Cougar Report: Daughtry Pics

Couldn't get these to post in the next story...so look at these pics and then read the next post.

Cougar Report: Cook and Daughtry News

Yes, it's time to introduce a new report, here at Coley's Blog. We (meaning me) are calling it Coley's Cougar Report. Yes, I still have a Cougar Crush on Chris Daughtry and David Cook. It's true. So, we are going to have a semi-regular tracking of our favorite boys...one at the top of his game...and one climbing the charts. 

Here's some new Cookie photos recapping his journey, for those who need remindin'.

Check it out people.He went from this babyface boy with his not-so-edgy style...


To WINNING IT ALL...with a swagger and a legion of Cougars at his beckon call...



And now he's gotta a video with drama and guyliner...


(Note, here it appear's he's dreaming about meeting the fantastic blogger he's heard about,  known only as ColeyB. (He calls me Cougar Coley when speaking to his friends and/or body guards.)

So you can check out the making of David Cook's First Video...and some behind the scenes shots of the new Fantastic Four Judges Table.  

Seems the idol star machine got a good deal on the guy-liner when Daughtry broke out, because Cook is sporting some of his own. By the way, did you see Daughtry beat out Coldplay and The Eagles for Best Rock Group at the AMA Awards? (those aren't as prestigious as the Grammys because they are Fan Voted awards, not critic awards).  Earlier this year, the Grammy-nominated group released a deluxe version of it debut, which is a hit on more than four continents. Powered by a trio of #1 songs, "It's Not Over," "Home," and "Feels Like Tonight." DAUGHTRY has become the biggest selling artist release of the past two years and the fastest selling rock debut in Soundscan history. The newly released Daughtry Deluxe expanded CD/DVD version contains the album's original 12 songs with four bonus tracks on CD, plus a DVD with videos for all five of the singles, live performances and exclusive interviews. Someone needs that in her stocking!!!

I have a suggestion for American Idol...when someone wins, please take them to "Award Acceptance Speech School". Carrie Underwood sucked at it, Kelly did too, and now Daughtry sux. They all look so lame. About as bad as David Archuleta and his Gaw-lee expression all the time.

xoxo

Happy National Mallrat Day!!!

How many of you got up in the middle of the night to hit some sales?  

I applaud you.

I used to be able to do it, and now, it's just not fun for me anymore.  I love to shop, don't get me wrong.  I drove about 60 miles round trip today, and hit 5 yarn stores.  And believe me, that was an adventure, since alot of it was spent in Berkeley and Oakland, which might as well be Venus and Jupiter, because the people you encounter in those areas are hard core tree huggin' Californians.  I feared they would detect my Texas accent and subject me to a breathalyzer to see how much fried food I've eaten...then shoot me on site when they discovered the smell of a fast-food burger from a mega-corporation notoriously ruining the planet.  I digress...but suffice to say I did manage to blend in well with the crunchies and Lesbians at the yarn shops.  I was my usual charming self.

So, back to Black Friday...here are the stories I've heard so far...my step sisters in Texas City got up at 3:00 am, to make it to Wal-Mart by 4:00 am, only to find they had evacuated the store due to a fist fight.  Hello?  It's Texas.  They use metal detectors at nursery school.  So, she skipped and went to Target and hit another Wal-Mart at around 5:45 am.  OMG.  

Darling Dee Dee got up and hit the mall as well.  To be honest, I guess if I had kids and tons of relatives to buy for, I'd probably do it too.  But I work at a video game company, so everyone gets video games, whether they like it or not.  I am always tempted to sneak my nephew a sketchy game because his mom is such a tight ass.  I was going to buy them a Wii and she said NO, they spend too much time on computer.  Wait until they are 18 and I tell them that story.  Ha ha.  I have been asked to purchase 2 copies of MySims Kingdom for them, so they don't fight over it.  What is wrong with these nuts?  If they would agree to share, they could get 2 fun games, but they can't manage to share.  They despise each other I think.  Funny thing is they mirror my husband and his sister (the mom).  She's a tight ass, so is her daughter...and our nephew is a mini-me to my hubby.  So cute.  We should just adopt him, and let him live with us.  Except he yaps too much, as does my hub, and my ears would start bleeding with the 2 of them around.  Ugh.

