Ho ho ho from ODelaHo

Wish you all A Merry Christmas,
May the Joys of the season
Fill your heart with goodwill and cheer.
May the chimes of Christmas glory
Add up more shine and spread
Smiles across the miles,
To-day & In the New Year.
-Rosie Cash

Top 12 American Idols

published in billboard.com (LINK)

1. KELLY CLARKSON  

Album Sales: 10,600,000
Track Sales: 15,900,000
Radio Plays: 4,260,000

“Idol’s” original queen is still its biggest star. Since winning the title in 2002, Kelly Clarkson has notched eight Billboard Hot 100 top 10s — including two No. 1s — from four albums. And eight years later, the pop singer is still inspiring “Idol” hopefuls: this year’s recently eliminated contestant Siobhan Magnus has said that she perfected her trademark “scream” by singing Clarkson songs in the shower. Clarkson hits the road again this summer, on the revived Lilith Fair tour.

2. CARRIE UNDERWOOD  

Album Sales: 11,500,000
Track Sales: 13,900,000
Radio Plays: 2,426,000

As the first country singer to win “American Idol,” Carrie Underwood leads the show’s graduates with U.S. album sales of 11.5 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Her third release, 2009′s “Play On,” showed off a more mature side to the 27-year-old and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Most recently, Underwood made history in April by becoming the first woman to be named ACM Entertainer of the Year twice. Keep playing on, Carrie!

3. CHRIS DAUGHTRY  

Album Sales: 5,700,000
Track Sales: 9,500,000
Radio Plays: 2,439,000

Chris Daughtry’s fourth-place “Idol” finish in 2006 really hurt his career, didn’t it? Not so much. With 5.7 million albums and 9.5 million digital downloads to his name, the gruff rocker ranks ahead of six former “Idol” winners on this list. His self-titled debut and last year’s “Leave This Town” both topped the Billboard 200 on arrival, and though drummer Joey Barnes recently left the band, Daughtry is still plugging away on tour and will return to perform on “Idol” on May 5.

4. JORDIN SPARKS  

Album Sales: 1,300,000
Track Sales: 9,000,000
Radio Plays: 1,146,000

Still the youngest “Idol” winner ever, Jordin Sparks was just 17 when she was voted America’s favorite back in 2007, beating out beatboxer Blake Lewis. Sparks’ has since racked up radio hits like “Battlefield” and “No Air,” her duet with Chris Brown. These days, Sparks is getting ready to take over more than one stage — she’ll embark on a “Battlefield” headlining tour this summer through August, then hit the Great White Way for a 12-week stint with the hit musical “In the Heights.”

5. DAVID COOK    

Album Sales: 1,300,000
Track Sales: 3,900,000
Radio Plays: 536,000

After years of rockers getting the short end of the “Idol” stick, David Cook broke the genre’s bad luck streak in 2008 by trumping another David (Archuleta) in the finale. Cook’s self-titled debut album followed and has since sold 1.3 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. As it did when he competed on “Idol,” charity drives Cook. Earlier this month, he raised $140,000 at the 13th Annual Race for Hope in memory of his brother Adam, who lost his courageous battle with brain cancer last year.

6. CLAY AIKEN  

Album Sales: 4,900,000
Track Sales: 532,000
Radio Plays: 195,000

Clay Aiken may have lost to Ruben Studdard in 2003, but he’s still the season 2 favorite in the minds of many longtime “Idol” fans — and he has the sales to prove it. Aiken’s “Tried and True” album is due June 1 on Decca and it’s his first studio set since 2008, a year in which the singer also made headlines for revealing he’s gay and starring on Broadway in “Spamalot.” Aiken will go straight from releasing his album to the “Timeless” tour, a joint summer trek with Studdard.

