We Are The World

The best selling single on i-tunes right now is the 25th Anniversary all-star recording of We Are The World. Back in 1985 this Grammy winning #1 smash was a charity single for hunger in Africa. This time around it is fund raising for earth quake relief in Haiti.

In addition to the legendary voices of Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, and Toni Braxton they are joined by Oscar winner and Season Three Miss American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson. This is just another example of Jennifer's impressive status as a talented artist in demand. If you look closely in the video you can also see that American Idol judge Randy Jackson contributed to the chorus as well as Season Five Miss American Idol 1st runner up Katherine McPhee and Season Six Miss American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

Not quite in as much demand is Season Three Miss American Idol winner Fantasia who is struggling to manage her career and her family life on her reality show Fantasia For Real. She has been very public with her personal difficulty with education and reading and she is working with a tutor to earn her GED. At the same time she is trying to make sure her young daughter, Zion, keeps on learning and stays excited about school. For the most part, this is going well, but she feels bad being on the road so much and leaving most of the encouragement to Zion's teachers. This often means that Zion receives many gifts and toys in the mail while her mommy is gone.

The gifts that Fantasia showers on her brothers come in the form of helping them get a break in the music business. She spends so much time trying to help them that she seems to neglect her own career. Her new single was just released and unfortunately it isn't even on the i-tunes top 200 best sellers chart this week. Fantasia is indulging her older brothers idea to record an inspirational single and he wants her to be a part of it. Fantasia takes it a step further and decides to make it a family affair by inviting brother Teeny to be included as well. He shows off how completely undisciplined and unprofessional he is during the recording session. Her manager suggests that Fantasia invite Teeny to tour with her so he can gain experience. Not wanting to deal with all of his drama, Fantasia is initially against the idea, but she goes along with it anyway. Just as suspected, he doesn't listen to any directions and tries to take charge every chance he gets. But thankfully, Fantasia is pleasantly surprised that once up on stage with her he manages to do a pretty good job. For now....

Another American Idol GRAMMY win!

The 52nd Grammy Awards was a very fun presentation of musical entertainment filled with exciting performances. Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Lady Antebellum were the highlights of the live action on stage. In addition, there was a tribute to Michael Jackson that included two of the greatest Miss American Idol Finalists ever. There was a performance of MJ's Earth Song by Celine Dion, Usher, Smokey Robinson, Season Three Finalist Jennifer Hudson and the Supreme Miss American Idol, Season Four winner Carrie Underwood.

Carrie looked stunning on stage and both she and Jennifer sounded great. This was the only time that Carrie was on stage tonight although she should have enjoyed the pleasure of having her name called as the winner of the Best Country Collaboration Grammy for her duet with Randy Travis, I Told You So. This is the 5th Grammy that Carrie Underwood is adding to her collection of awards.

It should have been the night for her to get her 6th Grammy, but she ended up not winning the Grammy for Best Country Female Vocalist. After winning it three years in a row, she handed the torch over to Taylor Swift. The only other Miss American Idol finalist who was nominated for a Grammy this year also did not win. Season One winner, Kelly Clarkson, lost out on getting her Grammy for Best Pop Album for her latest release, All I Ever Wanted. In this case the Grammy went to the Black Eyed Peas.

Since one of Carrie's Grammy wins is the honor of Best New Artist, it's also interesting to see who is the latest to be added to this elite group. In year's past the Grammy for Best New Artist has gone to music superstars such as: Sheryl Crow, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Toni Braxton, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Maroon 5, and of course, the standard was set by 20 years of platinum albums and #1 hits, Best New Artist winner, Mariah Carey.

Last year's winner was British artist, Adele. Although she is very talented, her win hasn't translated into having huge hits. This year the award went to hit making country act, The Zac Brown Band. They have two of my favorite songs: Chicken Fried and Whatever It Is. Of the nominees this year, they were easily my choice to win. My choice would have been a little different if it weren't for a rule that disqualified the amazing Lady Gaga from getting nominated for the award that seemed to have her name all over it. Turns out she was nominated in the dance category last year and therefore she couldn't be considered a new artist anymore.

Her loss was good news for The Zac Brown Band so I guess it all worked out in the end. :)