I heard a story from a friend...we were talking about how most families fight at Thanksgiving, yet it's the biggest get together holiday of the year.  Pure guilt drives people to spend huge $$$ and hours on the road and the airports to get somewhere that they are ready to get the hell out of, 2 hours after arrival.  Everyone is striving to regain the idyllic childhood moments of happiness, only to find that everyone has turned bitter and judgemental and every comment is laced with sarcasm, racism or just plain ignorance...atleast most of those I hear about...

My friend's neighbor said the grandma is starting to have dementia, memory fading fast, and she kept calling her grandson "Mike", which happens to be the dog's name.  Very funny.  And then she kept yelling at another grandson, angry because he dyed his hair.  Well, the dude had blonde hair when he was 10, but as he is now late 20's his hair has darkened, as it tends to do with age.  She drove him insane, asking him why he did it?, and telling him to change it back.  

We called my hubs gma.  Also losing her memory, because she's 91.  She told us that her grandson had come to visit and brought a surprise.  We asked her what?  She said, "He had a real nice lady with him, so I guess he has a new girlfriend."  OMG, that was his WIFE of 10 years!  LOL.  Gma also went on to tell us the lady had 3 kids, and she supposed they were nice, because they really didn't get into too much.  (Those are her 3 great-grandkids.)  It's sad, but you can't help but laugh.  I felt so awful...should I correct or, or just play along with the charade.  Well, I don't believe in lying, and I just couldn't keep my mouth shut.  I said "Grandma, that's his wife and kids...he's married to her."  And she got so pissed off.  "Oh my, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME HE GOT MARRIED...WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP EVERYTHING A SECRET."  LOL.  I swear to god, how could I have unleashed that can of worms?  It was easy to change the subject though, all I had to do was ask her if it had rained.  That sends her into atleast a 10 minute tirade about all the dust and dead roses in the garden.    Poor thing.  

So, I hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving and a good shopping day.  I think I am going to partake in Cyber Monday.  

7 days and counting until my bday.  Whoo Hoo!  I don't give a rat's butt how old I am...I still celebrate December 5 like I am 7 years old.  My husband buys me cards and a present and I get to eat out, and I get cupcakes and it's the best day of the year.

Can't wait to tell you all about it.  

xoxo,

coleyb

Happy Thanksgiving Turkey Day!!!!

Bless their little hearts, those turkeys.

Well, I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving Day.  I know times are tough around the nation right now.  But, we have keep hope that our new leader is gathering the sharpest tools in the shed to get our nation rebuilt.  

Ok, people, not to go all political on your ass, by mentioning Obama twice, but I crack up when I see him holding press conferences with President-Elect signs now hanging on the podium.  Lord can't an alien just abduct Bush and let's be over it all?

So, my hubby and I were all alone today.  No travel to family and no visitors.  But, that did not stop me from making the full blown dinner.  We will be eating that 13 lb bird for 17 days, but I don't care.  I have enough stuffing to survive an earthquake and plague of locusts.  There is, however, no jalapeno cream corn left.  For those of you who have my recipe, this needs no explanation as that shit is a mound of golden creamy heaven in a bowl.  

I was so exhausted from cooking and the darn turkey got ready so fast, I didn't know what to do.  It was insane.  Aren't those things supposed to cook for like 4 hours or something?  

Anyway, my meal was spectacular, if I do say so myself.  

Did you see David Archuleta on the Macy's Parade today, singing Crush?  That little cutie pie.  He's so dadgum cute.  Will he ever get older looking than a 14 yr old?  

