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Will New Def Jam Exec Sha Money XL Bring The G-Unit To The Label?

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow,’ he tells Mixtape Daily. By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Sway Calloway Sha Money XL Photo: MTV News Executive Decisions: Sha Money XL Queens is in the building — again. Sha Money XL has signed on to become the senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The label has had such a rich history of Queens-bred fellas in the boardroom, from its founder Russell Simmons to Irv Gotti to one of Sha’s mentors, the late Jam Master Jay. XL is excited to plant his flag in the cherished hip-hop recording house. “I’ve been floating around this industry since I’ve just been executive-producing 50 [Cent]’s albums,” XL explained Thursday at the MTV offices. “Freelancing, doing my own thing. I’ve been able to meet with L.A. Reid. We’ve been having some great conversations. Finally, the call came. It felt so good. Def Jam is such a strong company and strong roster. The staff is amazing. I felt it instantly. I knew that this is something I can do with my New York vision and New York swag and bring that for all the guys that’s based out here. And the things that was needed to excite the industry as well, internally and externally. I connect with everybody by all levels.” Sha said that after being with the G-Unit for so many years, there is no such thing as pressure to him anymore. “I work good under pressure,” he said. “Working with 50, I know what needs to get done. I don’t feel pressure. I do the things that need to be done. As long as artists listen and we really become businessmen in this business, as we say we are, I think we should all prosper. I’m looking to make the company more money and take it to the top, the highest level.” So with 50 Cent a free agent, free to bring himself and his label — which includes Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — anywhere he pleases, will Sha try to secure a spot for his longtime friends at Def Jam? “I spoke to Fif, to [his manager Chris] Lighty. I would love to see that there,” Sha admitted. “Banks has an amazing record right now, independently. If things work out, then yeah, I would love to see that happen.” If the Unit came to Def Jam, things would get interesting, to say the least. Shyne, Rick Ross, Nas and DJ Khaled, people who Fif and the Unit have had problems with through the years, are all on the roster. “I’m a businessman,” Sha Money said when asked how he would feel having the Unit in the same building with some of their adversaries. “The beef stuff, I’m over. We at a certain point in life where we don’t even need that. We eat that. So I will let them speak for their own, but honestly, I would like to see a company continue to grow. And I think G-Unit is in a position — coming from an independent space — that can continue to do their thing. I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow.” While the Unit deal is just in the talking stages now, Sha says his top priority is making sure Juelz Santana gets his LP out. XL already has his sights set on DJ Toomp to get in the lab with Juelz. This will not be the last time you hear from Mixtape Daily on Friday (April 30), we promise. On Friday evening, we will have a preview of the mixtape you are all anticipating, Jadakiss’ Gangsta Grillz Invasion: The Champ Is Here Part 3. There’s no way we could get through this week without delivering a Main Pick. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc . Related Videos Mixtape Daily: Mr. Finley, Drake

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Drake Says Jay-Z Wasn’t Immediately Sold On ‘Over’

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Jay likened the Thank Me Later single to a girl who isn’t the cutest but is still sexy. By Jayson Rodriguez Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Drake’s breakout mixtape, So Far Gone, set the bar pretty high for his upcoming debut album, Thank Me Later. His first offering, “Over,” was intensely debated, but DJs co-signed the single almost immediately. One critic, however, wasn’t as quick to deliver praise. According to Drake, Jay-Z had to warm up to the record. “I got a funny e-mail today from Jay-Z about [‘Over’],” Drake said during a conference call for DJs . The Toronto lyricist said Jay offered an analogy to describe the way the track grew on him. He compared the song to “the girl you see at the club, she’s not the cutest,” Drake explained. “But then you speak to her and realize that she’s one of the sexiest women of all time.” Drake premiered his follow-up to “Over” early Thursday morning (April 29), the Kanye West-produced “Find Your Love.” He recently shot a video for the track in Jamaica, and images from the set have leaked online. Two other Thank Me Later tracks, “Fireworks” and “Shut It Down” (featuring The-Dream), have sprung up online. Drake also revealed during the call that he might have a bonus track on his debut album featuring Lupe Fiasco and upstart MC J. Cole. “I think that would be a special moment for hip-hop fans,” he said, before adding a joke. “For people that are disappointed when I drop songs like ‘Find Your Love,’ I think they would appreciate that. Hopefully they’re both willing.” Do you want to hear Drake’s collabo with Lupe and J. Cole? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Drake Jay-Z

