Rob Thomas released his second solo album, Cradlesong, this week and I’m not sure it’s going to do as well as his first effort, …Something to Be, but he’s off to a pretty strong start.  

His first single is “Her Diamonds” and I think it’s an odd enough sounding song on the recorded version so I was curious about how it would turn out during a live performance.

Rob pulled it off pretty well (I’m always impressed by those people who can sound relatively decent outdoors at 8am).  I am sure it was a lot of fun for him too since the audience seemed to be feeling pretty festive with the Fourth of July coming up tomorrow.

I’m still not a huge fan of the single but if you love it, you’ll want to check out this video:

image: Amazon

This morning on The Today Show the Jonas Brothers stopped by to perform a bunch of their fan favorites. They started off with their hit singles, “Burnin’ Up” and "Lovebug" which were off of their 2008 album “A Little Bit Longer.” Then, they treated the audience to their songs “Paranoid” and “Much Better”, both off of their newly released album “Line, Vines and Trying Times.”

They sounded relatively good, something that’s not always common for the Jo Bros. I find they have a hard time with live performances, but I respect that they still are quite young and seem to be working hard. I actually don’t mind their new single “Paranoid” and I like that they decided to do something a bit different with this newest album. I’m not exactly sure how I feel about their single “Much Better” which is supposedly aimed towards Joe Jonas’s ex-girlfriend, Taylor Swift. It sounded a bit screechy to me. What did you guys think?

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Ashley Tisdale was on Good Morning America earlier this week where she performed her single “It’s Alright, It’s OK” which is the first release from her Guilty Pleasure album, which drops on July 28, 2009.

The track is a bit of a departure from what we’ve come to expect from the High School Musical star – it’s a little edgier with a slightly heavier rock sound.  I think it’s great that she’s trying to experiment with a new sound and expand her talents.  I wouldn’t say that I love the song or the performance but I know that it’s a little hard when a song is still new and the artist hasn’t gotten used to singing it (plus, it was early in the morning although you wouldn’t know it by how much energy Ashley had!).  My only comment is that I hope she does try to become too sexual in an effort to shed the Disney image.  Check it out and tell me what you think:

Image: INF

The Black Eyed Peas were on the Today show’s Summer Concert Series this morning where they performed their hit “Boom Boom Pow” which, as Matt Lauer explains, has been at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 for 10 weeks. 

I really didn’t like the song at first but once it grew on me, I couldn’t stop singing it.  I think they did a good job considering how tough it’s got to be to do a song like that one outside early in the morning (I see will.i.am got some “assistance” during the autotune sections but I guess that is to be expected).  They looked great too but can I ask what’s up with Fergie’s weird nails?

Despite all of their success, my favorite Peas song remains “Let’s Get It Started” but this new album The E.N.D. features a new kind of sound for them so maybe their best song is yet to come.  They also performed their second single from the album “I Gotta Feeling” which is already catching on even though it’s only been out a week.  If you watch television you’ll be hearing a lot more of it since it’s been chosen by CBS to promote their upcoming fall lineup.

image credit: splashnewsonline.com

Taylor Swift performed on the Today show’s “Summer Concert Series” this morning and she looked beautiful.  The 19-year-old country superstar performed some of her best songs and I think she did a great job.  Granted, I think her songs are better written than she can actually sing (sorry) but all things considered, it was a nice set of performances.

She talked about her experience since becoming such a big star (she sold out a concert at Madison Square Garden in one minute!).

Watch her sing the cute and romantic song “Love Story” (one of my daughters sang in front of the screen just mouthing the words).

She also sang “You Belong to Me” which has more of an 80s feel to it but it has great infectious lyrics.

When she performed her crowd-favorite “Our Song” the audience happily sang along and I thought it was great.  Can you imagine how flattering that must have been?!

Supermodel, Heidi Klum makes and appearance on The Bonnie Hunt Show while Ellen DeGeneres sings with Jennifer Hudson. Today, Oprah’s show is all about women who leave their husbands to be with other women. Then, watch Rachael Ray as she crashes the set of American Idol.

