Monthly ‘Idol’ Roundup: June 2016

Last month, I attempted to soothe the pain of living in a post-American Idol world with a monthly recap updating you with the latest news on what the show’s illustrious alumni are up to. This month, I aim to continue that series, covering some of the music and non-music related stories concerning your favourite Idol contestants.

Trent Harmon’s single “There’s A Girl” is now available on iTunes. [Credit: Big Machine Records]

On the music front, the winner of Idol’s final season, Trent Harmon, has officially released his first single entitled “There’s A Girl” on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play. The track draws on Harmon’s country leanings and southern charm to tell the story of how love can make a man do just about anything. As a fan of Harmon’s during the season, I enjoy the track, though I understand some of the fan feedback that it might be “too country” for a contestant with such a broad range of musical genres under his belt. I have faith, however, that Harmon’s upcoming debut album will draw on those other genres as well.

Last month, I told you that Season 12 runner-up Kree Harrison had released her debut single “This Old Thing”. She has since released two additional songs: “Dead Man’s House”, a swagger-driven tune reminiscent of her performance of Susan Tedeschi’s “Evidence” and “Something Else”, a true-blue country song with all the richness of molasses. All three tracks are from her post-Idol debut album, also entitled “This Old Thing”, to be released July 8 and available now for pre-order on iTunes.

Season 3 winner, Fantasia, also has an album release pending for July 29. The album, her fifth since her Idol win, is entitled “The Definition Of…” and has been described by her as a little more rock, soul, and blues than she usually goes for. I personally like the sound of Season 3’s soulful songstress getting a little more gritty with her sound after becoming a veteran in the music business.

After releasing her album “Better” back in April and wrapping up the Stateside leg of her tour, Season 10’s Haley Reinhart has teamed up with throwback band Postmodern Jukebox for another epic cover, this time of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”.

Season 14’s Joey Cook is also about to break ground on her after-Idol career with her album entitled “Welcome to the Variety Show” and released under the name Joey Cook and the Party Raddlers. The video for first single, “Bones”, is on YouTube now.

Season 8’s 4th place contestant, Allison Iraheta, also released an album with her band Halo Circus entitled “Bunny” (available on iTunes) on June 23rd. The album blends Iraheta’s feisty latino side with her penchant for rock in a perfect storm of authentic, raw tunes.

Kelly Clarkson & Company celebrate her new record deal with Atlantic Records [credit: Kelly Clarkson]

Idol Superstar Kelly Clarkson also announced that she was leaving her long-time label RCA and joining Atlantic Records. In the process, she also released four free recordings of her favourite covers she has performed during her tours over the years on her website.

In non-music related items, Season 8 winner Kris Allen and his wife Katy welcomed their second child Rose Elizabeth Allen into the world on Saturday June 18th.

Kris Allen and other Idol alum also took to twitter a few weeks ago to remember fellow reality show contestant and musician Christina Grimmie after the tragedy that took her life at her show in Orlando. The Hudsucker family also sends their heartfelt condolences to family, friends and fans of the musician.

That’s all the updates we have for this month. If we’ve missed anything or you know of any updates for the coming months, share with us in the comments below.