Rascal Flatts - "Here Comes Goodbye" - Music Video Premiere

Here's the official music video of Rascal Flatts new single "Here Comes Goodbye". The lyrics were penned by our very own Chris Sligh:

Rascal Flatts - Here Comes Goodbye - Official Video

Chris Sligh Gives Advice to The Next Top 24!

Chris Sligh has posted a letter to the Top 24 on his blog. I am posting the letter below verbatim because it seems as if Chris wants us to. Thank you Chris for giving us regular folk an insight into the American Idol experience that would have otherwise been impossible to ever have!

Dear contestants,

Since I was 10th place last year, it's doubtful I'll be a featured guest on Idol this year. So, hopefully, this will get syndicated to several Idol websites, so that you can read it, since I know, like I did last year, you're all reading all the websites, just waiting with great anticipation for the first mentions of your names! So, here we go...

In a week or so, the show will start and one by one, your auditions will be shown and people will start fan clubs for you and everyone in America will have a vague recognition of who you are. People will begin to ask you to sign autographs in your hometown; when you fly out to L.A. again and again, in airports, people will stop and stare and whisper and ask you for autographs; people will screech to a halt on La Cienega, get out of their cars and ask for your autograph; you will have people buy you free meals Soak it in, enjoy it, and make sure to journal so that you never forget all the things that happened. These will be, for many of you, the highlight of your lives and careers.

However on the other side, don't let it go to your head. Unwittingly, I allowed myself to buy into the hype. I don't think I was the typical butthole, I still cared about people and wanted to do right by people back home and my band...but I bought into the hype and my head grew and that is my greatest regret, especially since I have a large cranium to begin with. Don't leave this experience with any regret, certainly not that one. Be confident, be in control of your career and your life, but do NOT allow yourself to think of yourself as anyone or anything other than what you were before this experience...you were a wanna-be and still are. Even if you win, you are still a wanna-be. Two of the most humble people I've ever met are Carrie and Kelly...for all their success, for their winning, still act as the people they were when they started. That's the attitude America will fall in love with long-term. It's the attitude you should try to cultivate in yourself.

On the realistic side, 14 of you will not make the tour. 4 of you will be gone the first week America votes for you. And, the way the competition works, only one of you will win. Please read the next few lines and take them to heart:

The position you go out on is not indicative of your talent; it is not indicative of your like-ability...all that it means is how well you and your character worked on a tv show. The most talented person doesn't win every year, and neither does the best singer. If you go home the first week, treasure the experience and continue to plug away. I promise life will be more meaningful that way. Do not by any means second guess and become bitter. American Idol is an experience that only 168 people (plus your 24) thus far have been able to enjoy at the level you're at now. Take that and put it in your hat...of the nearly 600,000 people who have auditioned, you are part of less that 200!

Song choice is key. Do not make the mistake I made. I specifically chose songs that no one knew because I wanted to be the anti-Idol. Be yourself, but pick some freaking songs that people can sing along with. I've realized that's why people watch the show in the first place...they want to hear someone who isn't polished sing a song they like and can sing along with. Oh, and they watch to hear Randy say dawg alot, to see Paula act loopy and to hear Simon's crap. But they like to sing along, too.

Play the politics. You will know what I mean soon. Play the politics. But do NOT become political.

Make these people your best friends in the world. Sure, they are competition, but they are also people. People always come before everything else. Make sure you act in a way that, even if you are the winner, allows you to remain friends with people who you beat out. My season's cast were all close to each other because all of us had the mentality of people coming first. We helped each other with song choice (Blake helped me feel comfortable with picking Typical, I helped him pick Somewhere Only We Know, I originally had picked the Jamiroquai song, but gave it to Blake because I thought he would do it better, I helped Phil pick out some of his songs, Phil helped Blake country week, Melinda helped Jordin) we all looked out for each other, and as the production crew will tell you, it was the most fun a cast had had. Have the same year we had! Have fun, enjoy each other. People before competition. Always.

Love your vocal coaches. Byrd and Dorian are the best. And Michael O. and Matt are incredible accompanist. Make sure you show your love to them...they will make you better. I promise.

Nigel and Ken are on your sides. It may not seem like it at times, but they are trying to look out for you. Sometimes they will do stuff that will be maddening for you, but look at it like parents...they are simply trying to help you make good decisions. And let them know how much you appreciate them allowing you to be part of the show.

When it comes to the judges, remember they are trying to get people to watch the show. However, as the judges said on Oprah last year, they watch dress rehearsal because they can't hear in the performance. So, now that you know that, make sure your dress rehearsal kicks butt! Normally, Randy is pretty on. Paula is so sweet that it's hard to get made at what she says. Whenever Simon speaks, just block him out. He's saying what he says for ratings. Both ways, good or bad, throw Simon's stuff out. You don't need it. Look more at Randy for the real stuff.

Finally, be in control of your careers. American Idol was made to create careers in music. And not just for the winners. Being in the top 10 can be a launchpad for anyone. Look at our season and season 5...you can be successful. But, remember, this is YOUR career. Research, research, research. Find out what is going to be the best decision for your career. You don't need a major label to make a career. But you might want a major label. It all depends. Just be in control and do not believe everything 19 tells you. Remember that 19 is a business and they are looking out for number one...but if you make the top 10, they are also going to take great care of you. Walk the fine line of loving them and being wary of them.

