This week on American Idol, the remaining eight finalists sang the Darlene Zschech/Hillsong Australia chestnut Shout to the Lord. In trying to stay PC, instead of directly using the name “Jesus,” they sang “Shepherd,” but referred to the Christian God throughout the song otherwise.

Non-Christians have reacted negatively, with one particular blogger commenting that he is both offended and angry at the religious overtones of that particular song choice, saying that saving people in Africa and New Orleans has nothing to do with the Christian God. Methinks it’s relative. That particular blogger loves Carrie Underwood, and you didn’t hear a peep out of him when she released Jesus Take the Wheel. He didn’t say he was offended by Kristy Lee Cook’s Amazing Grace. Nor was he particular incensed by several Christmas albums released by various American Idol alumni, many of which sang directly of the birth of the Son of the Christian God. (Even now, he’s linked to the Shout to the Lord track on ITunes. He’s gonna make money off this song through referrals.)

While we can’t fault these people for feeling this way, I, for one, think the situation’s a little tempest in a teacup. Know your market, and American Idol knows its market. Who are voting for these wannabe superstars? They’re the Southern Baptists, the western evangelicals, the northern liberal believers. Come on, David Archuleta is Mormon, you don’t hear anyone questioning his faith, but he sang Shout to the Lord anyway. Tickle your audience in the right spot, and you’ll have them reaching for their wallets, credit cards, and telephones in a heartbeat.

I know it’s quite cynical, especially coming from a Christian. I’m a Christian marketer and PR guy. In my eyes, from a strictly industry-based standpoint, choosing Shout to the Lord was a brilliant tactical move. The offense it stood to generate doesn’t even come close to the goodwill it would generate in the eyes of its core audience.

Non-Christians can - and should - look at that song in the context of its simply being a song. In this show, people sing songs they dislike all the time. At the end of the day, they’re raising money for good causes. It’s still a heckuva lot better than three years ago, when no efforts were made at all. Come on.

Boy, the other Destiny’s Child ladies are cooking some awesome stuff while Diana Ross Beyonce Knowles is taking a break!

First came the sizzling remix of Kelly Rowland’s Work, which was huge in the United States and actually went to #1 on my personal chart (see the sidebar), the first secular song to top my chart in 2008. Now, Michelle Williams - that other Destiny’s Child member who had two gospel albums that did well in the US - is back with her first secular album, and it is HOT!

The single is called We Break the Dawn, and it is off her new album Unexpected. There has been no more appropriate title, because We Break the Dawn is HOT! I LOVE THIS SONG!

While I secure the We Break the Dawn mp3, you can listen to the song in the video below, along with a remix right below that with rapper JT (which is essentially the same song plus rap. Pweh!).

For many finalists of American Idol, Fox’s juggernaut reality television show, success in mainstream media has been difficult, far and between. Deep into its seventh season, the world’s most popular singing talent competition may have lost some of its starmaking luster, but indications would show that finalists are learning a thing or two about “the business,” and are starting to make inroads into specific niche markets.Country music appears to be the safehouse of many an American Idol finalist. While Season Two finalist Josh Gracin may have found some element of chart success on the country charts, including a #1 single, Nothing to Lose, Season Three winner Carrie Underwood cemented the potential of country music as a viable, long-term genre of choice for a debut musician, achieving pole positions with her debut album and its follow-up, as well as  #1 singles.

Since Underwood’s success, many Idol finalists have attempted to forge careers in country music, the most notable being Season Five finalist Kellie Pickler. Pickler’s Small Town Girl debut has sold almost 750,000 copies, making her the second best-selling Idol finalist of her season (surpassing contest winner Taylor Hicks), and landing three consecutive Top 20 singles. Also charting in the country charts: Season Six finalist Phil Stacey and Season One winner Kelly Clarkson, whose duet with Reba McEntire, a revival of Clarkson’s Because of You, stopped short of #1, peaking in the runner-up slot.