David Cook was on Jimmy Kimmel skit last night, on the AMC awards...Guermo made him sing twinkle twinkle little star on the red carpet.  hilarious.,

Uh oh...beeper is going on on my pumpkin crunch cake!  Yummo, gotta run.  It's been like 3 hours since I ate and I'm starving!  :)

xoxo,

Coley

Holiday Dessert Recipe: Alternative to Pumpkin Pie

Please don't worry, I have not turned my blog into AllRecipes.com. I just wanted to send you all a little treat.

Now here’s what my chubby hubby has requested for pumpkin pie dessert tomorrow…his favorite…the Pumpkin Dump cake . It’s easy and super delicious. Still get the pumpkin pie filling, but a gooey crunchy cakey (think coffee cake streusal swirl) taste.

Here’s the recipe for PUMPKIN DUMP cake . Enjoy!!!

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can nonfat evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugar, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Stir in the milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture, then sprinkle on the pecans. Drizzle melted butter over all. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Speidi ELOPED! And of course, the cameras caught it all.

IT'S A LIE!  THOSE LOSERS!!!  PUBLICITY STUNT WHORES....
They caught the whole wedding, because it was a stunt for cash. How sad. The most special day of their lives, they sold out for the papparazzi of it all.

Ugh. They deserve each other. But still, since I love looking at trainwrecks...I hope they keep it up. Otherwise, this would be a boring blog.

Ewww...look in the corner of the cover. Looks like Madonna has gone hog wild spreading her legs since her divorce. She's even banging her ex, Sean Penn, who supposedly is back with his wife, Robin. Maybe Madonna homewrecked that one too, on top of A-Rod's marriage. She must have some powerful mojo...hell she could probably bench press both of these men.

Madonna is just not my fave anymore. She is more Heather Mills than Heather Locklear. Doesn't know how to divorce nicely. Kind of the trailer trash way. All messy and full of Kabbalah-ness mess.

These celebrities and their devil spawn. We have to wonder what Carlos Leon things about Lourdes, and is she going to be a hooker at age 15?

:(

David Cook Mania

Just took a ride up to Napa to stuff ourselves with burgers and sweet potato fries...at Taylor's Refresher. YUMMMO.

Listened to David Cook...cd is really good. Still not ready to truly review each track yet. Need to listen a bit more to see which ones keep playing over and over in my head. Right now LIE is the most stickiest of tunes.

OMG, I JUST PAID $1.75 PER GALLON FOR GAS AT COSTCO. I walked away paying like $23.00 for a tank, because I wasn't on empty. LIVE for God's sake I want to drive to Seattle now, because it would be so dang cheap! haha.

xoxo.

ColeyB

My favorite moment of Season 7

This is the night the winner was announced...the finale if you will, and they are singing Heroes. Love that song from Spiderman.
This was the single best moment of American Idol for me. Ever.
And I have to say, I officially own David Cook and David Archuleta's new release cd's and while you must think I am biased, surely...the public will back me up that these cd's are terrific. Absolutely awesome. On the level of Daughtry's cd. Lots of good stuff you can just sing at the top of your lungs in the car.

Honestly, its a 50/50 split for me, and I expected to love ARchie's more. But Cook blew me away with a song called LIE...and LIFE ON THE MOON. The edgy shit I pass up on the cd.

I have listened to both cd's about 3 times each. Archie has more songs that play through my head.

I'll do a blow-by-blow countdown review, if work would ever let up so I could blog at work! LOL

David Cook Knits

Look, here's a picture...

Actually, one of the brizzilliant chicks on my knit obsession website took knitting to one of the Idol Tour shows.  She freakin' stalked the backstage and met all of them...and conned them into holding her knitting and taking a picture.  HYSTERICAL.  Doesn't that sound like something I would do?  I'm not sure, but HER antics might be MY new obsession.  She reminds me of me.  And I'm pretty interesting, I think.  I get into trouble just for my own enjoyment, I think.  If I believed in past lives, I'm sure I was a grain of rice before (white and bland...not the fun wild rice kind, mind you), and I am living large this time around.  And I'm not tootin' my own horn, I'm just certifying that I know what you all think...I'm a little bit crazy and a bit immature, but I'm going to be ok.  

