Justin Guarini Announces Engagement

Justin Guarini announced on his Blogtalkradio show on September 30th that he is engaged to marry Reina Capodici, 26, of Doylestown, PA. The couple have known each other since high school but only started dating late last year. Ms. Capodici has a three year old daughter, Lola, from a prior relationship. They are planning a June, 2009, wedding.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Thoughts and Reflections on Visiting Troops in Afghanistan

This week, The Justin Guarini Show on Blogtalkradio.com featured Justin talking about his recent good will ambassador trip to Bagram Air Force Base and other locations in Afghanistan. He includes some audio from the troops he met on the trip. Listen to the podcast of the show by clicking the player.

American Idol Season One Finale Nominated for Emmy's Most Memorable TV Moment

The Primetime Emmy Awards are recognizing the Most Memorable TV Moments this year, and the American Idol Season One Finale with Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson has been nominated. What's great is that we get to vote for the winner, with the top 5 nominees being featured on the Emmy telecast.




So, you might ask, what is it doing in this list of nominees? Does it belong among "All in the Family" and "Seinfeld?" We say yes, it does. It was the culminating moment on the season that launched a cultural phenomenon that changed both television and music. It featured the most genuine moment of love and support from runner-up to winner we have ever seen. Seven seasons have passed and it still stands out as something you will remember where and when you saw it and how it made you feel.

So, sure, it's a reality TV moment. One that will stand thet test of time. That's the definition of memorable. You can vote for it at the ABC site.

American Idol visits Task Force Warrior Headquarters

Master Sgt. Timothy Garcia, NCOIC of S1, poses with former American Idol contestant Justin Guarini at Task Force Warrior Headquarters Aug. 10.

American Idol visits Task Force Warrior Headquarters

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By
By Staff reports
Leesville Daily Leader
Fri Aug 15, 2008, 08:58 AM CDT

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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -
“Thank you very much for coming, your visit represents the resolve of the American people as we stand strong and defeat all who attempt to bring us harm,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Jeselink, Deputy Commander of Task Force Warrior, to the four former American Idol contestants visiting Brigade Headquarters today to entertain troops, pose for pictures and receive tokens of appreciation for their willingness to sacrifice time and efforts to show support.

Soldiers who may not be fans of the mega-hit television show American Idol, may at some point in time phone home to have a loved one respond, “I can’t talk right now, American Idol is on.”

American Idol, a reality-competition television show airing on Fox, seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nationwide auditions. Debuting in 2002, American Idol has since become one of the most popular shows on American television.

One of the guests to Task Force Warrior today, Justin Guarini, emerged as a standout during American Idol’s debut season, ultimately becoming runner-up to winner Kelly Clarkson in 2002. He stood out as a very gracious and grateful visitor. When Soldiers sought Guarini out for specific poses and numerous photographs, he responded kindly and with a willingness to cater to Soldier requests.

The entire group of celebrities had very nice attitudes and they were not at all pompous. When traditional military Certificates of Appreciation and unit coins were presented, each former-Idol appeared genuinely moved.

Nadia Turner, Top Eight Finalist of Season Four, who recently was chosen to be a guest co-host on “The View” with Barbara Walters and Rosie O’Donnell and has had guest appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, spent time during the afternoon meeting and greeting Soldiers of Task Force Warrior.

Gina Glocksen, the ninth place finalist of the sixth season of American Idol, co-hosts the FOX Reality Show “American Idol Extra.” She was incredibly personable with the Soldiers, and her genuine candor and charming wit that made her a favorite of millions on the show came through to brighten the atmosphere at Brigade Headquarters.

Brandon Rogers, Top 12 on Season Six, performed as a backup vocalist on both Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera’s 2003 “Justified” and “Stripped” Tours. He makes guest appearances on the hit TV show “Bones” and is a travelling correspondent for the TV Guide Network, but took some time out of his schedule alongside other former idols to tour U.S. military installations in Southwest Asia.

Soldiers were smiling and laughing, and some spoke of anticipation to share the day’s experience with die-hard-Idol-fans back home. The visit was appreciated, and troops felt a thousand miles from danger if only for a few minutes.

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A Note from Afghanistan

Justin Guarini describes his feelings watching a "Fallen Comrade Ceremony" in Baghram, Afghanistan. See our previous blog entry for more details on his USO trip.

