American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality Kara Elizabeth

Kara DioGuardi is a born and raised New Yorker, but she is of Albanian and Italian descent. DioGuardi attended Duke University and completed a degree in political science. However, she decided on a career path far away from her degree – she applied for a job on the marketing and publishing departments of Billboard Magazine. During her desk job at Billboard, Kara started writing her own songs. By 1995, DioGuardi successfully secured a record deal with MCA. However, Kara DioGuardi’s lyrical career only began when her friend Paula Abdul gave Kylie Minogue a copy of Kara’s album. Minogue used the song “Spinning Around” on her album and became a top-charting single worldwide. Since then, Kara DioGuardi’s lyrics are unstoppable.

Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi born December 9, 1970 is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159 million albums worldwide. Kara is a Grammy nominated writer, 2011 NAMM Music For Life Award winner, 2009 NMPA Songwriter Icon Award winner, 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, and has received 15 BMI Awards for co-writing the most performed songs on the radio.

DioGuardi served as a judge on American Idol for its eighth and ninth seasons. In 2008 she was appointed to the position of executive vice president of talent development at Warner Bros. Records, and has signed acts such as Jason Derülo and Iyaz.

Early life:

DioGuardi was born in Ossining, New York. She is of Arbëresh (Albanian) and Italian descent. Her father is former Republican Congressman Joseph J. DioGuardi. She is a distant cousin of the veteran TV personality Regis Philbin. Her mother Carol died in 1997 after a 7-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Kara grew up in the Wilmot Woods section of suburban New Rochelle, New York, and attended kindergarten at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Scarsdale, New York, followed by The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, before earning a degree in political science at Duke University. After graduating from college, she worked for Billboard magazine as an assistant to Timothy White and Howard Lander and later as an advertising sales representative.

Professional songwriter:

DioGuardi has a songwriting catalog of several hundred songs, of which over 307 have been released on major labels worldwide, and over 150 have appeared on platinum selling albums. She has had nearly 50 international charting singles over the course of her career, and her songs have helped propel more than 66 albums into the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. Her songs have been featured in major motion pictures, television shows, film soundtracks, and radio spots, as well as national and international commercial campaigns.

She collaborated with Christina Aguilera on her album Back to Basics in 2006, co-writing 12 of the 13 tracks on disc one of the album, among them being "Ain't No Other Man", and "Back in the Day".

In 2007, DioGuardi worked with many notable artists, one of whom was Britney Spears. DioGuardi wrote and produced"Ooh Ooh Baby" and co-produced "Heaven on Earth" on Spears' album Blackout. DioGuardi also contributed a majority of songs on Hilary Duff's third studio album, Dignity

Since American Idol Season 8, DioGuardi returned to songwriting and producing, and has worked with number of artists, including Pink's "Sober," Kelly Clarkson's "I Do Not Hook Up," Cobra Starship ft./ Leighton Meester "Good Girls Go Bad," Katharine McPhee's "Had It All", Carrie Underwood's "Undo It", and Theory of a Deadman's "Not Meant to Be" among other new releases.

She has also written multiple tracks for Hannah Montana 3, The Hannah Montana Season 3 Soundtrack. She Wrote "Mixed Up", "He Could Be the One" and "Don't Wanna Be Torn".

Among DioGuardi's projects is the song "Not Meant to Be", which appears on Theory of a Deadman's 2008 album, Scars & Souvenirs. DioGuardi co-wrote the song with lead singer Tyler Connolly, and is also featured as the love interest in the music video which was released on March 10, 2009. This was her debut in the music video industry.

DioGuardi also wrote and sang the backup vocals for Demi Lovato's song "The Middle" for her first album, Don't Forget. She also helped write some songs on Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam Soundtrack.

In 2009, Kara wrote "If I Can't Have You" for Meat Loaf's 2010 album, "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" and recorded the vocal as a duet with Meat Loaf. She is also one of the writers for "Ghost", which was released as a single from Fefe Dobson's album Joy, out in November 2010.

Music publishing:

DioGuardi co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a publishing company that is a resource business for record companies and other music entities seeking compositions, productions, artists, and related music services. Arthouse has been a part of many chart-topping hits including B.O.B’s “Nothin’ On You,” Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” and “Grenade,” Cee-Lo Green’s “Forget You,” Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me,” Cassie's "Me & U" (written and produced by Ryan Leslie), Jim Jones' "We Fly High" (produced by Zukhan Bey), Nick Lachey's "What's Left of Me", David Archuleta's single "Crush" (written and produced by Emanuel Kiriakou), Mika's "Grace Kelly", OneRepublic's "Apologize" and "Stop and Stare" (all produced by Greg Wells), Faith Hill's "Lost" (written and produced by Kara DioGuardi and Mitch Allan), "Sober" by P!nk, "Pieces of Me" by Ashlee Simpson, and "He Could Be The One" by Hannah Montana.