Ok, did everyone go to http://soundcheck.walmart.com and listen to the 5 sounds and interview with David Cook.  THAT'S FIVE OF HIS SONGS, PERFORMED and streaming on this site, right now.  

You're welcome.

ColeyB

A little picture into my knitting world...

What you see in the picture above is actually a snapshot of the group banners for the groups I belong to on Ravelry.com.  Ravelry is a social networking site like Facebook, but everyone is only into knitting and crochet.  Yarn and stuff.  Scarfs, gloves, sweaters, etc.  However, you can join groups that have people with REALLY specific special interests.  For example, I saw that there was this girl with a neat hat, and I decided to join her group, because it was nearby and I might want to do a 'knit at night' with her group.  Well, I sort of struck out...it was a gay, lesbian, transgender group.

All is not lost people.  I have found TWO American Idol groups.  One is specifically a David Cook obsessive group, and one loves ALL THINGS IDOL.  OMG, knitting and American Idol all rolled up into one message board.  This is nirvana.

I am also in a Christmas Swap.  I am determined to make the best presents to send.  So I head off this weekend to buy yarn...then decide to re-read her descriptions of herself, and of course, I screwed up.  She is allergic to Angora, and I bought her 2 skeins of it.  LOL.  Yikers.  I almost gave my Secret Santa pal toxic shock.  ha.

Well, 28 hours to David Cook.  However, one of my "knitsters" posted that it has been streaming live all week on some website.  I'm waiting for confirmation and the link, which I will post ASAP to you, my little lovelies.

xoxo,

ColeyB

PS, in order to prove I am not addicted to knitting, I did not knit all day today or yesterday.  I just knitted a widdle bit.  Just a tiny little sock.  

American Idol New Season 8 Announced

PEOPLE...Season 8 starts on January 13/14.  Two nights...two hours.  FOUR glorious hours of fools making fools of themselves.

I hear rumor that Paula wants to quit to work on other tv projects.   Probably wants some free Nip/Tuck.  I knew the new bitch would edge her out.  This is an ousting for sure.

In other Idol news...David A's cd continues to rock my world.  I know I promised a full review, but I decided to wait and do a David A vs. Cook cd comparizanium lallapolooza review.

Carrie Underwood won another CMA award.  No shocker.  She even hosted the show with Brad Paisley.  She was flawless as ever.  Getting better at performing too.

Josh Gracin, one of my favorites that went on to sell alot of records in country, had his 4th child this weekend.  Wowzie.

Constantine Maroulis is on the front page of AmericanIdol.com.  Why? 

I wonder how much FOX had to pay to get that url?  Remember in early days you had to use "idolonfox.com".  Ha. 

I spend $30 on yarn today.   Sickness.

Ex-Idol Contestant Found Dead Outside Paula Abdul's House

A former American Idol contestant apparently infatuated with Paula Abdul was found dead Tuesday night in a car near Abdul's Los Angeles house.

Paula Goodspeed, 30, a Season 5 contender whose audition performance of "Proud Mary" was panned and mocked by the judges, appears to have died of a drug overdose, police say.

"Ms. Goodspeed's mother had gone to [the sheriff's department] to report her daughter missing, and advised them that she might be suicidal," says Los Angeles police Capt. James Miller. "The sheriffs determined that Ms. Goodspeed may be up in the vicinity by Paula Abdul's house. Our officers discovered her vehicle parked on the street, and found her inside. She was unresponsive to officers."

The car, parked a few doors down from Abdul's house, featured a license plate "ABL LV" and had a photo of Abdul hanging from the rear view mirror. A DMV check of the license showed that the car was registered to Goodspeed.

"This has been ruled an apparent suicide," said LAPD officer April Harding.

Abdul was at the studio at the time the body was found and wasn't aware of it until she was told by the network, her rep says.