Justin here, writing to you for Baghram airforce base in Afghanistan. It's about 4:55 in the morning here and all is well. To say that it's been an amazing trip thus far, is to severely undervalue the experience. I've traveled to many places all over the world, but never to the Middle East. It's a truly beautiful place, even though it's a war zone. There are so many amazing experiences that I can't really fit them here. So I'll make you a deal. If you give me a day or two. I'll post the pictures I have, and even give you a little taste of the stories and experiences that we all are having here. I'm going to ask the other Idols with me to sit down and share their experience with me on tape, then I'll put it up on blogtalk, or my site. Cool?

My head is a little foggy this morning, so I don't think I could write too clearly any way. Besides, I like to talk my time with my writing. Would you believe it took 4 hours to write some of my Fancast blogs about Idol? Especially in the beginning when I was trying to describe (as richly and vividly as possible) my experience as an Idol.

I will tell you this though. I am up at this hour for a very good, albeit sad, reason. At around 2:50 this morning, there was a service known as a "Fallen Comrade Ceremony". An American soldier wsa killed in action and his body was due to be transported from the base back to the States.

Instead of just letting him go in the middle of the night, the soldiers here line the street the body is driven down. With practiced precision they stand rigidly at attention and salute as the casket, resting on the back of a modified HumV and draped in an American Flag goes by. It was a beautiful sight. The street was lined, on both sides with soldiers from the Army, Air Force, Marines, and even soldiers from other countries that are here supporting the fight. With guns slung across chests (almost everyone here lugs around automatic rifles at all times) and in perfect silence they wished their comrade in arms farewell. I'm not a soldier, so like the other civilians at the ceremony I stood along side the soldiers and placed my hand over my heart as the coffin drove by.
I was reminded of my own mortality, as well as where I was, and what our men and women (most of them younger than me) are going through and risking every day to preserve our way of life.

This trip has completely and irrevocably altered my perception of the armed forces...for the good.

More to come.

Justin

The 411 on the American Idol Tour - Salt Lake City

Justin Guarini goes behind the scenes at the American Idol Tour in Salt Lake City and talks with David Cook, David Archuleta, and Brooke White. Justin will be covering the American Idol auditions in San Franscico on July 17th, so if you see him, go say "Hello!" You may end up on TV, woohoo.

Revolve Acoustic EP - Review

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that "the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." One of the most intriguing things about Justin Guarini's voice is that it consists of two opposing characteristics at the same time. It is at once raw edged and fluid. The fluidity has been on display in his recorded music, starting with "Justin Guarini," but too often, the recorded versions are sweetened and the rawness is lost.

That is not true of Revolve, the new three song EP Justin has released through his new label, Revolutionary Entertainment. The songs, "Sweet Time, " "Rock Bottom," and "When She Cries," are performed with a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment. Written and produced by Justin and his close friend, Shaun Ingram, the project is an examination of the complexities of relationships. On first blush, that description might seem rather commonplace, addressing well-worn themes, but these songs move beyond the typical "she loves me, she loves me not" lyric qualities of popular music.



"Sweet Time," a folk-soul song that could well have appeared on one of fellow Philadelphian Amos Lee's albums, opens with an immediately relatable expression of exasperation: "Haven't we done this once? Let's not do this again. All I want is sweet time, babe." In "Rock Bottom," Justin sings of destructive emotional obsession:

You shattered my innocence, you laughed at my tears.
You broke down my last defense, you wasted my years.
But you got something that money can't buy.
I feel just like a junkie, do anything, anything to make you mine.

The song then leads into a chorus that aggressively analogizes desire to facilitation of addiction, culminating with Justin's falsetto lamenting "You keep me fixed, you run my life."

The final song, "When She Cries," offers a blues-rock take on the male view of woman as cipher. It is on this song, perhaps, that the two opposing qualities of Justin's voice are put to their strongest test, displayed in the closing moments of the song.

Oh then she cried, then she cried, do you believe that she cried?
Oh, and a part of me died, a part of me died, oh, just a part of me died, oh every time.

When music is performed in this stripped down style, it cannot hide. Throughout the EP, the songs have the strength of storytelling and imagery. The lyrics avoid cliche, and the melodies linger. All this with the just the power of an instinctive voice and insightful songwriting.

If there is any frustration with this project, it is the prospect of not enough people hearing it. Unfortunately, no matter how compelling his music is, Justin doesn't have the platform to launch a new project that others from American Idol are fortunate to have. His work doesn't have the immediate public ear the way a David Cook or a Daughtry project does, for example. For some others, the fact he was an Idol will be reason enough to pass by a Justin Guarini project, regardless of its storytelling and execution.

It shouldn't be a zero-sum game. In fact, it isn't. This is good stuff - go check it out if you haven't. You'll enjoy it more than the empty calories of the Starbucks you might buy instead.

Revolve Acoustic EP - Digital Download Link

From Justin to David

As much as we are tired of that play on words, it couldn't work better than in circumstances where the first runner up shares the stage with the current runner up, who sang for him way back in the first season. Justin Guarini interviews David Archuletta right after the American Idol Finale. Not to be left out, David Cook opens the segments with his own play on FJ2K. Don't stop with the interview - there's a great video to also watch of Justin accompanying himself on guitar as he sings the moving original song, "Missing You." We're pretty sure he wasn't singing about this season's AI, but you never know.

Justin Guarini to Host New BlogTalk Radio Show

From the official site:

The Justin Guarini Show
Let your voice be heard! The Justin Guarini show presents a unique opportunity for fans to get in direct touch with the musicians they love. Tune in to hear signed and unsigned artists live, special guests ranging from producers to managers to agents that will help you figure out how to make your music your way and how to get it out to the masses. The Justin Guarini show is a free-flowing program that always has surprises in store for registered listeners, and is a must-listen for the independent artist and avid fan alike.

The first show airs on June 3, 2008. The call in number to talk to Justin live during the show is (347) 838-8745.

Click button below to go to the official site and listen to the show!

Two American Idol Runners Up Sharing the Stage

Justin Guarini and his Idol Tonight co-hosts have a conversation with Bo Bice prior to the Final Four elimination show outside the American Idol stage door.

Behind the Scenes at Idol Tonight

Justin Guarini, Kimberly Caldwell, and Rosanna Tavarez at the American Idol stage door on Idol Tonight.

Idol Fever - FOX News

Justin Guarini comments on the American Idol Top 10 in this video from FOX News Channel.

Because It's Funny, That's Why

This amused us. Yes, it did.



Idol Tonight, hosted by Justin Guarini, Kimberly Caldwell and Rosanna Tavarez, airs every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. eastern and pacific, 7:00 p.m. central.

EDY'S(R) SLOW CHURNED(R) Light Ice Cream to Distribute One Million Free CDs Showcasing Today's Hottest Stars

EDY'S(R) SLOW CHURNED(R) Light Ice Cream to Distribute One Million Free CDs Showcasing Today's Hottest Stars

- CDs will be distributed at participating grocery stores and will feature
unreleased tracks from former American Idol finalists -

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Your taste buds will sing with
the flavor of EDY's light ice cream while you enjoy the tunes of former
American Idol finalists when you purchase any two EDY's SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream products and receive a free CD featuring eight full-length
original tracks. This platinum pressing of one million CDs will include
previously unreleased tracks by former American Idol finalists including
Justin Guarini (Season 1), Kimberly Caldwell (Season 2), George Huff
(Season 3), Anthony Fedorov (Season 4), Constantine Maroulis (Season 4),
Nadia Turner (Season 4), Mandisa (Season 5 and Grammy Nominated Artist!),
and Chris Richardson (Season 6).

From February through April, CDs will be available at select EDY's
brand retail locations nationwide. Purchase any two EDY's SLOW CHURNED
Light Ice Cream 48 oz or larger OR Light Ice Cream Bars and receive a CD
free of charge ($7.99 SRP). CDs are located in the ice cream aisle and
ready for listening on your ride home.

"With the support of our retail partners, we are excited to offer fans
such an exceptional compilation from the music industry's brightest new
talents. Our goal in distributing one million CDs nationally is to provide
these talented artists with valuable opportunities for exposure and give
their loyal fans a chance to listen to their new and previously unreleased
music," said Brad Bridges of EDY's Grand Ice Cream.

