Pop Music Notes

– Leona Lewis is writing an autobiography, which will come out in October, and will proceed her sophomore disc. We’ve seen how exciting and riveting these X Factor books can be (Shayne, no offense…), but has she really done enough to warrant an autobiography in the first place? At least in the U.K. she has a back story…here in the U.S., her back story is “came out of nowhere for a #1 record”. Not exactly life story material.

– For all of you Annie fans, fear not. She does still plan on releasing her second set, entitled “Don’t Stop”, in 2009, even if it means doing some type of self-release. Can’t say that I’m surprised, though. There’s been a lot of buzz (both good and bad) on the record, but she owns the masters, so she can go whichever direction she wants. One place I’m guessing you probably won’t see a major label release is the U.S., where she only sold 20,000 copies of “Anniemal”.

– Great article on Kara DioGuardi over at CNN.com, talking about the type of dynamic they think she’s going to bring to the show. Qualifications, anyone?

With 168 of her songs appearing on multiplatinum albums, you can thank (or curse) her for Simpson’s “Pieces of Me,” Celine Dion’s “Taking Chances,” Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl,” Hilary Duff’s “Come Clean,” Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man,” and Pink’s “Sober.” She’s also penned cuts for several products of the “Idol” machine, including Kelly Clarkson, David Archuleta, David Cook, and Katherine McPhee.

BTW, her song with Archie (“To Be With You”) is definitely a high point on his debut. She’s also tipping the guys to have the advantage again this year. I heard an interview with her last month on OutQ that cracked me up. She’s a good ol’ New Yawk girl at heart, and it will be good to get some real world perspective that’s not too brutal or too smarmy.

– What do Beyonce, Boston Terriers and the Fray have in common? Stay tuned…