Abdul Expresses Shock
"I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday," Abdul said in a statement. "My heart and prayers go out to her family."

Goodspeed's Idol audition was prominently featured by the show, and in her interview with host Ryan Seacrest, she clearly expressed her affection for Abdul.

"I really like Paula Abdul a lot. She's really cool," said Goodspeed when asked about her inspiration during the Idol audition process. "I'm a really big fan, and I made life-sized drawings of Paula. I've been drawing ever since I was a little kid, and my first drawing was of Paula Abdul."

Goodspeed Panned by Judges
But after singing her rendition of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary," the woman was roundly panned by the show's judges.

"It was terrible, what was that?" said Randy Jackson. In addition, Simon Cowell made disparaging remarks about her braces: "I don't know how you can sing with all that metal in your mouth."

Abdul, who lit up when Goodspeed said her name was Paula, said, "Speechless, don't know what to say" after hearing the song.

OMG....I posted exactly what PEOPLE wrote.  This is weirdly sad.  Wow.  Over Paula????  There is NO explaining mental illness.  NO explanation whatsoever.  I mean I love David Cook.  But I would not ever kill myself over him. 

Remember her?

Hint...she was second runner up to Fantasia...fan train-wreck.  Anyhoo, this is the same person in these 2 pics...and the pic on the right is from the CMA awards Weds nite.  

Which do you like best?  I think she favors Lucy Liu on the right, I don't think LL would wear powder blue eyeshadow though.

She's been on Broadway since Idol.  Diana DiGarmo!  Yippy!

xoxo

Coming next on THE BLOG

Today, I will be writing my review of the premiere of TOP CHEF last night. Yes, it is going to be good this season people.

Also, I will be reviewing, in a separate post, my thoughts on the David Archuleta cd. No tease here. It's an awesome cd and I urge you to part with some cash and buy it. If you only want to buy the awesomest tracks on Itunes, I will separate the MUST-have songs from the nice-to-have songs.

The Real Meaning of "More Cowbell"

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

This is the funniest thing ever. EVER!

ColeyB

IT's HEEERRRREEEE! The youngest David's cd is baked and ready for consumption!!!

And out of the gate first is the 2nd place darling of last season, David Archuleta.  Buy it at Itunes for 12.99 or Target for 9.99.  And people, I'm going to make a very bold statement here.

This one will be better than David Cook's.    

For me atleast.  It's just my type of music.  Cook's is going to be a vocal blaster rock out. Archuleta's is more teenage angst and ballads.  And he records a new arrangement of "Angels" that is even better than the version he sang on the show. 

Of course, I have already purchased this, so take my word for it...there are atleast 3 hits on this rookie season release.  And this dude will have little girls saying "Zac Who?"  OMG he is so darn cute.  If I was only still in Junior High,  I'd have his pics all over my wall, sort of like I have in my cube right now, come to think of it. 

LOL

Stay tuned for a full review in a couple of days when I have listened to this for 3 hours in my car.  It's going to be a lung buster sing out on the way home tonite.  I have to go find the lyrics on line right now and start practicin'

Speaking of sangin'.   Is anyone watching 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and seeing that dumbo ho that thinks money is buying her a record deal?  OMG, she is laughable.

  

Yum-O My Dinner Last Night

Have you tried the new Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger?

Ok, I'm kidding.  Isn't this disgusting?  A fat wad of meat, stuffed with cheese, sandwiched between 2 KK donuts?  That is a heart attack on a bun, if ever I saw one.  And the bacon is the awesome topper.  Or is it the Velveeta oozing out of the cheese pouch in the greasy meat?

Had to share.  Just had to.

Madonna Looks Like a Female Bodybuilder

There is nothing soft or sexy about her. She one bulging vein on top of one steroid stuff muscle. She's gross.

Britney is so pretty here. Very tasteful and very 'put together' looking. She sort of looks put together.

xoxo,

Coley B

YES WE DID!!!

