Jim McGorman Interview - Part 1

Exclusive interview with Jim - part 1

June 2009

Jim's Music

K&M: You are in the middle of writing/recording your second album. Is it more of a desire, pleasure, effort… you name it… make it? Do you feel any different from when you were making the first record?

Jim: It’s all of the above. Making a record (especially this way - spread out over such a long period of time) has to be a labor of love. There are times when it is very frustrating, very liberating, very exciting, challenging and very difficult. More difficult on the production end, from an organizational point of view. But it is always fun. I will be extremely happy when it is finished.


K&M: When you commenced writing and recording for the new record, did you have in mind the type of musical direction you wanted to go for the album?

Jim: Yeah, I had a pretty strong idea. And so far, it is not strayed too far from that. It's got hooks, grooves, melody, and a few lyrics as well.

K&M: In a previous interview we asked about the musical direction of your new record, this was your response. Continuing on from that, where you stand today in the process, is the direction much different from when you first started?

Jim: see last answer.


K&M: How many songs on the new album? Can you give out a couple of song titles? Just to whet our appetite.

Jim: There will be either 10 or 11 songs. One of my favorite titles on the new record is “Sullen Barista”. It’s a song about a very sad , but beautiful girl who works at Starbucks (though that is not mentioned specifically in the song). She could be at any of the fine coffee/tea house establishments in the world. There is another song called “White Boy” that has a really great groove - with an interesting lyrical position.


K&M: We all know you love 80’s music. If you could collaborate with any band or singer from the 1980s, who would it be and why?

Jim: Hmmmm. Maybe Rick Springfield. Or Hall N’ Oates has to be up there too. There are a lot that I would love to write with.


K&M: You sing high harmonies to Avril Lavigne and together with Johnny Rzeznik, and some really low register tones on your own record. Say, “Do You Remember”. Dilana Robichaux once mentioned your beautiful voice and the range she could only “dream of”. It would be interesting to know – what is your vocal range?

Jim: To be honest, I don’t really know. When I was in high school, I really struggled with higher notes, but was determined to reach them - so I practiced a lot to improve my range. But I never really measured it by notes. I am not a naturally great singer, I just really wanted to sing. So, I did it all the time and eventually got better.


K&M: Which singer (band) would you like to cover what particular song from your first album?

Jim: That’s a tough question. I would love to hear Sheryl Crow sing one of my songs. I love her voice so much - and think she would bring a whole other level of vulnerability to a song like ”You and I”.


K&M: You recently mentioned that over the summer months your plans will also include recording 10 – 20 new songs for use in TV placements. If you are at the liberty to say, do you have any idea which TV shows to watch for to hear your new songs?

Jim: I say that in a general sense. Songs written and recorded by myself and my writing partners - not as geared towards sending to other artists to use, but more for possible use in cinematic arenas. I would love to get a song on Grey’s or Gossip Girl - but I would never shy away from any show that wanted to use my music.


Thanks to sunfired.net for the interview!

ADAM LAMBERT SIGNS TO 19 RECORDS & RCA RECORDS!

From http://www.adamofficial.com/news/adam-lambert-signs-19-records-rca-records



JUNE 9, 2009, 10:38 am

American Idol season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert has been signed to 19 Recordings and licensed to RCA Records. He is preparing to start work on his debut album which is due for release in fall 2009.
"To find a talent as exceptional as Adam Lambert is a rare and special event," says Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer of American Idol and Founder & CEO of 19 Entertainment. "I am thrilled that 'American Idol' was the platform for the world to discover this brilliant young man. He is unique and unforgettable and a certain star of tomorrow."
"There are no longer any rules in terms of where the world's next superstars may come from," says Barry Weiss, Chairman & CEO RCA/JIVE Label Group. "We are thrilled to be getting involved with Adam Lambert as we all at RCA Records believe he is one of those rare, future global stars".
"I'm thrilled that we've come to a creative and collaborative partnership and look forward to developing a really exciting album," says Lambert. "We are 100% on the same page and are all anxiously awaiting the start of the recordings. It's going to be ridiculous! Get Ready!!!"
27 year old Lambert, who hails originally from San Diego, CA, had 4 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this summer. With his masterful interpretation of "Mad World" leading the way, he also charted with "No Boundaries", "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "One."
Lambert, will be recording his album over the summer while on the road with the American Idol's Live tour. The tour kicks off July 5th in Portland, OR and culminates on September 15th in Manchester, NH.