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Courtney Love Tries To Ignore Billy Corgan’s ‘Spazzing’

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I don’t feel like having the rock-star fight,’ she tells MTV News of Smashing Pumpkins frontman Twitter attack. By James Montgomery Courtney Love Photo: MTV News During her appearance earlier this week on the “Late Show With David Letterman,” Courtney Love made it abundantly clear that she’s a changed woman. Speaking frankly, Love opened up about her battles with drugs, her (very public) outbursts and her stints in rehab. It would appear that, along with a brand-new Hole album — the snarling-yet-strangely sensitive Nobody’s Daughter hit stores earlier this week — she also has a new outlook on life. As if to prove it, the singer is brushing aside online barbs lobbed at her by Billy Corgan. See, on the same day she appeared on Letterman’s show, Corgan — Love’s onetime flame and frequent collaborator — launched an all-out Twitter attack on her. Corgan accused her of stealing songs he wrote, advised her to “go … live off your husband’s money” and, to top it all, brought into the fray Love’s relationship with her daughter, Frances Bean Cobain , of whom she lost guardianship earlier this year. Had this happened just a year ago, Love probably would have raged mightily. Instead, she offered only a few, relatively demure Twitter replies and then moved on with her life. This is, after all, the new Courtney Love. “I don’t know what he’s spazzing about. It’s just so strange,” Love told MTV News on Thursday (April 29). “I’m trying to just be Teflon about it. … He did it last time [Love released an album, 2004’s solo America’s Sweetheart ]. and it’s nothing new, and it’s not an accident, I think, that he did it on the day of release [of Nobody’s Daughter ]. And then he went after the kid, and it was like, ‘Dude, man, that’s creepy.’ I just find that creepy. “He’s always been really obsessed with his place in the drama with Kurt [Cobain] and me, and yet, he doesn’t really have a place,” Love continued. “Even though I respect Billy sonically, and as a talent, Kurt didn’t. So when he titled a record Pisces Iscariot in the ’90s, it really cheesed me off. Because he was referring to his star sign and Kurt’s star sign and that he had somehow had something to do with something in our marriage, when our marriage, for what it was — very short and brief — [it was] pretty flawless.” Although she appeared to be finished, Love paused for a second and then went on about Corgan. This time, she got a few jabs in. She is, after all, still Courtney Love. “I’ve never seen anyone so talented, so f—ing talented, blow their mojo [the way Corgan has]. Maybe it’s because he has all the money. He got all the money. He is so rich. He’s, like, Oprah-rich. … He invested really well,” she laughed. “I can’t really theorize on it, other than to say I don’t understand. … I don’t know what his problem is, but when you bring in my kid, that just pisses me off. But I don’t feel like having the rock-star fight. People are like, ‘Watch Courtney and Billy fight!’ No, I’m not fighting.” Not anymore, at least. What do you think of Courtney taking the high road in her feud with Billy Corgan? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Courtney Love Billy Corgan

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Bret Michaels’ Sister Says ‘Things Are Definitely Looking Up’