Let the nation begin to heal, by coming together, and returning our country to one of prosperity and Peace...

xoxo,

ColeyB

Wanda Sykes on Ellen

Halloween Episode...Wanda is a Wall Street Executive with a golden parachute.

Hilarious.

xoxo

Sarah Palin in Voting Booth

SP:  "Hey, I heard that, and yes, I know I don't have to vote for myself, but I'm gonna'...."

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!

PLEASE, no matter what your choice on President...have your voice heard.  But if you are for McCain, save yourself some time in the lines and vote on Weds.  

:)

Seriously, just vote.  It's important.  And if you are undecided, there are lots of websites to help you understand the facts...and try to go to unbiased sites.  Real news organizations that are unbiased are hard to find.

CNN tries.  Networks try.  Fox does not.  Comedy Central Does NOT.  

Have a great day...our Nation makes a strong step in one direction tomorrow...history will be made with whatever the outcome.  

If McCain wins, I will write my next post from the road as I move my cats, my husband and my stuff to Canada.  I'll transfer to the EA Canada office so fast your head will spin.

LOL

xoxo,

OMG...6 hours and the polls open in New Hampshire.

MTV News on IDOL Suing Josiah Lemming

'American Idol' Bigwigs Threaten Legal Action Over Contestant Josiah Leming's Major Label Debut: Report
Though he didn't make the top 24, Leming signed a contract that may forbid him to release album.
By Gil Kaufman

The hard times continue for male "American Idol" castoffs. The latest (alleged) victim is frequently weepy, formerly homeless singer Josiah Leming, who just last week announced that his major-label debut on Warner Brothers' Reprise Records would be out in early 2009.

A teaser digital EP, Undercover: Selections From Josiah Leming's Album Debut, was just released on Tuesday, but, according to the New York Post, that might be the only music you hear from Leming if the "Idol" folks have their way.

Leming, 19, didn't make the show's top 24, but a strict contract all "Idol" contestants must sign that makes them promise to record only with the "Idol"-preferred label, Sony/BMG, and gives show producer Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment exclusive rights of refusal for management and merchandising. So his current record deal might be in violation of that pact.

The Post reported on Thursday that Leming "received an official letter from 'Idol' threatening legal action if he puts out his record in January as planned." E-mails requesting comment from Leming's label had not been returned at press time; a representative for Fox (which broadcasts "Idol") had no comment.

"Josiah was the only 'Idol' contestant ever to get a record deal who didn't make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year," an unnamed rep for Leming reportedly told the paper. "He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not."

Leming, one of eight siblings from Morristown, Tennessee, who famously spent some time camping out in his 1989 Mercury Topaz, is eager to get the album out for a very personal reason. According to the rep, Leming is "racing the clock" because his mother has terminal cancer, and "nothing is going to stop him from getting his music out while she is alive to share it." The paper reported that Leming's lawyer has responded to the "Idol" letter but hasn't heard back yet.

If it does get released early next year, Leming's album, produced by Dave Kosten (Bat for Lashes), will feature a suite of emotionally charged, Keane-esque piano-driven songs all written by Leming and recorded over several weeks this summer in London. Among the songs on the sample EP (and streaming on his MySpace page) are: "Arctic Outcry Wind," the majestic "Angels Undercover," "Theysay," "This Cigar" and "To Run." Leming is currently on tour.

Here's the LA Times Story on Josiah Lemming

American Idol' castoff Josiah Leming's big recovery
The singer has an EP out Tuesday and an album to follow soon. He reflects on the Fox show.
By Stephanie Lysaght
October 28, 2008
Last January, in a classic "American Idol" preseason meltdown, the hyper-emotional Josiah Leming was sent home -- which in his case meant his car.

Now, less than a year later, in one of "Idol's" unlikely turns of fate, the high school dropout who'd left his ailing mother, out-of-work stepfather and eight siblings in Morristown, Tenn., is back, living the high life in Los Angeles and poised to release his first album on Warner Bros. Records.

