The first three finalists of "American Idol's" season eight: Alexis Grace, the soulful 21-year-old single mother from Memphis, Tenn.; Michael Sarver, the beefy 27-year-old oil rig worker from Jasper, Texas; and Danny Gokey, the spikey-haired 28-year-old church music director from Milwaukee were announced Wednesday night. The trio received the most viewer votes. ...more

February 19, 2009

Tatiana Del Toro had something else to cry about. The emotional 28-year-old crooner from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was one of nine "American Idol" semifinalists sent packing Wednesday. ...more

February 18, 2009

The calls began to flood Luke Song's hat shop not long after Aretha Franklin finished belting out "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's inauguration. ...more

January 23, 2009

Forget the millions on Metro, and the bus caravans inching in from beyond the Beltway. Barack Obama's inauguration is destined to create the greatest red-carpet gridlock in the history of the Federal City. ...more

December 21, 2008

I don't know much about gospel music. So when I got the call eight years ago that Dottie Rambo was coming to town, I said something stupid like, "Who?" ...more

May 24, 2008

When Aretha Franklin is unhappy, she does not mince words. ...more

February 14, 2008

If we can tell anything about the presidential candidates from their campaign theme music, it may be this: They (or perhaps their aides) aren't paying much attention to the lyrics. If they were, they might change their tune. ...more

January 21, 2008

The Lord must love old-school soul. 'This Is Ryan Shaw,' a collection of classic R&B remakes and originals that mesh perfectly with the oldies, might have had a different feel if Shaw hadn't had a little talk with the Lord beforehand. ...more

October 26, 2007

Interview with Al "Coffee" McDaniel ...more

October 12, 2007