So much to cover in this post! In June 2009, Kris signed with his first record label and continued his press and appearances as the newly crowned Season 8 winner. This post will have the highlights, and for those of you who have never watched some of these, maybe some new things! Included: an appearance with Smokey Robinson at the big 2009 Walmart shareholders meeting, the NBA Finals anthem, the Huckabee show and the 5-part Idolatry interview. Lots of videos and some mp3s for the completists! Read on after the break...
Signing with Jive
The first annual Idol winner tradition is to sign a record label deal. (Usually a bad one.) Kris signed his with Jive Records in early June.
Walmart Shareholders Meeting, June 5, 2009
An annual Idol winner tradition is to appear at the Walmart shareholders meeting. This is a big convention, and Kris joined Idol mentor Smokey Robinson at the meeting to sing Get Ready [mp3]. Kris also performed No Boundaries [mp3] and Heartless [mp3] and did a comedy bit with Ben Stiller.
Performing the National Anthem at the NBA Finals, June 7, 2009
Of course, singing the anthem is something Idol singers do a lot, and singing at the NBA finals is something Idol winners usually do. Kris did not disappoint. [Photos]
Neither did this photograph of Kris with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Appearing on Mike Huckabee's talk show, June 9, 2009
On June 9, 2009, Kris appeared former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's talk show, which then aired on the Fox News Channel. Kris discussed his long marriage, his mission work travels and what he learned from them, how he stays grounded (family and friends) and his musical influences (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles). He also sang Yesterday [mp3].
Press, June 11, 2009: People Magazine and EW's Idolatry
On June 11, 2009, People posted this article saying that Kris was flattered by Adam's crush on him.
In actual substantive journalism, Kris did a multi-part interview with EW and Michael Slezak for Idolatry (posted June 11, 2009). This interview is fantastic for Kris fans, not to mention the casual fans who wonder how Kris won, and really gives you his insights into his competition strategy.
In Part One, they talk about his strategy, his lack of screentime in the early season 8 episodes, the awesomeness of group two, interesting song choices he made, and the top ten's support for one another.
In Part Two, they talk about his use of the guitar and piano, the judges' commentaries, the praise he got from Glenn Hansard and Markéta Irglová on Falling Slowly, his dislike of disco (I didn't know about that!) and choosing She Works Hard for the Money, the Idol band and Michael Orland's support for him.
In Part Three, they talk about his amazing cover of Heartless (Adam Lambert encouraged him to do it),the difference between having a "bigger voice" and being a "better singer" (YES!!! Preach Slezak!), his efforts to bring Idol into the music styles of the 2000s, the top three judges' pick and their inane criticism (Kris would've preferred to have picked all of his own songs for the Idol top two performance show)
In Part Four, they talk about the inane criticism of What's Going On during the finale. I didn't know Jodi Watley was a Kris fan! Kris wanted to focus on the lyrics, and not a loud screaming version. They also discuss how news outlets focused on Adam and Kris being different and speculating they couldn't get along. The matching nail polish thing was their attempt to say they got along just fine. Asked about his album to come, Kris says he'll take what he did in Idol up a notch. He regretted All She Wants to Do is Dance and being in the pit. Asked about the matching aprons he and Katy sported for his intro piece, he says the producers made them do it. Kris also discusses his parents' emotions during the hometown visit.
In Part Five, they discuss how Simon wasn't exactly chill with Kris' win, but Kris takes the high road. They also talk Rock Week and KREITH (Kris' duet in the finale with Keith Urban). Kris was much happier to duet with Keith and Queen as opposed to Danny. (My words, not his.) Kris hated the guyliner v. guy next door storyline, and Kris and Adam were friends and did not view the finale as a competition, but as the door to the next steps in their music careers.
June 23, 2009: Parade magazine interview
In this magazine interview, Kris discusses his wife, having a lower profile than Adam, his faith and he sadly disses Real World from his pre-Idol album Brand New Shoes. It is not horrible, Kris! Jeez. Torres could have torn up that bass line.
Idol tour rehearsals
After all that press, it was time to prepare for the Idol tour. Here's some media we got from that:
Allison "interviews" Kris for the L.A. Times. They are clowning around and having fun. Here's the flip version where Kris interviews Allison.
Adam interviews Kris for the L.A. Times; it's an actually good interview.
Kris interviews Adam for the L.A. Times.
Kris talks rehearsals and recording his album during the tour, and speculates about one day playing colleges (lol, he sure has done that in the last ten years):
Next time in the lookback post (coming early July) - We begin the Idol tour!
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