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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Where American Idol Has Taken Casey James so Far -- and Where He'll Go Next

As Casey James, and the rest of the American Idol Top Ten, set off for their 51-city tour (Order Tickets Here!), it is a good time to look back over his journey as well as look forward to where he will go from here. Casey came to American Idol not as a youngster hoping for a short cut to instant fame, but as someone who had toiled for years and years as a working musician. Contrary to the story that American Idol wanted to tell - since their raison d'ĂȘtre is allegedly to discover and create new talent - Casey was a full time singer/guitarist when he arrived on the show. Being a full time musician meant playing whatever, whenever and with whomever. To make a living making music, Casey had to be versatile, able to perform in any genre at any time.

So Casey came to American Idol already armed with his own sound, his own style, his own direction, and his own self awareness. But what he didn't have was an idea of how to move to the next level. Casey has readily admitted in interviews that he knew nothing about how to publicize himself, or else he wouldn't have been playing in the same small venues after all these years. So that is where American Idol came in and he, for one, is supremely grateful for the opportunity the show has given him.

His fans are grateful as well. Over the months he was on American Idol, their numbers grew as one performance after another solidified him as the real deal. Years from now, his fans will remember back to the first time they saw him on American Idol, the first time he sang and they felt that connection with him as an artist, the moment they knew he was -- as Randy Jackson once put it -- a real singer-songwriter. They won't remember that he didn't win American Idol; they may not even remember the name of the person who did. But they will remember that once they heard Casey James sing and play, they couldn't get enough.

They'll remember watching him perform "Heaven" by Bryan Adams in the Top 24 and wondering why he sounded better than the original and why you might have thought he was a guest performer and not a contestant. They'll think back to when he sang Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" and they thought it was amazing - until some of the judges tried to tell them they were wrong. They'll certainly all remember when they first heard him sing Jealous Guy (like earlier fans remember Fantasia's "Over the Rainbow" or Kelly Clarkson's "Stuff Like That There" or David Cook's "Billie Jean"). One wonders if the judges would ever have the nerve to look back at the video from "Mrs. Robinson" and admit that it was probably the most moving, haunting performance of the year.

For the next few months, Casey James will still be associated with American Idol. But much of the baggage that came from being on American Idol will be gone. First, there won't be a filter between the performance and the audience, that panel of judges whose own agenda meant that their comments often diverged substantially from the reality the audience saw and heard. After he sings and the crowd goes crazy, no one will chime in to tell the audience that they are wrong, that they can't trust their own ears, that they didn't hear what they thought they heard. Second, as Casey has remarked repeatedly now that the show is over, he'll get to do full songs. Guitar leads, multiple choruses, guitar solos, all the verses. He can let go and let loose and get into a song the way you can only really do when you have the time. You could fake it, in a minute thirty if you were so inclined, but Casey doesn't seem to be the type to feign emotion. It's either there, or it isn't.

Casey will be able to do some of what he did during his hometown visits - show the real Casey James. For the span of his set, the audience will get a chance to see the passionate, vibrant performer who would die if he couldn't play music. They will see someone who is in rapture when he's playing, almost so happy to be doing what he loves that he looks like he'll explode. Casey was not meant to be a reality TV contestant; Casey is just an old-fashioned musician.

Unfortunately for his fans, this tour will only give them a taste of what he has to offer. Three songs, one duet, and he's off the stage. I imagine the air will be sucked out of the venues at that moment, not to take away anything from Crystal Bowersox, who is a very good singer. But Casey should have been the headliner. The American Idol judges who decided to back a different horse in the race, were not thinking about what would be the best for music, they were thinking about the best story for a TV show. Shlubby paint salesman becomes a star is a more interesting story arc. But now that the show is over, the focus now is on who will make the best record, give the best concerts, be the most successful artist. And the answer, clearly, is Casey James.

So who will sign Casey? That's the question. Because of protocol, no announcement could be made until after the top two had their deals in hand. But now that those deals have been publicized, it's Casey's turn. There is much speculation about Casey's future and all of it is pointing in the same direction - southerly. It looks like Casey is headed to sign with a country label. It's a smart move, both commercially and musically. Casey has the blues in his soul, there's no denying that. His hometown performance videos are electric when he's on stage doing "Satisfied" or "Drowning on Dry Land" or "King's Highway". But that is not a genre that gets you played on the radio, or booked on Letterman, or headlining arenas, or being able to afford your mom a nice new house. But country music is. It's a wide open genre that can accommodate just about any artist, any style. It doesn't have to be twangy and you don't have to have steel pedal guitars and multiple banjos going. The singer's voice alone can make it country, and there's no denying Casey has that country sound. And the Texan, who once tweeted about his love of his family, friends, music, his dogs, Jesus, and Texas, among other things, would seem an easy fit with the country music artists and fans.

Don't Miss Casey James in Concert! Get American Idol Live tickets - Click Here!

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Source: Sharu Geller, Associatedcontent

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Casey James and Aaron Kelly Talk Touring, and getting Underwear Thrown at Them

GMMR's Marisa Roffman talks with American Idol contestants Casey James and Aaron Kelly about touring -- and the probability of underwear being thrown at them onstage.



Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Casey James and Crystal Bowersox interview each other (video)

During a break from rehearsals for the upcoming American Idol Live summer tour beginning July 1, and after running through their group number - a cover of kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You” more than a dozen times - the Top 10 Idols paired up to grill each other. While some Idols did their interviews completely unscripted, others had the help of index cards. All offered plenty of laughs!

Crystal Bowersox and Casey James interview each other:


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

RECAP: American Idol Finale ~ Casey James Performs with Bret Michaels

Casey James having the time of his life, rocking with Bret Michaels.

