Our awesome host and the #1 entertainment site on the web, Hollywood.com, has teamed up with LivingSocial, the leading website for coupons and daily deals. There is no commitment to buy anything. All you need to do is register for LivingSocial to support this site!

- Click on the LivingSocial.com advertisement above. It will open up in a new window.
- Fill out your zip code & e-mail. Under “Site”, enter in “KrisAllenWeb.com”

NOTE: We have no control on any offers or e-mails through LivingSocial, nor are we affiliated to them. There is no purchase or commitment necessary to receive these offers. Everything is completely free. For more information on how LivingSocial works, please click here. You can unsubscribe to receiving deals from LivingSocial at any time.

Was it really such a surprise?

It’s over two years since Kris Allen was crowned the winner of American Idol 2009. Whilst, for his fans, his win may have seemed undoubtedly well-deserved, many were surprised at what was reported to be a landslide victory. However, looking back, does it still seem like such a surprise?

Aside from his obvious singing talent, Allen also had the advantage of being easily likeable throughout the entire series. The support which turned out for his homecoming was visual proof of this, but no doubt this overwhelming backing was there all along. OK Magazine even cited Katie Holmes as an A-list celebrity fan of the singer – so why was everyone so surprised at his win?

Perhaps it was the fact that odds-on favourite, Adam Lambert, also had an A-list fan, on the form of slightly more outspoken pop songstress, Katy Perry. Lambert also received a huge amount of praise from the judges each week. Entertainment weekly stated that Allen won the contest “underdog style”, and maybe this is why as it came as a shock to some of the nation.

Meanwhile, NY Daily News tried to suggest that there may have been more political forces at place. Lambert was much more likely to be considered the most ‘blue state’ of the two, due to his eccentric style, guyliner and ambiguous sexuality, whilst Allen came from a strong Christian background, and was see as much more ‘clean cut’. Rather than American Idol being based simply on musical talent, or even just basic preference from those who watch with one eye on the TV screen whilst playing Cheeky Bingo, it was seen a politically motivated battle in some viewers eyes. The political climate in 2009 should still have swung the vote in favour of Lambert, although it is worth baring in mind that perhaps blue-state would-be supporters may have been less likely to vote.

Therefore, despite much talk of Allen’s surprising win, it seems that the singer had much of what was needed to pull off such a victory from the very beginning. Perhaps his continuing success since the end of the competition might serve as proof that Allen’s fame and success was simply a long time coming.

AMERICAN IDOL winner Kris Allen will perform with the Berklee City Music All-Star Band May 2-4 in New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. The concert series, which is open to elementary and high school students, works to raise awareness of the importance and need for music education, particularly in urban areas where schools are reducing or eliminating music programs.

“Kris, Andy Davis and I, our host partners and the other 30+ City Music Network sites across the country are on a mission to not only highlight the importance and life-changing impact that a music education can have on today’s urban youth, but also to assure they get access to that education,” said J. Curtis Warner, Jr., Executive Director, Berklee City Music.

Allen will perform solo selections from his debut album and ensemble pieces with the All-Star Band to an audience of students who already benefit from or can benefit from the Berklee City Music program.

“To be associated with a leader in music education such as the Berklee City Music program is truly an honor. Music education is vital to any child’s development and is a cause that I hold close to my heart. The opportunities that the Berklee program provides to kids are remarkable and inspiring,” says Kris Allen.

Joining the ranks of legendary musician Quincy Jones and Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, Allen will serve as a Berklee City Music Network (BCMN) Ambassador to spread awareness of the program. As part of his role of Ambassador, Kris Allen will attend the Berklee City Music Completion Ceremony in Boston on May 1 and perform songs with the Berklee City Music All-Stars.

Allen has also partnered with Music Empowers Foundation (MEF) to provide the BCMN with a two-year $150,000 grant to fund research measuring the program’s impact and its continued expansion and development. “It is very gratifying to partner with Kris in support of an innovative program like Berklee City Music,” said Andy Davis, Founder of MEF. “Kris is an amazing advocate for music education and by doing these concerts we hope to raise awareness and attract funding for additional programs.”

MEF and Kris Allen will also fund five scholarships for high school students in the BCMN to attend Berklee City Music’s Five-Week Summer Program. Nearly $30,000 was raised for the scholarships by Allen’s fans during a fundraiser called “Alright with Music,” named after Allen’s single “Alright With Me.”

“A fundamental component to fulfilling our mission is in developing partnerships. We have worked with the Berklee City Music project since 2006 and they have played an integral role in developing the varied music opportunities we offer. As some of our students transition into being Berklee undergraduates we look forward to building deeper and longer lasting bonds,” added Paul J. Thompson, Principal, Urban Assembly School of Music and Art.