"I was kind of down and out," said Leming, now 19, over a burger and fries at Canter's Deli in Los Angeles of his decision to audition for "American Idol." "So it was kind of like, 'What the hell?' Nothing to lose, really." Despite his diminutive stature, baby face and boyish clothing, Leming is magnetic in person, his naked lack of inhibition at once disarming and electrifying. And then there's that inner heartache.

"All of his emotions go into his songs," said Warner Bros. Records' Senior Vice President of A&R Perry Watts-Russell. "He has that gift to turn pain into music."

At first, it seemed as if "American Idol" would become a showcase for his raw talent rather than another lesson in hardship. At his initial audition, he bowled over the judges with a fiercely passionate performance of a self-written song.

Then, at Hollywood Week, his playful rendition of Mika's "Grace Kelly" led the usually unflappable Simon Cowell to announce, "I think out of all the auditions, this is the one I'm gonna remember." Then the golden boy faltered. At the end of Hollywood Week he was unceremoniously dispatched without explanation. To Leming, however, it was very clear.

"The real story is that the producers didn't like me," said Leming, who lived out of his car during his "Idol" experience. " 'Cause I wanted to do my own songs, and I wanted to have complete control."

And of the show that brought him to the world's notice, he added: "The producers pretty much control everything. You know, it's all kind of rigged, and hands are coming in from places you don't see. You just see the hand. It's a dirty hand. And you don't want to eat the food that that hand touches."

"American Idol" producers declined to comment for this story.

With his "Idol" dreams dashed, Leming crawled back to Tennessee and waited for the auditions to air. "I applied for a job, like, taping boxes for a postal service or something," he recalled.

Certain that "Idol" producers would omit his segments, he settled back into a quiet life at home. But not only were his performances shown on the Hollywood Week episodes, but his many emotional breakdowns became their centerpiece.

"They would show, like, 'After the break, see this random kid cry,' and then after the break, there I am crying," chuckled Leming.

Asked about the nonstop waterworks, Leming said, "It was a very emotional time in my life, you know? It wasn't exactly all the edit. I was in a rough place in my life as well, so it was a combination of where I was and the way they put it together and the way people took it in."

But whether it was the tears or the tunes, the minute the episode aired, the calls started pouring in:

" 'I'll make you a nice home-cooked dinner,' " he said imitating a Southern belle.

" 'We got an extra room,' " he added in a second voice.

" 'My mom says you can come stay with me!' " he said with another.

He smiled, still visibly touched. "It was so sweet, but people just didn't understand. I wasn't sleeping under a bridge, eating peas out of a can, you know, washing my clothes in the river."

Leming's phone didn't stop ringing, and soon enough Hollywood called as well. Leming's current manager, Dan Spilo, was first in line. After Leming's shocking ouster, Spilo tracked him down in Tennessee and the pair enjoyed a long phone conversation. Later, when Leming flew to back L.A. for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," they met in person.

Soon, Spilo landed Leming a recording and publishing deal with Warner Bros. Records, a feat that could make some "Idol" finalists jealous. Leming's music drips with a deep hurt but remains defiantly hopeful.

On his EP, "Angels Undercover," he sings, "I'm a man now / I can drive a car / And I'm a dropout / I'm nobody so far / But I don't mess with cigarettes or alcohol / Cause I'm the best there is / And they tell me all the winners smoke cigars."

Leming has few confidants at the moment. He has yet to make friends in L.A., and his friends back home can't relate. "People see the surface. They see the record deal and the L.A. and the car," he said. "Even my family's view is a little one-dimensional . . . they can't see everything that roots underneath the tree."

With his EP due out Tuesday, an album dropping in January, an apartment five blocks from the beach and two cars, Leming seems to be living a Cinderella story. But life has taught him not to believe in happily-ever-after.

"Sadness finds you," he said as he ripped a sliver of onion in half, again and again, until the fragments covered his plate. "It doesn't matter where you are, or how much money you've got, or how many people know your name. It'll get you one way or another."

