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Kris Allen Working With Fray Frontman, “Idol” Vets On Debut

6/22/09, 1:33 pm EST

Photo: PEX/FilmMagic
Last week Adam Lambert revealed he’s working with Lady Gaga producer RedOne on songs for his first post-Idol album. Now AI Season Eight champion Kris Allen is talking with Billboard.com about the producers and songwriters he’s recruiting for his debut disc, due out in the fall. So far, Allen has nailed down collaborations with songwriter Claude Kelly (Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Britney Spears’ “Circus”), producer Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Nas) and former Evanescence keyboardist David Hodges, who previously worked with Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and David Archuleta.

“I’ve been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it’s going well,” Allen told Billboard. “Each writing session has been a learning experience. I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it’s going the right way and I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait.” Despite the dance/rap influence of his current writing partners, Allen is reportedly hoping to make a disc in the Jason Mraz mold. Allen also recently spent time in Timbaland’s Virginia studio, not to work with the Shock Value producer, but to collaborate with the Fray’s Joe King, who inspired Allen’s Idol performance of Kanye West’s “Heartless.”

Hodges — whose fellow former Evanescence bandmates just last week recruited Idol Season Seven contestant Carly Smithson to sing in their new band the Fallen — will also reportedly work with Lambert on the runner-up’s first disc for 19 Recordings/RCA, Billboard reports. Hodges has essentially become Idol’s go-to producer, previously helping to co-write Clarkson’s “Because of You” and Archuleta’s “Crush,” plus tracks by Daughtry and Blake Lewis. Hodges is so far the only producer to work with both Allen and Lambert on their debuts.

Related Stories:

• Adam Lambert Teams With Gaga’s “Just Dance” Producer RedOne
• Kris Allen “Flattered” By Adam Lambert’s “Hilarious” Crush
• “American Idol” Winner Kris Allen Sets Debut Album

Daniel Kreps

More American Idol, General, Rock News


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Comments

coco | 6/22/2009, 2:33 pm EST

So excited and happy for Kris :)

Vada | 6/22/2009, 4:43 pm EST

I already own the album, since I bought the iTunes pass. I can’t wait to hear it.

Sara | 6/22/2009, 5:08 pm EST

I am super excited for Kris’ album! I can’t wait to see all the callaborations on the album.Kris is so talented and such a nice,down-to-earth guy.I just know i won’t be dissapointed:)

mtlfan | 6/22/2009, 5:18 pm EST

already bought his album!! i’m sure it will be great!

Beth | 6/22/2009, 6:38 pm EST

I bought the iTunes Pass, too. Can’t wait for the first single. I hope it’s a mix of pop rock and r&b/soul! I definitely got the r&b/soul vibe from Kris on the show, so I hope that stays in his music. I think it’s a good sign he’s working with one of Amy Winehouse/Nas’s producers

Joe | 6/22/2009, 7:43 pm EST

Great news. I enjoy listening to Kris’s music.

Jules | 6/22/2009, 8:25 pm EST

Kris is a breathe of fresh air, a big break from all the chaos around us. I know his album will be really cool! He’s a “lyrics-man”, it will be great to hear songs with stories again.

cecille | 6/22/2009, 11:25 pm EST

I can’t wait to see and hear Kris’ album! He’s passionate about music and words matter to him, not just pop-ish saleability. Go Kris! We support you all the way!

Anonymous | 6/23/2009, 3:33 am EST

Excited to hear news of who Kris is working with and what he’s been doing. He is the best Idol ever!

me_me | 6/23/2009, 9:13 am EST

er… not keen on hearing from kris. cmon, tryin to sound like jason mraz? how BORING!

super_duper_bland | 6/23/2009, 9:15 am EST

hmmmm sounds like kris is gonna be “selling out”. those songwriters are the ones that give u pop songs that just dont have much true meaning.
not such a good sign eh.

gracieg | 6/23/2009, 12:54 pm EST

Kris isn’t trying to sound like anyone other than himself. He’s working with a variety of producer/songwriters, including a couple of guys who are more r&b than pop. He has been quoted as saying he hopes it will be similar to what he did on AI, but with a little more edge. And from the little I’ve heard from the people working with Kris (mainly in tweets), they all seem to be impressed with his talent and his work ethic.

That all sounds promising. I’m looking forward to Kris album when it drops this fall.

Liam | 6/23/2009, 11:08 pm EST

I hope his album comes out sooner than November, can’t wait.

Lisa | 6/24/2009, 12:31 am EST

I became a fan of Kris’ because the Kris/Adam vibe was so terrific – had nothing to do with the music! – loved the synergy between them, and that Adam is so open about his respect for Kris, and that made me take Kris more seriously. Great combo of humility and talent – I hope he is a huge success and I will buy his album whether or not I like the music, but I suspect that I will.

vaselyn | 6/27/2009, 2:37 pm EST

who’s the girl in the pic above?

Georgia | 6/27/2009, 2:46 pm EST

Kris is a super nice guy, but he’s no pushover. He has a very strong sense of self, and he knows what he wants on his first post-AI album. I love his cool vibe and really trust his instincts. Can’t wait for the album and first SOLO tour!

Georgia | 6/27/2009, 2:50 pm EST

vaselyn –

I haven’t seen her from this angle, but I guess it’s his wife, Katy…?

Shirley | 6/28/2009, 11:40 am EST

The girl in the pic is Kris’s assistant…I believe. Very good team that he has got for his album production. All the collaborators who he has worked with has praised him, which made me all the more excited for his album!

Bello | 6/29/2009, 11:41 am EST

Kris is nice but he is boring. His voice is weak and powerless. Not a good entertainer.

Adam is the best!!!

Gene | 6/29/2009, 11:44 am EST

Adam and Kris are friends, but honestly speaking Adam is way more talented than Kris-mediocre singer.

AC | 6/30/2009, 2:39 pm EST

I can’t wait for Kris’s album. I’m liking what I hear so far! Now he just needs to give some more leaks..

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