2. The Guidelines that you’ve created certainly seem reasonable and fair although I have to say that I don’t think I’ve seen any of them violated in the time that I’ve been here which leaves me wondering if I’m missing something. Should I not comment anymore? What if I’m violating the guidelines unintentionally? Suddenly I feel the need to edit myself more carefully but I’m not exactly sure what to edit.

3. I think that having a forum for fans to talk about the AI tour and to possibly meet up is a wonderful idea! When my husband and I show up to the Portland, Oregon concert we’d love to meet up with other plaid clad Blake Fans!

4. Living in the Pacific Northwest I am especially interested in learning more about the NW bands that Blake has been affiliated with. My hubby and I are looking forward to expanding our musical horizens and to attending more concerts! First on our list is ASD!

Thanks again, Team Plaid!

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Blake on The View (without Rosie, lol)…I’ll be thinking about it all day long during clinicals, I’m sure!

How about that pic! Blake knows how to make clothes look good! :-D Gotta love that kid’s smile and how happy he seems to be all the time. I just hope he’s getting plenty of sleep cause it’s gonna catch up to him soon if he isn’t! lol

Thanks for all your hard work, Team Plaid Bloggers!

No one has violated any guidelines (couldn’t have, since they weren’t set in stone til yesterday anyway. ). But this is the time of year when things DO start getting a little crazy in the AI and contestant fandoms, so we want to make sure to have them in place for the future. :)

ETA: I felt the need to add this because I actually HAVE seen a couple of posts that tell people that they aren’t “true fans” because of something critical they’ve said. None of the REGULAR posters said it, but it’s been there. I didn’t delete them because we didn’t have the guidelines in place at the time. But as a general rule of thumb, I think we all need to remember that this is not a puppies and rainbows site. Blake himself is not all puppies and rainbows - he’s human. I think sometimes fans in EVERY fanbase immortalize these AI contestants and think that everything they do is OMG so wonderful, when that’s just not the case. And criticism of a contestant is taken personally, when it’s not meant that way - it’s criticism of the contestant. It’s inevitable every season that this will happen, so I kind of just wanted to nip it in the bud before it really got started here. :)

3. Stay on the topic of the blog entry you’re responding to. In “Updates” and “News” entries, this will be more lenient, but please don’t post about what Blake ate for breakfast or who he’s been seen canoodling with in a spotlighting thread in particular.

What if you found out some really cool information, but it deviates from the topic of the day. If I go back to the last update or news entries will people see it. How do I alert people to the information without being off topic?

Basically that guideline is about the music threads. I may need to reword it. We’re going to try to have an update or news entry every other post or so… So don’t worry, we’re still going to have plenty of regular threads, it’s not going to ALL just be spotlighting threads. And feel free to post whatever in those threads, as long as it doesn’t get TOO off-topic. :)

There’s just not much news right now. It should pick up soon. :)

This is such a great place to be. Thank you *so much* for keeping it running smoothly, and giving us a place to really discuss what’s going on. I can fangirl with the best of ‘em on LJ but Team Plaid is an oasis of good stuff in the middle of lots of not-so-useful stuff. Let’s keep it that way!

Thanks for the picture and link, too. Looks like our boy is having fun! He seems like a sweet kid. Goofy, yeah… and human… but sweet. I wish him all the best and for every dream to come true for him.

Oh… check out KJ Sawka’s album, with three tracks featuring Blake! It’s available on iTunes. I got it last night. It’s very trippy. KJ’s strong, quick drum beats will amaze. If you’re a fan of Blake’s trancy, melodic “yeah”-ing and “oooh”-ing (there’s lots of it) then you’ll love this album.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=251841389&s=143441
So yeah… the Blake got my attention but the KJ is a keeper!

I hope someone went to the View taping today and can bring back stories! Or pics! Or both!

I know there were some additional dates added at the last minute (like the last show in Manchester on 9/23), but I don’t know if I added all of those dates or not. I’m double-checking everything. :)

Anyway, Blake is probably taping The View right now. I can’t wait until Thursday. Hopefully, I will have a chance to see the whole show and not just clips.

Some interesting Blakeisms: he doesn’t say that a girl is “hot” or “gorgeous” or “smokin’”. He always says “beautiful.” It’s just sweet, and a more respectful, I think. Also, he says, “Oh my gosh.” Again, more respectful. I like that.

So the guys are going to have a band, eh? Can’t wait for that! Blake sorta blew that surprise!

