6/22, Rita Cosby Live and Direct: "Go platinum!" (updated 6/23)

(Now with crummy screencaps made by me! Many thanks to my anon buddy at Rawkhands, and to Sunscreen for fab tech skills and generosity. Also, the Rita Cosby Live and Direct transcript has been posted, and there's video available at the show's page.)

Well, that was fun! Especially at the end...

First things first, for my fellow CD-obsessed Bucky Covington supporters--when asked about his future plans during tonight's all-Idol Rita Cosby hour, Bucky mentioned that he hopes to have a CD out "before Christmas". And when asked what he'd like to do sometime before...well, you know...he smiled and said "go platinum!" (Happy to help you there, Bucky...)

Ahem. Anyway, the show was a bit of a combination ad for the tour and Idol reunion; Justin Guarini, Ruben Studdard, Bo Bice (looking great!) and William Hung made cameo appearances, but the current Idols were the focus; Taylor's amazing journey, Ace's heartthrob status, Katherine's recent struggles, Elliott's serene charm. Bucky and Kellie were all too briefly interviewed together as "Idol's Southern Charmers", and we got to hear a little about what sort of CD we can expect for his debut. (Country, with a side dish of rock...sounds good to me.) No details on the business end of things, of course--we'll have to hold on until the end of the tour for any official news. But it's looking very good, y'all...


(He also mentioned that he's been doing some songwriting--in the very long run, this is probably the best and most important news of the night. While Bucky as "American Idol guy" is a whole lot of fun, Bucky Covington, singer/songwriter/performer is the one we'll be sticking with long after the memories of the blue neon fade away. From what little there is to be gathered at this point, it sounds like he's both striking while the iron is hot and planning out a strategy for the long term--working on the composing skills, honing the performing skills. Gotta respect his determination. It's going to make the music that much stronger.)

Also looking good--the Bucky Slide, which got the "pimp spot" as the show closer this evening. (Do "news" shows really have a "pimp spot"?) Bucky attempted to teach Rita his signature move, with a nice-sounding spontaneous line of "Real Good Man" as background music. Here's hoping that both the Bucky Slide and that song are both on the menu for the tour--I grinned like a silly kid when he first did it on Idol, and I grinned again tonight. Is this concert going to be a blast or what?



And a quick heads-up on some non-Rita news; Bucky's Transformation photo gallery is now up at the official site. Prepare to say "awww"...


More later--have a superlative Friday!