New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicks off

NEW ORLEANS - He danced, drink in hand, to the music of the British artist of rhythm and blues Jon Cleary, but there was one act which attracted Ray Ladonceur to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival the day on Friday. By Gerald Herbert, AP

Saxophonist of jazz New Orleans Donald Harrison performs at New Orleans and Louisiana Jazz Heritage Festival Friday.

By Gerald Herbert, AP

Saxophonist of jazz New Orleans Donald Harrison performs at New Orleans and Louisiana Jazz Heritage Festival Friday.

"Really no matter who is on stage," said Ladonceur, a New Orleans Attorney and accountant. "If you do not find a kind of music you are interested in this festival, then you do not like the music. It is a beautiful, beautiful day. Good food, great people and great music. So what can you most ask? "Festival producer Davis Quint has emphasized the variety in the 2011 festival, call the line-up of the most extensive in the history of the event.Shows sounds floating in the air as lines initially formed at booths offering ice cream cold beer and crawfish and jambalaya.There are some of the largest in the State: George Porter Jr., John Mooney and Bluesiana, Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big and Dumpstaphunk.And of Ivan Neville timers were visitors.English folk and son rock group drew thousands. The group, led by Marcus Mumford guitar, got rabble applause, the crowd with hits like Little Man Lion and the cellar of their first album Sigh No More pumping. "I like them really," said Lisa Podzinger, Savannah, GA. "I love their melody set thing they got going on. "On another scene, Jeff Beck has entertained thousands then more that, in the tent of Blues, Keb' Mo' belted down home blues."Said Janneka Scherrenberg of Holland it was his first time at the festival and she plans to return".Our friends live here and they kept telling us, "you need to go to jazz fest". We have arrived here, "she said, swaying from Cleary." "All that is just great." New Orleans, the people of food. We will be back. "Robert Plant, Wyclef Jean and The Avett Brothers were among the nationally known acts, the first day of the festival, which runs for seven days during two purposes of the fair grounds Race Course of closing week.

A quick glance at who on the guest list.

The royal wedding was the hottest ticket in town. And it attracted a who's who of aristocracy, politics and entertainment. From heads of states to stately stars, here's who attended the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton:

By Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

David and Victoria Beckham were among the famous wedding guests.

By Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

David and Victoria Beckham were among the famous wedding guests.

NOTABLE WEDDING GUESTS

Prime Minister and Mrs. David Cameron

Naturally, the big kahuna of British politics was in attendance. Cameron is the head of England's Conservative party, and his wife, Samantha, is a business executive and the daughter of a baronet, which ranks below a baron and above a knight. "Quite surprising that Sam, as she's known, didn't wear a hat," said Tina Brown on Good Morning America. "The Camerons are a very upper-class couple, very grand beginnings. … This is the one day when it's kind of OK for him to be posh." Cameron, a former PR executive, was appointed to the post last May and is the youngest British prime minister since 1812.

Sir Elton John

The musician performed Candle in the Wind at Diana's funeral. He walked into the wedding with a grin alongside his partner, filmmaker David Furnish; the two recently welcomed son Zachary.

David and Victoria Beckham

The famous soccer player and his Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer wife were the perfect guests, arriving early (dressed to the nines!) for the couple's nuptials. Their royal connection: Prince William worked with Beckham on England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Guy Ritchie

Madonna got snubbed. But ex-husband Ritchie lucked out because he's a friend of the couple. The British filmmaker arrived with his pregnant girlfriend, Jacqui Ainsley. Ritchie is the director of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Revolver.

Joss Stone

The English soul singer, who frequently takes the stage barefoot, was in step with protocol and arrived in a ladylike bright pink suit and matching heels. She's said to have become close friends with William after performing at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in 2007, which marked the 10th anniversary of his mother's death.

