American Idol

The Philosophy of Playdough

The Philosophy of Playdough

Leading up to our November 10 showcase, we'll be getting you familiar with some of our Dallas Observer Music Awards nominees, either via past features we've done on them, or new ones. You can vote for your favorite acts, venues and more right here. Check out Hunter Hauk's bonus audio interview here ... More >>

Sarah Sellers On American Idol, Damon K. Clark and the Parallels Between Music and Food

Local singer Sarah Sellers first came to my attention via Dallas jazz institution Damon K. Clark. But beyond that shining recommendation, I had no idea she'd been a contestant on American Idol, or that she had a pretty hefty series of YouTube song covers out there, reinterpreting Adele and Lana Del ... More >>

Your Music Guide To The State Fair, aka Wait, Kevin Costner Has a Band?

If only there were a venue in town where I could see UNCLE KRACKER, Rebirth Brass Band and Kevin Costner's band - WAIT, KEVIN COSTNER HAS A BAND? Well, sugars, dreams can come true. The State Fair of Texas opens today and if your appetite had not already been whet by our map to all the food matters ... More >>

Productions reliving the '80s miss the decade's dumb fun.

We Hope They Get It

Photos: Kid Rock Isn't Messing Around at SXSW

Nick RalloKid Rock was very serious about American Idol being lame.​Kid Rock doesn't seem to be a huge American Idol fan. At last night's Jim Beam Live Music Series, hosted by Mr. Rock and flowing with copious Jim Beam and coke's, he ranted against the Fox series-as he's done in the past, accord ... More >>

Tonight, Tonight: Clay Aiken at Verizon, Elizabeth Cook at Dan's, Malevolent Creation at Reno's and Parkway Drive at House of Blues

Just before the 35 Conferette gets into full swing on Thursday, we have ourselves an eventful Tuesday evening to consider. And if you're a fan of metal, country or American Idol, this is definitely the night for you.

Local News and Notes: Pitchfork Reviews Fergus & Geronimo, Stereogum Premieres New True Widow Song, Gene Simmons To Get Key to Dallas and A Local Scores on American Idol.

What with all this puppet-, 35 Conferette-, Wilco-, Starplex- and KXT-related excitement of late, we've let a few other noteworthy news items slip through the cracks. After the jump, we remedy that -- bullet-point style!

Fit For A King

Calling All Gleeks

Here For Your Entertainment

You're In College? You Like Music? You Can Write A Sentence? Then Be Our Intern, Maybe!

​Hey there, college students! Got a light course load this fall semester? Looking for a way to fill your time? Well, golly gee, do we have an offer for you!See, we're currently accepting applications for The Greatest Internship Experience Ever. Interested? Just wait till you hear the perks! With t ... More >>

Gramma Rock

Picture Show: Idol Finalists Do it Live at the American Airlines Center

Rachel ParkerCasey James, Fort Worth native, and shampoo salesman​If you're experiencing summer American Idol withdrawals, you had your chance last night to jump/scream at the best of the best on stage. The American Airlines Center hosted a big juicy chunk of the Idol favorites, including Tim Urba ... More >>

Today In Music News: Bieber Tells His Life Story, Steven Tyler May Join Idol And Derf Scratch Is Dead

Your daily dose of national music news for Tuesday, August 3, 2010...Just what the world needs right now, a Justin Bieber memoir.If Steven Tyler joins American Idol as a judge does that mean that Diane Warren will write his best lines for him?Derf Scratch from Fear has died.

The Music Hall's Dreamgirls, With Its Big Voices and Big Spectacle, Is A Big Crowd Pleaser; Circle Theatre's Something Intangible Is Smaller But Just As Loud.

Cowboys Stadium to Host, Well, Everything

You've come a long way, baby.​Cowboys Stadium hasn't yet officially celebrated its 1st birthday. Yet, by my count, the joint in Arlington has already hosted: Pro football College football High school football Pro basketball College basketball A high-school prom A high-school graduation ... More >>

Today In Music News: David Sitek Steps Out, DeWyze Isn't So Hot And Johnny Greenwood Gets Into Lists

Your daily dose of national music news for Friday, June 4, 2010...TV on the Radio's David Sitek is following in the footsteps of bandmate Kyp Malone and will release a solo record.Judging by the tepid response for new American Idol winner Lee DeWyze, maybe we're all getting a little tired of AI? I k ... More >>

The Top 10 People I Wish Failure Upon

​I've been known to be a glass-half-empty sorta guy. (Psst: I'm geniunely positive, I just like to play an a-hole in here and on 105.3 The Fan.) Last summer I wished failure upon the noggin' of one Terrell Owens. Whatdya know, he sucked in Buffalo and these days is without a job. Recently I t ... More >>

Idol Rich: The Twainy Days of Casey James

​First of all, the Idol Gives Back episode raised more than 45 million dollars for children's aid in the US and the world over. And that's pretty snazzy. Last night, only four weeks from announcing a new American Idol champ, the remaining contestants were mentored last night by someone who holds a ... More >>