Despite his success, Leming feels out of place in Los Angeles. "[L.A.] confuses me," he said. "It's all, like, kinda glitz and glam, and I don't dig it. It's like, it's beautiful on the face, but there's nothing underneath. It's money and greed and sex appeal. And just no core values."

Tidbits of Idol News...

SEASON 5 BILLBOARD NEWS: From Christmas to Country, the season five Idols are still making headlines in music news. Billboard reports that Elliott Yamin’s holiday album, My Kind of Holiday, dropped just last week on 10/7. The album reportedly gives some holiday classics the funky, soulful spin for which Elliott is known.

Taylor Hicks has aligned with Artist to Market, the artist services company, for the release of his next album, which is due out February 10, 2009. Those who fell in love with Taylor by seeing him perform live on AI will also be glad to know that he is releasing "Whomp at the Warfield," a live DVD taped at a San Francisco venue.

Kellie Pickler proves that her successful debut album wasn't just beginner's luck, as her sophomore self-titled CD debuted at #1 on Top Country Albums and #9 on The Billboard 200. Kellie is the sixth artist in the Nielsen SoundScan era to debut at #1 with her first two studio albums. All of her predecessors were female, one of whom was Carrie Underwood. By entering the country chart at #1, Kellie's second album is the 205th chart-topper to come from American Idol.  WHAT??? 205 idols have been on Billboard?  Wow?  I would never have guessed.

Well there are just some little trickles of Idol mentions lately, not enough to warrant an entire post on topic, so here's a summary of the headlines.

1. CryBaby Car Boy, Josiah Lemming: Remember him? The homeless runaway that made it to Hollywood week and then got cut for being too cocky? Well, immediately after he was 'let loose', Warner Bros. signed him for a record deal. And he is about to release his first album. Hold On...Screeech. The money machine known as 19???whatever got the news and Lawyer'd Up. As in, file a "Oh no you DIN'It" on his ass, and is stopping him from the gig. Seems that signing to be on the show is the same as selling your soul to the Devil, only more painful to your future.

Let's see how this plays out.

2. David Cook's on Saturday Night Live in like 1.5 hours and I am about to pee my pants. OMG, can't wait.

3. Carrie Underwood is hosting the CMA Awards this week with Brad Paisley. She is a rocket ship of hotness.  She also just got a wax figure at the Madame Tussauds  Wax Museum 

4. Jennifer Hudson news continues to be the saddest of all. I guess there was a Dreamgirls II casting that has been put on hold.

5. Simon's girlfriend dumped him. Terri Seymour. She wanted kids and family. He likes rolling around in money and himself. Not in that order.

6. Ace Young is on Broadway starring in Grease. AmyB sent a pic from her phone...since she is cruising Broadway in a fancy pair of Nikes...running the New York City Marathon! Good Luck AMY. (She's the chick from work that beat cancer...and is like doing better at life than ever before. I tell her she won the cancer lotto! ha ha)

7. Two weeks until the David Cook and David Archuleta Showdown: Round 2 "This Time It's About the Music and the Cash Register".  Oh yeah...it's going to be ugly.  Prediction:  Archuleta will outsell Cook.  Look...that little CRUSH song is awesome.  I listen to it like 4 times a week.  And I don't listen to music alot.  I'm a newstalk Junky, especially with the election.  I like Cook's new song,  but the whole album better not sound like that.  There better be a slow song.  I love his voice when it's calm and soothing.  

8.Saw that dumbass Constantine Maroulis on that Wayne Brady lyric show as I was channel surfing.  He lost.  He's so weird. 

9.  Melinda Doolittle has a debut CD

10.  Kristy Lee Cook made her Grand Ole Opry Debut last week.

Well, that's about it for me.  Did I miss anyone or anything.  I mean Bucky has a new single, but really?  Bucky?  Ok, I guess I am missing it.

xoxo,

ColeyB

Run, Amy, Run