Mario Testino

A few good (OK, great) shots earned the acclaimed photographer a ticket to the big day. The Vogue favorite shot the couple's official portraits to mark their engagement and also took some of Diana's most iconic photos.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

"One of the more fashion-forward guests," according to commentary on the Today show, socialite and TV presenter Palmer-Tomkinson arrived in a royal blue gown and a sculptural Philip Treacy hat. A friend of the family, she appeared on the British reality series I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

Ian Thorpe

Prince William met the buff Olympic swimmer, known as the "Thorpedo," on a visit to Australia in 2010 and has donated to Thorpe's charity, Fountain of Youth.

Rowan Atkinson

The comedian, best-known for the ungainly TV (and movie) character Mr. Bean, is pals with Prince Charles.

Tom Bradby

The former royal correspondent at ITV News, now its political editor, conducted the first official interview with William and Kate in November. He's buddies with William.

Ben Fogle

The travel writer and TV presenter escorted his very pregnant wife, Marina, to the affair. Fogle and William met years ago and are close friends; He shot Prince William's Africa, a Sky1 documentary with William and Prince Harry to promote the wildlife conservation charity Tusk Trust.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Ms. Miriam González Durántez

Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and a former journalist, and his Spanish wife, a partner in a law firm.

First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Mrs. William Hague

Hague, a member of the Conservative party, and his wife, Ffion, last year publicly revealed their struggle to start a family.

Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Hon. Mrs. George Osborne

The Conservative politician is a member of the aristocracy and was appointed to his post in May 2010. His Cambridge-educated wife, the Hon. Frances Victoria Howell, is the author of the non-fiction book Lilla's Feast.

Members of foreign royal families

The Prince and Princess of the Asturias, Felipe and Letizia

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium

The Sultan of Brunei and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha

King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of the Bulgarians

The Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II

King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes

Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Constantine of Greece

Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait

Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho

The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, Henri and Maria Teresa

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco

Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of The Netherlands

King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway

His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman

The Emir of The State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Sheika Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned

King Michael I of Romania and Crown Princess Margarita

Prince Mohamed bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and Princess Fadwa bint Khaled bin Abdallah Al-Saud

Queen Sofia of Spain

King Mswati III of Swaziland

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand

King George Tupou V of Tonga

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia

Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia

Representatives of the church and other states

The Most Reverend Gregorious, Archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese of Thysteira and Great Britain

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Mrs. Jane Williams

Rabbi Anthony Bayfield

Mr. Anil Bhanot, Hindu Council UK

The Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Archbishop Sean Brady

Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend David Chillingworth

The Right Reverend John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Mr. Malcolm Deboo President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe

The Rt. Reverend Doctor Norman Hamilton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Reverend Alan Edwin Harper

Monsignor Philip Kerr, The Convener, Action of Churches Together in Scotland

Commissioner Elizabeth Matear, Salvation Army

The Archbishop of Wales, The Most Rev. Dr. Barry Morgan

The Rev. Gareth Morgan Jones, president of the Free Church Council of Wales

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-Connor, Emeritus Archbishop of Westminster

The Archbishop of Westminster, The Most Rev. Vincent Nichols

Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh

Rabbi Alan Plancey

Imam Mohammad Raza

The Chief Rabbi (Lord Sacks)

The Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, Acting Head Monk, The London Buddhist Vihara

Maulana Syed Raza Shabbarm, Muhammadi Trust

Mr. Natubhai Shah, president, the Jain Academy

Dr. Indarjit Singh, Director, Network Sikh Organisations (UK)

Canon Chirstopher Tuckwell, administrator of Westminster Cathedral

The Rev. Martin Turner, Methodist Central Hall Westminster

The Archbishop of York John Sentamu and Mrs. Margaret Sentamu

Dignitaries

Governor-General Dame Louise Agnetha Lake-Tack of Antigua and Barbuda

Governor-General Quentin Bryce of Australia and Michael Bryce

Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes of The Bahamas and Lady Joan Eleanor Foulkes

Governor-General Sir Clifford Husbands of Barbados

Governor-General Sir Colville Young of Belize

Governor-General David Johnston of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen of Jamaica

Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand of New Zealand and Lady Susan Satyanand

Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio of Papua New Guinea

Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui of the Solomon Islands and Lady Grace Kabui

Governor-General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian of St. Christopher and Nevis

Governor-General Dame Pearlette Louisy of St. Lucia

Governor-General Sir Frederick Ballantyne of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Lady Sally-Ann Ballantyne

Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia and Mr. Tim Mathieson

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of the Bahamas and Ms. Delores Miller

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart of Barbados

Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand and Bronagh Key

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea and Lady Veronica Somare

Prime Minister Stephenson King of St. Lucia and Mrs. Rosalia Nestor King

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves

Premier Paula Cox of Bermuda and Mr. Germain Nkeuleu

Premier Ralph T. O'Neal of the British Virgin Islands and Mrs. Edris O'Neal

Premier McKeeva Bush of the Cayman Islands and Mrs. Kerry Bush

The Hon. Sharon and Mr. Rodney Halford (Falkland Islands)

Chief Minister Peter Caruana of Gibraltar and Mrs. Cristina Caruana

Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade of Montserrat and the Rev. Dr. Joan Delsol Meade

The Hon. John and Mrs. Vilma Cranfield (St. Helena)

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more.

Defence of doctor Jackson seeks trial delay

LOS ANGELES--Defence counsel for the physician in charge in the death of Michael Jackson asked a judge to delay the trial so that they can prepare for witnesses to support newly appointed.Pastor of Michael j. of the Superior Court did not immediately rule on the oral request made Friday but the lawyers instructed to Dr. Conrad Murray to file a formal request to Sunday afternoon.Pasteur set a hearing for Monday to decide whether, to delay the case two days before the selection of the jury was to resume and a week before the opening of the statements have been planned.Counsel for the defence of Murray Ed Chernoff said Pasteur that the cardiologist based in Houston agreed to a delay.Murray pleaded not guilty of manslaughter.

Digital media have covered, truth

Sites Web around the world themselves worked in different States of digital frenzy in Kate and William break a broom Friday.

Tabloid British The Sun had a little fun with their title online this morning.

Tabloid British The Sun had a little fun with their title online this morning.

Step that this is a surprise, but the sites of media U.K. shone more brilliant. A little more surprising was that end of the spectrum of media: just as no throws a royal marriage better than the British bourgeoisie, person not alongside dishy gossip better than the British tabloids lowbrow sentimental hokum. Their exploitation of Princess Di - his death which many believe was pursued by the paparazzi - was forgotten in the glow of the day.At least for today, his wills and Harry were boys of beloved hometown of the Kingdom. The mirror (mirror.co.uk), The Daily Mail (dailymail.co.uk) and Sun (thesun.co.uk) did you tear looking son little Di, all adult and so beautiful. Then they made you laugh with titles such as "Weddy, stable, go!" a few hours before the ceremony.Even less surprisingly, The Irish Times (irishtimes.com) takes a more sober tone disapproving, discussing of the "display of the monarchist pump and pageantry.". Its objective was not hats but history: "a series of scandals involving senior royals, the economic difficulties of the Great Britain and died in 1997 aged 36 in a car accident after her divorce from Prince Charles has led some to question the future of an institution rooted in the Imperial past".The positions of many readers on the Web The Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) site is clear that the Irish are not the only Recalling the days of glory of the British Empire much less with tenderness that people in the House. And down under, Australian Geoffrey Robertson in TheSydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) begins a piece with "It is incredible that this medieval nonsense applies always in Australia" - referring to the British monarchy. Then he starts quoting American Revolutionary Thomas Paine.Back in the USA, Kate ' will be coverage varies between bonded to moderate to with deficient. Major US media, including CNN.com and NYTimes.com, walk the Middle, as if they were wearing sensible shoes of Queen. They covered the Royal Wedding completely, but go all gaga banner or assignment titles. Their coverage was potatoes and meat (or, more accurately, pie). However, for People.com, he looked over at his restaurant, take seriously its slogan "All Royals". While many sites posted photos of marriage (and boring video clips which had always load), persons entered overload total Royal image.The Huffington Post has played on both sides. On the one hand, they posted these facts as "85 per cent in excess of 15 000 respondents to a survey Huff Post Facebook said they don't care about the royal wedding," followed by alerts of breaking news out of breath as "Kate Middleton Wedding Dress & Designer revealed!"And to the cynics ainsis left by TV commentators in royal delight ("your Passport, Ms. Walters!"), deficient blogs such as Gawker.com offered a change of pace by pointing out that Prince William might be charming - but why no Rogaine for his bald spot?Ultimately, the British tabloid Sun has it better: "What Kate day!" For more information on reprints & permissions, see our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards editor Brent Jones. Review of the publication in the journal, please send your comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include the name, telephone number, city and State for the purposes of verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.We have updated the guidelines of Conversation. Changes include a brief review of moderation and an explanation on how to use the button "report abuse". To learn more.