SCHEDULE:
May 1 – Boston – Completion Ceremony at Berklee College of Music – Ceremony begins at 2:00pm

May 2 – New York – Urban Assembly School of Media – 122 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023 – (212) 501-1110 – Performance begins at 1:30pm

May 3 – Philadelphia – Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter – 301 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140 – (215) 457-3667 – Performance begins at 12:30pm

May 4 – Washington D.C. – Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, Communities in Schools 21st Century Learning Center Extended Day Program – 3999 8th St. SE Washington D.C. 20032 – (202) 645-3100 – Performance begins at 5:00pm

Source

The “Alright with Music” fundraiser honoring American Idol winner and platinum-selling recording artist, Kris Allen, exceeded all expectations as many hundreds of fans donated to raise over $28,000 for the Music Empowers Foundation and music education for kids. The event, which ended just days ago, raised over $10,000 in the last week of the initiative alone, allowing the fundraiser to surpass its original goal of $25,000 by over 10%.

“Alright with Music” was conceived and sponsored by a group of Kris Allen fans who were inspired by his spirit of giving and wanted to bring focus to one of his passions, music education. “I’ve always said that my fans are the greatest and their generosity and support for Alright with Music solidifies my point,” said Mr. Allen when asked about the fundraiser. “Music education is very important to me and I’m glad that my fans share the same passion.”

Since winning American Idol in 2009, Kris Allen has become a strong advocate for music education for children. He has lent his support to music education causes, especially Music Empowers Foundation, with which he partners on several initiatives. In October of 2010, Mr. Allen was honored by Little Kids Rock at their annual “Right to Rock” gala for his contributions to music education for children.

Organizers of the event were understandably pleased. “It has been an honor and pleasure for all of us to work on this project,” said Kathy Tibaldi, leader of the Alright with Music team. “Of course, we would not have been nearly so successful without the help of many people. We’d like to thank Andy Davis, founder of Music Empowers for his encouragement and energy, Kris Allen, his family, and his management team for all of their support, and our fellow Kris Allen fans for spreading the word and sharing our enthusiasm for Music Empowers Foundation.”

“Music Empowers Foundation is humbled by the great generosity of Kris Allen’s fans and others who supported this event,” expressed Andy Davis. “I’d like to thank Kris Allen for inspiring his fans to such generosity and for his awesome support of music education for kids.” Mr. Davis went on to explain that funds raised will be used by Music Empowers Foundation to continue supporting music education programs offered by organizations such as Little Kids Rock, Berklee City Music Network, and Blackbird Academy of Arts.

Source

GALLERY LINKS:
APPEARANCES > 2010 > Kris Allen appears on Extra hosted by Mario Lopez

American Idol winner Kris Allen will return to Conway in October to perform in a benefit concert for Blackbird Academy of Arts, Inc.

The performance will be held at at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the Reynolds Performance Hall. The $25 tickets will go on sale Oct. 1, and may be purchased through the Reynolds Box Office at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) campus.

This event will be underwritten by the Music Empowers Foundation, an organization established for the purpose of providing funds to non-profit music education programs.

Through the philanthropic efforts of Allen, a Conway native, Andy Davis from the Music Empowers Foundation became aware of Blackbird and its efforts to provide local music and arts education. Together, Davis and Allen are hoping to bring in much-needed funds and awareness for both Blackbird and music education in general. All proceeds from the concert will help Blackbird continue to offer arts education programming to the greater Conway area, and Davis has promised to match proceeds from this event for up to a $50,000 grant for Blackbird’s music program.

A VIP Sponsor Party will also be held at 6 p.m. at UCA’s McCastlain Hall prior to the benefit concert. There, Allen will perform a small acoustic set and be around to mingle with party attendees.

Entrance into the pre-party event can be gained only through the purchase of a VIP Sponsor Package, available through Blackbird for $1,200, and will include 10 VIP Sponsor Party Passes, 10 Benefit Concert tickets, and the option to include a company logo on event-related materials. Sponsor packages are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Blackbird, located in Conway, opened in the fall of 2009 with the main purpose of providing quality arts instruction to the Faulkner County area. As a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Blackbird is working to not only provide more arts education and programming to its community, but to also do so in a way that anyone can take advantage of.

Source

I added outtakes of Kris from US Weekly Magazine:

GALLERY LINKS:
PHOTO SHOOTS > Set 18

This is officially my favorite Kris shoot ever! Thank you, MTV!

GALLERY LINKS:
PHOTO SHOOTS > Set 17

Kris performed at a radio show earlier this afternoon – hopefully some videos will surface on YouTube! For now, here are the first few pictures:

GALLERY LINKS:
LIVE PERFORMANCES > WPLJ ‘s 2010 Scott & Todd’s Summer Blast Off Live Broadcast – May 28, 2010