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He’s not by any means out of the woods, but he is getting better every day,’ Michelle Sychak tells a radio show. By Gil Kaufman Bret Michaels Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images Recovery from the kind of brain injury suffered by Poison singer Bret Michaels requires patience and very careful monitoring. And according to his sister, the rocker is making slow but steady progress. “He’s doing good,” said sibling Michelle Sychak in an interview with the Omaha, Nebraska-based “Todd N Tyler Radio Empire” morning-radio show on Wednesday. Michelle said her brother’s speech was good, considering the seriousness of the brain hemorrhage he suffered last Thursday. “Things are definitely looking up. … He sounded good — as good as you can when your brain’s throbbing,” she said. “He seems very coherent to me and like he knew what he was saying. … [He] does sound like Bret. Truth be told, I think he’ll outlive us all.” She spoke to him recently and said, though he’s stable, her brother is still in the intensive care unit. Earlier reports indicated that Michaels was suffering from slow or slurred speech as a result of the buildup of blood at the base of his brain. He continues to be hospitalized at an unnamed clinic in the intensive care unit. “He’s doing good,” she said. “He’s not by any means out of the woods, but he is getting better every day.” She said the fact that Michaels lived through the initial rupture was “a miracle in itself. I’ve never known anyone that dodged so many bullets in their life, both figuratively and literally.” Despite speculation that a staging mishap that resulted in Michaels being hit by a curtain at the 2009 Tony Awards might have caused the injury, she said doctors may never know what caused the rupture. The news came a day after Michaels’ road manager, Janna Elias, posted a note on the rocker’s website indicating that, “Provided there are no further complications or setbacks,” Michaels, 47, could be back out on the road in time for a May 26 date in Fort Smith, Arkansas. “I think good news is around the corner,” she said. “Even though yesterday was a minor setback, doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday,” Elias wrote, referring to a not uncommon side effect of the brain hemorrhage called hyponatremia , a lack of sodium in the body that can lead to seizures. Doctors told Michaels he “is very lucky, as his condition could have been fatal,” she wrote. “With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months,” she said. Share your well-wishes for Bret Michaels in the comments below. Related Videos The Poison And Bret Michaels Video Playlist Related Photos Bret Michaels’ Career In Photos Related Artists Bret Michaels Poison

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Rick Ross Explains Why He Wanted Diddy To Manage Him

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘The experience and the knowledge that Diddy possesses is priceless,’ he tells MTV News. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Kelly Marino Rick Ross Photo: MTV News Rick Ross said a night of hanging out with Diddy and the Ciroc Boys inspired the opening lines of his “Super High” record : “From my n—a Diddy view, I think I see his vision too/ ‘Purple Rain,’ over Central Park, chillin’ with my goons.” Ross, Diddy and a few friends were watching Prince’s “Purple Rain” in the mogul’s New York penthouse when he was inspired to write the lyrics. Ross’ friendship with the founder of Bad Boy Records blossomed into a business relationship. Diddy is now a part of the Bawse’s management team. “The experience and the knowledge that Diddy possesses is priceless,” Ross explained on the set of his upcoming video for “Super High.” “The relationships that he’s accumulated over the last 20 years is priceless for a young artist such as myself. We developed a mutual friendship. We just stayed in contact. I was calling him for advice anyway. He was doing it for free: ‘What you think about that, homey? Help me get this, homey. I need to meet for the Waka Flocka video, homey.’ He was doing so many different things for me on that level.” Ross said since he has officially aligned with Diddy, he has put a few things on the agenda. “I expressed my interest in developing and designing my own clothing label,” Ricky Ros

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Eminem Says Recovery Will Not Have Skits

