Quick update

First and foremost, a very kind poster on the official boards has posted some great screencaps of Bucky and Rocky's day at the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway. (Those smiles! Could two NASCAR fans be any happier?)

And be sure to check Ticketmaster if you haven't snagged the seats you want for the summer Idols tour--the general public sale starts today at 10:00 a.m. venue time.

Yesterday's Tennessean article made me a little curious about Joe Galante, the Sony BMG chief mentioned in the story. This GuideLive.com feature about the fortunes--and misfortunes--of some past Nashville Star winners is interesting reading overall, but this quote from Mr. Galante struck me as particularly encouraging:

"There is nothing here that forces us to get a record out right away," says Joe Galante, chairman of the RCA Label Group. "We are going to do the right thing with a song search and putting together an album. That gives us time. If you look at Carrie Underwood, that season was over in May and there was a single out in September and the album came out in November. We have a chance for this person to hit the various markets. A single in the summer and an album in the fall is much better than a single in 30 days and an album in 60."

One of the biggest troubles with some past American Idol winners (and runners-up) has been the rushed, quickie "show souvenir" feeling of a few of the CDs. More than a few ex-Idols' fans have said that if a little time been taken to really get the right songs together and strike a better balance between "art" and "units", their favorites would be in a better position today, artistically and commercially.

Bucky was fantastic on television, even with some of the odd themes that were part of the Idol mix...but it's the raw, haunting Bucky Covington of "Can't Be Wrong" who intrigues me musically, and I know I'm not alone. (You can hear that original song at Bucky Covington Online, his official site, and if you haven't, please do. It's beautiful.) No matter where Bucky ends up label-wise, any exec who takes the time and the care to encourage a truly good CD--not an Idol memento, but an album that is true to his distinctive, rootsy, real talents--will be my hero or heroine forever. A quality debut means years of follow-ups and tours and a solid, steady career. We'd love that, even if it means waiting a little longer...

In the meantime, there's Idol--the finale show next week, and the pre-tour publicity blitz coming soon. Hope there'll be a few spoilers about next week's extravaganza shortly.

(Update--tons of info at MJ's, which links to this TV Guide Channel press release. Looks like there will be hype coverage all week long, starting today with an "Idol Tonight" mini-marathon that runs all weekend. (Relive those thrilling moments with "whoo!"-ing fans outside the studio, silly trivia questions, and clips from the season--check your local cable listings for times.)

More later...good luck at Ticketmaster and have a great Saturday!