American Idol: the winner is....Ruben

 

Last week while millions of viewers watched on, by a narrow margin of less than a third of a percent, voters crowned Ruben Studdard the latest winner of "American Idol" a reality TV show shown on Fox television.

The unlikely combo of velvet teddy bear Ruben and, as one fan at the finale put it, "the skinny white kid" Clay Aiken, provided an entertaining contest that, according to producers, resulted in a record 24 million votes after it was all said and done..

"I just feel elated, man," Studdard said backstage after the show. "This is wonderful, man. I've dreamed of being in this place my whole life and I am finally here, and there is nothing better than being able to live out your dream."

Ruben, who proudly displayed his Birmingham, Alabama, roots with his various 205 jerseys, was an early favorite in the competition, winning over fans with his smooth voice, on songs ranging from Billy Joel's 'Just the Way You Are' to Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' and his laid-back charm.

"[Relaxed] is the only way to live, man," Studdard said, adding that he has no worries about staying grounded despite winning the biggest singing competition in the world. "I'm going to be Ruben, y'all. ... If you stress out, it's not good."

Kelly Clarkson's "American Idol" crown was passed to Ruben, but if the fame that has followed last year's runner-up, Justin Guarini, is any indication, life is looking good for Aiken all the same. In fact, before the winner was announced, legendary record executive Clive Davis announced both finalists were already recording for his label.

"They both are going to be successful," judge Randy Jackson said before the show. "I don't think they will have a problem at all."

"That's the beauty of the show — it's designed as a win-win situation," added Tamyra Gray, a finalist from last year who is recording her major-label debut. "Nobody fails. And as long as you keep your options open, anything can happen. There's a world of work, so you are bound to get something, even if you don't get the actual 'American Idol' [crown]."

Studdard worked with R&B hitmaker Babyface on his first single, 'Flying Without Wings', due June 3 featuring on the B-side, The Carpenters' 'Superstar'. Aiken, meanwhile, will release the ballad 'This Is the Night' which he performed as the finalist, along with Jeffrey Osborne's 'On the Wings of Love' on June 10.

Source: billboard.com..

 

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Whitney retreats to Israel for 'Spiritual Inspiration'

Whitney Houston has gone to Israel in search of inspiration for her upcoming Christmas album.

Houston arrived Sunday (May 24th) for her stay with the Black Hebrews, a group of nearly 2,000 black Americans who followed a Chicago bus driver to Israel decades ago and believe they are descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israelites.

Their religious customs include a vegan diet and polygamy. Houston spent her first day at their compound in the desert town of Dimona receiving massages, relaxing, and meeting with the Black Hebrews, who call each other saints.

`She is loving it,'' said Patricia Houston, the singer's spokeswoman and sister-in-law. `She is a spiritual woman and wanted to come here and touch the land and be around the saints of Dimona.'' Whitney Houston is accompanied by a group of relatives, including her husband, singer Bobby Brown, and their daughter.

Source: netscape.com

 

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Isley Bros 'Body Kiss' crowned No. 1

 

It's been a long time coming but The Isley Brothers latest release 'Body Kiss' climbed to the No. 1 spot on Billboard Top 200 chart giving the pair its first No. 1 on the chart in almost 30 years.

The DreamWorks set sold slightly more than 150,000 copies in the U.S. during its first week at retail, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the Isley's first No. 1 on the main album chart album since 1975's "The Heat Is On" (T-Neck).

Forever challenging the R&B spectrum of rhythm, the veteran R&B act recaptured a mainstream audience in 1996 with a wonderful set 'Mission to Please' (Floating on your love, Whenever you're ready) and 2001's 'Eternal' featuring duets with R. Kelly and Jill Scott. The new album's first single, 'What Would You Do?' (featuring R. Kelly aka 'The Pied Piper') is a top-20 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

Source: billboard.com

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New Luther track debuts on AOL's 'First Listen'

 

AOL Music debuted Luther Vandross' new song 'Dance With My Father' on their 'First Liste" music format. The song, written and produced by Luther himself, became the most favorably rated 'First Listen' song on AOL Music to date after over 98% of those who voted on the song gave it a positive rating.

Over a half million people have streamed the song to-date. Furthermore, the week of the First Listen, 'Dance With My Father' hit # 1 on the AOL Music Top 11 Songs chart and Luther was # 2 on AOL Music's Top 11 Artists chart.

"Dance With My Father" is the title cut from Luther Vandross' fifteenth album - the much-anticipated follow up to his 2001's platinum-plus self-titled J Records debut. It will be released on June 10, 2003. Recently, the R&B icon has been battling for his life after suffering a serious stroke 4 weeks ago. Before this Luther had been quoted as saying this was his "best album to date" and that "Dance With My Father" was his "career song."

His mother, Mrs. Mary Vandross comments, "Knowing how he loves this new album, I believe Luther would want it to come out now and I'm so grateful that he can get this chance. He is going to recover and when he does, I want him to be greeted with a big success story." Evan Harrison, Executive Director of AOL Music, said, "Our thoughts are with Luther, his family and his fans at this time. We were thrilled with the overwhelming response from members who had the first oppurtunity to hear 'Dance with My Father' on AOL."

Launched in December 2001, AOL Music's First Listen program has emerged as a premier outlet for music's hottest stars to exclusively debut their new songs. First Listen lets music fans hear new songs from platinum-selling artists before they are available anywhere else at AOL Keyword: First Listen.

Source: SpotlightonR&B.com