“American Idol” Winner Kris Allen Signs With Jive Records

Just weeks after being crowned this season’s American Idol, Kris Allen has inked a deal with 19 Entertainment and Jive Records to release his debut album this fall. “As exciting as the last few months have been, I’m really looking forward to what is next,” Allen said in a statement. “Everyone’s been asking me what it’s going to sound like. It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show — definitely in the pop/rock genre. I can’t wait to get started!” Allen will join other AI all-stars Jordin Sparks and David Archuleta under the Jive banner, perhaps hinting at the target audience AI hopes Allen will appeal to after Idol.

Before Allen can hit the studio, however, he’ll hit the road with the rest of the American Idol Season Eight finalists for a tour starting July 5th in Portland, Oregon. Since the tour concludes September 15th, it’s likely Allen will also try to sneak in some studio time in order to make the LP’s estimated late autumn release date. Allen’s post-Idol coronation song “No Boundaries” is currently Number 23 on the Hot 100 Singles Chart.

“Kris won the hearts of millions of Americans with his soulful voice, good looks and gracious demeanor,” AI creator Simon Fuller said in the statement. “However it is his passion for music and love of performing that will make sure Kris stands the test of time and makes American Idol proud.” Allen may soon be joined by a familiar face over at Jive as Idol bible MJ’s Big Blog reports that Season Eight’s fourth-place finisher Alison Iraheta is rumored to have been signed to Jive as well.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/06/08/american-idol-winner-kris-allen-signs-with-jive-records/#more-10277

Kris Allen sings the National Anthem - NBA Finals Game 2 - VIDEO

Thanks to rickey.org for the video.

David Cook - Interview from Virginia Beach - VIDEO

David Cook on VH1 Top 20 - May 30 2009 - VIDEO

Kris Allen - Interview with EW.com

You know what's great about the Internets? They are infinite! See, I wrote this article on Kris Allen for the current issue of Entertainment Weekly and had the pleasure of spending a good chunk of Memorial Day with him in New York City. We roamed around Central Park, where he got a kick out of visiting the John Lennon "Imagine" memorial; we hit Rockefeller Center, where a woman not only asked for a photo but requested that he take off his shades in said photo (he obliged); and we rode the subway (F train, direction downtown, in case you care) because he'd never been on one before. (Twas also his first ever trip to the Big Apple.) Problem is, there's only so much I could fit into two pages of the magazine. So I hereby offer you some of the morsels that did not make it into the magazine story. (It's the first of a new PopWatch series we're calling "Bonus Points.") Behold, your Idol sounding off everything from calling Danny Gokey a "jerk" to Christians rejecting Adam Lambert. Enjoy!

On the Idols having to lip-synch for many of the early group performances.

That whole lip-synch thing, we were so upset about it. They were like, "It's hard to blend the 10 voices" or whatever. After a while, we complained enough and Adam's pretty good at taking a stand. We'd be like, "Yeah, Adam! Go, Adam!" He would always lead the pack. He was the first one to be bold and say something [to the producers].

On his (let's admit it, pretty darn adorable) habit of jutting his jaw to the side when hittin' the big notes.

My friends and my wife make fun of me for it all the time. That's [one of] the reasons I can't watch my performances, 'cause I see that and I'm like, "Oh gosh. Don't do that." I don't even know why, it's just a thing. I hate it. But…I've always done it. I've done it forever. I've tried to change it. It just won't happen. It's just emotion—my mouth happens to go to the side. I thought it was so funny when we did the results show and Anoop made fun of me. That was hilarious. They were like, "Is that okay?" And I was like, "Totally! I don't care. It's funny!"

