Idol Worship: Week 2 News Recap

Elliott Yamin readying new album... Season 5 finalist Elliott Yamin has more than 35 songs in the can for his second album, due out May 5 on SONY/ATV Publishing's Hickory Records. The as-yet-untitled effort boasts heavy-hitters in the production world (among them: Jermaine Dupri, JR Rotem, Stargate and Harvey Mason, Jr.) and promises "numerous guest appearances." No doubt he's dreading having to decide which tracks to axe. [USA Today]

Justin Guarini tries country living... Season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini joins The Monkees' Mickey Dolenz, George Clinton, Sheila E., Taylor Dayne, 21 Jump Street alum Richard Grieco and scandalicious former Miss USA Tara Conner for the third installment of CMT's hit show, Gone Country (premiering January 24), and he knows exactly what to expect. "I’ve grown up in the south, so I don’t mind shoveling dung," Justin writes in his first blog post. [CMT]

Joanna Pacitti: Let the backlash begin... It turns out Louisville auditioner Joanna Pacitti has a sordid showbiz past. Well, nothing that horrific, just the same old nontroversy, as so aptly put by the folks over at Idolator. She had a record deal with Geffen/A&M, a single that went nowhere, a long-running starring role in the stage production of Annie (cut short just shy of the 20th Anniversary) and one of her songs was covered by Britney Spears. So that makes her undeserving of a second (or third) chance? Some think so. [MTV News, votefortheworst]

Taylor Hicks goes The Distance... The season 6 winner's sophomore effort will see a March 10 release via his own Modern Whomp Records. The album features several Eric Clapton cohorts in various roles, but no cover of "Layla," to fans' dismay. [Billboard]

Media's fascination with Sanjaya continues... His hair is longer than ever, and so is Sanjaya's staying power. The season 6 finalist was all over TV this week, promoting his memoir, Dancing To The Music In My Head, and accompanying EP. You had your predictable interviews (Good Morning America) and your awkward ones (Bill O'Reilly), but leave it to Howard Stern to bring out the best in his guests. A highlight: when Sanjaya opines, "penises are weird looking." Priceless. [Rickey.org]

Mikalah Gordon can now do Vegas right... A handful of former Idol finalists converged on Hollywood hot spot Mood last weekend to celebrate Mikalah Gordon's 21st birthday. Original bikini girl, season 6's Antonella Barba, played host, while last season's Chikezi took the lead for the Happy Birthday song. On the pre-party red carpet, the Las Vegas native and season 4 Top 12-er declared, "I'm ready to take on Hollywood!" [MaximoTV]

Idols made the inauguration rounds... Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta, Chris Daughtry and Fantasia  performed at various inaugural balls on Tuesday night, but the Season 8 San Francisco auditions still trumped them all in the ratings. [LA Times]

-- Shirley Halperin