American Idol for Christmas: New American Idol Albums Drop in Time for the Holidays

Christmas buying (shopping) season is upon us and if you're an American Idol fan, then you're in luck. Why? Because American Idol alumni are coming out of the woodwork with new albums in time for Christmas, having released albums throughout November and will continue on into December. Several American Idol artists have already released albums earlier in the year, like Daughtry, Brooke White, Phil Stacey, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Taylor Hicks, Kelly Clarkson, George Huff, Elliot Yamin, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, and Mandisa. Clay Aiken released a Greatest Hits album in March.

American Idol Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta released an actual Christmas album (with Christmas music) in mid-October. It has been a steady seller since in its six weeks, has peaked at #30, but has maintained a home in the Top 50 for a majority of its time on the charts.

Carrie Underwood released her third album, "Play On," on November 3. It debuted at #1 and will no doubt remain a top musical selection for a gift for the holidays. And if seeing Carrie Underwood on both the CMA Awards (where she co-hosted) and the AMAs was not enough of the American Idol Season 4 winner for you, she has a Christmas Special upcoming on Fox Television.

American Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen released his self-titled debut album on November 17. In a week when established megastars like John Mayer (whose album, "Battle Studies," debuted in the No. 1 position), 50 Cent, Leona Lewis, Paul McCartney, Casting Crowns, and Norah Jones also released albums, the American Idol Season 8 winner did well to bow in at #11. In fact, he debuted higher than Leona Lewis (#13) and Paul McCartney (#16).

Six days after Kris Allen dropped his first major label album, Adam Lambert's much anticipated major label release, "For Your Entertainment," hit the stores. It is expected to debut high, but at present lags behind the musical phenomenon that is Susan Boyle, another competition reality show runner-up who released her debut album, "I Dreamed A Dream," the same day.

On December 1, fourth place finisher (American Idol Season 8) Allison Iraheta releases her first album, "Just Like You." Unfortunately, her amazing American Idol rendition of the Temptations' "Poppa Was A Rolling Stone" was not included (not even as a bonus track), but advance reviews seem to be mostly positive for the 17-year-old.

So if you're an American Idol fanatic, collector, or just follow one or two of the artists that have come from America's #1 television show, you might want to go out and pick up one or all of these albums. If it is just Christmas music you're after, American Idol mentor Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas" is selling well, placing in the Top 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart its first three weeks in release. But if that isn't American Idol enough for you, David Archuleta's new Christmas album, "Christmas From The Heart," isn't the only American Idol seasonal material out there, but you'll have to settle for albums that have been out for awhile.

Clay Aiken, American Idol Season 2 runner-up, released "Merry Christmas with Love" in 2004 and was certified platinum. Billboard magazine named it the bestselling Christmas album of 2004 and 2005.

Other American Idol alumni with Christmas albums include Kimberley Locke, George Huff, Mandisa, and Elliott Yamin.

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Source:

Billboard.com