Reality television:

In July 2006, DioGuardi was a judge in an Idol-like TV show called The One: Making a Music Star. The show debuted on ABC with the second-lowest rating ever for a premiere on a major American network and was abruptly canceled after just two weeks.

She joined the hit Fox television show American Idol as a fourth judge for the show's eighth season in 2009. She returned to Idol for its ninth season. However, she decided to leave the show on September 3, 2010 and did not return for the tenth season of Idol. She has had Idol connections in the past: in 2000, DioGuardi and former Idol judge Paula Abdul co-wrote the UK number-one single "Spinning Around", performed by Kylie Minogue. She has written many songs sung by Idol winners and alumni such as Kelly Clarkson, Allison Iraheta, David Archuleta, Carrie Underwood, Diana DeGarmo, Katharine McPhee, Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, and Adam Lambert. She co-wrote the American Idol season 8 single, "No Boundaries", which was performed by both finalists during the competition.

Kara also co-wrote with Jason Reeves a song called "Terrified" for Katharine McPhee's album Unbroken, which was covered by Didi Benami, an American Idol contestant from Season 9, during Hollywood week. DioGuardi also recorded a video of herself singing "Terrified" with Jason Reeves on YouTube, which currently has over 1,600,000 views. Other than that she appeared on Hannah Montana as herself, in episode "Judge Me Tender".

After quitting American Idol, DioGuardi will take the role of head judge on Platinum Hit, a new singer-songwriter, reality competition airing on Bravo.

Awards and nominations:

    NAMM Music For Life Award -- 2011
    SOCAN Pop/Rock Music Award -- 2010 ("Not Meant To Be," Theory of a Deadman)
    BMI Pop Music Award – 2010 ("I Do Not Hook Up," Kelly Clarkson)
    BMI Pop Music Award – 2010 ("Sober," Pink)
    BMI Pop Music Award – 2010 ("Not Meant To Be," Theory of a Deadman)
    NMPA Songwriter Icon Award -- 2009
    BMI Latin Pop Music Award -- 2009 ("Somebody’s Me," Enrique Iglesias)
    BMI Latin Pop Music Award -- 2008 ("Bella Traicion," Belinda)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2008 ("Ain’t No Other Man," Christina Aguilera)
    Columbus Citizens Foundation Award – 2007 -- Outstanding Contribution to the Vocal Arts
    SOCAN Pop Award -- 2007 ("Walk Away," Kelly Clarkson)
    TAXI Award -- 2007 Humanitarian of the Year
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2007 Songwriter of the Year
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2006 ("I’m Feeling You," Santana)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2006 ("Walk Away," Kelly Clarkson)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2006 ("The Real Thing," Bo Bice)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2005 ("Pieces of Me," Ashlee Simpson)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2005 ("Rich Girl," Gwen Stefani)
    BMI Pop Music Award -- 2002 ("Escape," Enrique Iglesias)
    BMI Top Ten Latin Award -- 2002 ("Escapar," Enrique Iglesias)
    BMI Film & TV Music Award -- 2003 (For the People theme song)

In 2003, DioGuardi won a BMI Cable Award for co-writing and performing, "Somethin' To Say", the theme to the Lifetime Television series For the People, which starred Lea Thompson, Debbi Morgan, A. Martinez and Cecilia Suárez. Kara has been awarded 15 BMI Awards for having co-written the most performed songs on the radio. One of the industry's most highly sought after songwriters and producers, DioGuardi's songs have appeared on records that have sold more than 150 million copies combined.

In 2007, DioGuardi was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the category of Song of the Year for her writing on the Belinda single, "Bella Traición" along with co-writers Belinda, Ben Moody, Nacho Peregrin and producer Mitch Allan. In November 2007, Kara was awarded the TAXI A&R award for Humanitarian of the Year at their annual Road Rally Convention.

Aside from songwriting, Kara DioGuardi also co-owns the Arthouse Entertainment, a publishing company that helps record companies, artists, songwriters and other music entities that need compositions, artists, productions and other music-related services. She also works with the non-profit substance abuse service organization, Phoenix House, which helps educate teens in operating recording studio equipments.

American Idol champion Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood in Soul Surfer: Former American Idol champion, Carrie Underwood, makes her debut in the new movie Soul Surfer, based on the true story of a surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack.

Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005.

Underwood has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a multiple Grammy Award winner, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a Golden Globe Award nominee, a three-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist winner, a GMA Dove award winner, and a two time ACM Entertainer of the Year. She is the first-ever female artist to win back-to-back Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards for Entertainer of the Year (2009/10).

Her debut album, Some Hearts, was certified seven times platinum, and as of February 2006, was the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. It was also the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history, as of February 2008. Some Hearts yielded three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs. Her second album, Carnival Ride, was released on October 23, 2007. It has sold over 3 million copies as of January 2010, being certified 3 times Platinum, and produced four number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Underwood released her third album, Play On, on November 3, 2009. It has been certified 2 times Platinum by the RIAA and has produced three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs so far. As of May 2010, Underwood has sold 20 million singles and over 16 million albums worldwide.

Having 10 #1 Hits on Billboard Hot Country Songs, Underwood is tied with Reba McEntire as the Female Country Artist with Most #1 Hits on such chart from 1990 to present. She's also the only solo Country Artist to have a #1 hit on Billboard Hot 100 Songs in the 2000 decade, as "Inside Your Heaven" reached the top of the chart on July 2005. Some Hearts, Underwood's debut album, was named the Best Country Album of the 2000 Decade by Billboard, and she's the only Female Artist to appear on the Top 10 of Billboard's Best Country Artists of the 2000 Decade list, ranked at #10. She was also ranked #50 on the Artists of the Decade list by Billboard.[10] In 2010, Underwood was #3 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Artists, #4 on the Top Country Album Artists and #23 on Top Artists of 2010.

 

Carrie Underwood at the 2010 Academy of
Country Music (ACM) Awards.

Background information
Birth name     Carrie Marie Underwood
Born     March 10, 1983 (1983-03-10) (age 28)
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Origin     Checotah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Genres     Country, pop, country pop
Occupations     Singer-songwriter, actress
Instruments     Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active     2005–present
Labels     19 / Arista Nashville (2005–current)
Arista (2005–2009)
Associated acts     Brad Paisley, Randy Travis

Early life

Underwood was born to Stephen and Carole Underwood on March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was raised on her parents' farm in the rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma. Her father worked in a sawmill, while her mother taught elementary school. During her childhood, Underwood performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show, and sang at the Free Will Baptist Church. She later sang for local events in Checotah, including Old Settler's Day and the Lion's Club. In 1996, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for Underwood but cancelled it when company management changed. She spent part of her summer as a page for Oklahoma State Representative Bobby Frame. Underwood is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Education

Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian. After high school, she attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, graduating magna cum laude in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in mass communication and an emphasis in journalism. Underwood is a member of the Alpha Iota chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. For two years during the summer, she performed in Northeastern State University's Downtown Country show in Tahlequah. She also competed in numerous beauty pageants at the university and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up in 2004.


American Idol

In the summer of 2004, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis, Missouri. After she sang "Could've Been" by Tiffany on the top 12 girls night, judge Simon Cowell commented that she would be one of the favorites to win the competition.  During the top 11 finalists' performance on the March 22, 2005, Idol episode, Underwood sang a rendition of the number one 1980s rock hit "Alone", made famous by Heart, and Cowell predicted that Underwood would not only win the competition, but she would also outsell all previous Idol winners.

One of the show's producers later said she dominated the voting, winning each week handily. She gained a fan base known as "Carrie's Care Bears" during the course of the show, and became the fourth season winner on May 25, 2005.

Post-Idol



Underwood came back the next season of American Idol to perform her single "Jesus Take the Wheel". She also appeared on the sixth season of American Idol. She sang her single "Wasted" on March 8, making this her fourth time performing on the show since winning the competition in 2005.[25] Underwood also performed at the Idol Gives Back concert singing "I'll Stand By You", (a cover of The Pretenders hit). A video of Underwood's trip to Africa accompanied the song. Underwood sang the same song at American Idol's season finale on May 23, 2007. Underwood sang "Praying for Time", a former number-one hit for George Michael, during the seventh season American Idol Gives Back mini-telethon. She also came back to perform "Last Name" on May 21, 2008, for the finale of the seventh season of American Idol.

On February 12, 2009, Underwood appeared with the other six American Idol winners at the inauguration of The American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World in Florida. She and the other Idol winners received a microphone-shaped trophy honoring them for winning American Idol. Underwood also took the stage to sing her hit single "All-American Girl" as well as perform a duet of "Go Your Own Way" with fellow winner David Cook.

She returned again for season 8 on Wednesday, March 18 to perform a duet with Randy Travis with her single "I Told You So", a song Randy Travis wrote for his 1987 album Always & Forever. Underwood was back again on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, to perform the farewell song of Season 8, "Home Sweet Home".

On April 21, 2010, Underwood returned for Idol Gives Back to perform "Change" from her third studio album, Play On. She returned on the finale of American Idol Season 9 to perform "Undo It", her third single from Play On. She also sang Delta Goodrem's "Together We Are One" with all previous Idol winners that night as a farewell to Simon Cowell.

Personal life

Underwood performed at halftime of the 2006 Thanksgiving Day football game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, and was friends with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.[89] She attended his birthday party in April 2007, and on May 15, 2007, he escorted her to the Academy of Country Music Awards. They were rumored to be dating on and off throughout 2007. Although she denied the rumor when asked, Romo confirmed it by saying "[...] I'm dating Carrie Underwood" on his website. He also told an Illinois newspaper that they were dating.

In August 2007, Underwood began dating Chace Crawford of the American television series Gossip Girl. On October 4, 2007, People magazine reported that the two were seen holding hands in New York City, though according to further reports, they ended their relationship in the spring of 2008.

She became engaged in December 2009 to then Ottawa Senators (and now Nashville Predators) hockey player Mike Fisher, whom she began dating after they met at one of her concerts in 2008.[93] Underwood and Fisher appeared together publicly for the first time in January 2010, at the Bell Sens Soiree, an annual fundraiser in Gatineau for the Ottawa Senators' official charity.[94] After appearing together at the CMT Awards in June 2010, Underwood told reporters that Fisher was planning a surprise honeymoon for the two of them after their summer wedding.

On July 10, 2010, Underwood and Fisher wed at the Ritz Carlton Resort at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia, with more than 250 people in attendance. The couple gave People magazine the following statement, which they signed "Mike & Carrie Fisher": "We could not feel more blessed to have found each other and to have shared this day with our friends and family that mean so much to us!" According to People, Monique Lhuillier created a dress of Chantilly lace for Underwood and also designed the bridesmaids' dresses. The ceremony featured classical music and readings of the couple's favorite Bible verses. National Hockey League players, as well as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, American Idol contestants, and judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson were in attendance She surprised her husband by having one of their favorite artists, Brandon Heath, sing his song "Love Never Fails" for their first dance.

On February 11, 2011, 105.3 CISS-FM, an Ottawa radio station, banned Underwood's music to be played because her husband Mike Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators the day before. Due to Underwood's fans' threats to never tune into the radio station on Facebook, the station later modified their statements. They apologized for their actions, saying that their statements were meant to be taken as a joke as they don't play Underwood's country songs anyway and was their tongue-in-cheek way of wishing Mike Fisher the best of luck in Nashville. Mike Fisher later criticized the station saying "obviously Carrie had nothing to do with the move or the trade or anything so to imply something like that was just wrong", and both he and Carrie were disappointed in the negativity that was created by the radio station.

Grammy Awards

On December 7, 2006, Underwood's album Some Hearts received four Grammy nominations. Underwood won her first two Grammy Awards that year: Best New Artist, becoming the second of only three country artists to ever win this award after Leann Rimes, and was followed by Zac Brown Band in 2010, and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Jesus, Take the Wheel", which also won Best Country Song for the songwriters Gordie Sampson, Brett James and Hillary Lindsey. The song was also nominated for "Song of the Year". Her nomination and victory in the Best New Artist category marked the first time that an American Idol winner or contestant had been nominated for and won the category. The award ceremony was held on February 11, 2007, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. She sang the Eagles song "Life in the Fast Lane" alongside Grammy nominees Rascal Flatts. She also sang the Eagles' "Desperado" to honour Don Henley of The Eagles. She also paid tribute to Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys by performing "New San Antonio Rose".

On February 10, 2008, Underwood was nominated for two more Grammys: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, for "Before He Cheats" and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, for "Oh, Love" a duet with Brad Paisley. She won one Grammy Award that night, for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and "Before He Cheats" also won Best Country Song for its songwriters. The song was also nominated for "Song of the Year". Underwood performed "Before He Cheats" at the ceremony, with a more powerful vocal ending.