Other than the fickle pop and R&B charts, who have been largely hostile to American Idol non-winners, the most viable chart for American Idol non-finalists seems to be the Contemporary Christian charts. Five American Idol finalists have charted on the Christian charts, including Season Two finalist Clay Aiken (Mary Do You Know, #39), Underwood (Jesus, Take the Wheel, #3; I’ll Stand By You, #29; So Small, #21), and Daughtry (Home, #14). Season One finalist RJ Helton also released a Christian album, but did not chart. (Ruben Studdard’s I Need An Angel was listed in the Gospel charts; musical diversity comes back to bite you in the butt.)

The most successful American Idol finalist on the Christian charts, thus far, is Season Five finalist Mandisa. Debut single Only the World peaked at No. 6 on the Christian charts in August 2007 (and spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart). Her first #1 hit was Christmas Day, a duet with Michael W. Smith; a notch lower that same week was Christmas Makes Me Cry, a duet with Matthew West, rose to #2. God Speaking peaked at #18 that same month; Voice of a Savior peaked in the Top 5 of Radio and Records’ Inspo charts.

Season Six finalist Chris Sligh says in an interview with WJTL, “I just really felt like God was calling me to do Christian music… it turned out way better than I ever could have expected.” Running Back to You, his album out May 6th, is, in his words, “this record which is a complete and utter encapsulation of who I really am.” Empty Me is now climbing the Hot Christian Songs chart.

In Local Blogs:

Tina’s outraged that the cheapest price for Maroon5’s upcoming concert (PHP1,575) is more expensive than the most expensive ticket on Switchfoot’s recent concert. I join her in indignation, despite not being a Maroon5 fan. PHP1500+ for a concert where the lead singer will be half the size of one’s thumb just isn’t good stewardship of God’s resources. Ridiculous. (I’d pay PHP3K for a concert ticket, tops, even if it were Mandisa, Matthew West, or Avalon.)

JM has uploaded his first vlog. Darn it, he beat me to it. Hahaha. Your twang’s fine, anak.

The Jester is hinting that Senator Manny Villar may not be paying his taxes properly. It reminds me of an article I read a few years back that noted Kris Aquino was in a list of top taxpayers. C’mon, if Kris can pay her taxes fairly, why can’t Manny? *stifles a guffaw*

ChrisH feels he’s been raped. Thrice. Meanwhile, I’ve survived 30 years without ever being naked in front of anyone but my wife. (Mothers and nannies don’t count.) Pretty cool, eh?
In Music:

Kuya Rickey has previewed Paula Abdul’s Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow, a single from a new album by Randy Jackson. I don’t like it. Not one bit. The Jackson album, however, will feature Elliott Yamin, so you can bet I’ll be buying it.

If Point of Grace’s How You Live and David Crowder’s Everything Glorious didn’t flip positions (7 and 8), this week’s Hot Christian Songs on Billboard would’ve been the exact same Top 10 from the previous week. Sayang. I like history in the making. Anyway, come on, America, request Matthew West’s You Are Everything! Bring it to #1!

In Philippine Tourism:

The Amarela Resort in Bohol, the Crown Regency Residences Hotel in Cebu, and the Pearl Farm Resort in Davao now have websites that allow guests to reserve online directly with them. Instant confirmation and the cheapest rates on the Internet. That’s way cool.

And, oh, if you’ve ever wanted to play golf on an island, try the Mulligan Golf Resort in Boracay. It’s right beside the Fairways and Bluewater Golf Course, designed by Graham Marsh himself.

In Sports:

I still can’t believe Andy Roddick’s out of the Australian Open. Ugh. Oi. Go, Novak and Justine!

The Philippines wins the Women’s World Cup in golf! We sent Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin, well, that’s a Pinoy Dream Team right there. Congratulations! (And whoever designed your uniforms, well, nice try.)

In Faith:

The Philippine Daily Inquirer is citing sources saying that the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin defied the Vatican’s orders to stay put and nonpartisan during the People Power II revolution that ousted former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. Are they stopping short of saying the influential Sin is significantly responsible for unleashing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s hapless legacy upon us? Please.

Feedback by Janet Jackson is HOT! GannsDeen.com is proud to stream the Feedback mp3 by Janet Jackson. I don’t make Janet Jackson mp3s available for free download; instead, I encourage you to purchase the mp3 from all legitimate sources.

Here are seven reasons to listen to Janet Jackson’s Feedback, off the upcoming Janet Jackson album Discipline, dropping February 26 (my birthday!) from Island Def Jam Records.

