Live from the BMA's in Vegas...More Interviews with your Faves!
We're on site in the pressroom at the MGM Grand hotel bringing you quick interviews and quotes from the musical artists, stars and producers attending, presenting and performing at the 2006 BMA's on Fox tonight at 8/7 Central...
From Exec Producer of "American Idol" – "We're working on a new twist this year.. adding a songwriter's competition to our mix. Best songs to be voted on finally by our audiences of course." The popular producer is also launching a reality show about his own experience buying a winery and the crazy, disastrous trail to failure.
From a Best Rap Artist presenter tonight, cute punk performer/magician Criss Angel dressed in army green fatigues and hat with handcuff necklace. Every rapper in the room greeted him like a long lost bro so he must have impressed. He's in his 3rd season at the Luxor for his live show. He's also living there and studying the giant light that shoots from the top because he wants to be dangled within it and...disappear! The magician in him woke up at age six when he was shown card tricks. His next projects, making a Lamborghini disappear while traveling 200 mph! He likes floating, walking on water, hanging from a helicopter and making elephants vanish.
When Criss was a teen, on his wall was Houdini, magician Richiardi and he was into the music of Led Zeppelin, Run DMC, Kiss.. Dali. Now, there is a pic of his dad who never got to see his success. Christmas will be with family in New York. Criss wants us to know that he'll be writing all the music for his live act and his show on A&E "Mindfreak" and performing it live.
BMA award presenter tonite, Chris Daughtry, whom many thought got robbed of the "American Idol" title, says he did some roulette gambling in Vegas "I didn't do bad..didn't do well either". The rock songs on Chris's new album "Daughtry" deal with subjects close to this heart, child abduction (thank God it never happened to the star's own two young kids), the longing to be "Home" but all with a rock n' roll heart. For his new record, his original band auditioned but weren't selected. He says he and the long-time friends are still tight and the guys are doing their own thing now. He also feels lucky and has no bad will for losing the "Idol" title. "It turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. If I'd won, I wouldn't have been able to get the new band together, record this fas or tour". As far as advice to idol wanna-be's, "You're gonna be nervous but don't let that stop you. Sing from your heart".
Chris also tells us that many of his songs are aimed at teen angst.. "I've been there and teens have either been through it, are going through it or will go through it. Whether relationships, personal disasters, I've been there and it's in the music".
"American Idol" Kimberly Locke is rooting for Justin Timberlake, Mary J. and would love to pal around Vegas with Jay Z.. Hey, Beyonce can come along. She'll spend New Years in New York opening a new restaurant. The girl loves a good glass of red wine with a steak so it's a steak and wine bar. For Christmas, she wants a hubby or a diamond ring. She had a broken engagement that served as inspiration for her new album. It reflects her life story from Idol to now and the emotional process of coming out of that. Whitney Houston was her gal as a teen.. and Kimberly says with joy, "She's back in the game! Her music was real". To show her around for a fantasy night in Vegas "Justin Timberlake.. oh yeah" She'd like to do films someday and would love to act with Queen Latifah. "I'd love to do a chick flick with her. Or I'd love to play a superhero or Catwoman like Halle Berry." Her message to fans "Please, stay supportive and wait.. my record is coming".
Here comes hot Jesse McCartney who'll be 20 in April. He lets us know that he's exhausted from a European tour "It was 16 cities in 30 days. It's not the fans or the gigs, it's all the travel and jetlag. Travel is killing me. I'm decompressing". He's giving out the award for Best Soundtrack and was impressed with all the talent roaming around the press room. "Look, there's that guy from that TV show!" Will the singer/actor be on our screens soon? "I like dark roles, don't know why. I met with William Macy for a role in his indie pic. I hope I get it". On his music.. "I'm writing all the time in the studio and I've been picking up an R & B vibe that I'll blend in there. I'm discovering new things about my voice. I'm working on a falsetto in higher keys just pushing it. Who would this hottie like to have show him around for a fantasy day in Vegas? "Maybe the Rat Pack or hey Elvis Presley. Who better to do Vegas with"?
Meryl Streep is his actress of choice to co-star with in the future. "Invincible" is the song on his album closest to his heart. His good friend died in a drinking and driving accident. "I want to share it with people who might do the same thing. They'll have to make that decision. My friend was killed not a mile from home". For first music heroes, "Run DMC is true hip hop. Back then I was listening to Craig David, James Taylor and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The first album I bought was a Babyface record". For tonite's awards.. I'm psyched for The Fray. Their sound is original. That "Grey's Anatomy" soundtrack didn't hurt them. And, I can't wait to see The Killers. This is their hometown and I haven't seen them live!! .
The Fray stopped by and admitted they were feeling a little out of sync with all the rappers and Bling Bling in the room. "We don't have no bling bling, no posse, not even cool Adidas" but they are soooo cute! Was it a shock to you to rise so fast up the charts? "You want it but don't expect it. One out of every 10 thousand get it. It all kind of clicked for us". They list as Influences , Bryan Adams, Counting Crows and Radiohead. Right after the awards the group is off to do a gig in London but were happy to have met some other bands here. It's been fun to share war stories. For a fantasy night in Vegas. "Hey, Elvis should show us around". Who do they want in their next video? They spot Nelly Furtado across the room. "Hey, her! Nelly!!" They'll be writing non-stop this next year and touring. They admit that Isaac starts many of their song ideas then they chime in with chords, melody and sometimes write lyrics first. On the road Ben is the more disciplined of the crew. "Ben brings it together while the rest of us are going for drinks". On their Music Video fantasy singer choices are Madonna and Janet. Whoops, they are being drug off to do the big runthrough for the awards.
Be Sure Not To Miss The Billboard Music Awards, Live Tonight From The MGM Grand Hotel In Las Vegas 8/7Central Time
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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.