7. KELLIE PICKLER  

Album Sales: 1,300,000
Track Sales: 2,900,000
Radio Plays: 373,000

Taylor Swift’s BFF finished sixth on “Idol” but has done just fine for herself since, thanks to country hits like “Red High Heels” and “Best Days of Your Life.” Pickler opened for Swift’s massive headlining tour last summer and will open for another big act, Rascal Flatts, later this year. The gig will no doubt help keep Pickler’s star on the rise as she preps her third album for release in the fall.

8. DAVID ARCHULETA  

Album Sales: 968,000
Track Sales: 3,000,000
Radio Plays: 177,000

Currently writing for his sophomore album, David Archuleta is approaching platinum sales of his debut album, which has sold 968,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The 19-year-old also made a memorable solo turn on “Somos El Mundo,” the Spanish-Language version of “We Are the World 25″, and revisited his performance of John Lennon’s “Imagine” on the “Idol” stage in April. True to his nice-guy form, Archuleta recently blogged that year’s batch of “Idol” contestants “a group of cool people!”

9. FANTASIA  

Album Sales: 2,300,000
Track Sales: 957,000
Radio Plays: 624,000

If any “Idol” winner deserves to be known on first-name-only basis, it’s Fantasia, who’s having her busiest year since winning “Idol” in 2004. The 24-year-old R&B diva recently unveiled her new single, “Beautiful,” and will release her third album on July 13. After playing Celie in “The Color Purple” on Broadway, she’s also set to reprise her role in the musical’s film adaptation. Reality TV is back in Fantasia’s life, too, thanks to her hit VH1 show “Fantasia for Real.”

10. RUBEN STUDDARD  

Album Sales: 2,600,000
Track Sales: 337,000
Radio Plays: 434,000

Winning “Idol” in 2003 led to even greater joy for Studdard, who met his future wife at a Wal-Mart autograph signing. The “Velvet Teddy Bear’s” biggest hit, “Sorry 2004,” came that year, but Studdard’s popularity gets a boost every time he returns to perform on “Idol.” He’ll keep his core fans happy this summer on the “Timeless” tour, which he’s co-headlining with Clay Aiken.

11. KRIS ALLEN  

Album Sales: 310,000
Track Sales: 2,600,000
Radio Plays: 165,000

Last year’s “Idol” champion has sold 296,000 copies of his first album, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and covered radio formats from pop to Christian with the single “Live Like We’re Dying.” Though he’s often overshadowed by runner-up Adam Lambert, Allen has plenty of fans drawn to his laidback singer/songwriter vibe. Allen tours with Barenaked Ladies this summer.

12. ADAM LAMBERT  

Album Sales: 685,000
Track Sales: 2,200,000
Radio Plays: 91,000

No recent “Idol” contestant has stirred up a media frenzy like Adam Lambert, who drew comparisons to Elvis Presley during his run and returned to the show this season as a mentor during Elvis week. He did so well, in fact, that many have asked: will Glambert replace outgoing “Idol” judge Simon Cowell? “I would be honored, but at this point I’m just focusing on my career as a recording artist,” said Lambert, who two weeks ago posted his first Billboard Hot 100 top 10, “Whataya Want From Me.”

[project 365] day 35 – 41

[Day 41] Feb 10 – Sweets from Kite

My good friend and co-rusher Kite Cruz just got home here in the Phil from Texas, USA. She texted me one morning that she brought something for me. Na-touch naman ako syempre.. so I met up with her at Powerbooks and I finally met her in person!! We talked for quite a while and ayun.. she gave me this KitKat.. Love it! Thank you so much Kite!!!

[Day 40] Feb 9 – Tissue Tissue Tissue

*sneeeeeeeezzzzeeeee* my day started with not-so-awesome-colds. Darn. And I really consumed a lot of tissues that day. I really hate this feeling..*sniff sniff*… neozep na naman

[Day 39] Feb 8 – Brownies!!

Colorful brownies from Dunkin Donuts. Love the taste and the toppings. and very affordable pa.. 60 pesos for 6 brownies.. next time bibili ulit ako

[Day 38] Feb 7 – Happy Birthday Alex!!

