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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > December > 04
Thursday, December 4, 2008
12/4: Grammy noms, A talk with Kimberley Locke, coming to Athens in concert Friday/Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here are the “American Idol” noms from the Grammys:
Carrie Underwood got a nomination for best female country vocal performance with “Last Name” and best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media (“Ever Ever After” from “Enchanged”)
Jennifer Hudson was nominated for best R&B album and best R&B song & best female R&B vocal performance with “Spotlight,” along with best R&B performance by a duo or group with Fantasia for “I’m His Only Woman.”
Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown got one nom for best pop collaboration with vocals for “No Air.”
Daughtry was shut out.
- Kimberley Locke, the third-place finisher from season two, has become the queen of Christmas music among Idols, with three No.1 adult contemporary hits and a Christmas album last year. So it’s natural she’s doing a holiday concert tour with Diana DeGarmo, Chikezie and David Hernandez. She’ll be at the Classic Center in Athens Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. with tix ranging from $10 to $70. (She did a Christmas tour last year with Dave Koz.) I spoke with her by phone from Pennsylvania yesterday.
“I always knew I’d do a Christmas album one day. I just didn’t know it’d be so soon,” she said. “I wanted to do a traditional Christmas album with songs people remember. Just add a little bit of a twist and your own flare.” She said she chose “Jingle Bells” because it’s not as commonplace to do. I joked that she definitely outdid the barking dogs.
The first half the concert will be straight Christmas music. The second half will feature covers and originals. We then mused about how all the concerts now end up on YouTube. “Some people will upload videoes before we even get off the stage,” she said. “It’s scary!”
I asked her about 2009 plans, noting that half her peers seem to be doing Broadway. “I have been on some Broadway auditions,” she said. “I just haven’t found the right part.”
Her big project is a special Royal Caribbean cruise on September 12-17. You can get details at www.lockeandloaded.com. And don’t worry. Dustin Diamond, whom she clashed with on “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2007, won’t be around. “I would throw him overboard!” she joked. “Then I’d feel sorry for him and save him.”
Her boyfriend and the “Fit Club” personal trainer Harvey Walden will have both fitness sessions and concerts for 1,500 people on the cruise. She’s already got commitment from Vonzell Solomon and Jon Peter Lewis to join the cruise. She’s trying to get a couple more “Idols” to join her. The itinerary is Miami, St. Maarten, San Juan and Labadee. Pricing ranges from $849 to $1,950 per person.
She lost 40 pounds after doing “Celebrity Fit Club” and has kept the weight off, she said. (Dating Walden certainly helps!)
“On the cruise, I can share with every day people what the tips are to lose weight,” she said. She will get to hang with fans extensively, she said.
She has been to Atlanta at least once or twice a year since “Idol,” doing gigs at the Wet Bar and Atlanta Pride. “I always get treated well in Atlanta,” she said.
You can buy tix here. I’m not sure if these four Idols are a big enough dra to fill the Classic Center once, much less twice. The Center’s capacity is 2,100 people. We shall see! I’m going to try to make it to Friday’s concert.