Not sure what to copy/paste here (if anything) so there’s the link :D

Hmm. That was a weird interview.

Wow. Blake is the picture of cool in that interview.

Okay, Karen & jenlar, you gotta help me out here. WHAT INTERVIEW?! It sounds like a good one so I’d love it if you’d clue me in on where to find it!

So yeah… the Blake got my attention but the KJ is a keeper!

Agreed! Love KJ Sawka and the ASD sound!

There’s another radio interview from OutQ on Sirius from earlier today. I’m listening now. Apparently the interview is pretty basic, but the interviewers are pretty mean after he leaves. You can get a copy at Blake Lewis Media:
http://www.blakelewismedia.com/index.php?showtopic=148 (just right click on the filename & save on your computer)

Oh! Pics of Blake & Chris at the John Mayer show. In one picture you can sort of see the ink on his back, through his shirt. Inquiring minds, ya know.
http://community.livejournal.com/theblakergirls/325624.html?view=5292536#t5292536

Some interesting Blakeisms: he doesn’t say that a girl is “hot” or “gorgeous” or “smokin’”. He always says “beautiful.” It’s just sweet, and a more respectful, I think. Also, he says, “Oh my gosh.” Again, more respectful. I like that.

You are so right. He says they are good looking or beautiful. He is so nice. I love him for it. The live journal chat said he kissed the ladies hands too. He does that a lot. He is such a gentlman . . .with tatoos. LOL. Also, remember these manners are from good parenting. So if you have a chance go over to the Blaker Girls’ Myspace page and leave a father’s day note for Dallas (Blake’s Dad).

The View:
OMG. SOWK!! *eep* I love when he sings this song. Its great. Also, the LJ report says that Elizabeth wore her Blaker Girl Shirt and got all Fan-Girly. I knew Elizabeth would represent us Blakers. I am so happy he went on The View.

With regards to the OutQ on Sirius interview (thanks again, jenlar. I think I already mentioned that you ROCK!) Blake sounded a bit bored and I think the interviewers are right that he has to stick to the party line - “Buy tickets”. I’ve found myself wondering about his lack of energy on several radio interviews and I really do think it’s due to just having to “DO PRESS”. He’s not getting the opportunity to play and be himself so he’s bored. I actually feel kind of sorry for the OutQ folks as they came off as being VERY sexually frusterated, miserable people. I could be wrong but that was my read on it. Oh how they want Blake to be gay! He’s not. They’re bitter. Bummer boys.

Love the candid photos from the John Mayer show. I’ve been very curious about the tat that Blake describes as being “fire and waves” crashing together on his back. We got to see a bit of it there so that was cool.

Karen, I already left Dallas a Father’s Day greeting. I’ve got a world of respect for Blake’s parents as, talent aside, it seems to me that they’ve rasied a beautiful young man - INSIDE and out. They deserve a lot of credit for that!

Loved the little scoop on Blake’s interview at The View. I love knowing that Elizabeth is such a huge fan because that means we’ll probably get to see some Blake chemistry. I was totally charmed by his old idol interviews with Cat Deeley. Chemistry galore and so sexy! I told my husband, “LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT AND YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT!”

So glad that I got a little extra Blake today…I really needed it! Screw that Neurosurgery test I have tomorrow! lol

Anyway…here’s to our tattooed gentleman and his Mama and Papa!

In the OutQ interview the DJ’s were pretty unkind after the interview ended. They made some tired old gay comments. They criticized his stature. They recommended that he work out. I seriously felt sorry for THEM. They clearly intended to disparage Blake but in the end they only diminished themselves.

With regards to the HOT 99.5 radio interview all I can say is that um, uh, like I’m um glad that the uh, interns are like um, uh going to school ’cause it’s bound to help them develop their interview skills!

That is the perfect comment to describe the interview. I thought that exactly.

I liked the second interview a lot. Blake sounded so into his work. He wasn’t just some naive kid. He knows who he is and is dedicated to his work. With that said, he is freaking me out. If he isn’t willing to negoiate with producers about his first CD, will he even get a record deal? And if the CD flops everything is on him. I want him to do well, but I think he might have a lot of problems with the TPTB in music industry. I can see the drama unfolding now. Oh how I wish him the best.

