loggins
* Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio
* Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.
* Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky) – Bill Conti
* Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman – Bryan Adams
* I Believe I Can Fl – R. Kelly
* I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
* I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
* I’m Alright (Theme from Caddyshack) – Kenny Loggins
* Into the West – Howard Shore and Annie Lennox
* Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
* It Might Be You (from Tootsie) – Stephen Bishop
* Jai Ho – A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah et al
* Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
* Kiss From a Rose – Seal
* Let the Riverrun – Carly Simon
* Live and Let Die – Wings
* Lose Yourself – Eminem
* Moon River (from Moon River) – Audrey Hepburn & Henry Mancini
* Mrs Robinson – Simon & Garfunkle
* My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
* One Night Only – Jennifer Hudson, Deena Jones & The Dreams
* Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
* Purple Rain – Prince & the Revolution
* Separate Lives – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
* Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
* Summertime – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
* Superfly – Curtis Mayfield
* Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from Top Gun) – Berlin
* Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
* We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) – Tina Turner
* Will You Be There – Michael Jackson
* You’ll Be in My Heart – Glenn Close & Phil Collins
source: mj's blog
Monday, March 15, 2010
Michael Lynche: Idol Plans on Being around for a Long Time
Michael "Big Mike" Lynche is like a cross between season three's goofball Matt Rogers and the Velvet Teddy Bear, Ruben Studdard On steroids. Not literally, since Big Mike is a personal trainer, not a juice-taker. As far as we know.
Best Performance: Big Mike's a rare example of an "Idol" contestant who shines brighter without an instrument. A confident take on James Brown's "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" was entertaining, but his go-for-broke version of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work," which moved Kara DioGuardi to tears, was a game changer.
Tragic Backstory: Big Mike's wife went into labor with their first child during Hollywood Week. Extended phone call montages and conversations about her birth canal followed. We're not sure who will need more therapy: his daughter, whose birth her dad missed because he was auditioning for a televised karaoke competition, or his wife, whose birth was documented in eye-opening detail by "Idol" cameras.
Why He Could Win: Big Mike has a fun nickname, a newborn baby and a charming personality. Ellen DeGeneres deemed him the one to beat this week. If he continues to pick smart songs, he could muscle his way into the finale.
Why He Could Lose: He's likable, but in a TV host kind of way, not an "I wanna run out and buy that guy's album" kind of way.
What He Should Sing: Mike's personal goal should be to make every single judge cry at least once this season. We know Simon's mourning the loss of his dad. If Lynche turned John Lennon's "Mother" into a soul tour de force, Cowell would lose it.
On Being Called "The One to Beat" By Ellen: "I think it's way too early for anybody to be 'the one to beat,'" Lynche said. "It's a long season. I plan on being around for a long time, so you can't take any of that stuff to heart, negative or positive."
(MTV Profile)
Best Performance: Big Mike's a rare example of an "Idol" contestant who shines brighter without an instrument. A confident take on James Brown's "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" was entertaining, but his go-for-broke version of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work," which moved Kara DioGuardi to tears, was a game changer.
Tragic Backstory: Big Mike's wife went into labor with their first child during Hollywood Week. Extended phone call montages and conversations about her birth canal followed. We're not sure who will need more therapy: his daughter, whose birth her dad missed because he was auditioning for a televised karaoke competition, or his wife, whose birth was documented in eye-opening detail by "Idol" cameras.
Why He Could Win: Big Mike has a fun nickname, a newborn baby and a charming personality. Ellen DeGeneres deemed him the one to beat this week. If he continues to pick smart songs, he could muscle his way into the finale.
Why He Could Lose: He's likable, but in a TV host kind of way, not an "I wanna run out and buy that guy's album" kind of way.
What He Should Sing: Mike's personal goal should be to make every single judge cry at least once this season. We know Simon's mourning the loss of his dad. If Lynche turned John Lennon's "Mother" into a soul tour de force, Cowell would lose it.
On Being Called "The One to Beat" By Ellen: "I think it's way too early for anybody to be 'the one to beat,'" Lynche said. "It's a long season. I plan on being around for a long time, so you can't take any of that stuff to heart, negative or positive."
(MTV Profile)
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