Controversy!

I'm not gonna lie: I'm really glad Kris won American Idol last week. It's not because I think he's all that great, or that I think Danny got robbed or I don't like Adam's guyliner. (I mean, I don't really like Adam's guyliner, but that's got nothing to do with my opinion.) Here's why I'm glad it was Kris: I don't think Adam can sing all that well.

There. I've said it. The boy's overrated and annoying -- and it honestly has nothing to do with guyliner. (Although guyliner still sucks.)

That said, is Kris' win legit? Hmmm...

The urban myth about Arkansas' plucky 3 million residents lodging nearly 40 million votes for "American Idol" winner Kris Allen was quickly debunked last week. But now another controversy has erupted over some votes from Allen's home state that may have tipped the contest in his favor.

According to The New York Times, AT&T, one of the show's biggest corporate sponsors, might have influenced the outcome of the Allen/ Adam Lambert showdown by providing phones for free text messaging and lessons on how to cast large blocks of votes at parties organized by Allen fans in Arkansas.

AT&T's mobile network is the only one that can be used to cast "Idol" votes via text message and, according to the paper, representatives from the company offered free texting at two parties in Arkansas after last Tuesday's performance finale. While an unnamed AT&T spokesperson and party attendees confirmed the free texting, the paper said there appears to have been no similar efforts to offer free texting to Lambert's fans, who have reportedly been flooding online chat forums with complaints about alleged voting irregularities. (These kinds of complaints have become an annual rite of passage for the show's most passionate fans.)

"In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community," said a statement from AT&T issued on Tuesday. "A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested."

Officials at Fox Broadcasting would not discuss the situation with the Times, and a spokesperson for "Idol" had no comment for MTV News at press time.

Among the tutorials were lessons on how to send 10 or more texts (or power texts) with the press of one button, which have much greater impact than single texts or toll-free phone line votes. The Times said the efforts appear go against "Idol" voting rules in two ways: An on-screen warning at the end of each episode says that blocks of votes cast using "technical enhancements" that unfairly influence the outcome of voting can be thrown out, and the show regularly reminds viewers that text voting is open only to AT&T subscribers and is subject to normal rates.

In the weeks before the show's finale, however, the message boards and fan sites for both Allen and Lambert frequently offered advice on how to power text, and fans of the respective singers were encouraged to do so to give their favorite an advantage.

Oy.

Why Do You Think The Net Was Born?

I'm not entirely sure this is relevant to the radio station, but I saw "Avenue Q" at the PAC last night, and I felt the need to share this with you.

There are some language things going on, so if you're sensitive to that...or you're watching at work, you might wanna skip it.

If The Old People Can Do It, So Can I

Hey, do you remember the song "Rhythm Of The Night" by DeBarge? Well...maybe not, but you'll probably remember it after you watch this:

Well, one of the members of DeBarge -- James, the one who was secretly married to Janet Jackson for about 10 minutes -- has a daughter with a new song we're playing on KISS. Her name is Kristinia DeBarge (no, that's not a typo, her name is pronounced "kris-tuh-nee-uh), and the song is called "Goodbye." It's pretty good song...no video yet, but:

Scary, Yet Awesome!

I heard Dayton play this during the Noon Workout today and it reminded me of the video -- I think this was the first pop star I'd ever seen with a nose ring, and she had the bad ass chain that connected her nose ring to her hoop earrings.

I wouldn't call it hot...but you won't be able to look away.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Why, Hello There!

Been too long. Sorry 'bout that.

First off, the hottest jam on the station right now is only playing during Who's On Top:


(Warning: this is the unedited version of the song, so there's some swearing in the video.)

Lil' Wayne's new song is called "Prom Queen," and based on your reaction so far, I think he's got a big ol' hit on his hands. Make sure you listen for your chance to vote tonight at 9 with Tiny.

Other new hotness we've started playing recently: remember that song called "T-Shirt" by Shontelle? She's back, this time with Akon helping and the song is pretty sweet:


It's from the soundtrack to the new movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" that's coming out soon. It's not exactly a flick I'd normally want to see, but I have something just south of a stalker's fascination with Isla Fisher, so I'll probably go anyway.

Something music related that you want to know? Shoot me an e-mail: bdavis@wcinet.com.

It Rhymes With Smelly Snarkson

The question for that answer is: "who has a new song out today?"

AI1 winner Kelly's new song is called "My Life Would Suck Without You" and I think it's pretty okay. It's no "Since U Been Gone," but it's pretty solid. It'll be on tonight's Who's On Top with Tiny Dancer...you can vote on which one you like better.

Wait...you think it's a coincidence that Kelly's new song comes out the day the new season of AI starts? Hmmm...

Be listening for new KISS music this week from John Legend, Leona Lewis and Flo Rida.

Have any questions you want answered? (Thus making the title of this blog appropriate?) E-mail me: bdavis@wcinet.com.

New Year, New Music

A lot of times, all the good new music comes out around the holidays and then the first few months of the year kinda suck. Not this year, baby...my peeps tell me (wow...what an asshat am I) that we'll get new songs from Eminem, 50 Cent, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey and a bunch of other superstars early this year.

In the meantime, there's still some pretty good stuff coming out...keep your ears open for new KISS music from Akon, Rihanna, T.I and Justin Timberlake, Jesse McCartney and Katy Perry soon!

Got a question about what we do around here? Shoot me an e-mail and I'll answer your question on this here blog: bdavis@wcinet.com.