Kat Gets In the Christmas Spirit

We can now add Katharine McPhee to the list of Idols who have recorded Christmas CDs...

"Christmas Is the Time...To Say I Love You" features the title track (originally recorded by Billy Squier) as well as standards "O Holy Night," "This Christmas," and a medley of "Away In a Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Since I've always liked Kat, and I LOVE Christmas music, I'm kind of psyched about this one.

I'll have more when I get my hands on a copy...

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Kara Gets a New Show

Kara DioGuardi has landed a new show…

It’s called “Going Platinum” and it will air on Bravo.

“Platinum” will follow 12 singer-songwriters as they compete in a series of songwriting challenges. Jewel will host, as well as give her feedback, and Kara will be the head judge.

I still believe that Kara is a fantastic songwriter, so maybe this is a better venue for her.

“Platinum” is currently in production and is scheduled to premiere in 2011…

Photo Credit: FOX

Kelly Celebrates Texas

Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem before Game 3 of the World Series in Arlington, Texas.

You may recall that Texas is Kelly’s home state.

Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m. on FOX…

Photo Credit: Mike Ruiz/RCA

Jason Castro Broadens His Horizons

Jason Castro is expanding his fan base by dipping his toe into a musical arena that has proven very successful for other Idol alumni—Christian music.

Jason will release his new album, “Who I Am,” on Atlantic Records/Word Entertainment November 9th on his website and at all Christian retailers. The first single, “You Are,” was released to Christian AC radio this month.

The album features five new tracks, plus five tracks from his first CD, including “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again” and his cover of “Hallelujah.”

Jason will also release “Changing Colors: Live From Studio 1290” on November 9th. The digital only five song EP features live versions of “Changing Colors,” “If I Were You,” “It Matters To Me,” “Love Uncompromised” and his version of the Tom Petty song, “Learning To Fly.”

You can hear snippets from the album here.

Photo Credit: Atlantic Records/Word Entertainment

Why I Love Kris Allen...

It’s probably been a little while since I declared my love for Kris Allen, so let me just do that now…

I love Kris Allen!

Need a reason why? Check out his reggae version of his winner’s single, “No Boundaries,” that he did during an interview with EW.com’s Michael Slezak…

Lee's New Single

Last week, Lee DeWyze debuted his new single on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest.” But it wasn’t “Live It Up” as originally announced.

The song is called “Sweet Serendipity” and it has a very John Mayer/Mat Kearney/Kris Allen sound to it.

I like it, but I worry it sounds too familiar to be a big hit…

“Sweet” will be available for download October 26th. Lee’s album, “Live It Up,” hits stores November 16th.

You can hear “Sweet” below. Be sure to let me know what you think…

Catching Up With Mama Sox

Crystal Bowersox tied the knot with musician and longtime friend, Brian Walker, on 10/10/10.

You can see pictures from the wedding here.

And just to clear up any confusion, no, this is not the boyfriend she tried to guilt into proposing to her on “Idol” that she broke up with just before the finale.

By the way, Crystal’s album is tentatively scheduled to hit stores December 14th. She had been fighting with Jive to postpone the release until Spring, but it looks like Jive won…

Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX