It's hard to believe it has been 4 years since Adam Lambert and Kris Allen were competing together on Season 8 of American Idol. Of course Kris was the winner and Adam Lambert was the runner up. In July 2009, The IDOL Tour made its stop in Tacoma, WA to play the Tacoma Dome. Earlier in the day I met up with Kris Allen and had to ask him about the goals and Adam. This weekend Kris comes Back to Seattle to play the Tractor Tavern and I will be there to Reunite with Kris to do a follow Up. Here are highlights of the 2009 Interview:
With all the news of late centering on Adam Lambert, I had a rare opportunity to meet and interview the official American Idol, Kris Allen, backstage at the Idol Tour this past summer. Kris came into the room backstage at the Tacoma Dome wearing jeans and a tight, blue t-shirt. Allen, 24, was short and looked about 18. His cuteness was obvious.
MK: How does it feel to be the American Idol? Kris Allen: It feels good, you know, it was good putting together the album, so that is obliviously a good thing and working on a lot of stuff.
MK: On the show, what was one of your best moments? Kris Allen:Probably, the best moment would be, for me, was singing with Adam and Queen at the same time…I just loved that…I was just great time and will never forget that.
MK: Who was your favorite judge? Kris: Always, always the favorite judge question (Laughter)…Well, we spent a lot of time with Paula, so she is really, really sweet and such a nice person, so I am not going to pick one, but she was really sweet and Kara was amazing and Simon is a nice guy behind the scenes and all that.Allen:
MK: So he really is nice? Kris Allen:He’s nice, but he believes what he says on the show.
MK: So you and Adam get along really well? Kris Allen: Oh my gosh, absolutely! (Smiling)
MK: With the recent passing of Michael Jackson, Was he an influence in your life? Kris Allen:I don’t know anyone who is in music right now that Michael Jackson wasn’t an influence. He was the first person I really got into, I mean, my parents caught me dancing to his music as a kid. Trying to be like him, trying to moonwalk. (I wasn’t very good at that) and so he was the first tape I bought. (The ‘Dangerous’ tape) so yeah, I grew up with him and he was the number one influence in my life. Musically.
MK: Do you plan to release more albums? Kris Allen: Oh my gosh, YES. This is just the beginning, hopefully.
MK: What previous American Idols success do you hope to achieve?Kris Allen: Kelly has done so well and Carrie, obviously has been amazing. Even someone like David Cook just kind of done his own thing and have played small shows for his tour, so even like him would be successful in his first year would be great.MK: Best of Luck to you in your continued success.Kris Allen:Thanks a lot! Following up: Kris’ self titled debut album Kris Allen, was released in mid-November and sold 80,000 copies placing him No. 11 on the charts. Adam Lambert’s controversial appearance on the American Music Awards conveniently happened the night before his album, For Your Entertainment, was released and which debuted at number three. Allison Iraheta’s album had the third-highest debut of the week it was released behind R. Kelly’s “Untitled” (114,000) and the Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel soundtrack (39,000). Season nine of American Idol currently airs on Tues. and Wed.
