posted by Administrator on Dec 14
Blake Lewis’ debut album “Audio Day Dream” dropped at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 album sales chart after selling 98,000 copies during its initial week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan data for the week ending December 9.
Debut album sales numbers for the American Idol sixth-season runner-up were lower than fifth-season Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee’s self-titled debut, which sold 116,000 copies and dropped at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 in its first week of release in February; as well as fourth-season Idol runner-up Bo Bice, who debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 in December 2005 with “The Real Thing,” which sold 227,000 copies in its first week.
However Lewis’ debut numbers were higher than those of original Idol runner-up Justin Guarini — whose self-titled debut moved only 54,000 copies in its first week of release in June 2003; as well as third-season Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, whose December 2004 debut “Blue Skies” moved 47,000 in its first week of sales.
Album sales for the week ending December 9 were down 23.3% from the same week last year (14.45 million versus 18.86 million), according to Billboard.
posted by Administrator on Dec 4
Seattle singer Blake Lewis hopes his debut album, “Audio Day Dream,” shows he’s more than just the latest “American Idol” runner-up.
But he has no complaints about the show that made him famous.
“Being on ‘American Idol’ was the lottery ticket,” Lewis said. “It’s one of the most amazing experiences I’ll never have again ever in my life.
“It’s an amazing way of communicating with people. I tell people that all I was put on this earth to do is communicate my art to people, and what better way to do that (than) on ‘American Idol.’”
Lewis co-wrote 12 of the 13 tracks on “Audio Day Dream” and had a hand in producing them with collaborators such as Ryan “Alias” Tedder of the rock band OneRepublic, J.R. Rotem, bt, Mike Elizondo and David Hodges and S*A*M & Sluggo. The first single is “Break Anotha.”
Fellow “Idol” finalist Chris Richardson co-wrote the song “What’cha Got 2 Lose?” with Lewis and Rotem, while Lupe Fiasco guests on the track “Know My Name.”
posted by AINews on Jun 29
Blake Lewis is apparently ready to pay his fans back for their support during his Idol run with a debut album.
“I’ve been working for such a long time writing a lot of songs in different genres,” Lewis told TV Guide on Wednesday. “The first album is really a testament of who you are.”
Blake has a busy summer ahead as he’s working on his debut album while at the same time preparing for American Idol’s 2007 concert tour, which kicks-off Friday, July 6 in Sunrise, FL and spans 56 dates and 35 states over the course of two-and-a-half months.
Lewis said he hit the studio on Monday, June 18 in Los Angeles to begin laying the groundwork for his debut album, with electronic musician BT already signed on as a producer, according to TV Guide.
“I just recorded my first track last night,” Lewis told TV Guide. “I’ve already written seven songs.”
In addition, Lewis said fellow beat-boxer Doug E. Fresh — with whom he performed a memorable duet of the rapper’s 1986 hit “The Show” during Idol 6’s finale — is currently “in talks” to beatbox on one of the album’s tracks. However Lewis’ eagerness to perform with others from the industry doesn’t stop with Fresh.
“There’s a couple of emcees I’d like to work with,” he told TV Guide. “I’m going to have four or five people beatbox between tracks.”
Lewis also doesn’t want to just collaborate with some of his musical inspirations, as he’s planning to pay them homage through the album’s sound.
“I’d classify it as electro-funk-soul-pop if you need to label it,” he told TV Guide. “I really love the sounds of the ’80s so I hope to ring some of that back. I’m really inspired by electronic music.”
Lewis told TV Guide his debut album can be expected to drop before the end of the year “because they want it out by Thanksgiving or Christmas.”
posted by AINews on Jun 29
American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and finalists Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle join superstar Martina McBride on the live broadcast of the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular.” Jordin, Blake and Melinda will perform one song together in tribute to the Nation’s 231st birthday. Check your local listings to find out where and when.
Then, only two days later, they join the other Top 10 Idols on tour. Find out more about the American Idols Tour.
