Happy Birthday, Jessica Sierra!,,,,,

Season 4 finalist Jessica Sierra is having a birthday today. By coming in tenth placed during her season on American Idol, Jessica got to spend the summer of 2005 touring the country with her fellow finalists.

After her time on American Idol, Jessica performed concerts for causes including the Special Olympics, U.S. troops overseas, and more. Towards the end of 2006, Jessica released a single titled "Unbroken," and in early 2008, Jessica released an EP called Deepest Secret. After getting clean on Dr. 

Kelly Clarkson Takes Her First CMA Award,,,

American Idol’s first winner, Kelly Clarkson, was nominated for a Country Music Association Award. And guess what? Kelly won her first CMA Award! Her duet with Jason Aldean earned them the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ was co-hosted for the fourth consecutive time by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Not only did they entertain and keep the show flowing, Carrie and Brad performed their duet, “Remind Me.” Our reigning American Idol, Scotty McCreery, performed Keith Urban’s “Walk In The Country” from a catwalk stage amongst fans in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Catching Up with Josh Gracin...

The day after Season 2’s Josh Gracin released his new album, Redemption, he hopped on the phone for an exclusive interview with AmericanIdol.com. The fourth place finalist opened up about the art of juggling family with touring, how American Idol helped him discover his love of song writing, and which American Idol winner he collaborated with.

Yesterday, November 8th, Josh released his 17-track album with Average Joe’s Entertainment, which he co-produced and co-wrote. Josh described the record process saying, “It was amazing to be able to go to an independent record label because it gives you a lot of freedom…To be able to co-produce with a good friend of mine, Kevin Murphy, and to write and co-write everything except for the John Mayer cover was quite an experience. American Idol started it all off for me.

Collaborate on Holiday Classic

Season 10 Idol finalists Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams have collaborated on a jazzy ensemble of the holiday classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. The track was produced by busbee and recorded at Conway Studios in Los Angeles. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” will be available at all digital partners November 21st.

Haley, who is currently in the studio writing and recording for her debut album out early next year, jumped at the opportunity to work with Casey again. On Idol, the pair where known for their unique, standout performances and jazzy vocal style. The two quickly became fan-favorites, and when they performed “Moanin’” on the Idol stage.

STRONGER's Strong Debut for Kelly Clarkson,,,,

American Idol Kelly Clarkson’s 5th studio album, Stronger, debuts on the Billboard Top 200 and  on the Digital Albums Chart selling over 163,000 units.  All 5 of Kelly’s albums have debuted in the Top 3.  The first single, “Mr. Know It All” peaked  is still currently in the Top 10.

Kelly kicked off promotion back in September with appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.  Over the past few weeks, Kelly performed her single, “Mr. Know It All” on Dancing With The Stars, The Today Show, The View and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.  In addition, Kelly returned back to The Today Show last week for a special co-hosting gig with Hoda Kotb.  Kelly is gearing up for a performance on The 2011 American Music Awards in November and she is one of the performing "divas" at VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul on December 19.

Kellie Pickler Announces Upcoming Album,,,

Kellie Pickler will release her third album, 100 Proof, on January 24, 2012. “I'm just happy to be making country music,” said Kellie. “I hope everyone enjoys the new music as much as I've enjoyed making it!”

The Season 5 finalist set out to get back to her southern roots on 100 Proof and make a traditional and fresh sounding country album. To help her achieve her goals she enlisted producers Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten.The album-opener “Where’s Tammy Wynette” sets the tone of 100 Proof with its raw and unconventional sound. Kellie co-wrote 6 of the 11 songs on 100 Proof including “Long As I Never See You Again,” which she wrote with famed songwriters Dean Dillon and Dale Dodson.