Webcast and tweets, MTV seeks a new awards show

NEW YORK (AP) - MTV begins its inaugural O Music Awards, avoiding price show traditions and even its own power of broadcasting. By Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Rebecca Black was part of the Thursday show O Music Awards in Las Vegas Fremont Street experience.

By Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Rebecca Black was part of the Thursday show O Music Awards in Las Vegas Fremont Street experience.

Latest event, multiplatform, the O Music Awards broadcast Thursday night on any of the MTV networks but Facebook, MTV Web sites and mobile applications. Live webcast, one hour was announced as a friendly celebration at fan of digital music - an attempt by the youth network never officially fete new arenas of musical culture.Embracing the amorphous in the digital world, things kept MTV so structured that even the "O" in the title of the show was intentionally left undefined and open for interpretation.The White Paper came from a scene outdoors in Las Vegas, but it in fact occurred in the digital domain. Most of all accepted winning awards (trophies were a kind of glass cube) distance in the recorded video acceptance speech. Some shows, such as Foster the people and Mumford & sons, were transported in other locations."The duo exuberant Matt & Kim served band house and woodframe hosts".Tonight, we celebrate each gigabyte of interactive musical comedy known to man, "said drummer Kim Schifino, before admitting that she had no idea what a gigabyte is even."Some familiar faces won awards, such as Lady Gaga, who won the artist most innovative and artist should follow on Twitter. The winners were selected by fan vote, which was recorded in real-time prior to prices. "" You make me feel so brave, "said Gaga in a video. "And you make me feel like I can really push the limits of the commercial, integrate the music and art.".Other rewards has sought to make the less famous. Video sensation viral Rebecca Black presented the award for "fan army" to the passionate following in the foreign Tokio Hotel. "" That is so amazing, you guys, "said black fans grinding around it.Andy Samberg Lonely Island comedy Group won funniest music short for their Saturday Night Live clip I just had Sex.Kanye West won for best tweet, one inevitable because it was the only one who is appointed. Pandora Web site won for the best site of discovery of music. Singer Andy Grammer won most innovative video video clip for his Keep Your Head Up.Talking heads were sometimes cracked, as if they were teleported to come. Viewers were given a few options from their point of view, particularly in the main show, the public or rapper Chidera "chiddy" Anamege, who provided sideshow at night. He hit for more than nine hours and 18 minutes to break the Guinness world for longest freestyle rap Record.Endurance of the Chiddy was admirable, but it was not exactly good TV but a man muttering on the couch. He RAPS: "is easy for me / it's just entertainment."MTV has had much success in his Video Music Awards and (to a lesser extent) its Movie Awards. Both began as managed to shock stilted awards shows, but have become long-lasting institutions in their own right. Each show has always put a premium on spontaneity.AMO, MTV clearly are an experience - "beta award show", said Dermot McCormack, head of digital media at MTV Music Group.Still, any case generally was as low-rent, acts primarily at the intermediate level running, a lack of polished hosts and a general feeling canned, despite all attempts to equal the Web.Si democracy mission was to create social media buzz, AMO appear to succeed on a large scale in real time. On Twitter - one of the main square the network hopes to fuel the conversation - the dominant themes remained at the royal wedding and farewell of Steve Carell Bureau.MTV still could indicate 3 million votes cast online before the event on Thursday as evidence of enthusiasm.

