I haven’t seen official totals, but as of last Thursday, Idol Gives Back has raised over $60 million. Give it a few more days and $100 million is not out of the question. It’ll be exciting tomorrow to see what the official totals are.

Of course, you can still give back by shopping at iTunes or donating at the Idol Gives Back page.

Here’s hoping that we made more than a few lives better!!

I was all ready to write my disappointing iTunes post this morning but I don’t have to. iTunes has been updated with more content including:
- American Prayer - By the top 6 Idols (written by Bono I think)
- Up to the Mountain - Kelly Clarkson (with Jeff Beck)
- You Raise Me Up - Josh Grobin
- My Wish - Rascal Flatts
- Somewhere - Il Divo
- Time to Care - By the top 6 Idols
- Medley - Earth, Wind and Fire

Bridge over Troubled Water by Annie Lennox is currently only in video format, but it may come eventually to just song format.

You can download all the songs right now on iTunes. I had Carrie Underwood’s I’ll Stand By You on my iPod yesterday and am totally addicted to the song.

The iTunes selection is slowly grown and it’d be nice if it kept going too.

Idol gives back was an amazing show. I think it’s great that such a sensation can take some time and give back.

The biggest shocker of the night was when Jordin Sparks was left standing. She was the last one to be told she was safe. That’s right, this week only, no one goes home. If I were her I’d smack Ryan Secrest for pulling such a stunt. Surely her heart sank when she thought she was the one going home. But luckily she’s not. Next week two people will go home and this weeks votes will help decide who those two are.

The other shocker had to be the king himself, Elvis, singing a duet with Celine Dion. With a little bit of video magic, they both shared the stage and the Idol hopefulls sang backup. It was pretty darn amazing.

The celebrity list that showed up to help out Idol Gives Back is much to long to list. For some it was with an exclusive song while others just did a little ‘call now’ announcement. Either way Hollywood was out in full force.

And today, iTunes is suppose to have exclusive content from the event; which it does. You can get the high quality Elvis and Celine duet, download Carrie Underwood sining I’ll Stand By You or get the Ford music video. All proceeds will go to Idol Gives Back and then onto help children of the world.

I have to say, the iTunes selection is very lacking. I was hoping for so much more this morning. Lets hope it’s still on the way. Especially the last song of the evening that all the Idols sang. I’d love that one.

Overall, Idol Gives Back was a great show and they did raise a lot of money for good causes. If you haven’t given, head over to AmericanIdol.com and give. Even if it’s just $10, it will do so much good.

In iTunes this morning, Idol Gives Back is featured with some celebrity playlists. Those happen to be Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. Each playlist is a mix of songs that drive them to perform and include various artists from all genre’s of music. You can download individual songs or the entire albums.

Keep checking back though as iTunes get more exclusive content of the Idol Gives Back performances. The exclusive content will benefit the charity and it’s one way you can help out! There is also talk of an exclusive Carrie Underwood track coming!!

It’s Idol Gives Back week and your vote tonight helps raise money for those that need it. Honestly, making one phone call is all you have to do. It’s not that hard. Plus phone lines are open for four hours and that gives plenty of time. The call is free, the vote turns into cash, some kids get a meal. How can it be any better?

To keep in step with the theme, Idol wannabes sang inspirational songs.

Chris did an excellent job on Change the World and Melinda amazed on Faith Hill’s There Will Come a Day. Not many idols can hold a candle to voices like Faith’s but Melinda has no problems.

Blake sang John Lennon’s Imagine which is a beautiful song, but it just didn’t amaze like the others. He’ll most likely be in the bottom three.

Lakisha needs to stop singing previous Idol songs. She sang Fantasia’s I Believe and just couldn’t make it her own. Much like Blake, it was good but not the right choice. Again in the bottom three.

Phil took on Garth Books’ The Change. He did alright, but I didn’t feel like he put enough heart into it. Phil will make up the third in the bottom three.

Then there is Jordin. The 17yr old is almost walking away with the Idol title and making it look like a breeze. She sang Walk On and had everyone on their feet before she was even done. I thought she was going to break out and cry during it but she held strong. She’s simply amazing.

The best part of the night was the announcement that iTunes was going to have an exclusive Carrie Underwood song and Ford music videos on Wednesday! All download profits will benefit Idol Gives Back and I’ll be on there for sure.

What are you waiting for? Call in and vote now to help those that need it here in the US and around the world!

Idol Gives Back is this week and American Idol is hoping to raise lots of money for underprivileged children in Africa and those that need help right here in the US too.

Tuesday night’s show is just one hour and Wednesday’s is two as the stars come together to help raise money. During all this, the top 6 will still have to compete and sing as the path to the next American Idol moves on.

Not only can you help out by voting on Tuesday for your favorite, but you can call in your own donation on Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 24: Your vote will count more than ever. Each time you call, sponsors will make a donation to Charity Projects Entertainment Fund to help children and young people in the USA and Africa.

Wednesday, April 25: A very special results show will featur a star-studded extravaganza of celebrity artists performing at both the American Idol stage and prestigious Disney Hall. You will be able to make your own donation either by caling our toll free number or via their donation website.