On February 8, 2009, Underwood, for the third year in a row, won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Last Name", which she performed during the show, for a total of four Grammy awards in three years. "Ever Ever After", which she recorded for the soundtrack of the 2007 film Enchanted, was also nominated for a Grammy Award under the category Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

On December 2, 2009, Underwood received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her No. 1 song "Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood song)" and a nomination for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "I Told You So" with Randy Travis.

On January 30, 2010, Underwood performed at the annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She performed a duet with Harry Connick Jr. of "All the Way", and a solo version of her hit "Cowboy Casanova".

Underwood performed at the Grammy Awards on January 31, 2010 for the fourth consecutive year, with Celine Dion, Usher, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson during the 3-D Michael Jackson tribute at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich stated that Michael Jackson greatly admired Carrie Underwood, which is why she was hand-picked to perform during his tribute.

On January 31, 2010, Underwood won her fifth Grammy Award. She won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Told You So" with Randy Travis.

In 2010, Underwood was nominated for a Grammy award for the eighth time, for 'Best Female Country Vocal Performance' for "Temporary Home.

International awards

Underwood received her very first international award nomination in 2006. She was nominated for "World's Best Selling New Artist" at the 2006 World Music Awards. The award is given due to worldwide sales (who sells more is the winner). Among the six nominees, Underwood ranked #2, while British singer James Blunt ranked #1 and ended winning the award.

Also in 2006, Underwood's record "Jesus, Take the Wheel" won "SOCAN Song of the Year" at the Canadian Country Music Awards.

In 2008, Underwood won her first international award, which was "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the European Country Music Association Awards.

On October 23, 2010, Underwood won 2 awards from the 8th French Country Music Awards. She won "Best Female Vocalist of the Year (Meilleure Chanteuse)" and "Best Video of the year (Meilleure Video)" for "Cowboy Casanova". The ceremony was held by The French Association of Country Music.

On December 14, 2010, Underwood was nominated for a CMC Australian Country Music Award for International Artist of the Year.

Ashley Tisdale Cancels Again

Ashley Tisdale has gone and disappointed a couple of more fans on Sunday night when the ‘High School Musical’ star cancelled yet another performance. She had already cancelled her performance at the Jingle Ball in South Florida on Saturday night and then she goes and does the same on Sunday night for Q102’s Jingle Ball in Philadelphia. More pain from surgery perhaps?A disappointed concertgoer shares that “When I got to the arena there was a note on the doors that said Ashley Tisdale would not be there. They didn’t even announce it on stage. They just put up a note.”

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes See Celine Dion in Vegas

Enjoying a two day visit to Las Vegas, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes finish up the trip by attending a Celine Dion concert at Caesar’s Palace.

Sources say the couple was very gracious and happily signed autographs for fans before the show. They then sat down to watch the two and a half hour show.

After the show, Tom and Katie went and spent some time meeting Celine. She said she was both excited and nervous about having them watch her performance.

Also that night, the couple enjoyed a romantic dinner at the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn. Another diner says they were holding hands and were “very lovey dovey”.

Thanks, but I’ve lost my appetite.

Even Posh Ain’t Perfect

Umm, even with her perfectly coiffed hair, chiseled face, and packin’ hubby, Victoria Beckham (a.k.a. Posh Spice) has her not-so-good days.Take this weekend, for instance, at one of the Spice Girls reunion concerts. Maybe she should rethink the ridiculously skin hugging outfits because this one was hugging a little too tightly.

Check out the pic to see her pit cleavage. Can she not FEEL the lump?

Apparently swollen, lumpy body parts run in the Beckham family these days.

Kirsten Bell in Jeans in LA

Kirsten Bell and 'some guy' out at LA candids yesterday. Really sexy looking with those jeans on, I say. So it looks like she likes guys with big trucks...

Note to self: buy a truck!!

50 Cent Will Quit if Kanye Outsells Him

50 Cent believes that his new album will outsell Kanye West's upcoming disc and he is so positive on this that he's betting his career on it.

“If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music. I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums.”

The two artists have colaborated in studio previously but their work is not scheduled to appear on any music CDs anytime soon.

50 Cent’s last full-length solo album, “The Massacre,” was the best-selling disc of 2005 and sold more than 1.14 million copies in its first week of release. The same year, West’s “Late Registration” opened by selling more than 860,000 copies in its first week.