Casey Abrams, said that it sounds too

"I'm feeling really good," Casey Abrams said Friday, as he answered post-elimination questions. The 20-year-old singer from Idyllwild, Calif., did appear in good spirits as he reflected on his American Idol experiences.

In retrospect, Casey says, he might have growled too much, something he tends to do when he loses himself in a performance. He's not involved with fellow contestant Haley Reinhart, he says, despite gossip to the contrary. And, when he found himself on stage with Scotty McCreery toward the end of the results show, Casey was pretty sure he knew which one of them was headed for the exit.

But it's all good. "Maybe I'll break down crying some other time."

An edited transcript of the conference call follows:

You gave a nice shout-out to Haley at the end of your song last night. Were you saying goodbye to more than a duet partner?

I was saying goodbye to my very special musical friend. That's all it was.

Are you and Haley a romantic couple?

No, we are not.

Were you ever dating?

We were never dating.

You play a lot of instruments. Besides the bass and the electric bass, what other instruments do you play?

Yes, actually. The guitar I've actually played on the show. Piano, the melodica -- those are the ones I've played on the show. But I also like playing the drums, the sitar, accordion, the clarinet. I took lessons for about a month on the sitar, but everything else I've just kind of self taught.

Of all the instruments that you play, which one's your favorite?

I didn't mention it, but I really like the cello. I don't think I play it the best, but I love the sound, because it can be like a violin or a bass. That's beautiful.

Have you had formal vocal training?

I've had vocal training in Colorado, and I've had some singing lessons, over many years in the past. Like, maybe in fourth grade.

Last night, when you closed the show, you seemed like you were having a blast. What was going through your head?

What was going through my mind was just, "Make this good." I was completely on random mode. I didn't plan on ending up on Haley, it just happened. Nothing was planned, and that's what I think sometimes in the best performance. Like, in jazz, when you improvise and play a different solo each time, it's the best feeling in the world.

You brought us a lot of music to Idol that hadn't been heard on the show before. Was that a goal for you, to introduce new music to Idol viewers?

I couldn't feel anything less than amazing. I feel that I've done something pretty cool in this competition. But the thing is, so has everyone else from the Top 13. Look at Paul, bringing all the folky stuff, and Jacob, bringing all the gospel. I think we're all doing our part to make American Idol a little bit different from last year and the years before.

What would your vision be for a Casey Abrams concert?

Pure Craziness is probably the title. There'd be everything. The last two performances [before this week] -- Harder to Breathe and Nature Boy -- sum me up. Let's rock this hard and have some fun, then let's slow it down and play some smooth jazz.

Who's the better kisser? JLo or Steven Tyler?

Steven Tyler. JLo just let me kiss her, but Steven Tyler kissed me back. It's a different story.

You said you didn't plan on some of the things you were doing in that final song. Are you just kind of like that normally, the kind of guy who will kiss somebody more than shake their hand?

Nah, I'm not a big kisser. When I'm on the stage and people are watching, I tend to do things nobody would expect. I think people were going to expect I was going to kiss JLo again, so I tried Steven Tyler, then I tried the whole audience. I think that was kind of unexpected. I try to think, what are you going to say, and what am I going to say that's totally different from that?

What has Idol done for your confidence as a performer?

Every single thing. I used to not like to sing in public. Now, I feel like I'm singing a little bit too much: I'll sing in hallways with people I don't even know. Maybe that's a bad thing, but I just feel a lot more comfortable on stage. I feel like I can do anything on stage now.

Who do you sing to on stage? Anyone in particular?