We (with my rusher friends) attended the 1st Bday of baby Alex, the daughter of Acer and ate Susie.. the party was held at McDo, Festival Mall. We enjoyed the food, and the mascots

[Day 37] Feb 6 – This iz it!

No. Not Michael Jackson’s Concert. Finally. Got to watch three awesome acts in one night. Boyce Avenue is amazing, Alejandro’s voice FTW. Jabbawockeez.. umm they’re great. Kainis lang yung mga audience.. and Kris Allen? He’s the Best!

[Day 36] Feb 5 – It’s ALIVE

yeaaah! after that one horrible week, my PC is back. Thank you to my very new dvd-rom… I succeeded in installing the new OS in my PC. Here’s hoping that this will be the very last time. haaaay

[Day 35] Feb 4 – Tickets

Me and my friend Julie bought three tickets for the concert of Boyce Ave, Jabbawockeez, and Kris Allen. Gen Admission lang, which only costs 500+ pesos… This is my first big concert for this year

Jamming: Live Like We’re Dying

Kris Allen, the reigning American Idol, has a new single! Although the song is not so new, Live Like We’re Dying is an original song of the band The Script, which was included in the Japanese edition of their album The Script.

The song is beautifully written, very inspiring, and so apt for our situation right now.  I can say that Allen’s version of this song is much better, although it sounds a little similar with the original.

Can’t wait to hear it on RX! =)

 

Live Like We’re Dying

Kris Allen

Sometimes we fall down and can’t get back up
We’re hiding behind skin that’s too tough
How come we don’t say I love you enough
Till it’s to late, it’s not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come
We could make a feast from these crumbs
And we’re all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you
What would you wish you would’ve done

Yeah… gotta start
Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we’re dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbyes
Should be so careful who we live out our lives
So when we long for absolution
There’ll no one on the line

Yeah… gotta start
Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we’re dying

Like we’re dying oh – like we’re dying [x2]

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live – like we’re dying

We never know a good thing till it’s gone
You never see a crash until it’s head on
All those people right when we’re dead wrong
You never know a good thing till it’s gone

Yeah… gotta start
Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start livin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we’re dying

Like we’re dying oh – like we’re dying [x2]

We only got
86 400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we’re dying
Live like we’re dying

No Boundaries

American Idol 09

No Boundaries
Kris Allen

[Verse 1:]
Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait?
Every moment lasts forever
If you feel you’ve lost your way

What if your chances are already gone?
Started believing that I could be wrong
But you give me one good reason
to fight and never walk away

[Hook:]
So here I am – still holding on

[Chorus:]
With every step, you climb another mountain
Every breath, it’s harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain;
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you almost gave up on your dreams
Then, take it by the hand and show you that you can

There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

[Verse 2:]
I fought to the limit, stand on the edge
What if today is as good as it gets?
Don’t know where the future’s heading
But nothing’s gonna bring me down

I’ve jumped every bridge and I’ve heard every lie
I risked being safe but I always knew why -
I always knew why

[Repeat Hook]

[Repeat Chorus]

[Bridge:]
You can go higher;
You can go deeper
There are no boundaries above and beneath you
Break every rule `cause there’s nothing between you and your dreams

With every step, you climb another mountain
Every breath, it’s harder to believe

Yeah!

There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath, it’s harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes

There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

Kris Allen’s Wastin’ Time

Fine. I know some of you are not happy with the AI result. You’re against the conservatives who voted for Kris just for the reason that they don’t want to have a gay AIdol. Yeah I guess it’s unfair for Adam.

But let’s just move on.  Anyway, the battle isn’t over yet. But please allow me to celebrate on Kris’ Victory. Whootwoot. Haha.  So let me share this song from his album Brand New Shoes, recorded before he joined the American Idol. Here’s Wastin’ Time, and I’m telling you, it’s not a waste of time at all Enjoy!

WASTIN’ TIME

I’m the person that you’re trying not to be.
I’m good at wasting my time;
I got it down pat so easily.

Some people they call me, they call me the king,
Sitting on my throne not doing a thing.