Regarding the DJ’s, they weren’t that bad. The comdedian was starting most of the stuff and thats a comedians job - he was trying to sell his CD. If he’s not funny he won’t sale CD’s. I did find that the dj’s were a little harsh talking about Blake’s demeanor. Blake is a serious artist, if you ask him about his art he is going to be serious. If you are playing around, he is going to play around. Its that simple.

Blake is a serious artist, if you ask him about his art he is going to be serious.

A very good point, Karen. I’m glad you made it.

I liked the second interview a lot. Blake sounded so into his work. He wasn’t just some naive kid. He knows who he is and is dedicated to his work. With that said, he is freaking me out. If he isn’t willing to negoiate with producers about his first CD, will he even get a record deal?

I haven’t listened to the interview but I did want to comment on this…I’ve never gotten the impression that Blake isn’t willing to get input from other producers/creative minds on his album. In fact most of the time he’ll say he “works well with others” and there was one really good interview (maybe Idol Extra, after the finale?) in which he talked at length about his music & seemed very eager to work with others during the recording process.

He will get a record deal. He’s being managed by 19 and has said he’ll be flown out to record on his off days during the tour. It’s probably just a matter of finalizing the details & signing.

*looks up* I have a lot to catch up on! Thanks to everyone for bringing over all these links to stuff!!

Blake is very natural and comfortable - from where I saw, he greeted The View hosts with warm hugs and kisses. (obviously Jordin went first for the segment of the interview/performance for the perks of being the winner. Jordin is quite poised, outgoing, and lovely. She wore a summery yellow dress and sang This is My Now. I was near the main camera for that performance so that was a good view since it was a standing in one spot performance for filming. More on that re: Blake.)

The hosts ran the gamat on questions re: beatboxing - where he gave a mini-lesson to Barbara on some vocal techniques that he started making noises when he was young; things about AI and Sanjaya - which I thought he handled pretty well. Blake brought up the point that all the Top 10 are allowed to do more of what they want on the Idols Tour - that they all can use instruments. He mentioned something about all the guys playing instruments and having a band. (Does that mean a group number with all the 5 - Chris R., Phil, Sanjaya, Chris S. and of course Blake - playing a number together on stage!) Elizabeth was joyful in talking with him. And Joy asked some dating question. At one point, Barbara touched his side-swept bright blonde hair streak (commenting on his hair). That was just so funny with that motion. It’s what is going on - they sure are charmed by him.

Blake sang Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know with piano by Michael Orland (sp - he’s the pianist that went to many of the recent publicity appearances and was here at the program also with Jordin.) Blake gave a solid, sincere vocal performance. I said there was a still camera to my side which Jordin sang to most of the time. Well, for Blake, he was sitting on a stool in front of the piano, wearing a geometric grey patterned hoodie over a light blue t-shirt with a neutral greyish blazer over (those layers!) with the greyish plaid pants. It is great to hear him sing SOWK again since I’ve talked to just friends and such and many say that during the top 12 men performance show, they picked him to be the last remaining male in their words. His vocals were very soothing and I liked seeing the British alt-pop-rock vibe. Oh, and there was this moving camera following him so in this performance he had to adjust to the different positions and angles, similar to the Mack the Knife performance when the camera moved around him. And to add, Elizabeth changed into a Blakergirl t-shirt after the commercial break and was really chatty with Blake. I think she was really happy to see him after all and she chatted away and away.

Set your VCR/DVR/TiVo fo this Thursday, June 14th. The program is sydicated in different markets. It will be wonderful for the country to see him with SOWK again.

I listened to the Hot 99 interview. The interviewers were annoying but Blake was great! So on the tour, he’s planning on singing two songs from the show, and two songs not from the show. Speculation anyone? I’m sure YGLABN will be one of the “from the show” songs.

(Is Hot 99 the station that did that awful interview with Katharine McPhee everyone’s been talking about? If so, Blake got off easy.)

Yes, Star Hot 99 is that station.

and to team plaid - thank you so so so so so much for gettin all the blake stuff together and giving me my blake fix everyday. yall are amazing.

(I must say I really enjoyed Sanjaya’s rendition of the Irving Berlin songs, Steppin’ Out With My Baby and Cheek to Cheek. I thought I would never hear these fantastic songs and then.. Those are my faves - the timeless classics, the American popular standards - Cole Porter, Lorenz Hart, Berlin, the Gershins, et al. If not for Blake, I had to give all my points and votes only to Blake.)