Bret Michaels shocked everyone watching him perform on "American Idol's" Finale but maybe shocked his doctors even more.

Michaels stood on stage with his guitar on hand where he was sang "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" with Idol contestant, Casey James.

According to UsMagazine, a not 100% healthy Michaels said, "The doctors, I didn't tell them I was going to do this. I never told them I was coming here. They're going to find out in a few minutes!" Michaels also went on to add that he may have not told his family either.

Just last week, the 47-year-old rocker suffered a warning stroke and hole in his heart, and also recently suffered a brain hemmorage in April.

Michaels may not be a 100% physically healthy but said in his "soul and my heart, I feel great."

Michaels who was excited to perform also said, "I needed to do this tonight, just to come here. Michaels later added,

my heart was pumping. I got on stage, first of all, the fans and friends and family were all here. It was such an awesome feeling to see everyone screaming and cheering and singing along with the song. I was like, 'Hey, thats three generations out there, thats all Ive wanted to do is have a great music career and to be able to do that, 20-some years later, thats a great feel."

Don't think this will be his last performance for awhile, the Poison frontman is aiming for an upcoming show in Bioloxi, MI where he's going to "see how that goes and just take it a few shows at a time."

Michaels is expected to undergo heart surgery in the fall.


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Casey James Performs "SATISFIED" ~ Video & Lyrics!

American Idol Season 9 Top 3 finalist Casey James sings "Satisfied" by Ian Moore at Keys Lounge during his Homecoming visit to Texas.


"Satisfied" by Ian Moore

If I fell at your feet
Would you ever notice me?
Ohh, baby, would you just
Pass me by

If I were hurting in the deep of the night
Would you call
And make everything right
Ohh, baby, would I have to ask you why

Let me in baby
And we'll take it real slow
I'll show you things
If you just let it go

Give you my money
Give you my time
Give you anything to make you mine
And all I want is to keep you satisfied

Let me in baby
And we'll take it real slow
I'll show you things
If you just let it go

Give you my money
Give you my time
Give you anything to make you mine
And all I want is to keep you satisfied

Friday, June 18, 2010

Casey James, Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox LIVE CHAT on Father's Day

American Idol's Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and others live chat on Father's Day

Before the Top 10 finalists from Season 9 kickoff their nationwide tour, a few of them will take to the computer for a live Ustream chat on Sunday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT on AmericanIdol.com.

Just tweet your questions with the hashtag #IdolsLive to submit them for consideration.

The "American Idol Live!" tour starts on July 1 in Detroit.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

EXCLUSIVE Behind-The-Scenes: Casey James Says He Didn’t Pick ‘Mrs. Robinson’ To Appeal To Cougars…Or Kara!

Casey James Says He Didn’t Pick ‘Mrs. Robinson’ To Appeal To Cougars…Or Kara!

I got the inside scoop on what the Idols really thought of their movie week performances – and contrary to popular belief, Casey did NOT craftily choose said song to appeal to his older fan base!

There were some chuckles (OK, a lot of them) when Casey James picked Simon & Garfunkel's “Mrs. Robinson” as his song of choice during movie week. And although he’s been the obvious object of 39-year-old judge Kara DioGuardi’s affection since day 1, the sexy 27-year-old swears his selection wasn’t a sly bid to woo his older fans – including Kara.

“I picked the song because I love the song,” the Texas native said from the American Idol green room, where we were hanging out post-show May 11. “I thought when I picked it, I thought it was funny because of the cougars but that wasn’t why I picked the song.”

He added of being typecast as a boy toy, “I think everybody has got something they’ve talked about more often than not. I took my shirt off to get through to the Hollywood round, so I can’t really complain, you know? It is what it is. I’m just happy to be here.”

I’m happy Casey’s still around, too. Not because his performance was so amazing (it was quirky at best), but because he really is genuine, cool and calm. Immediately after settling down to chat, he kicked off his cowboy boots and hunkered down to relax. There was no affectation and star power clearly hasn’t gone to his head yet (which I can’t say for Michael Lynche – the guy reeks of arrogance).

He’s accepted his pretty boy status and makes no admissions for it, even laughing when Mike, 26, said of their duet to Bryan Adams'’ “To Really Love A Woman”, “The only thing that differed from my vision [of our performance was] they switched sides to give Casey’s hair a better camera angle.”

When asked the great hair question – how does he choose whether to leave it flowing or in a ponytail – he shrugged and answered, “I think if I’m rocking out a song, I like to have it down, I guess.”

But don’t pigeonhole him as any other kind of artist. Casey told HollywoodLife.com exclusively that he doesn’t want to be defined as “anyone but himself.”

Think he’s into himself if you will, but I think he just really knows and likes who he is. He’s confident, and what’s wrong with that?

Source: Laura, Hollywood Life

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Casey James pre-Idol song "Talk About Suffering" with mom Bybee James

American Idol contestant Casey James plays guitar and mandolin and sings back-up vocals on his mother Bybee James' CD "Cross that Line". He takes the lead role on the last track "Talk About Suffering" singing a gospel song that he learned from his mother as a child.

More about Bybee D. James:
Bybee D. James was raised in Oak Cliff Texas. Her love for the arts began at an early age. She grew up singing with the music that filled her home, and it was quite a variety. Maternal influences were Ray Charles, Peggy Lee to Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino. Paternal were more of the likes of Merle Haggard, Mac Wiseman and southern gospel.

Over the years of her early life, she was a wedding/funeral/benefit/private party player and singer. She later picked up guitar, learning by ear. Her talent was voluntarily placed on the back burner to raise her two sons, Casey James and Billy Cole James, who are both exceedingly talented musicians and songwriters. So now, Bybee D. James, known as Debra to her family and friends has released her debut CD entitled "Cross That Line". Good things happen to those who wait.