REVIEWSLauren Alaina packs a punch on debut CDMcCreery shows promise and flaws on new CD
"Wildflower," the debut album by Rossville's Lauren Alaina, shot to No. 1 on iTunes' Top 10 country album downloads on Tuesday, the first day of its release.
Alaina, 16-year-old daughter of J.J. and Kristy Suddeth, was runner-up on Season 10 of "American Idol," which was won by North Carolinian Scotty McCreery.
McCreery's debut album, "Clear as Day," charted No. 1 on iTunes on its Oct. 4 release and is now second to "Wildflower."
"Wildflower" also ranked No. 3 among albums in all iTunes genres on Tuesday. New releases by rock group Evanescence and singer/songwriter Ryan Adams were No. 1 and 2, respectively.
"I was sitting in the hair and makeup room getting ready for 'Good Morning, America' when my mom ran in and told me it was No. 1," Lauren said in a phone interview from New York City. "I had just finished my foundation, and I got so excited that I almost took the makeup off!"
Lauren said she had hoped the album would do well.
"I just didn't know it would happen in eight hours!" she said.
James Howard, morning co-host on WDEF-FM 92.3, said the ranking is "a gold star for our hometown girl."
"We've been supporting her by promoting this new album, and we will continue to play 'Like My Mother Does,'" Lauren's first single, he said.
Her new single, "Georgia Peaches," came out this week in conjunction with the CD release. It's written by Mallary Hope of Cohutta, Ga.
Danny Howard, Sunny 92.3 program director and no relation to James Howard, said the "power of 'American Idol'" behind the singer obviously helped propel her to the top.
"She's a new artist because it's her first CD, although 'American Idol' made her a star last season," he said. "It's not uncommon for a major artist's CD to debut at No. 1 or be in the top three, but it still doesn't take any shine off her accomplishment. It's still great."
Lauren, currently on a publicity junket in support of "Wildflower," said her day started at 4 a.m. Tuesday and finished at 5 p.m. Today's schedule was set to begin at 6 a.m. to talk with Premiere Radio and tape a program for "AOL Sessions."
Fans of the teen singing sensation can catch her on television Thursday at 9 a.m. when she visits "Regis and Kelly" in New York City.
GAC Network will air "Introducing Lauren Alaina" on Friday at 10:30 p.m., a special that follows her career from small-town Georgia singer to "American Idol" runner-up.
On Saturday, Lauren said, she'll spend three hours signing CDs and meeting fans during an appearance at the Fort Oglethorpe Walmart at 3040 Battlefield Parkway.
On Oct. 21, Lauren will be a guest on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which airs locally at 4 p.m. on WRCB-TV Channel 3.
"I just want to say thanks to everyone for being so supportive," Lauren said.