Not really. I try to look at random people and get strangers to feel my pain or my happiness. Like, if I were on a street corner, I would want everybody who was walking by to look me in the eye and feel what I was saying.

Jimmy Iovine said about your growling, "The family dog does not vote on this show." Is that cruel or good advice?

Honestly, it's hilarious, and it is good advice. I listen back, and I think I was growling a little bit too much. I was having more fun than paying attention to what was going on musically. You've got to have that good balance, and I don't think I had that balance that time. Jimmy Iovine's funny, man.

You went to the hospital early in the season because of your ulcer problem. How did you get that under control, because you never made any trips back that we knew of?

I just kept on getting injections of that good old medicine that really helped me out. I learned how to deal with the stress a little bit more than I have been. The show has been helping me, because I learned how to talk to people, communicate. Talking to Jimmy Iovine and really standing up for myself, it relieves stress. I usually just hold it in, but the fact that I told people how I felt made me a different person. It's going to be less ulcers.

The judges told you to tame the growling and stop staring into the camera. You took that advice but, during the last couple weeks, it seemed like it was back. Were you ignoring their advice?

It is kind of how I sing when I don't think about. I think that's a good place to be, when you don't think about how you sing. Maybe the Maroon 5 and Hi-De-Ho needed it, but I think maybe I gave it a little bit too much. It's a gray area, so it's hard to define what's a good growl and what's a bad growl.

Did you ever expect to get this far after the judges used their save on you? Or did you think you'd only get another week or two after that?

That's what I was really afraid of, and that's why I knew I had to work hard. It would have been embarrassing if I got cut the next week, so I tried to work hard. I didn't expect to really make it to the top. I expected to maybe make it this far. This is, like, exactly what I expected. I can't be mad at that.

Did you have some songs in mind to sing next week for the "Now and Then" theme?

I was thinking from the '60s, maybe like Eleanor Rigby with an acoustic guitar and just sitting on stage. We weren't really sure what "Now" meant, so I was going to try Smooth by Santana or may be a Blink-182 song, just for fun.

What will the first post-Idol album for Casey Abrams look like?

It would definitely have a beard on it and maybe an upright bass. Stylistically, it could be rock, it could be jazz. I have a feeling it's going to be a mixture of rock 'n' roll and some jazzy chords.

You gave a shout-out to Oscar Peterson. What sort of musical education have you had?

Idyllwild Arts Academy. I was one of the only day students who went to the boarding school. So I had the car.

I learned from Marshall Hawkins, my jazz teacher, for about three years. He just taught me the fundamentals. He showed me all this great music. He taught me piano and upright bass. That's why I know a lot of the artists I know these days.

What kind of stresses were you under, being in this competition?

I guess I was just scared of looking stupid on stage, because I didn't know a certain song. I wasn't stressed out this week, because I really didn't know both of the songs I was supposed to sing. I think I had more fun with Haley because I fed off of her energy.

Did you get to talk to Crystal Bowersox last night?

We had a nice conversation. She gave us these cool little microphones. She just waited outside while I was in a conference so she could give me the microphone. It's the little things. She didn't let stardom ruin her. She's awesome, and I loved her performance last night. She had an organ solo and the slide guitar -- it was just so fun.

Pia Toscano said she had a premonition the week she was eliminated. How about you? Did you have a feeling last night that this might be it?

I don't know what it was. Maybe it was that everyone was so incredible that time. I felt like my performance was pretty good, but seeing Jacob kill it, and Haley kill it, then Scotty and Lauren kill it, James Durbin, obviously. It made me feel like, "These guys are incredible. These guys could carry the show. I don't really need to be here. So if I go home tomorrow, I'm prepared.

Do you feel the American Idol thing will hurt your being accepted as a serious musician?

I've always worried about that. But my goal is to bring that kind of music into the popular culture. I don't think the serious musicians have to take me as a serious musician. I just want to get them better known.

Have you ever thought that maybe you'd be cuter without the beard?

