Kris Allen: the 'Other Guy'

By M.K. Scott

With all the news of late centering on Adam Lambert, I had a rare opportunity to meet and interview the OFFICIAL American Idol, Kris Allen, backstage at the Idol Tour this past summer. Kris came into the backroom backstage at the Tacoma Dome wearing jeans and a tight, blue t-shirt. Allen, 24, was short and looked about 18. His cuteness was obvious.

MK: How does it feel to be the American Idol?
KA: It feels good, you know, it was good putting together the album, so that is obliviously a good thing and working on a lot of stuff.

MK: On the show, what was some of your Best Moments?
KA: Probably, the best moment would be, for me, was singing with Adam and Queen at the same time...I just loved that...I was just great time and will never forget that.

MK: Who was your favorite judge?
KA: Always, always the favorite judge question (Laughter…’Stay away from me!’), well we spent a lot of time with Paula, so she is really, really sweet and such a nice person, so I am not going to pick one, but she was really sweet and Kara was amazing and Simon is a nice guy behind the scenes and all that.

MK: So he really is nice?
KA: He’s nice, but he believes what he says on the show.

MK: So you and Adam get along really well?
KA: Oh my gosh, absolutely! (Smiling)

MK: With the recent passing of Michael Jackson, Was he an influence in your life?
KA: I don’t know anyone who is in music right now that Michael Jackson wasn’t an influence. He was the first person I really got into, I mean, my parents caught me dancing to his music as a kid. Trying to be like him, trying to moonwalk. (I wasn’t very good at that) and so he was the first tape I bought. (The ‘Dangerous’ tape) so yeah, I grew up with him and he was the number one influence in my life. Musically.

MK: Do you plan to release more albums?
KA: Oh my gosh, YES. This is just the beginning, hopefully.

MK: What previous American Idols do you hope to have the same success as?
KA: Kellie has done so well and Carrie, obviously has been amazing. Even someone like David Cook just kind of done his own thing and have played small shows for his tour, so even like him would be successful in his first year would be great.

MK: Best of Luck to you in your continued success.
KA: Thanks a lot!

Following up: Kris’ self titled-debut-album was released in mid-November and sold 80,000 copies placing him No. 11 on the charts. Adam Lambert’s controversial appearance on the AMA’s conveniently happened the night before his album was released and which debuted at No.3. Allison Iraheta’s album debuted the first week of December and the results were not available by press time: Season 9 of American Idol starts in January.

Kris' IDOL Audition

Betty Buckley with Seattle Men's Chorus: 'Memorable'!

When you think of Betty Buckley, you automatically think, ‘Memory’ from ‘CATS”. You can’t even picture her singing anything else, much less, Christmas carols!

When you think of the Seattle’s Men’s Chorus, you think large, very respected and GAY men’s chorus singing traditional with a twist of CAMP.

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night performance of Seattle Men’s Chorus’ ‘Santa Baby’ with Special Guest, Broadway Diva, Betty Buckley. Despite the fact that Buckley only appeared for the first 2 performances, the rest of the show’s multi-performances are worth seeing.

The show started with a rare backup of Benaroya Hall’s pipe organ, which I don’t remember being used at an SMC concert since 2000. The first 3 numbers (including a salute to Strauss, Wagner, Verdi and Tchaikovsky and Maurice Durufle’s ‘Gloria’ and ‘Sanctus’).

Then it moved to more Comtempory with Broadway’s ‘Downtown’ with new lyrics by Eric Lane Barnes with ‘Kidrow’ added in the place of ‘Skidrow’.

Longtime Music Director, Dennis Colemen introduced, Betty Buckley. Will she sing, ‘Memory’? No, she sang 2 Christmas carols, and left the stage.

The Act 1 finale was a showstopper with the Bollywood style,’ Bolly Jolly Holiday’.
Act 2 started with Christmas tributes to the Muppets, The Misers, Partridge Family and Star Wars created by Maddux and Barnes.

Another SMC tradition, a performance of "Silent Night" with all 250 singers signing the song.

The Act 2 Finale paid tribute to Michael Jackson with the Christmas themed ‘Thriller’.

It wasn’t over yet, National Drag sensation, Arnaldo! came out with 4 beefcake guys for a special solo performance.

Buckley, came out one last time to belt out the STRONG and EMOTIONAL, ‘Oh Holy Night’.

Just when, you thought there was no ‘Hope’, Buckley commented, “I heard I would be in trouble if I didn’t close with a particular song, She sang ‘Memory’ to a much appreciated audience. Click Here to see her perform 'Memory'