AI UPDATE

This isn't my "real" post today (see below for a boastful blurb on my lovely hometown!), but I just had to mention this.

I was thrilled to the soles of my sexy black patent stiletto boots to hear that American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is releasing a new album entitled "The Distance" very soon. I had the privilege of hearing the first single "What's Right Is Right" the other night and I thought it was a solid piece of work, although perhaps not very commercially driven. If you enjoy good, solid blues-based music, you definitely should give this a listen. The track list for this new album is:

"Wedding Day Blues","Seven Mile Breakdown","What's Right Is Right","Woman's Gotta Have It","New Found Freedom","The Distance","Nineteen","I Live on a Battlefield","Maybe You Should","Once Upon a Lover of Mine","Keepin' It Real"

On the darker side of the music world, I also heard that a more recent Idol contestant is making a play for the charts this winter in the form of an EP: Sanjaya Malakar. The only thing I remembered about this kid was his unfortunate choice of hairstyles and a really toothy grin. Nevertheless, in a weak moment, I clicked on the link (NEVER click on the link!) and gave a listen to his single "Tell Me Who I Am". Let me just say that I would suggest that a more appropriate title to the EP might be "Screaming In Agony at the Music in Your Head". I'll tell you who you are, Sanjaya Malakar. You're the only singer I've ever heard who made me appreciate Justin Timberlake just a little bit more.