The CD was compiled and produced by Nelly and Jeff Neben; Axis Artist
Management, Inc. (http://www.axismanagement.com/)

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries
manufacture and distribute a full spectrum of ice cream and frozen dessert
products. Brands of frozen dessert products currently manufactured or
distributed by Dreyer's in the United States include Grand, Slow
Churned(R), Dibs(R), Haagen-Dazs(R), Nestle(R) Drumstick(R), Nestle
Crunch(R), Nestle(R) Butterfinger(R), Nestle(R) Toll House(R), Nestle(R)
Carnation(R), Nestle(R) Push-Up(R), Frosty Paws(R), Eskimo Pie(R),
Chipwich(R), Fruit Bars, Starbucks(R) and The Skinny Cow(R). The company's
premium products are marketed under the Dreyer's brand name throughout the Western states and Texas, and under the Edy's(R) brand name throughout the
remainder of the United States. Internationally, the Dreyer's brand extends
to select markets in the Far East and the Edy's brand extends to the
Caribbean and South America. For more information on the company, please
visit http://www.dreyersinc.com/. The Starbucks trademark is owned by
Starbucks U.S. Brands, LLC and is licensed to the Starbucks Ice Cream
Partnership, a joint venture partnership between Dreyer's and Starbucks
Holding Company. In the U.S. the Haagen-Dazs trademark is sub-licensed to
Dreyer's by Nestle.

SOURCE EDY'S SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream


EDY'S(R) SLOW CHURNED(R) Light Ice Cream to Distribute One Million Free CDs Showcasing Today's Hottest Stars

Carly Smithson and the Idol "experience controversy" - who cares?

We were going to do a complete blog about how ridiculous the Carly Smithson "experience controversy" is, but Justin did it better. Check out his detailed taking apart of the relevance of this issue.

http://thebiz.fancast.com/2008/02/_so_usa_todays_marco.html

Just to make part of the observation we had intended, the media bias toward Smithson seems to be that because the MCA/Universal album she recorded as a teenager flopped, she shouldn't be trying again through her Idol appearance. Here's the thing: no album scans a mere 400 sales unless there was a massive corporate failure to promote it. The Wall Street Journal has reported on the complete screw up that MCA made of this project.

The success or failure of a major label pop release depends first and foremost on how well it is marketed, and that falls primarily on the shoulders of the record label. Carly didn't have any control over what the money was spent on. She didn't have control over what singles were released and how they were promoted. It doesn't sound like she had much control over what songs she recorded, the producers chosen by the label instead making those decisions.

On Idol, she is seeking to make it on her own talent. If she's good, she should. It would be ridiculous to refuse to support her because of what happened with her contract at MCA. To the contrary, it's a reason to give her the second chance.

Carly and Justin Guarini recently had a chance to talk at the Top 24 party. They can certainly commiserate, both having had their first real shot at success jerked away from them by corporate incompetence. Both deserve their chance to emerge from the hole into which they were pushed.

Of course, we do note that Justin's advice might well have been to avoid being signed by 19 Entertainment/BMG at all cost. But Carly is female and white, so she will probably be just fine.

TV Guide Network Set to Premiere Its Highest Rated Series, ‘Idol Tonight’ for Season Three

Hosts Kimberly Caldwell, Justin Guarini and Rosanna Tavarez Are Ready To Fire Up American Idol’s Biggest Fans With Brand New Show Segments, Interviews and the Network’s Biggest Marketing Campaign of the Year

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TV Guide Network®, a leading network providing entertainment programming to more than 83 million homes, is gearing up to premiere its highest rated original series and viewer favorite, IDOL TONIGHT on March 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by Kimberly Caldwell (American Idol season two finalist), Justin Guarini (American Idol season one runner-up) and Rosanna Tavarez (winner of Popstars), IDOL TONIGHT airs live from the doorstep of American Idol, satisfying viewers’ and fans’ appetite for the hottest show on television.

IDOL TONIGHT‘s marketing campaign will be the largest of the year for TV Guide Network. It will include a new logo, opening, and Idol theme weeks.

Justin Guarini and Rosanna Tavarez joke with
American Idol Vocal Coach Debra Byrd on Idol Tonight

In addition to featuring interviews with the most recent Idol eliminee, vocal coaches, fashion stylists, industry insiders and more, the show will include the following segments:

• “Idol Flashbacks” will feature never-before-seen footage of the most outrageous auditions and former contestants.
• “Idol Worship” will highlight current contestant reactions to fun fan questions.
• “Where Are They Now?” will feature former Idols making regular visits to the IDOL TONIGHT set to talk about what they have been up to after leaving American Idol.