I thought about it, but I don't think it would work. If I shave, I don't have a chin anymore.

If you were to take one thing away from your American Idol experience, a treasured memory, what would it be?

Definitely the people you meet. There's a lot of people that can get up on that stage and sing. Even people that got cut really can sing. It's this experience of living with all these other serious singers that really just made the experience what it is. That's what I'm going to miss most about it, to be honest with you.

What were you feeling when you were standing there with Scotty at the end?

A little bit of nervousness, but more like, "Let's get this over with. Let me sing. Just call my name already."

I just had this feeling, as soon as Jacob and Scotty were there and Jacob went off, I was, like, "No one's going to do anything to Scotty, so I'll see you guys later."

What did the judges tell you at any point in the season that will stick with you?

During a results show, Steven Tyler looked over at me and he did this motion, he pretended he had a razor and started shaving his beard. I followed that. I'll remember that, because that was very nice of him.

Last night, after dress rehearsal, he came up and said some really nice things and some constructive criticism. So did Jennifer Lopez. Randy said some nice things backstage, too. He says he's going to teach me how to slap bass, because I really need to learn how to do that. He's like air-bassing. It's been useful.

Did you get better advice from the judges offstage than what we heard on the show?

Off-camera, it feels better, because they're looking you in the eyes and standing right next to you. So when Jennifer Lopez is, like, "I'm sorry I said that to you yesterday; I do it out of love," stuff like that makes me feel a lot better.

Do you have any closing remarks?

Don't take yourself too seriously. Take music seriously, but not yourself.

To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

"Book of Mormon" leads Drama Desk nominations

NEW YORK - The book of Mormon and the wacky revival of Anything Goes musical layman has received the most nominations Friday, Drama Desk, which pays tribute to Broadway and Broadway productions. By Joan Marcus, AP

Andrew Rannells performs with an ensemble cast in the book of Mormon in the theatre Eugene O'Neill in New York.

By Joan Marcus, AP

Andrew Rannells performs with an ensemble cast in the book of Mormon in the theatre Eugene O'Neill in New York.

The book of Mormon, by the creators of South Park and Avenue Q, complacency, 12 nominations, including those of the best music, lyrics, music, direction and choreography. Acting nominations of the show went to Andrew Rannells, Rory O'Malley and Nikki M. James.The book of Mormon was a critical and box-office darling. He also received an appointment of Fred & Adele Astaire Award, which recognizes excellence in dance, and six Outer Critics Circle Award nominations.The musical, about two Mormon missionaries who are more that they negotiated in Africa, was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park and Robert Lopez, co-creator of the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q. All three were nominated for the show of music, books and words. Casey Nicholaw, who co-directed with Parker and choreographed, was also nominated.The Cole Porter musical Anything Goes received 10 nominations, including the best musical revival and Sutton Foster as best actress, Colin Donnell as best actor, Adam Godley as player features and Kathleen Marshall as Director.Other individual nominations went to Daniel Radcliffe, made his debut singing in how to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Al Pacino in the merchant of Venice. Geoffrey Rush in the diary of a madman. Mark Rylance in Jerusalem. and Edie Falco in the Blue House of Leaves.Nominations for best new play went to the other cities of the desert of Jon Robin Baitz, The Motherfuckers Stephen Adly Guirgis--with Hat, Tiger of Bengal of Rajiv Joseph at the Baghdad ZooDavid Lindsay-Abaire of good people.Exceptional Stafford Nick war horse and Adam Bock A Small Fire.Nominations of the musical went in Transit, Priscilla mad desert: The Musical, see Rock City & other Destinations, Sister Act, the book of Mormon and The Kid.Three other shows - Bloody Bloody Andrew JacksonBrève meeting and of Scottsboro Boys - obtained no nominations this year because they were already considered for the season 2009-2010 .the Drama Desk Awards will be presented at a ceremony organized by Harvey Fierstein on 23 may at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The ceremony will be broadcast on the cable channel Ovation in June.