• Bonnie Hunt – Heidi Klum and Matthew Rhys
• Dr. Phil - Angry Moms
• Ellen – Ellen sings with Jennifer Hudson. Plus, David Spade, Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
• Martha – TBA
• Oprah - Women Leaving Men for Other Women
• Rachael Ray - Ed McMahon and American Idol
• Regis and Kelly – The Ultimate Hometown Grill-Off
• The View - Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin fashions from TJ Maxx & TJX
• Tyra - Free Stuff

New artist, David Boreanaz is invited to the show by Bonnie Hunt. Tune in to see some weight loss secrets, provided by The Biggest Loser on Oprah’s show today. Then, catch Bobby Flay and Reese Witherspoon as they make an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Also, tune in to see Danny Gokey as he is interviewed on Live with Regis and Kelly.

• Bonnie Hunt – David Boreanaz, Bill Nye and Tabatha Coffey
• Dr. Phil - Busted Online
• Ellen – Bobby Flay and Reese Witherspoon
• Martha – TBA
• Oprah - Weight Loss Secrets of the "Biggest Losers"
• Rachael Ray - Cooking Showdown with Mario Batali
• Regis and Kelly – Danny Gokey and Jeff Daniels
• The View - David Hyde Pierce, Justin Long and Mellody Hobson
• Tyra - He Cheats… Take Him Back or Dump Him?

Robin McGraw makes an appearance on the Rachael Ray Show while Adam Lambert talks to Regis and Kelly. Dr Phil brings out guests and asks them to share some of their biggest fears and Oprah gives us tips on how to manage your money best. Then, Jennifer Hudson and Anthony Iglesias chat with Ellen.

• Bonnie Hunt – George Lopez, Cat Cora and Jonathan Burkin
• Dr. Phil - What Do You Fear?
• Ellen – Jennifer Hudson and Anthony Iglesias
• Martha – Russia Show
• Oprah - Best Life Week: Your Money Plan 2009
• Rachael Ray - Robin McGraw
• Regis and Kelly – Adam Lambert
• The View - "The View: Special Edition: Women’s Health.” Five of the biggest health crises for women and a performance from Broadway’s "Next To Normal"
• Tyra - I Don’t Need a Husband or a Baby

The eighth American Idol winner, Kris Allen, was on Ellen today and he talked a bit about the show and, of course, performed.  The ladies in the audience definitely seemed to like him!

When he sang his single “No Boundaries” (which was written for whomever won the singing competition), he changed the key and arrangement a little from when he sang it on the finale and I think it was a lot better.

He also performed his rendition of Kanye West’s “Heartless” and I really like it a lot more than the original.  I find the words mean so much more with this toned-down version and I wish he could release it as a single. 

Runner-up, Adam Lambert, also spoke to Ellen last week (via telephone) and her audience erupted in applause.  The talk show host mentioned how surprising it was to see Kris win but what she really wanted to say was that she really respected how Adam handled losing.  She couldn’t resist the urge to be funny so she offered him some make-up tips.  Hilarious!

It’s a day of hot topics on The View today and Martha Stewart is in Mexico for this episode. American Idol winner, Kris Allen is on two talk shows today. He’ll make his way to the Ellen DeGeneres Show along with Mandy Moore and then he’ll stop by to see Regis and Kelly. Rachael Ray makes some delicious sour cream and onion turkey patty melts and Dr. Phil gives audiences some tips on how to be a better parent.

• Bonnie Hunt – Fran Drescher and Joel Ward
• Dr. Phil - How to Be a Better Parent, Part 4
• Ellen – Kris Allen and Mandy Moore
• Martha – Martha in Mexico
• Oprah - The Truth About Food with Dr. Oz and Bob Greene
• Rachael Ray - Sour Cream & Onion Turkey Patty Melts
• Regis and Kelly – Kris Allen and the Indianapolis 500
• The View - "Day of Hot Topics;" and Faith Prince
• Tyra - Marry My Man