Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jordin Sparks is becoming an old hand at singing the national anthem. She had the honor of doing so at this year’s NFC championship game, again at the NBA All-Star game and most recently at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training season opener. At left, Jordin meets with former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda. (Associated Press Photos)

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Poor Justin Guarini lost another singing competition Saturday night.

As I reported back in January, Justin was one of seven cast members on the third season of the John Rich CMT show “Gone Country,” competing against the likes of former pop star Taylor Dane, 63-year-old former Monkey Micky Dolenz and former Miss USA Tara Conner (also a former mess, now out of rehab).

The prize: the chance to cut a country single with John.

The winner: Sheila E., formerly of Prince fame.

Poor Justin didn’t finish writing his original country song until minutes before he was scheduled to perform. Then someone handed him a guitar tuned to the wrong chord. Finally, he made it on stage to sing “Soldier On.”

I’d like to tell you more about the song, but interviews were recorded over most of it. Same with the other six performances.

Watch about 10 minutes of this garbage with all its contrived drama, and you’ll gain a new appreciation for American Idol, even with its imperfections.

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As if her mantel isn’t full enough, Carrie Underwood has been nominated for yet another award.

Last week, the Academy of Country Music announced its country album of the year nominees. Carrie, of course, is among them for her second album, “Carnival Ride.”

Also in the running: Montgomery Gentry for “Back When I Knew It All”; Jamey Johnson for “That Lonesome Song”; George Strait for “Troubadour”; and Taylor Swift for “Fearless.” Here’s guessing that Taylor is going to offer Carrie some tough competition.

Carrie is also up for Entertainer of the Year, an award won by females only six times in 43 years, most recently by the Dixie Chicks in 2000.

The awards will be given out Sunday, April 5. CBS is televising the event, which will feature performances by Taylor, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts.

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Speaking of award shows, two former Idol contestants are up for Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, to be presented April 23.

Mandisa, the ninth-place finisher in season five, is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. She released her first full-length Christian album, “True Beauty,” in July 2007 and followed that up with the holiday album “It’s Christmas” last year.

Chris Sligh, a season six contestant, is one of seven nominees for Best New Artist of the Year. He released the Christian album “Running Back to You” in 2008.

The Best New Artist category is based on fan votes, and voting continues right up until the awards show, which will be broadcast on the Gospel Music Channel. Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey have already posted blogs, urging Idol fans to vote for Chris.

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George Huff’s self-titled album will be in stores April 7, and you can hear a snippet of the first single from the album as part of his latest MySpace blog.

The song is called “Don’t Let Go.” And George promises “I’m sure there are some songs on this CD that will bless the socks off you.”

For those who don’t remember, George was the top finishing male contestant in Idol season three, finishing fifth behind Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo among others.

George’s first album, “Miracles,” was released in 2005 by the Christian label Word Records.

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David Archuleta posted a vlog last week about how his tour is going. The vlog was filmed in Allentown, Pa., and little David mentions his stop in Lancaster last weekend.

One hint for fans: When you’re taking gifts to a David Archuleta concert, shy away from chocolate. It might make David sick. And pray for warm weather. Because David gets sick from the cold really easy.

Whew, this touring sounds like it might be too much for David, what with all the chocolate and the threat of cold weather in late February and early March in the Northeast.

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