• New Clay Aiken 'Invisible' single to be issued by RCA as promo-only

  September 11, 2003
  Billboard reports that RCA Records has selected a second single for American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken ... but that the new single, "Invisible," will not be commercially relesed. Instead, like American Idol 1 winner Kelly Clarkson's second single, "Miss Independent," "Invisible" will be issued only in a promotional version for radio stations and other industry recipients.

• 'American Idol' finalist Kimberly Locke signs with Curb Records

  September 11, 2003
  Could the third time be a charm? Billboard reports that Kimberly Locke, who placed third on Fox's American Idol 2 this spring, will now become the third finalist to receive a recording contract. Kimberly has been signed by Nashville-based Curb Records and will once again compete with Idol winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken ... although now the battle will shift to the marketplace.

• 'Idol' judge Simon Cowell says Clay Aiken's success due solely to choice of song

  September 10, 2003
  The sniping from American Idol judge Simon Cowell toward Idol runner-up Clay Aiken may have begun during American Idol 2, but it clearly isn't over yet. Entertainment Weekly (subscription required) reports that Simon dismisses Clay's chart success compared to Idol winner Ruben Studdard -- and even his platinum single -- as merely a consequence of Clay's decision to cover Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

• 'American Idol' bans songs from performance due to rights and overuse concerns

  September 5, 2003
  Don't look for the next Bruce Springsteen on the next American Idol. The Associated Press reports that Idol has banned certain songs, including ones by Springsteen, Mariah Carey, James Taylor and Carly Simon, from being performed during auditions or on the show.

• Clay Aiken single spends 12 straight weeks as Canadian #1, 11th week as U.S. #1

  September 4, 2003
  Clay Aiken's single just won't fade away. The American Idol 2 runner-up's debut, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," celebrates its 12th straight week at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Singles Sales chart, holding off the challenge from Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the third straight week. In addition, Clay's single reclaimed first place from Hilary's single on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart, its 11th week at #1 in its 13th week on the chart.

• 'Idol' finalists Justin Guarini and Julia DeMato will sing at 9/11 benefit skate

  September 4, 2003
  Billboard reports that American Idol finalists Justin Guarini, the season 1 runner up, and Julia DeMato, from season 2, will perform at the second annual "Stars, Stripes & Skates Icetravaganza," Sept. 7 in Uniondale, N.Y. The skating show, hosted by former Olympic figure skating silver and bronze medalist Nancy Kerrigan and actor (and former NYC firefighter) Steve Buscemi, will benefit the Coalition of 9-11 Families and the 9/11 Families Give Back Fund.

• Clay Aiken single spends 11th week at #1 in Canada but remains #2 in U.S.

  August 29, 2003
  Despite the ongoing battle in Canadian Idol, an American Idol still rules the singles charts north of the border. According to the Nielsen SoundScan Canadian Single Sales chart, American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken holds the #1 spot for the week ending August 24, the 11th straight week, with his single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night."

• 'American Idol' runner-up Justin Guarini says he "lost control" of jet ski in June mishap

  August 27, 2003
  The New York Post reports that original American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has finally broken his silence about the widely-reported 'jet ski' incident in Texas at the end of June, when he was cited for unsafe boat operation. Justin told US Magazine that he "lost control of [the] jet ski" and that it was a mishap that "anyone could have had."

• 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard announces free concerts backing Alabama tax hike

  August 25, 2003
  Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only Rebublican wrestling with state tax hike issues. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is in the same situation -- but the Associated Press reports that Riley's Sept. 9 "Believe in Alabama" referendum to raise Alabama's tax rates has received backing from another well-known entertainer: American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

• Release dates set for CDs from 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

  August 21, 2003
  In the wake of Clay Aiken's single falling from the #1 slot in the U.S. after 10 weeks on top, the Associated Press reports that release dates have finally been set for the full-length CDs from Clay and his fellow American Idol 2 finalist Ruben Studdard. Both CDs were delayed from their original August 19 release date, probably because the success of Clay and Ruben's singles made album quality more important.

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