Monthly ‘Idol’ Roundup: January 2017

It’s been over a year since the final season of American Idol kicked off and the auditions graced our TV screens and fans are still mourning the loss of the show, but hopefully our monthly round-up of Idol news can help cheer you up with some new music, new shows and other news from the talented troupe of Idol alum.

New Music

The cover of JAX’s new EP “Funny” [Credit: Jax]

Last month, we broke the news that Season 10 Runner-up Lauren Alaina and Season 14 third placer contestant Jax would both be releasing new albums, respectively. For country cutie Alaina, her new album “Road Less Travelled” was released on Jan. 27 and is being praise as honest and vulnerable. It is available on iTunes now. Jax’s “Funny” EP, also released the same day, also speaks to the singer’s candid side after her scare with cancer early last year. Jax’s EP is also available on iTunes now.

In other Season 14 news, winner Nick Fradiani also released a new video for his single “Love Is Blind” off his debut album “Hurricane” on January 23rd.

Season 8’s third place contestant, Danny Gokey, also gave his fans some inspirational new tunes on his album “Rise” which was release on January 13 and features a duet called “Chasing” with Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. Gokey’s album has topped the Christian charts and is available on iTunes now. It also coincides with him and his wife’s announcement about their new baby on the way, so congratulations to them on that!

Season 10’s rocker James Durbin also announced a new project with Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi. The pair will release “Maps To The Hollywood Scars, Volume 1” on February 17 of this year. Sounds like a rocking good time already!

Appearances

Season 15 winner Trent Harmon looks onto the Opry stage before his big debut [Credit: Trent Harmon]

As far as appearances go, Season 15 winner Trent Harmon has been busy as ever, taking the stage for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry to debut his follow-up single “Her.” Trent’s first single, “There’s a Girl” also cracked the CMT Top 20 this week. Way to go Trent!

Season 8 runner-up, Adam Lambert, also just announced a mega tour with rock royalty Queen. We have no doubt that with gigs like that, Adam is on his way to becoming rock royalty himself.

And finally, Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis announced that he is about to embark on another tour with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox in Europe.

How do you feel about the first Idol-free January in over a decade? Do you miss it? Or does the new Idol music make it all worth it? Let me know in the comments below!