Yet Another Teasing Look at FOX's Shot-in-Dallas Cop Show The Good Guys

​Still waiting on The Official Online Trailer for FOX's The Good Guys, which'll be shooting 'round town till July. But one week after we brought you the 45-second clip airing on the network, a Friend of Unfair Park sends word that a second, shorter and altogether different teaser has found its way ... More >>

National Record Store Day Celebrations

Saturday, April 17, at Good Records and Bill's Records

Clearing Out The Mailroom: Friday, April 2010

​We've got quite a backlog of CDs we've never gotten around to, so we're going to try to chip away at the pile with this regular feature. The plan: to take four or five at a time and play each CD for as long as I can stand it.Kris Allen (Conway, Arkansas)Kris AllenThe 2009 American Idol "winner" s ... More >>

Idol Rich: The NTX2 Search Their Souls

​Last night, we got to see the Top 10 taking the stage with soul and R&B hits from the likes of Chaka Khan, Aretha and domestic threat Chris Brown. Oh, and we also got to watch the weirdest backstage camera shots ever. Mmm, creepy voyeurism...Usher served as the mentor this week and somet ... More >>

Idol Rich: One North Texan in the Bottom Three

​Tim Urban was the second of the American Idol contestants to end up in the dreaded "Bottom Three" on the painfully long voting results show. It looked like Casey James might end up there too, but then it came down to him and Panhandle Texan Lacey Brown to fill the last space. The red-headed nymph ... More >>

Idol Rich: Yay for Queen and Enough With the "Hallelujah"

​I'm going to warn you, I am going to disagree with the American Idol judges today. Hard. So very hard. I realize you may not like it because you may be rooting for sweet-faced hipster-haired youngsters. But, I am not related to said youngsters and don't feel the need to support anyone who decides ... More >>

Today In Music News: Courtney Love Is The Villain Again, DeGeneres Replaces Abdul and Mars Volta Takes A Chill Pill

Your daily dose of national music news for Friday, September 11, 2009... Sooooo, Courtney Love didn't authorize the use of Kurt's likeness for Guitar Hero 5? But Activision has a agreement signed by her? Huh. Maybe she just forgot she signed it? Who's the logical choice to replace Paula Abdul on ... More >>

Apparently, Neil Patrick Harris Is at the W

​So, yeah, one of the Jonas brothers was at the W Hotel in Victory Park yesterday guest-judging American Idol's Dallas final auditions. Can't recall which one -- Joe, maybe? Nick? Gummo? Tito? Doesn't matter. But this, er, news (?) has me significantly more interested: Reports E!, Neil Patrick Har ... More >>

Today In Music News: A Mother Gets Charged, Carly Smithson Gets Fallen and The New Kids Get Economical

Your daily dose of national music news for Monday, June 22, 2009... A Minnesota mom was charged a $1.92 million dollar fine for illegally downloading songs from Kazaa. Way to go record industry--alienating record buyers is the best way to get people to buy your product. Former members of Evane ... More >>

Today In Music News: Miley Wants To Cut Loose, Jacko Needs More Practice, Lilith Fair Returns, American Idol Has A Winner

Your daily dose of national music news for Thursday, May 21, 2009... If ruining a movie you grew up loving by remaking it isn't bad enough, Miley Cyrus wants to play the role of Ariel More, the petulant and rebellious preacher's daughter, in Footloose. Michael Jackson has pushed back the start of ... More >>

Richie Whitt: Unplugged, Unmasked and Universally Apologetic

This is by far the most difficult post I've ever written. But it's time. I can continue this charade no longer. Over the past 11 months on this blog I've spewed forth a plethora of radical opinions, most of which this morning I'd like to officially denounce. I admit, most of them didn ... More >>

What's In My Closet? Brush With Greatness Edition

My career has its perks. I've sipped Mai Tais on Waikiki Beach with Troy Aikman. Shaken hands with Wayne Gretzky moments after his final NHL game. Seen - first hand - Roger Federer win at Wimbledon, Michael Johnson triumph in Atlanta and Michael Jordan sink his last shot as a Chicago Bull. And ... More >>

One Step Closer

Debbie Does Dallas

The DSO welcomes a legendary song and dance dame

Ruben Studdard Sues a Local Promoter; Wants At Least $45,000

Making a List, Checking It Twice

Wait, the Observer Has a Softball Team?

Mean Green Talent

UNT votes for its idols

Our New Favorite Local American Idols (Or Not)

Took a Shot

Radio is a Sad Salvation

Cowboy Up

We just can't quit this countrified Karaoke.

Dance Party

This Week's Day-By-Day Picks

Pop Pathology

Don't let his looks fool you: Clay Aiken's a simmering pot of trouble

Odds & Ends

Pleasant Grove needs a drummer, the Oasis of Hope needs your support,and Tom Heinl needs a cigarette

Out and About

Q Cinema shows life, love and the pursuit of happiness

Supreme Fare

Talent reigns in Dreamgirls, the '80s pop-opera about hits and heartbreak in Motown

Brush With Greatness?

Plus: Needless Things and Sack of Kittens