I actually stood up for when they announched Blake’s name as the guest and him greeting the hosts and guest co-host (Kim..?) and sat soon when I realized I was the only one. He came after the hot topics chat, and then the Jordin segment. I thought he was going to perform She Will Be Loved, so I thought he was going to bring out the loop instrumentation so I stayed as not to make noise - until I heard the beginnning music of SOWK. The audience enjoyed him, yet you have to realize most of the people are there in advance. I and a group of folks cheered after his song.

I must say I really enjoyed Sanjaya’s rendition of the Irving Berlin songs Steppin’ Out With My Baby and Cheek to Cheek. Those are my faves - the timeless classics, the American popular standards. If not for Blake, I had to give all my points and votes only to Blake.

It’s lovely to know that Blake is able to answer questions -silly and good ones alike- with sincerity and poise. I just can’t wait for this show!

I will be tivoing The View on Thursday, but I’ll be at a concert (AtlantaFest! w00t!) all day so I won’t be able to edit and upload ’til late that night. I’m sure that it will be posted a million times by then, but I’m still gonna do it. I’ll be checking in here from my cell phone so please post a cap or two if you find some!

Thanks again, Wagner!

I’m very excited about SOWK performance, because that’s the song that proved that he *could* sing, and sing beautifully.
It’s lovely to know that Blake is able to answer questions -silly and good ones alike- with sincerity and poise. I just can’t wait for this show!

He can be fun and lighthearted, and also serious and thoughtful when the situation arises. And at the same time.

SOWK - in fine form with the light and airy and emotive performance.

Be sure to watch for the moving camera angles shot as in Mack the Knife (and I have liked Bobby Darin for decades.) The stage had this equipment technical camera set-up with the frame following Blake.

Also, the haters are having way too much fun since he keeps using that term ‘I have no deal’. I wish he would phrase himself differently because it’s leading people to think he hasnt even been offered.

Lisa, I’ve had some of those same thoughts and yet I can’t help but love Blake all the more for what I see as his fearless artistic integrity. There’s also a huge part of me that loves the fact that he seems indifferent to what the “haters” may or may not be saying. Of course this is all tempered by a fierce desire to see him succeed. I honestly don’t know how it all works (I’m a writer not a record producer) but Blake seems to be well liked wherever he goes and he certainly has a huge contingency of talented friends (which would indicate that he works and plays well with others) so I have a feeling that he wont have too much trouble making the record deal. Daughtry took some time to put his deal together too & he didn’t take the first offer that came along. Seems to have been a very smart move.

I have been a fan of Blake since I saw him rock his b-boy style onto American Idol. I was impressed from the beginning, and searched his name immediately. I found the video of “She loves the way” and thought surely this guy will be way too good to win American Idol. He is just too musically brilliant to please the masses that are satiated by what the producers have told them is good music. Well, I was proven wrong. I have hope for America. Seriously, people dig his sound, his pre, during, and post AI sound, and want to hear more. It goes beyond Blaker girls and boys, and extends to others not even fans of AI. I love music. My favorite jazz duo is Tuck and Patti, and if you haven’t heard of them, you must see a live show because they are crazy good. I feel a similar feeling about Blake that I do towards Tuck and Patti. They exude genius. I am in awe of their talent, and in fact envy their ability. It makes me listen even more.

I would bypass any future interviews if it meant Mr. Lewis didn’t have to answer any more lame questions from interviewers that should be in speech therapy. I just want to hear him compose, sing, and amaze me.

There are plenty of artists who have signed what seemed like good deals and have ended up in bankruptcy even after *huge* record sales. Think Toni Braxton: Toni Braxton also declared bankruptcy in 1998. She sold $188 million worth of CDs, but she was broke because of a terrible recording contract that paid her less than 35 cents per album.

Another thing… can you imagine Blake giving up the rights to his songs? That he’d have no right to perform/record his own songs anymore if he ever changed labels? That’s pretty common in the record industry. If you record on their label then the song is theirs. I admire him for sticking to his principles about this contract thing. We went to a Dolly Parton concert last month (yaay!) and she was talking about how she had to back out of a deal with Elvis when the only way he’d sing “I Will Always Love You” was if she’d give up the rights to it. His management insisted that it was the only way to do it, and she said no. Can you imagine turning down Elvis over artistic integrity? These songs are like family to their writers.

This is what our boy is up against. This industry will chew him up, spit him out, and enjoy the taste he leaves in their mouths if he lets them. (Sorry… that was cheezy, but it fits.)