1. Janet’s Feedback is produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins - my favorite R&B producer EVER. Darkchild, you is genius, bro!

2. Feedback is just the beginning of Janet’s comeback in 2008, baby! Discipline features the best producers in the United States right now, including Stargate (Beyonce’s Irreplaceable) Ne-Yo (his own So Sick), and Jermaine Dupri (Mariah Carey’s Don’t Forget About Us).

3. Feedback features a fresh new sound by Janet. It doesn’t sound like anything on radio, but sounds like vintage Janet given an electronic hiphop feel. It’s off tha hook!

4. Janet’s coming off Why Did I Get Married, a #1 box office smash in the USA. She’s got critical momentum going for Feedback.

5. Feedback will impact January across-the-board at all radio formats January 7, but as early as now, buzz is building online, and the anticipation for Feedback is nothing like ever seen before for Miss Janet. A lot is riding on Feedback, and I’ll bet you it’ll deliver.

6. Antonio “L.A.” Reid, chairperson of the Island Def Jam Music Group, executive produced Discipline himself.

7. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to Janet Jackson’s Feedback mp3 and tell me this track isn’t tha bomb.

Listen to Feedback by Janet Jackson
Lyrics to Janet Jackson’s Feedback after the jump. Read more

Out of so many albums purchased in 2007, these are my seven favorite albums:

7. Call Me Irresponsible, Michael Buble. Buble steps even further out of his comfort zone with his third major-label release. Foregoing the easy crooner route, he ventures into previously uncharted musical territory and gets most of it right. The gem on this collection, of course, is Everything, an AC-friendly sing-along tune that is one of my favorite songs of the year.

6. Say It, Britt Nicole. Comparisons to Avril Lavigne notwithstanding, Britt Nicole was a breath of fresh air in a year of otherwise droll Contemporary Christian music. Powered by  smash Christian single You - the highest-ranked single by a solo female artist this year on the year-end Hot Christian Songs chart - and a moving follow-up single, Set The World on Fire, Say It is a fiery collection of musical genres that testify to the immense talent of this young superstar.

5. Dreamgirls Soundtrack. Technically a December 2006 release, Dreamgirls launched Jennifer Hudson to superstardom with her starmaking turn as Effie White. Late release nothwithstanding, impassioned performances from everyone on the cast, including Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Jaime Foxx, and Eddie Murphy, bring this soundtrack to life and much more. It’s Not Over is a masterpiece of recorded music.

4. Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood. The American Idol Season Four winner followed up her stellar Some Hearts opus - the #4 bestselling album on the 2007 year-end charts - with a sophomore album that showcases Underwood’s growth as a singer, songwriter, and performer. Pushing aside sappy first single So Small, Carnival Ride is still a great journey, with More Boys I Meet, You Won’t Find This, and Crazy Dreams among the standout tracks.

3. As I Am, Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys has never disappointed me, and her latest release is an even more stunning release than its predecessor studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. A thrilling collection that folds stories of love and passion in old-school jams and contemporary hiphop beats, Keys’ skill as a singer and songwriter cannot be denied with this latest release. Simply irresistible.

2. Elliott Yamin, Elliott Yamin. Grammy snubs aside, American Idol Season Five also-ran Elliott Yamin has done us proud. The man who AI judge Simon Cowell proclaimed to have the finest male voice in the history of the popular competition released an album that showcased his voice in its finest form. Testament to his skill is the success of carrier single Wait For You, a certified gold single and one of the monster airplay hits of 2007.

1. True Beauty, Mandisa. Yamin’s fellow American Idol Season Five non-winner, Mandisa released a Contemporary Christian album so exquisite in style, quality, substance, and production, that it was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Carrier single Only the World was a smash hit; current single God Speaking is rising up the charts, and there are many other great tracks on this stellar release. An excellent addition to the pantheon of noteworthy CCM albums.

What are your favorite albums of 2007?

Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson was given the Herculean task of interpreting Somewhere from West Side Story for Movies Rock!, a television special featuring fresh performances of some of the more well-loved songs from cinema. Prior to J-Hud’s version, the versions of Somewhere I’ve heard include Barbra’s version sung at the end of her 1994 concert tour, and the Natalie Wood version in the film.

