Salt Lake Tribune - United States - Despite being a judge on "American Idol" for every season of the top-rated TV show, Randy Jackson has never been involved in an album by an "Idol" alum.

Jackson is the executive producer of "High Hopes & Heartbreak," to be released July 21 by Brooke White, the blond-tressed 26-year-old singer who finished fifth in the 2008 season. She was commonly known on the show as the Mormon nanny who had never seen an R-rated movie. Perhaps soon she'll be known for her music, with her new album featuring songs rooted in the 1970s California-country style she grew up listening to in

Oprah.com - Chicago, IL, USA -  In its seventh season, American Idol is still an unstoppable phenomenon with 27 million viewers each week. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson say this year's contestants are the most talented yet.

Simon—who also produces America's Got Talent and hosts The X Factor, a British talent competition—says he never thought American Idol would last seven days, let alone seven seasons. "I think we get lucky every year," he says. "I never take anything for granted. We try and make the show better every year."

Contrary to what some past and present contestants may think, Simon says he never intends for