About the haters: They just need a hug! (WARNING: Harsh Language Ahead ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥)

Go read the news thread at MJ’s from either Saturday or Sunday. There’s some interesting info there about how 19E, 19R, and 19M are all related and the actual functions of each. Also excerpts of a contract - not a contestant contract, but an AI-related contract, nonetheless.

19 has the option on these contestants until up to 3 months after the finale. I obviously don’t know what the contracts say that the contestants sign when they make the top 12, but I don’t know if you can just refuse the offer if 19 makes one to you.

Sure, he might be “better off” at a smaller label, but that doesn’t mean he’ll end up at one.

Just a thought - if he’s being managed by 19M, I’d say he’s signed, or in the process of signing, a deal with a label under the Sony/BMG umbrella. 19M would not likely keep him under their management if he was going elsewhere to sign a recording deal.

Exactly. 19 wouldn’t be managing him if there’s nothing in it for them.

I think he’s either signed or almost signed already. The winner always announces at least a week before anyone else so I expect that’s the holdup. I don’t think he has many choices if Clive wants to sign him so don’t think it’s that.

Just can’t wait for this album! It’s gonna be amazing!

Jacqui, thanks for the pictures!

There has been some speculation at MJ’s and other places that because Jordin is *only 17* that TPTB must negotiate with her parents, who are to be her management rather than 19M. Again, this is just a rumor, but it could be what’s holding up the official announcements. And yes, if trandition holds they will announce her first because she is the winner.

I took Blake’s comment about looking at different offers as an indication that more than one label in the Sony/BMG family is interested and he’s trying to figure out which one would be the right fit.

Perhaps I am overly optimistic!

And the labels only have 7 days following the finale to formally declare interest to 19R. IF I read all that stuff right. Heh. I’m no lawyer. Contracts make my eyes cross. :)

I’m giddy for Thursday (is it Thursday yet?)

The bad is this gossip rumor about Blake. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19079610/ It said he was at Planet Hollywood in Vegas (do we know if that’s even true?) and wouldn’t talk to some elderly fans. It just doesn’t sound like Blake to me. Okay, I can answer my own question. He & Chris R were in Vegas over the weekend.

I dont believe that Enquirer story for a second. (Is it bad that I thought it was sorta funny?)

ETA: can’t do the pic though because all photosharing sites are blocked from work. So that will have to wait til someone can get to it. But OMG. It is hottttttttt.

/end fangirlyness

Star, I don’t believe the Enquirer story either and I’ll fess up to having LAUGHED OUT LOUD when I read it. Too funny. Blake Lewis is a superstar in his own mind. A real MEGALOMANIAC by all accounts. Gonna have to spank him;)

Sometimes you just have to consider the original source of the rumor (National Enquirer) and then compare it to what you’ve seen (Blake’s consistently polite behaviour) and you can figure out what to believe.

There’s an icon on NE’s main webpage that says, “Got gossip? We’ll pay big bucks!” Looks like somebody lost a little too much in the slots and needed some cash so they made something up.

““My, my, young man, you look so much like him,” one disappointed woman reportedly said”

Indeed. Sounds like something Aunt May (another imaginary old person) would say.

I think he’s either signed or almost signed already. The winner always announces at least a week before anyone else so I expect that’s the holdup.

Only as recent as last year, Taylor and Katharine (although they had immediate plans for Daughtry) had the first public announcements about the record deal, right?
bean99 - I am almost sure that Jordin will get utmost priority in releasing the album (from Season 6 group) either first or second in the fall/winter. They (19E/M,etc., Clive) have to announce the Jordin record deal first, otherwise there is a lot of explaining to do.

Once all the terms of the contract is in print, Blake is soon on his way.

““My, my, young man, you look so much like him,” one disappointed woman reportedly said”

Indeed. Sounds like something Aunt May (another imaginary old person) would say.

LMAO. I know, right? So fake sounding.

I find this hard to believe because Blake doesn’t seem like the type to do this. At least I hope this is not true because it certainly would damage him at this early stage of his careeer. Blake has many fans of all ages and though “fans” can be aggressive at times, it’s just something people who achieve fame have to deal with. If you don’t have fans, you have nothing.

Who reads the Enquirer and believes that stuff? Many people read that rag for the laughs; however, this article is written so that it appears to have no ulterior motive and some people will believe it. If this didn’t happen and is in fact untrue, Blake should demand an apology and a retraction from the Enquirer if you ask me.