Haley Reinhart Casey Abrams

American Idol Inspired Duos

I am a shameless fan of singing competition reality shows. While some may write off shows like American Idol and The X-Factor as overhyped karaoke contests, one cannot deny the tremendous impact that these shows have had on the music industry. Where would stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and One Direction be today without Idol and XF? Probably not on our iPods!

This summer, Queen Kelly (a.k.a. the original Idol) is devoting her time to being a mentor/coach on Duets, a new singing competition which pairs amateur singers with their musical idol as duet partners. The fascinating premise of this show led me to realize something significant about these reality shows. Though Idol and XF mainly serves as a launchpad for solo artistry and group acts, some former reality show alums have gone on to establish some great singing duos as well, forging collaborations with fellow musicians, contestants from other singing competitions, and even former competitors!

On that musical note, here are three of American Idol and The X Factor’s finest duos for you to check out – it’s double the discovery and twice the listening fun!

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Carrie Underwood Blown Away

Album Review: Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away”

Consider me “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood’s latest album! The reigning princess of Country music infuses a little bit of a pop-rock into the darker, more-attitude filled songs (“Blown Away”, “Two Black Cadillacs”, “Good Girl”) while maintaining a traditional country sound into the nostalgic tracks (“Thank God for Hometowns”, “Forever Changed”). And then there are songs like the tropical jam “One Way Ticket” (which will surely be making its way onto many summer mixtapes!), the sassy “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun (featuring Brad Paisley on guitar!), and the beautifully-written “Wine After Whiskey” (one of Carrie’s best songs) which all help to make “Blown Away” a stellar fourth record!

1. Good Girl
2. Blown Away
3. Two Black Cadillacs
4. See You Again
5. Do You Think About Me
6  Forever Changed
7. Nobody Ever Told You
8. One Way Ticket
9. Thank God for Hometowns
10. Good in Goodbye
11. Leave Love Alone
12. Cupid’s Got a Shotgun
13. Wine After Whiskey
14. Who Are You

Haley Reinhart Signs with Interscope Records

American Idol‘s Haley Reinhart has signed a recording contract! Reinhart joins fellow Idol Pia Toscano on Interscope Records and is the fourth consecutive member of Season 10’s diverse Top 11 finalists to secure a deal with 19 Recordings. Winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina are signed with country label Mercury Nashville.

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Music is My Constant

Throughout all of the celebrations and challenges I’ve encountered over these first few years of my adulthood, music has been my constant, leading me to life-changing discoveries, everlasting memories, and some of the best friends I’ve ever met. I’ve grown a lot as a person and learned more about who I am and what I strive to be. I’ve never felt more hopeful and confident towards life and what the future holds in store, and I owe it all to the gift of song. This blog is a tribute to the music and the artists that have helped me get to where I am today.

You’re going to hear a lot about a little show called American Idol, the platform from which I gained a whole new level of love and appreciation of music. There are four musicians from Season 7 of the show who have a rather big presence in my life. Allow me to introduce you to them…

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