What’s peculiar about this decision is that her album didn’t do nearly as badly as Taylor’s, and I still say she had some upside commercially. Singles like “Love Story,” “Not Ur Girl” and “Over it” were actually very well done.

However, Katharine’s downfall in the business will probably always be that she seems a bit disinterested. She stars in her own movie, as I like to say.

Nevertheless, she’s still gorgeous and likely has a bright future ahead of her, maybe even in music still although I suspect she’ll get a chance and a break in movies at some point.

Here is the Idol performance in Season 5 that I think turned her into a star. Great, great song.

Daughtry’s self-titled album got a nomination for Best Pop/Rock album, a nomination for best adult contemporary artist and one for breakthrough artist.

While Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have excelled as solo artists, Daughtry is the first Idol alum to really earn a name for himself as part of a band. His success has been totally legitimate, and while he isn’t the leader of some indie band, garnering tons of critical acclaim, Chris’ band has earned a Bon Jovi-esque following.

For 2007, “Daughtry” was the one album everybody said, “Wow, I had no idea it would be this good.”

So, does Chris have a real shot at three wins at the AMAs, to be broadcast on Nov. 18 and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel?

Nope. I do think he’ll win one, though.

Justin Timberlake should edge Daughtry out for best pop/rock album with his “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” and Norah Jones should clip Daughtry on the adult contemporary side of things.

However, as far as breakthrough artist? That should be all Daughtry, beating out Plain White T’s and Robin Thicke, who technically has been around for years, making me wonder what the criteria are for this category.

Nevertheless, this should be the first of many awards nominations for Daughtry as he should be a shoo-in for at least a couple Grammy nominations.

From the nationalledger.com:

Mike Walker reports that the “American Idol” sweetie Kellie (Pickler) was spotted at the Puyallup Fairgrounds by a teenage boy and what was apparently his motor mouth dad. Walker reports that a source claims that pops ran up to Kellie gushing that his son’s a rabid fan who’s got every article ever written about her.Smiling, Kellie thanked the kid, told him he was just adorable – but freaked when the kid blurted that his dream come true would be losing his virginity to her! As Kellie stood shell-shocked, the dad piped cheerily: “Wouldn’t that be an honor!” Horrified Kellie grabbed her bodyguard’s arm and gasped: “Get me away from these people!” Smart move Kellie!

Truth has always been stranger than fiction, but ever since Pickler had her, uhm, surgery — methinks this won’t be her last odd proposition.

So, before we get too deep into auditions for the 2008 season, let’s spend a little time catching up on 2007’s contestants, including 17-year-old winner, Jordin Sparks.

The first single from her soon to be released CD, Jordin Sparks, called “Tattoo,” hardly got any airplay this summer and was met by tepid reviews and non-existent commercial success. Some have even questioned whether Idol producers have really gone to bat for the Arizona native like they have for previous winners.

According to mtv.com, Sparks has enlisted several producers for her first CD “including production team the Underdogs (Ne-Yo, Chris Brown); Robbie Nevil (who has worked on the “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana” soundtracks); Norwegian duo Stargate (Nas, Rihanna); Sam Watters (Diana DeGarmo, Jessica Simpson); and Eman (Nick Lachey, Katharine McPhee).”

Most notable among those is the production team, the Underdogs, and the Norwegian duo, Stargate. Some of you old enough might remember Robbie Nevil for his 1980s hit, “C’est La Vie,” but Nevil has made his mark as a producer well beyond any success he had on the radio. However, the talents of those who have worked with the likes of Ne-Yo and Chris Brown will play a bigger role in any success Sparks might have with her first release, even if her style and musical range is more complementary to that of “High School Musical” or “Hannah Montana.”

When we look at the best initial releases from previous Idol winners, namely Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, it’s clear that a lot of work went into the actual songwriting. While it’s great that Sparks has enlisted these producers, I sure would like to see who’s doing the songwriting.

Furthermore, while Idol executives might be perceived as giving Sparks less of a backing than previous winners, it might be that they’re so focused on the music for 2007’s champ that they haven’t even had time to keep her in the summer spotlight. And the summer tour for the Idol Top 10 might have played a role as well.

How this plays into future Idol seasons is also telling because Sparks has the fate of future younger performers hanging in the balance. If her CD goes over like a lead balloon, or let’s say like Taylor Hicks’ first CD, then younger contestants are likely to face stiffer criticism from the fearsome threesome of Randy, Paula and Simon.

Don’t think that’s so?

How many of you rooting for 28-year-old Melinda Doolittle last season thought she should have been supported a bit more strongly by the likes of queen-maker Simon Cowell earlier in the season? In other words, a lot about what will happen in 2008 really rests on the success Jordin Sparks has come Nov. 20, when Jordin Sparks hits stores.