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MC also tells Shade 45 about Recovery LP, collaborators. By Shaheem Reid Eminem Photo: Nigel Parry Eminem has said that when he opened up his planned album Relapse 2 to a variety of producers, he was inspired to not just change the direction of the LP, but rethink the project completely: He buried the Relapse sequel and started working on Recovery , which will be out on June 22. “I kinda went back to the lab on that whole concept,” Em told radio personality Angela Yee on her Shade 45 show “The Morning After,” on Thursday (April 29). “As I started getting to work with different producers and sh–, the very sound changed and I kinda turned the corner.” Em rattled off an impressive array of trackmasters that he secured for Recovery, including Dr. Dre, DJ Khalil, Boi-1da — who produced the album’s first single, “Not Afraid,” which debuted Thursday — and Havoc from Mobb Deep. “He sent me a couple of tracks,” Em, a huge Mobb Deep fan, said of Havoc. “They were both cool, but one of them was that sh– and I had to do something to it. I’m just happy I got to work with him.” Jim Jonsin (T.I., Lil Wayne) also worked on the LP. “He was open to ideas,” Jonsin told Mixtape Daily . “He was real respectful to my craft. He let me do what I do. He asked me ideas on some of the lyrics. We had ideas for lyric changes. Certain words may or may not work on radio. We talked about that. He had a setup outside of the room to do production, but I’d rather be in the room where he was at, and he was cool with that. And I knocked out a couple of joints in there while he was in there with me. He was pretty open and he let me do my thing. He did his thing. It was a pretty good experience. “We touched on something that I haven’t done anything like that before,” Jonsin added. “It’s unique in a way for myself. It’s a place I’ve been wanting to go, and I’m so happy he allowed it to go down. He played a huge part in the record. Without him on it, it’s not the same. I don’t wanna give up too much about what it is and what direction.” Slim Shady told Yee that Recovery is diverse and doesn’t have a uniform sound. “There’s a variety of different things, different moods and things like that on there,” he said of the LP. “There’s not just one overall sound. It’s a bunch of different sh–.” Another surprise Em dropped about the album: for the first time, he will not have any skits. The often-hilarious segments had become a hallmark of a Slim Shady’s albums. What do you think Eminem’s Recovery LP will be like? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Eminem

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Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Flirt With Same Girl In ‘Eeenie Meenie’ Video

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The two singers get played at a pool party in the Hollywood Hills. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber in his “Eenie Meenie” video Photo: Island, RBMG A pool party in the Hollywood Hills. If this were “The Hills,” trouble would certainly break out at some point, and someone would end up in tears. But this isn’t reality TV, it’s the new music video for the Sean Kingston/ Justin Bieber collaboration “Eenie Meenie,” and it’s the place for a young lady to play both Bieber and Kingston. Not cool. Here’s the play-by-play: While Kingston and the lady in question are flirting out on the deck, Bieber is chilling inside. But, wait — there she is flirting with Bieber while Kingston is hanging out, wondering where she went. The fickle girl eventually leaves Bieber to chill with Kingston, and then — boom — there she is with Bieber again. And, well you get it. Of course, the “eenie-meenie-miny-moe lover” eventually gets caught. While she’s chatting up Kingston, along comes Bieber, and her game is blown. The dudes are cool with it. Well, they’re not cool with her playing them, but they seem to remain friends despite both going for the same girl. It’s her fault, anyway. How does it all end? The way you kind of expect it would, with each of the guys finding new girls, obviously. Kingston recently explained how he came to work with the chart-topping pop star. “I met Justin about two years ago, before he was the teenage phenom that he is now,” he said. “I don’t really have that same chemistry with some celebrities. God just made it happen.” What do you think of Sean and Justin’s new video? Share your reviews in the comments below. Related Artists Justin Bieber Sean Kingston

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Eminem Calls Relapse ‘Ehh’ In New Song, ‘Not Afraid’

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Let’s be honest, that last Relapse CD was ehh, ‘ Em raps on lead single from Recovery. By Shaheem Reid Eminem Photo: Chelsea Lauren/ Getty Images Eminem unveiled “Not Afraid,” the first single from his forthcoming Recovery album , on Thursday morning (April 29), and the track is a strong departure from the usual lead cuts Slim Shady delivers: There are no jabs at pop-culture icons, no jovial goofballing. Mr. Mathers is reflective and remorseful over the Boi-1da-produced track. “It’s been a ride, I guess I had to go to that place to get to this one. Some of you might still be in that place. If you trying to get out, follow me,” he says, talking at the beginning of the track. As the raps starts to kick in, Em threatens to “tear down” those who looked down on him. “You can try to read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay ’em/ But you won’t take the sting out these words before I say ’em. “I’m not afraid/ To take a stand,” he continues on the chorus. “Everybody come take my hand/ We’ll walk this road together through the storm/ Whatever weather come the war/ Just letting you know that you’re not alone/ Holla if you feel been down the same road.” On the second verse, Em admits to some artistic missteps and declares that his last album, Relapse, was a bit of letdown. “To the fans, I never let you down again, I’m back/ I promise to never go back on that promise,” the MC says in the song’s second verse. “In fact, let’s be honest/ That last Relapse CD was ehh / Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/ Relax, I ain’t going to do that now.” Later in the verse, Em talks about his personal struggles. “But I think I’m still trying to figure this crap out/ Thought I had it mapped out, but I guess I didn’t/ It’s time to exorcise these demons / These muthaf—as are doing jumping jacks now.” As the song comes to a close, Em says he doesn’t want any more drama and wants to focus on raising his family. “I can’t just keep living this way,” he sings. “So starting today, I’m breaking out of this cage / I’m standing up, I’mma face my demons/ I’m manning up, I’mma hold my ground/ I’ve had enough, I’m so fed up/ Time to put my life back together right now.” Recovery is slated for a June 22 release. What do you think of Eminem’s “Not Afraid”? What do you think of his lyric about Relapse ? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Eminem