To end, simply enjoy this...it will be the best experience of your lives!

Peace and love,
Chris Sligh

Top 10 Favorite American Idol Performances of 2007

I am sure I will ruffle some feathers with this one! It's unconventional I admit.

This was really tough. My goal was to find the most memorable performances in a season that was a bit lackluster overall. Maybe it wasn’t the contestants fault? Maybe it was a result of too much focus on the mentors? Either way, here are MY favorite performances...starting it off at 10:

10) Sanjaya Malakar – Audition:
I was a big fan of Sanjayas’ in the beginning. He was the kind of contestant we all love. Big potential, shy, great smile! OK it didn’t work out like we expected, but I still loved his audition!



9) Sundance Head – Audition:
Sundance not making the Top 12 was one of the first things wrong with Season 6. His song selections during the Top 24 weren’t great, and his nerves seemed to get the best of him, but come on America! Big mistake letting him fall away to lesser vocalists. This is a singing competition after all!



8) Blake Lewis – You Give Love a Bad Name:
I was never really a fan of Blake’s vocals, but I loved how he contemporized this song. He took a huge risk on this one and it paid off!



7) Taylor Hicks – Finale – Heaven Knows:
Taylor was an early favorite of mine in AI5, but lost some luster for me during the competition, and in the end was not my favorite to win. However, when he came out during this years finale it occurred to me how mediocre this season had been compared to Season 5. His “whiskey tenor” was in great vocal voice! In my opinion, we did not have one single guy this year whose vocals were even close to the depth of either Taylor or Elliott from Season 5.



6) Jordin Sparks – Final 2 - Broken Wing:
A flawless vocal. This performance during the Final Two was even better than the first time she performed it.



5) Hollywood – Chris Sligh, Blake Lewis, Rudy Cardenas, Tom Lowe:
You throw four guys together, a little older than many of the contestants, with professional experience performing in bands and you get THIS in Hollywood. It was a show-stopper!



4) Melinda Doolittle – My Funny Valentine:
I loved this song when Constantine performed it in Season 4. Melinda’s version had a completely different feel. After it was all said and done, this remained my favorite performance of hers.



3) Chris Sligh – Audition – Kiss From a Rose:
I had the same reaction to Chris’ audition as Paula. He gave me goosebumps and he had so much potential, but unfortunately he never quite lived up to it. At least not in the context of this show. He was definitely my favorite going into this year.



2) Jordin Sparks – I Who Have Nothing:
This performance I believe put Jordin in the drivers seat for Season 6. It became her competition to lose. This was the season of the ladies and Jordin showed us the most growth, and this was her turning point for me!



1) Jordin Sparks – This Is My Now:
This is what it’s all about isn’t it? Changing someones life forever? It is for me. I admit it's a bit cheesy. Jordin made it through this song with so much emotion, after winning, it still brings me to tears!



Thoughts?

Chris Sligh Nominated - Best Celebrity Blogger

Chris Sligh's blog frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com has been nominated for a 2008 Bloggers Choice Award!

Whether you are a fan or not, Chris Sligh gave all of us, through his blog, insight into the American Idol process like we have never seen before. For that alone he gets my vote! If you haven't visited his blog I would highly recommend it. He took a little hiatus during the tour, but he is back up and running. His recent posts have chronicled his selection of a label and a record contract. It's really fascinating to feel this close to the process.

Best of luck Chris and keep blogging!

You can vote and show your support here.

Chris Sligh - Half Past Forever - Know

UPDATE: The cd from Chris' band "Half Past Forever" is up to #26 on AMAZON!

So Long, Chris...

Chris Sligh came into this competition with more buzz than anybody else, and it's sad to see him go. Chris blew us away with his audition of "Kiss From A Rose", and his humor and wit. He never quite lived up to that audition, but I believed he would have given some more time. I was hoping he would survive this week and pick a ballad with Tony Bennett as his mentor. He just needed to SLOW down his singing pace and let America see his talent. I still think Chris had the best pipes of the remaining Guys in the competition. Unfortunately his nerves got the better of him.

Anyway...I am happy he made the tour. Those who go to see it will be in for a treat. Chris's band "Half Past Forever" recorded a CD "Take A Chance On Something Beautiful" prior to his Idol experience and I've read it's really good. This morning it ranks as #96 in music on Amazon. Check it out, I am going to.

I will update with some exit interviews later. You haven't heard the last from me on Chris Sligh!

Chris's blog is back up...amazing...that is fast! Check it out.. http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com/

Chris Sligh - Everything Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Good vocals by Chris, one of his best I thought...but he really gets ahead of the band...and he is not getting any better at his performance skills. Having read some of Chris's blog regarding his Idol experience before Fox pulled it, he has a really hard time learing new songs. That is probably what is hurting him.

Chirs Sligh - She's Not There

Chris has a great voice and he showed it well. He's getting better and more confident in my book! Still has a little ways to go...

Chris Sligh - Endless Love

I thought that was OK, but I am still waiting for Chris to be as good as his audition?