On speculation that he and Adam Lambert painted their nails as a campaign to get a Kradam finale. (i.e. at the exclusion of Danny Gokey)

That's not what we were saying. This is what we were saying: There was this tabloid thing that came out about me and Adam, about how we don't get along because I'm this conservative kid from Arkansas and he's this L.A. liberal guy. Which, I could be nothing less than conservative. I'm just from Arkansas. And they were like, "He's cranky because he misses his wife and Adam's nail polish is all over the place and they can't get along." And we were like, "That's so stupid. That's the stupidest thing." We just didn't want people to think that we didn't get along. Because we're really great, great friends.

On calling Gokey a "jerk" on Larry King Live last Friday, in response to Gokey saying he had picked Allen to win.

That was a joke. Seriously, we're all really good friends and we joke around with each other so much. It just came out. He's like my brother as well. We've become so close. We're around each other so much, we just joke around a lot. I hope people didn't read it differently. I'm sure the Danny haters will. [Slips into a mean, angry voice] "Kris hates Danny!" It's so weird that everyone hangs on to every word you say. But I'm not gonna change. I'm not gonna not joke around with Danny Gokey.

On the PR department schooling the Idols on what they can and can't say on the air. After Allison Iraheta joked about not cutting herself…

Oh gosh. All the PR people were like, "Oh gosh. Oh, Allison don't say that on TV!" There's a couple things that we don't say. She doesn't say "cut myself." I said "retard" one time. When I was talking about myself, I said, "I felt like a retard." Never say that again! And then, I don't say "benches" because it sounds like "bitches." [Allen's slight twang does transform the word into something like "binches," which is dangerously close to "bitches"] I don't say that anymore… until now! I'm sittin' on these binches! [Laughs]

On his frustration with Christians who wouldn't accept Adam Lambert.

There [were all these rumors] about how all the conservative, Christian people that would vote for me hate Adam and never want him to win because of who he is. Oh, it was so frustrating—really bad, because we are really good friends. Why can't everyone get along? It never made any sense for me to judge anyone, who they are. It frustrates me that people can't get along with people because of their differences. And I'll tell you what, especially Christians. Christians have a hard time accepting people like Adam—liberal, from L.A., looks different, maybe acts a certain way. He's a great, great guy. They don't even give him a chance. And it's frustrating because I come from that. A lot of my friends are not that way, which I appreciate, but a lot of people in Arkansas or in the South or wherever are that way. We really hope that our relationship can be an inspiration to people. I could go on about that forever.

Kris Allen with Smokey Robinson - Walmart Meeting - Get Ready - Video

Ryan Star - CNN Interview - VIDEO

Kris Allen - Wal-Mart Shareholder's Meeting Appearance - No Boundaries and Heartless - VIDEO

Performances



Interview

'Idolatry': Kris Allen on obscure songs, matching aprons, and the coolest thing he's ever done

Part 1 - Group 2 totally kicked ass
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25033535001?bclid=25066898001&bctid=25074706001

Part 2 - Disco Sucks
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25033535001?bclid=25066898001&bctid=25074707001

Part 3 - Vocal Olympics, Meet Billboard Charts
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25033535001?bclid=25066898001&bctid=25074112001

Part 4 - It Puts The Lotion in The Basket
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25033535001?bclid=25066898001&bctid=25070925001

Part 5 - The Exale of the Season
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25033535001?bclid=25066898001&bctid=25074132001

Ryan Star with David Cook - Last Train Home - Carrboro, NC - VIDEO

'Idolatry': Danny Gokey on the scream, the controversial photo, and the performance that made him 'angry'

Part 1 - Addressing a picture of his wife shown on AI
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24637515001?bclid=24589747001&bctid=24717353001

Part 2 - Addressing his early front runner status and "shopping in the women's department"
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24637515001?bclid=24589747001&bctid=24711964001

Part 3 - About singing in church, about "the scream"
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24637515001?bclid=24589747001&bctid=24717354001

Part 4 - Come Rain or Come Shine
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24637515001?bclid=24589747001&bctid=24711965001

Part 5 - Talking about the future, responds to record producer Howard Benson's contention that he'll never make a record
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24637515001?bclid=24589747001&bctid=24716454001

Danny Gokey - Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, May 09 - VIDEO

Interview and "What Hurts The Most"

Kris Allen and Adam Lambert - Best Week Ever - VIDEO

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3