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‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds: Shania Twain Gives The Boys A Boost

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Siobhan Magnus and Crystal Bowersox struggle on country week. By Jim Cantiello The “American Idol” top 6 with Shania Twain Photo: FOX This week, the top six had to sing Shania Twain songs, but the contestants were completely upstaged by Shania herself, who displayed a perfect blend of characteristics from all the “Idol” judges. She had Simon’s sharp insight, Paula’s sweetness, Kara’s songwriting chops and Randy’s passion for peculiar cardigans. Plus, it was so nice of Shania to bring along the woman who takes care of her horses. (Seriously, who was that expressive lady sitting next to Shania all night? She should sit next to every guest mentor from now on.) Ironically, when it came time to sing the Shania Twain songbook, the guys fared better than the two remaining women. Casey James got serious (and seriously good) with “Don’t!,” Aaron Kelly turned a song about making love into a tender tribute to his mama, and Lee Dewyze sang “You’re Still the One” softly UNTIL HE SHOUTED THE CHORUS. (Nothing says “I love you” like an aching eardrum.) Meanwhile, Michael Lynche’s “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” garnered raves from the judges and tears from Shania. (And with the way the exchange rate is going now, Canadian tears are worth about the same as American tears. So good job, Big Mike!) Unfortunately, the remaining ladies struggled with the country sound. Siobhan Magnus sang/shrieked “Any Man of Mine” while high-fiving audience members, and Crystal Bowersox hid behind a bluegrass band … except when it came time to air her dirty laundry out on live television. You see, her custom T-shirt-wearing, no-good boyfriend is dragging his feet when the word “marriage” comes up. (Cue “Single Ladies!”) Bummer that the backstory was far more engaging (no pun intended) than her throwaway performance. (The song had something to do with cupid. And being stupid.) The lesson is that Crystal can’t do everything, like making bluegrass cool and receiving criticism gracefully. On a “jam-packed” results show, Rascal Flatts performed their new single “All Our Songs Sound the Same (So Why Bother With a Title?).” Carrie Underwood pimped out her buddies Sons of Sylvia (formerly the Clark Brothers, formerly the Great American Band, formerly Hey Record Label Execs, You Can Change the Name of the Group All You Want But America Still Won’t Give a Crap). Then 19 Entertainment continued their frustrating habit of taking a perfectly good solo song and forcing it to be a duet for no reason whatsoever by making Shakira perform “Gypsy” with Gary LeVox. (To quote the Mighty Bowersox, “Bigger isn’t always better.”) Highlighting the fact that “Gypsy: The Duet” was pointless, Lady Antebellum showed up to sing an actual duet, their irresistible hit “Need You Now.” Four musical performances, an extended promo for “Shrek Forever After” and a vampire-themed Ford commercial later, the bottom three were revealed. Big Mike sat first, leaving Siobhan and Casey on the chopping block. Ultimately the Glassblower joined the elite club of People Who Had the Pimp Spot and Were Sent Home Anyway (chairwoman: Lilly Scott). Her farewell was pretty shocking and emotional, but let’s look at the bright side: At least her elimination caused a cameraman to run up to Casey James’ mother’s face, giving us a sassy reaction shot that was more entertaining than 99 percent of this season of “Idol.” If only we could vote for Mama Casey. Next week the top five will do Sinatra songs with the king of Sinatra impressions, Harry Connick, Jr. I wonder if he’ll bring his gun to rehearsals. Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season Nine Performances Related Artists Shania Twain