Everybody’s passing me on this road I’m on.
I gotta pack my things, get ready to go.
Send me on my way.

And if you could, would you please pay my toll?
‘Cause I gotta get out of this place
And this wasting time is getting old.

I’ve been writing all these verbs down and I don’t know why,
‘Cause I got no action, I got no action, I got no action in my life.
It’s easy living your life doing things the way I do.
If you give it up you better start running ’cause it’ll catch up to you.

Everybody’s passing you on this road you’re on.
You gotta pack your things, get ready to go.
Send me on my way.

And if you could, would you please pay my toll?
‘Cause I gotta get out of this place
And this wasting time – it’s getting old.

Everybody’s passing us on this road we’re on.
We gotta pack our things, get ready to go.

Get ready to go…

CLICK HERE to hear the song

The New American Idol (AI8)

Acoustic Rock VS Glam Rock

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ok, I just gotta tell you now, my comments will be a little biased. Even when the show hasn’t started yet, I’m already rooting for Kris Allen.. so I’ll be dishing out good points for him, but I’ll try to be fair too.

ROUND 1

Mad World – Adam Lambert
- I think he picked the right song for this final battle. It was easier to digest (Less screaming, i think). The special effects were a little.. umm unfair?.. it’s like the AI staff pimped out his performance too much! What’s up with the smoke and the blue lighting, right?.. wala lang.. naiinggit lang ako para kay Kris. Oh btw, I like the part of the song where he playfully hit the word “nervous”.. it was a cute part. yun lang

Ain’t No Sunshine – Kris Allen
- THE BOMB!! ok, a little OA.  I think he also picked the right song. One of my favorite songs that he performed. It’s full of dynamics, the low parts and the climax. I really like the way he control his voice. It was just right and very heartfelt. Round 1 really goes to KRIS!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 2

Change is Gonna Come – Adam Lambert
- Now the shriek/scream is all over again. I know, i know, you love Adam, you appreciate his singing style and all that. But I’m sorry.. I just don’t dig it. Yes, it is very painful to MY ears.  I really don’t appreciate it at all. Someone said that Gavin DeGraw’s version of the song is much better. So I better check it out.  Weekmates (variation ng weekies hehe), are you ready for another Version battle?! haha.. wag nalang.. baka away lang ang mangyari

What’s Going On – Kris Allen
- Yeah, a bit lame. But I think he did great. I really really love acoustic, so it really amazed me.  Kris is really an artist. Piano, guitar, pure vocals, he’s amazing! I still say that this round goes to KRIS!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROUND 3

No Boundaries
Adam Lambert - it was pitchy.
Kris Allen – he was struggling.
But I also agree with randy, seriously.. mas bagay kay Kris yung song. babaan lang ng konti

fave part:  Carrie Underwood’s performance!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And the winner is….. jaaarrrraaaann!!

The New American Idol - Kris Allen

Talk about Happiness! LOL

Final Three

The Final Three - AI8

Danny Gokey:

1st Song – yeah it was an upbeat song.. but unfortunately a forgettable one.  Now I can’t remember it too.. hmm well I think his voice is just okay.  I’m just really not a fan.

2nd song – it started really soft and a little lame for me, but good thing is he belt it out in the end.  Vocally it’s really good.

Kris Allen:

1st song – Singing apologize.. his version is actually just okay.. the vocals is good.  It’s actually a hard song to sing, but he pulled it off, I think… but yeah, it would be better if he didn’t use the piano.

2nd song – Artistry!! Good thing he transformed a song into something that will magnify his talent. He is amazing!!

Adam Lambert:

1st song – definitely the best song choice of the night.. At this song, I think i can tolerate the scream.. it was more controlled.. and the end is good.  Definitely “in” for the finals.

2nd song – oh I soo agree with my friend Acer.. the back-up singer was a mess. I love the first performance than this one though.  Fine, he will be the american idol.

Hoping for a Adam – Kris Battle!!!!