Welcome American Idol Awards, including
Sanjaya Malakar's Unofficial Fan Club!

How to Become the
Next Music Superstar
by Jaci Rae

Thanks to the electronic revolution, the music industry is changing. No longer do musicians and singers need the backing of radio stations and big record companies to start building a fan base or having a successful music career. "Forget about American Idol and Nashville Star, don't rely on record labels; an artist can make a name for himself/herself first! Then they'll have the chips stacked in their favor to make a great deal." is the advice of Jaci Rae, No.1 Best-selling author, syndicated DJ, writer and successful indie artist.

Please visit lyrics daily to find the lyrics to all your favorite songs.

American Idol and Nashville Singer Star winners and runners-up are held to strict contracts and tightly controlled careers. We hear about very few of the winners with the exception of Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. Jaci says there's been no better time to be an indie musician - making the music and money they want and deserve. Rae discusses such up-to-date marketing techniques as: Blogging, Podcasting, guerilla marketing, college bookings, record pools -- even how the indie musician can start up their own successful indie label.

So how can a music artist move product when it seems that even the famous music artists can't sell a blockbuster? How do you make a splash turn into a tidal wave when you're in such a big swimming pool?

The answer: it's all about marketing. We have heard it time and time again and that's what it is. A rock packaged and sold as a rock is just a rock. But a rock packaged and marketed as a friend becomes a cultural phenomenon.

Here are just a few ideas to help

Use podcasts to broadcast your music. Make use of places like Myspace and other music sites. Do as many free concerts as you can and have plenty of merchandise to sell and a sign up list. Start calling your local radio stations offering to help them out in exchange for an interview and a plug of your CD. Many places aren't able to play your CD because they are programmed, but that won't stop them from a plug. Take advantage of every opportunity to share your music or goods with the world. These are just a few ideas; you can come up with many more. The idea is to plug your music and then your CDs will start to fly out of your hands (providing it's a good representation of your work).

The most important thing an artist can do is to network and market. It's all about perceived value.

reprint permission from goarticles.com and Jaci Rae is a #1 Best Selling author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money and Winning Points with the Woman in Your Life One Touchdown at a Time. Book Jaci for your next show: and hit contact button for her publicist.

American Idol Betting Odds: when will you American Idol fans start listening?
by Bob Acton

Everyone snickered a month ago when there were still 8 singers in contention for the coveted American Idol crown and at 18-1, I must have been the only person in the world that suggested you plunk down so hard earned cash on Elliot Yamin. Yesterday highly touted publications were predicting the demise of my main man.

I mean even one of my own employer's followed up my so called perceived ridiculous statement, with a rebuttal from another writer. Hey, to each his own and it's like I am bang on with every one of my predictions.

Let's turn the clock back to April 14, 2006:

AT 18-1 ELLIOT YANIN WILL SHOCK THE WORLD!

Okay I admit I have hit rock bottom as I am about to write an article on American Idol, but on the flip side, you have to admit, this show has power! I have in this competition sat on my couch with my wife who loves the show and in this particular competition have seen the contestants twice. The first time I saw Elliot Yamin sing he was doing a Stevie Wonder tune called 'If You Really Love Me" and I said then and there that the competition was over.

This guy blew the music competition out of the water and even Simon had to admit the guy has the chops. This past week I watched the music competition and it was the show with the "Queen "theme and this is not an easy music group to imitate. I was stunned they did the voting and he was placed in the bottom three which meant there was a chance he would get eliminated. BS I cried out to my wife, but then it call hit me like a ton of bricks, the guy is short and ugly and the superficial callers, could not get past this issue.

I can't be the only one to notice that Elliott Yamin has the worst teeth on American Idol. But could his dental dilemma be due to diabetes and not poor hygiene?

But Elliott's teeth aren't the only unusual feature on the 27 year-old contestant from Richmond, Virginia. His Abe Lincoln-style sideburns make him look like a cross between an Amish farmer and street gangster. And sometimes he even looks like a leprechaun cautiously coveting his pot of gold. But seriously, Elliott can use his weirdo/outsider/creepy look to his advantage. Think about it - if his confidence continues to grow (and it should if Simon keeps stroking Elliott's ego), he could be the unlikely long-shot that is the next American Idol.

American Idol sells the sizzle that anyone can win this competition and what better way then to select a Diabetes sufferer from a poverty stricken family to be the next winner. Believe me folks American Idol will by the show Extreme Makeover and send Yamin there and he will come out looking by Brad Pitt.

I gave you the White Sox, I gave you Mickleson and now you have an 18-1 longshot!

Now I don't want to come across as some pompous you know what, but this whole American Idol is no different them betting on pro sports. The Phoenix Suns were buried by the public after game 5 of their series against Lakers and everyone was talking about the great Kobe and Phil Jackson for coach of the year.

After game 7 it was all Steve Nash and his posse. The Suns then took apart the Clippers in game one and everyone was talking about all the unsung heroes on the Phoenix team. I warned you that the spread of Suns -4 ½ was too low, but the guys with all the money in Vegas, knew that betting is 90% public perception. The Clippers mauled the Suns last night!

American Idol attracts millions of viewers and wants to continue that trend. They sell the American Dream that anything is possible, plus they want controversy at the water cooler the next day!

Elliott Yamin is the Steve Nash of American Idol that suggests that it is alright to "Dare to Dream"!

reprint permission from goarticles.com and Bob Acton is an experienced sports writer and handicapper, who has written for the sports industry for over 10 years. His years of writing for Sports Scene, sports consulting on 33 Made for Television and Major Motion Pictures and his work as an instructor at Pro Teach Baseball Academy, have made Bob a trusted and respected source in the sports world.

Please note this is The American Idol Awards FAN CLUB which is non-official & also non-affiliated with Fox Network, or the American Idol TV Show which is a trademark or servicemark belonging to Fox Broadcasting Company. All trademarks and copyrights are fully recognized and acknowledged to the trademark owners.