Live4MusiC

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - If there was any question as to whether "American Idol" is capable of spawning credible, Grammy-worthy artists, Adam Lambert is out to prove the naysayers wrong.

The Season 8 runner-up, who joins past "Idol" alum nominees Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, and Jennifer Hudson, among others, is nominated for best male pop vocal performance for "Whataya Want From Me," the second single off his 2009 debut, "For Your Entertainment."

The song was originally intended for Pink -- and, in fact was written by her along with Max Martin and Shellback -- but like all things Lambert, he made it his own.

So how did the outspoken and always outrageous glam rocker hear the news? "I was awoken by my manager in the morning while in Paris," he tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Much more effective than my usual cup of coffee to wake me up. I was so excited! After our call, I saw that a bunch of friends and family had texted and written emails."

Indeed, the Twitterverse was a flutter with congratulations wishes -- from fellow artists to fans to casual listeners -- even as Lambert was blissfully resting from the end of a long, successful world tour.

Now that he's performed "Whataya Want From Me" ad nauseum for the better part of two years, one has to wonder whether he knew the song was special when it was first offered to him.

"I recorded 'Whataya Want From Me' on a day off from the Idols Live Arena tour and I was pretty wiped out due to the show schedule," Lambert reflects, "I knew the song would be a key track on my album and it was my first time working with the incredible Max Martin and Shellback, so I was a bit apprehensive. The vocal ad libs at the end were the most challenging as they are quite high and it had been a long day. When I heard the first mix, I felt really confident the song would have success thanks to the flawless production."

As far as the big music business picture is concerned, Lambert acknowledges that the Grammy nod further legitimizes an A&R tool that many in the industry had ostensibly written off, but he emphasizes that the credibility is also his, not just the show's. 

"I believe 'American Idol' is a dream platform for any artist," he explains. "It did not however, teach me how to sing or perform. I made music for years prior to the show but knew that most major labels wouldn't be interested in me as a mainstream pop artist unless I could develop a legitimate fan base and prove that I had talent. 'Idol' gave me these opportunities. But I feel I earned my current success by preparing and executing a variety of strong performances every week on the show and being comfortable being different."

Indeed, as one of RCA's breakout acts of last year -- with nearly one million units sold between his full-length, a remix album and an acoustic EP -- Lambert was able to parlay TV exposure into a real music career, no small feat in this time of talent show overload.

"In addition to the writers and producers of the track, I hope that at this point, after all the hard work I've done over the past year, the nomination will give me credibility as a true vocalist in the industry," he says, "and perhaps help fade some of the stigma that comes from rising to fame on a competition show."

- ABC News

Adam Lambert took to the stage as planned in Malaysia on Thursday night following a day of demonstrations outside the venue.

The outlandish gay singer faced fierce criticism from religious groups in the country over his gig in Kuala Lumpur, with members of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party voicing fears the singer would be promoting homosexual culture in the mainly Muslim state, where same-sex relations are illegal.

The group staged a day of protests outside the Putra Indoor Stadium on Thursday, with campaigners holding prayer vigils at the entrance, handing out anti-Lambert flyers and holding up signs reading, "It's not our culture!"

Police barred the activists from entering the venue, but a small group was allowed in to continue handing out pamphlets, which described the singer as “wild, lewd and extreme".

Around 100 protesters descended on the stadium, but the demonstrations remained peaceful and no arrests were made.

Prior to the concert Lambert reiterated his promise that he would tone down his act, and kept his word by cutting a same-sex kiss from his routine.

- TorontoSun 

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have ordered US glam rocker Adam Lambert to tone down his act when he performs in the conservative Muslim-majority country on Thursday.

Lambert, who shot to fame in the American Idol contest, is openly gay and has created controversy with his performances, including at the American Music Awards where he simulated a sex act on stage and kissed a male keyboardist.

Malaysian authorities have given the green light to Lambert's show in the capital Kuala Lumpur, part of his Glam Nation tour, despite objections from the hardline Islamic opposition party PAS.

However, he has been told to comply with a list of conditions, including not removing his clothes while performing.

"Previously we stopped (hip hop artist) Akon's concert... because the singer had acted indecently by removing his clothes during a previous concert," information ministry official Mohamed Dian Nais told the Star daily.

Mohamed Dian said that concert organisers had been given a briefing on the regulations.

Lambert said on Twitter that he had agreed to the demands, but defended his show against allegations from the Islamic party that it promotes a gay lifestyle.

"While I don?t believe that my glamnation tour is in any way offensive I have agreed to make a few minor adjustments out of respect for the Malaysian government," he said.

"Does my show 'promote the gay lifestyle'? It promotes living ANY lifestyle that includes the freedom to seek love and intimacy," he said.

Homosexual sex is a criminal offense in Malaysia, carrying penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment.

Performances by foreign artists frequently come under fire, forcing events to be cancelled or modified. Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani were both forced to swap skimpy outfits for more modest attire.

- AFP 

(week starting 27th Sep)

Rock & Pop

• Jimmy Eat World - Invented

• Soundgarden - Telephantasm

• Neil Young - Le Noise

• Eric Clapton - Clapton

• Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment Glam Box

• David Bowie - Station To Station

• Sabrina - Acoustic Too

• OST - Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Classical & Jazz

• Paul Potts - Cinema Paradiso

• Cassandra Wilson - Silver Pony

Dance & Soul

• Tricky - Mixed Race

• Mark Ronson & The Business - Record Collection

• Jeezy - TM103

AMERICAN pop star Adam Lambert took to the Padang last night and wowed more than 20,000 music and race fans who showed up to see him at the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

Taking to the stage at 11.30pm, right after the last qualifying race last night, the flamboyant former American Idol finalist pumped up the glam factor with his live band, choreographed moves and posse of dancers.

Earlier in the afternoon, fellow American rocker Chris Daughtry, also a former American Idol contestant, played at the same stage to a crowd half the size.

- The Straits Times 

(week starting 20th Sep)

Rock & Pop

• Lady Gaga - The Cherrytree Sessions

• Maroon 5 - Hands All Over

• Santana - Guitar Heaven: Greatest Guitar Classics

• Serj Tankian - Imperfect Harmonies

• Jimmy Lin - Its My Time

• Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man

• Selena Gomez - Year Without Rain

• Seal - Commitment

• Various Artists - The Muttons Show: What the Bleah

• Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment Glam Box

• Sharon Corr - Dream Of You

Classical & Jazz

• David Garrett (VLN) - Rock Symphonies

• Lizz Wright - Fellowship

• Jane Monheit - Home

• Various Artists - Jukebox: Best Country Hits

Dance & Soul

• John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up

• Thievery Corporation - It Takes A Thief

 Asian Pop

• Karen Mok 莫文蔚 - <寶貝> Repack