Celebrities set to appear or perform via satellite include:
Hugh Grant
Keira Knightley
Kelly Clarkson
Forest Whitaker
Daniel Radcliffe
Teri Hatcher
Helena Bonham Carter
Gwen Stefani
Josh Groban
Pink
Michael Buble
Annie Lennox
Il Divo
Borat
Mr. Bean - Rowan Atkinson
Rascal Flatts
Carrie Underwood
U2’s Bono

Many others will also be on hand I’m sure. They even say there is a special guest duet that will be big!!

There’s not doubt in my mind that the first Idol Gives Back will be a huge success and will help many who need it.

More details at the official Idol Gives Back website.

Kelly Clarkson is back on the radio with her new single Never Again. Her album, My December, is scheduled for release later this year but I don’t have an exact date. I also looked in iTunes for the song to download with no luck.

Now available for download in iTunes!!

I did search You Tube for the video but came up empty handed. Lots of versions of the song, but not any that matched up a video. However, here is the song for your listening enjoyment!!

The time has finally arrived. Sanjaya Malakar was voted off American Idol last night and it’s about damn time. His talents are pretty good, but not good enough for this stage in the competition. You know it’s pretty bad when they interview people on the street and even they say Sanjaya should go home. And then you have Simon Cowell grinning from ear to ear to see Sanjaya in the bottom three. It’s getting to the point that I almost feel bad for the kid. But now he’s gone and we are all free to enjoy Idol again.

Joining Sanjaya in the bottom was Lakisha and Blake which wasn’t really a surprise. Lakisha’s performance lacked the greatness of her previous performances and Blake had a horrible song choice. When the Stars Go Blue is a good song, but only after you here it a few times. For those that heard it for the first time on Idol, they probably hated it. It took me a long time to warm up to the Tim McGraw version.

Fergie and Martina McBride also performed. Fergie sang Big Girls Don’t Cry and I liked the song. She’s got a powerful voice, to bad she doesn’t use it for all it’s worth. Instead she does that kind of rap thing that I dislike. But that’s a different topic. Fergie also looked like she got dressed in the dark. She’s a hot woman but didn’t look it on Idol.

Martina McBride on the other hand was steller. She sang Anyway and it really showcased her amazing voice. That lady is a good inspiration for the Idols and I’m glad they go to hear her sing!

Next up is Idol Gives Back! The star studded night where American Idol is raising money for those that need it. Details on that in an upcoming post.

But for now, American Idol is Sanjaya Free!

Here are a few stories from around the web:
- Is it actually possible that our long national nightmare is over?
- Sanjaya’s Going, Going, Gone
- America Idol’s Down to Six: Sanjaya finally goes home
- Hair He Goes: American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Loses
- American Idol: America Sends Sanjaya Home
- Many Many More

Country night was a success in my book. I was hoping that they’d sing real country songs, and for the most part, they the wannabe Idols didn’t disappoint. No cowboy boots or hats, but I do think we got some banjo!

Phil gave one of the top performances in my mind. He sounded great and just did a fantastic job!! Way to go Phil! Maybe you’ll live to see another week.

Jordan did a pretty good job. Not ‘wow’ in my book, but good.

Lakisha was just off. First, you don’t sing a former Idols song. By picking a Carrie Underwood song, you are already asking for it. Then to just do OK at it, well that’s definitely not good. Lakisha may just be in the bottom three. Watch out!!

Chris was ok. I loved the song, but I’m growing to dislike his voice. Definitely in the bottom three and his little shout out at the end to Virginia folks, just seemed odd. His hearts in the right place, but it seemed way out of context. Actually, so did Simon’s and Ryan’s wasn’t much better. We know ya’ll mean well, but it came across very odd.

Melinda Melinda Melinda. What can you say about Melinda. She looked fantastic, young, energetic, full of attitude and sang like she was on the Grammys or something. She had Idol written all over her and, for the first time, I could see her winning it all. She was the complete package.

Blake did alright in my book. Being a big Blake fan, I’m not sure what to think. The song was an odd choice and he could have picked something so much better. I do like When The Stars Go Blue, but it’s a weird song and takes some getting use to.

Ohh and no, I didn’t forget about lovely Sanjaya. I thought he started out good and then crashed and burned. It was bad but will he actually get kicked off? Will he even get in the bottom three? Ohh I hope so.

I enjoyed country night and thought most did a good job. It’s nice to see the tables turned a bit and see a few different Idols excel. I really think Phill and Melinda stole the show and lets hope it’s finally time for Sanjaya to go home. Sorry dude, but your way out sung.

Bucky Covington’s first album is now available. The self titled debut showed up in iTunes this morning just waiting for you to download it.

The album tracks include:

1. American Friday Night
2. Different World
3. I’ll Walk
4. Back When We Were Gods
5. Ain’t No Thing
6. I’m Good
7. Empty Handed
8. Hometown
9. It’s Good to Be Us
10. Carolina Blue
11. Bible and the Belt

Bucky’s album was produced by Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown for which I’m a big fan, but Bucky on the other hand, well the verdict is still out on if I like him. There are a few songs I’m interested in, but I’m not downloading the album today. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes across on the radio first.

Will he be another Idol star from the talented season five? Or will this be his last album?

You can preview Bucky’s album, and download it for $9.99 on