| 'American Idol' alum Katharine McPhee latest to split with record ...
This time, it's Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee, whose sole eponymous effort for the label has sold 365,500-plus copies since 2006.
Sony BMG is the parent company to Arista, Columbia, Epic, J Records, RCA and others.
McPhee's dismissal has yet to be officially confirmed by RCA Records, but Entertainment Weekly and other media are reporting her departure. A spokesperson for McPhee could not be reached for comment.
Just last week, Season 5 winner Hicks left J Records, in what has been described as a "mutual" split. Hicks wrote on his MySpace page that "artistic freedom and control [was] an exciting prospect" for him; his next release will be independent of any label. Late last year, Season 2 champ Studdard was also dropped from J Records, although he continues to work with 19 Entertainment, the company managed by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller.
Ex-coach avoids drug trial
Washington was arrested March 8 after a deputy found a marijuana cigarette and a small chunk of cocaine in his car during a traffic stop.If Washington successfully completes the yearlong program that includes substance-abuse counseling, community service and random drug testing, the state will drop the two misdemeanors and one felony narcotics charge."I take full responsibility for what I've done," Washington said after the hearing before Circuit Judge Michael Allen. "I want to apologize to my students, my kids. They are the main ones I feel like I let down. I want to make sure they don't make the same mistakes that I did."Following his arrest, the Escambia County School Board suspended Washington without pay from his post as a history teacher at the former Woodham High School, which has since been converted into a middle school."Until he completes the program, he will still be on suspension without pay," School Board Chairwoman Patty Hightower said.The School Board will decide at that time if he will be allowed to return, she said.During his 18-year tenure as Woodham's basketball coach, Washington won 361 games, a state title in 2003 and seven district titles."What I am most proud of was I graduated 168 out of 169 students who came through my program," Washington said.He was fired as coach last year following a 12-week suspension by the Florida High School Association for allegedly making a racist remark to a black official during a game against Milton.
Curing the winter blues
Elsewhere: fiddler Natalie McMaster (Jan. 26, U of I Krannert Center), jazz guitarist Chris Korblein (Jan. 26, Sangamon Auditorium, Springfield), Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Jon Faddis (Feb. 17, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Decatur), world music trio 2 Foot Yard (Feb. 21, Krannert Center), Irvin Mayfield & The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (Feb. 26, Krannert Center) and the Kenny Barron Trio and Russell Malone Quartet (March 12, Krannert Center).Also: Phil Coulter & The Irish Pops Orchestra (March 12, Sangamon Auditorium), Marvin Hamlisch and Monica Mancini (March 29, U of I Krannert Center), African Children's Choir (April 4, Kirkland Fine Arts Center), Ann Hampton Callaway (April 24-26, Krannert Center); and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain and Master of Percussion (April 30, Krannert Center).ClassicalOn the Twin Cities front, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra will be busy in the weeks ahead with: An American Dream (Feb.
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