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Sons Of Sylvia Make Splash In ‘American Idol’ Debut

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Love Left to Lose’ brotherly trio grew up on the road with preacher parents. By Gil Kaufman Sons of Sylvia’s Ashley Clark performs on “American Idol” Wednesday Photo: FOX They’ve been jamming together their whole lives, though they never really heard secular music until they left home. They grew up on the road with their itinerant preacher parents, playing worship tunes before forming a brotherly trio and switching from the sacred to the (slightly more) profane. Kings of Leon, right? No, actually, Sons of Sylvia . The Virginia-bred Clark brothers — lead singer/fiddler Ashley, guitarist/mandolin player Adam and resonator guitarist Austin — had their major coming-out party on Wednesday night’s “American Idol” results show, but the trio has been prepping for their turn in the spotlight for more than three years. Introduced by longtime pal Carrie Underwood, the band performed their country rock anthem “Love Left to Lose,” and after a show that featured such stars as Rascal Flatts, Shakira and Lady Antebellum, on Thursday morning (April 29) it was Sons of Sylvia who were among the most searched topics on the Internet. “A lot of people don’t know who we are,” said youngest Clark brother Austin, 26, on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the pre-taped performance aired. He said he hoped that the world would be interested in the band come Thursday morning and that new fans would run out and buy the boys’ just-released debut, Revelation. “I hope so,” he said from a West Virginia tour date opening for Underwood. “I’m just taking it one day at a time. I don’t know what to expect. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m freaked out. I love it.” After the dissolution of their family band the Clark Family Experience in 2007, the trio — who have eight other siblings — rebranded themselves the Clark Brothers and quickly went on to win the first and only season of the “Idol” spin-off “The Next Great American Band.” The win earned them a recording contract with Universal South Records (they later switched to Interscope and changed their name) and a management deal with 19 Entertainment, but it would be several more years before they got their break. Longtime pals with Underwood, they performed on the song “What Can I Say” from her third album, Play On, and toured with her soon after her win on the fourth season of “Idol.” They also toured with SHeDaisy and logged time working on tracks for Southern rapper Bubba Sparxxx. But years after Ashley shared what Austin called a “really crappy” apartment in Nashville with the Clarks’ second cousin, then unknown songwriter leader Ryan Tedder, the new superstar OneRepublic leader returned the favor by co-writing and producing “Love Left to Lose,” helping to boost them into the spotlight. After pushing aside some of the more bluegrass-leaning aspects of their sound in favor of a more expansive, anthemic rock sound on the album, Austin said the group decided a name change was in order. “From the point of winning the show and making the record, we evolved so much,” he said. “We were just a three-piece acoustic band on the show and when we got to do what we wanted in the studio it evolved so much that we felt it was right to change the name.” Like KOL — who, it’s worth noting, the Clark boys know after traveling in the same preacher kid circles as youngsters — the Clarks decided to pay homage to a formative figure with their new name. “Yeah, it’s our mother’s name,” said Austin proudly. “We wanted to do something nice for her. She had 11 kids, so they’re angels!” Both of their parents had a formative influence on their musical upbringing. Dad Fredrick taught them how to play instruments and mom was a church singer, but Austin said the siblings really developed their musical chops by backing up their folks in church and picking up licks from professional pickers while playing bluegrass festivals as kids. After their parents kept them away from rock and roll when they were kids, Austin described discovering the Beatles and Rolling Stones when he left home as “like coming out of the stone age.” It’s been a long road, but for now he’s just basking in the glow of the “Idol” exposure and looking forward to being on the road with Underwood through December. “We’re brothers and I’ve been doing this since I was born,” he said. “If not on the stage, then sitting on the couch at home just trading licks. … It feels like a childhood dream as far as: start a band, get a record out and being on tour. All of this is actually happening. I wake up every day baffled.” Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season Nine Performances Related Artists Sons Of Sylvia

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