As this season's (2008) American Idol ended, David Archuleta is keeping busy by working on a few projects lined up for the runner-up of 2008's American Idol. For sure, we think he's having a great time and getting the much needed rest. But as it turned out, he's got lots of things going on. He's not complaining though. No, he sure is having fun and adjusting well on his newfound fame. I'm sure he's gonna be a future success story in the music industry.
The Brouhaha on a Foiled Concert
It was reported that his father, Jeff Archuleta organized an appearance at the E-Center for a charity show for the young David. But, Idol officials didn't allow it as the father didn't ask permission from the American Idol producers. As you know, David is under contract with AI. The "American Idol" spokesperson further stated that the solo event would dilute interest in the "Idol" concert tours as the tour will stop at the E-Center on July 14 and 15 giving the fans the chance to see David Archuleta perform with the rest of the contestants.
So what is David Archuleta Working on Lately?
First, he's working on a new album. Yes, AI and Asia'h Epperson fans, that's the benefit of being high up there in the top ten. You get to have an album even though you didn't win the top spot. Record deals come quicker. Secondly, he's updating his MySpace. Yup, he knows the value of networking on the internet and being close with fans online. He's a savvy young genius. He even did his first video blog to thank all the fans of American Idol who voted for and supported him. These are eventually the same people who will shoot him to musical superstardom.
Finally, he's preparing with the rest of the top 10 for this summer's Idol concert tours. It's gonna be one great trip for all our Idols as they tour around the country. For most of this bunch of 2008 Idol hopefuls, it will be the adventure of their lifetime as they go meet and be closer with fans. Fans who will probably buy their albums or go to their concerts when they go solo if they ever decide on embarking a musical career afterwards.
The concert series will give them a chance to see and feel if this is the career they would like to pursue. After the hoopla on this season's American Idol is over, they might be forgotten with next seasons crop of young wannabees eager to take their own shot at stardom.
Additional Information on American Idol Tour 2008
For the convenience of readers of this blog and for those interested on additional information regarding the 2008 summer tour of American Idol, check out the link, American Idol Tour 2008, for location, venue and schedule information. For tickets, you can click on the Idol Tour banners on this site.
If you are an Asia'h Epperson, David Archuleta or an American Idol fan, hope you enjoy this summer season and make it to one of the Idol Tour concert.
What's Keeping David Archuleta Busy These Days
David Archuleta and the Stage Dad Rumor
I am one who happens to think that the rumors on his dad affected people's vote on this season's American Idol. I, for one, thought that it gave other people the chance to "not like" the sweet faced young kid.
The rumors started when Naomi Judd who was a judge from a show (Star Search) where David previously was a contestants was reported to have said that the dad [Jeff Archuleta] was "the worst stage dad". This was then followed by reports that his father was banned from the backstage of the American Idol show for having a hand on the change in the lyrics of the song "Stand by Me" that David sang causing AI producers additional money in song rights, whatever.
Somehow, the banning by AI, corroborated (in people's mind) and made it look that the dad was somehow "evil". In a way, giving David a bad publicity and making people pause and think before voting for him. I would think people (especially the older folks) stopped and wonder, "If I vote for David A, would I be rewarding the dad too, Hmmmm..."
It's a Shame
I like the Archuleta kid. I thought he gave the better performance in the finale. It's a shame as the rumor affected his votes (I think). The rumor was certainly a distraction but is David's dad really a stage dad? or was it circulated just to give American Idol additional drama, other juicy and newsworthy "scandal".
I don't think David will grow up the way he has shown to us if not because of his parent's upbringing. David has been sweet, humble and full of enthusiasm. Give that credit to the parents for a good upbringing. The father and son relationship is one of the best type of relationship in the world. In my view, the dad was misunderstood. David seems to be unmindful of the all the talks about his dad. Good for him.
Below are some reactions from David Archuleta himself:
"I heard one thing where [my dad, Jeff] refused to give me water or something like that and that’s the weirdest thing," the American Idol runner-up said Friday in a conference call with reporters. "I mean, I am 17 and you know, if I want water, I am pretty sure I would just go get it anyway."
"He understood that I didn’t like to hear anything going on in the news about me, good or bad, because I didn’t want it to distract me or let it go to my head or anything like that because I just wanted to stay myself as I was at the beginning of the competition before all this happened,"
In the end, good thing American Idol is now over, we can now see who among this crop of talented contestants will go on and have great singing (or showbiz) careers. Kudos to all contestants and the Top 24: David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Amanda Overmyer, Carlie Smithson, David Hernandez, Jason Castro, Ramiel Malubay, Kristie Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Alaina Whitaker, Alexandria Lushington, Amy Davis, Colton Berry, Danny Noriega, Garrett Haley, Jason Yeager, Joanne Borgella, Kady Malloy, Luke Menard, Robbie Carrico, Brooke White, Chakizee, of course, Asia'h Epperson.
On David vs David: My Thoughts on AI Season 7 Final
Back to blogging again! I love it when I take some time off for myself and rejuvenate for a while. It keeps you fresh and ready for the next wave of things to come.
On David vs David
Yesterday's show crowned the "Cook" as the new American Idol. Good thing for him. He has shown himself as a really good performer and crowd pleaser. I loved his rendition of the "Billie Jean" song. In my opinion, that's his best performance on the entire show. For the "Archuleta" kid, he will always be a star. His personality is often times dull as he's always nervous and speechless whenever he gets to talk to Ryan after a performance. But I think he will go far and be able to leverage his runner up performance on this season's AI. Hey, the kid can really sing. Hollywood can easily do a personality makeover on this boy.
I'm a bit surprised about the result. Are you?
Going into Tuesday, Archuleta is, of course the clear favorite. I guess for the whole season, he's the clear favorite, as for sure, he'll get the vote of the tweens and the teen crowd. I was actually routing for the "Cook" at this point as I think he's the more commercial whom I think has the better chance of selling more albums than Archuleta.
The "finale" night was a different story though as I saw Archuleta giving all his best and really showing that he wanted to win it. I thought it was his night and he won it handily, to quote Simon, by a knockout. I just didn't sense in Cook's performance that night that he truly wanted to win the competition. He did a fine job but I wasn't blown away. So from wanting to see Cook win, I went out for Archuleta. I thought he deserved to win more than Cook based on their final performance.
And David Cook Wins it!
I was definitely surprised when I learned that Cook won. He's definitely a good singer, no doubt about that, but I was basing my opinion on the last performance as I thought Archuleta clearly came out as the winner on that one. Well, we always never know how things really work. Other people will have their own opinion and I respect that. America has voted and by a clear margin of 12 million votes that went for David Cook. I wonder if many people were turned off by Archuleta's dad that's why they didn't vote for him. We can only wonder.
So, a big congratulation to David Cook!!! Season 7's American Idol winner. All yeah fans of Asia'h Epperson, let's clap our hands.