IDOL TONIGHT is the exclusive, live Red Carpet preshow to America’s favorite talent competition, American Idol and TV Guide Network’s highest rated original series. Last season the premiere averaged a .4 HH coverage rating, an increase of 33 percent compared to 2006.

About TV Guide Network

TV Guide Network reaches over 83 million homes and is the premier television entertainment network for viewers seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and latest trends on television. Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood at its TV Guide Studios, the network combines original programming with comprehensive program listings information - all of which deliver on viewers' need for an entertaining and easy guide to what's on TV. TV Guide Network is owned and operated by TV Guide Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.

About Gemstar-TV Guide

Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. is a leading global media, entertainment, and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes products and services that maximize the video guidance and entertainment experience for consumers. The Company's businesses include: television, publishing, and new media properties; interactive program guide services and products; and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.



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Jamming with Drivetime

Justin Guarini sitting in with a Philly area smooth jazz band called Drivetime in December, 2007. About five minutes into the second video, Justin does a version of My Funny Valentine that is completely different from the version on his Stranger Things CD. This is musicality at its core, folks, the ability to step up and completely change a song on the fly.

New! Hot Tracks Album coming out in February!

Justin has a new song that will be included along with seven other favorite Idol performer on a CD that is part of a HUGE promotion that Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream is doing, starting in February.

New Song "Get It" & Edy’s/Dreyer’s Ice Cream Promotion!
"Get It," a song from Justin Guarini’s upcoming release, has been chosen to be on a FREE CD available February thru May!

Edy's/Dreyer's Ice Cream is teaming up with 8 American Idol finalists from the past 6 seasons to offer fans one sweet deal!

When you buy 2 Slow Churned Ice Cream products you get a FREE CD compilation of some of your favorite American Idol finalists.

Look for an indoor display or on freezer doors at national & regional grocery chains near you!

Besides Justin, there will be tracks from: George Huff, Chris Richardson, Mandisa, Nadia Turner, Kimberly Caldwell, Constantine Maroulis, and Anthony Federov.




They are supposed to be shipping 1.5 million copies of this CD. Wow, that would make this a platinum album! Start making room for that ice cream!

And they're off . . .

Ironically, the first American Idol show of the seventh season is called a wrap. As in Idol Wrap, on the TV Guide Network. The show, hosted by Justin Guarini, Kimberley Caldwell and presumably Rosanna Tavarez, features highlights and probably lowlights from the auditions as well in-the-know guests who share insights and gossip about Idol. It premieres Friday, January 11, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. eastern.

But for the writers' strike, the seventh season of Idol might well have seen the beginning of a distinct downward trend in viewership. With the dropping of season two winner Ruben Studdard and season five winner Taylor Hicks from J Records, and with more rumored to come, the shine has definitely come off the hit-making machine. In fact, with the exception of Carrie Underwood, no Idol has managed to maintain sales momentum from their prior albums. As anyone who follows Idol knows, the only thing that matters is how many units you move (tm Clive Davis).

Will season seven reverse the trend? Just as they learned from the unbelievably stupid way Davis and RCA handled Justin's first album (releasing it after season two ended, on the very same day the season two finalists' singles were released for sale, with no lead single and no video support), perhaps they will learn from the relative failure of both the season five and season six top two. This year's gimmick is to let them play their own instruments during the semi-finals. Only time will tell if this gimmick ultimately pays sales dividends.

Meanwhile, enjoy the TV spectacle if you will. Starting with the Wrap this Friday.

Help Is on the Way For the Holidays IX Was a Hit!

The Help Is on the Way for the Holidays benefit concert this past weekend in San Francisco went off without a hitch and helped a great organization do even more good:

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation presented the 9th annual “Help Is on the Way for the Holidays” on Dec. 2nd at the Herbst Theatre, ringing in the holiday season with song and dance from stars of stage, screen, and TV. Half a dozen decorated trees graced the stage and twice as many poinsettias lined it, along with boughs of holly. Beneficiaries of this year’s concert were Meals of Marin and Positive Resource Center. Producers Joe Seiler and Ken Henderson announced that REAF has distributed well over $2 million to AIDS service organizations, and that all performers donated their time and talent.

Justin received high praise for his performance from the San Francisco Bay Times reviewer, Sister Dana Van Iquity:

Justin Guarini sang Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On,” with a timely plea for peace: “War is not the answer.” Guarini’s mellow falsetto was flawless.

San Francisco Bay Times

What a great addition to the holidays and to the cause of AIDs services!