I think you’ll find this version a significantly satisfactory version. Woods’ version was a poignant one, given that the just-shot Richard Beymer was dying in her arms; her version was a wistful soliloquy on star-crossed lovers doomed to a tragic end. Streisand reinvented the song to become a celebration of the diversity of man; the lyrics are sufficient to be open to interpretation both ways. I imagine Hudson’s take on Somewhere was closer to Streisand’s, and with her bombastic voice ripping into the song with gusto, there was no doubt she would pull Somewhere off with a spine-tingling, hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck-standing finale that merited a standing ovation from the live audience.

Watch the video and tell me what you think.

Did you catch the American Music Awards last night? Popularity contest notwithstanding, it was a pretty good show, methinks. Highlights for me include:

1. Sugarland singing Irreplaceable with Beyonce. I love country music, and this little R&B/country hybrid did just the trick for me. The AMAs hyped this one up - the talk of the town!, they said - but Technorati begs to disagree. Me, I thought it was refreshing. Jennifer Nettles did a fine job of keeping up with the divine Miss Bee.

2. Poor audio quality. Was it etc’s recording of the AMAs, or the way it was broadcast, but the sound was very, very poor. It was such a waste, especially for the opening number featuring will.i.am, Fergie, and Nicole Scherzinger.

3. American Idol basks in its influence. From the three awards apiece of Season Four winner Carrie Underwood and Season Five also-ran Daughtry to the magnificent… um… presence of Kellie Pickler to the towering glow of Jordin Sparks, American Idol was all over this broadcast. I have no problems with that.

4. What are Celine Dion and Bone Thugs doing here? For the record, I think Taking Chances is brilliant, but what is Celine doing singing on the AMAs? And Bone Thugs won Favorite Hiphop Band, Duo or Group? Um… I just flew back a decade! My time machine works!

5. Woohoo! Casting Crowns! No surprise there. Congratulations, Mark Hall and the rest of y’all!

Photo from Kuya Rickey.

(For your listening pleasure, this blog post contains a stream of One Word by American Idol Season Five finalist Elliott Yamin, off his debut album Elliott Yamin. GannsDeen.com does not offer Elliott Yamin mp3’s for download. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment in the Comments box. Come back to GannsDeen.com for the latest and best in Christian, country, and pop music.)

I promise this will be the last Elliott Yamin-themed entry on GannsDeen.com for a long time. As a fitting conclusion to week-long coverage of Yamin’s Philippine tour, we are uploading Yamin’s new American single, One Word, for your consideration.

One Word is a slow-to-midtempo ballad much in the same vein of Yamin’s surprise hit, Wait For You. When Yamin tested One Word during his Philippine tour, it received quite a positive response, which could bode well for Yamin’s nationwide push when the single is officially released for airplay on October 16.

Listen to Elliott Yamin One Word mp3

Elliott Yamin One Word lyrics after the jump.

Read more

Last night featured the most horrific series of dreams. The most disturbing of all of them? Elliott Yamin joins the Yaminoys on a tour of a revamped Puerto Princesa Crocodile Farm, and is gobbled up by a 15-foot crocodile! I was so disturbed and distraught by that dream that I woke up soaked in my own sweat. Of course, true to my PR background, all I could say in the dream was, OMG, what are the Yaminions and E-Trainers going to say?! The last thing the Philippines needs is to be the venue of a high-profile celebrity death! Ack!

Seriously, major major Elliott Yamin overload these past three days. Cathy and I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing Elliott day and night. The only two other CDs that have managed to squeeze Deen family airplay since Friday are High School Musical and Putomayo’s African Playground, both of which are Nathan’s favorite CDs,and were played in honor of his fourth birthday. If it weren’t his birthday, Nate would probably have to deal with One Word, our latest favorite Elliott Yamin song.

The Yaminoys are planning a major Elliott Yamin push on the 28th at the Alabang Town Center, the final leg of his Philippine mall tour (incidentally, his first promo push outside of the United States; I guess he didn’t push through with the UK?). I excused myself from work last Friday to make it. Should I become the ultimate journalist fan-boy and accompany my wife there too?

Oi vey, decisions, decisions. I’m so verklempt!