Follow the Music

Follow the Music

Fred Bronson has been called "America's foremost chart journalist" by the editor of Billboard magazine. He is best known for his appearances on American Idol, the weekly "Chart Beat" column in Billboard magazine, and as the author of books related to #1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Follow me on for the latest updates@fredbronson

AMERICAN IDOL

by FRED BRONSON - 4/28/2025

Meet 2025’s ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Contestants

by FRED BRONSON - 4/11/2025

Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Jelly Roll, Josh Groban, Ashanti & Ryan Seacrest Open Up About ‘American Idol’ In Hawaii

by FRED BRONSON - 4/04/2025

Jelly Roll Says ‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week Is ‘Even More Chaotic Than What You See on TV’

by FRED BRONSON - 12/20/2024

30 Best Christmas Songs by ‘American Idol’ Finalists: Critic’s Picks

by FRED BRONSON - 4/29/2024

Mandisa’s Friends & Fellow ‘American Idol’ Alumni Talk Tribute to Late Singer: ‘Christian Music Lost Its No. 1 Cheerleader’

by FRED BRONSON - 4/22/2024

Meet 2024’s ‘American Idol’ Top 10 Contestants

by FRED BRONSON - 4/05/2024

‘American Idol’ Hits Hawaii: Behind the Scenes With the Judges, Jelly Roll, Iam Tongi & Tori Kelly

by FRED BRONSON - 3/08/2024

Longtime 'American Idol' Vocal Coach Debra Byrd Dies Leaving a Rich Musical Legacy

by FRED BRONSON - 5/12/2023

20 Years After Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Faced Off on ‘American Idol,’ the Two Reunite for ‘Nostalgia’ Tour, Season 21 Finale

by FRED BRONSON - 4/30/2023

Meet 2023’s ‘American Idol’ Top 10 Contestants

by FRED BRONSON - 3/27/2023

Seven Returning ‘Idol’ Stars Talk Mentoring Season 21’s Contestants

by FRED BRONSON - 3/24/2023

Seven ‘American Idol’ Finalists to Return As Mentors During Season 21’s Hollywood Week: Exclusive

by FRED BRONSON - 5/09/2022

Five Years In, What Do Judges Katy, Lionel and Luke Know That They Didn’t Realize When They Began Their ‘Idol’ Jobs?

by FRED BRONSON - 4/25/2022

Meet 2022’s ‘American Idol’ Top 10

by FRED BRONSON - 5/24/2021

'American Idol' Crowns 2021 Champion

by FRED BRONSON - 5/02/2021

Meet 2021's 'American Idol' Top 10 (Including a Comeback Contestant)

by FRED BRONSON - 4/15/2021

10 'Comeback' Contestants Talk Second Chance to Win 'American Idol

by FRED BRONSON - 4/14/2021

Harry Connick Jr. & Lauren Daigle Returning to 'American Idol' for Comeback Show

by FRED BRONSON - 4/12/2021

10 'American Idol' Finalists From 2020 Will Compete for a Slot on This Season

by FRED BRONSON - 6/16/2020

15 Overlooked Gems From 'American Idol' Singers

by FRED BRONSON - 4/05/2020

'American Idol': Meet the Top 21 of 2020

by FRED BRONSON - 2/19/2020

Why 'Idol' Standout Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon Went to Joshua Tree for His Second Album

by FRED BRONSON - 2/13/2020

'American Idol' Judges Tease What to Expect on Season 18

by FRED BRONSON - 1/20/2020

How 'Idol' Alum Uché Teamed Up With Bootsy Collins for 'Whatever': Premiere

by FRED BRONSON - 10/15/2019

'#Hash(tag) America' Brings Together Talent From 'American Idol,' 'Star Trek: Picard' & More

by FRED BRONSON - 9/10/2019

'American Idol' Winner Laine Hardy to Make Festival Debut at KAABOO Del Mar

by FRED BRONSON - 9/09/2019

'American Idol' Alum James Durbin Exits Quiet Riot

by FRED BRONSON - 5/23/2019

Eddie Island Talks the Fastest Post-'Idol' Album Release Ever With 'Industry Standard'

by FRED BRONSON - 5/20/2019

Laine Hardy Talks 'American Idol' Season 17 Win: 'I'm Overwhelmed by All This Emotion'

by FRED BRONSON - 5/13/2019

As 'American Idol' Nears Finale, Judges & Eliminated Contestants Reflect on Season 17 Lessons

by FRED BRONSON - 5/06/2019

'American Idol' Judges on That Dramatic Save: 'We Didn't Envision Jeremiah and Laci Being In That Spot'

by FRED BRONSON - 4/29/2019

'American Idol' Mentor Bobby Bones Talks Filling In for Ryan Seacrest & Running for Governor of Arkansas

by FRED BRONSON - 4/29/2019

'American Idol' Judges Explain Their Decision to Not Save a Contestant Just Yet

by FRED BRONSON - 4/29/2019

Tailgate Fest Creator Melissa Carbone Turns Her Personal Passion Into Event Where the Stages Are Truck-Side

by FRED BRONSON - 4/25/2019

'American Idol' Top 8 Reveal Dream Title & Vibe of Their Debut Albums: Exclusive

by FRED BRONSON - 4/22/2019

'American Idol' Singers & Judges Share Earliest Disney Memories, From Unusual Set of Mickey Ears to 'Bambi'

by FRED BRONSON - 4/15/2019

Ryan Seacrest on 17 Years of Hosting 'American Idol' and His Favorite Moment In Its History

by FRED BRONSON - 4/08/2019

'American Idol' 2019: Top 14: Part I, The Interviews

by FRED BRONSON - 4/08/2019

'American Idol' 2019: Top 14: Part 2, The Interviews

by FRED BRONSON - 4/04/2019

'American Idol' Winner Caleb Johnson Shares 'Solid Gold' Video, Talks Moving Past Record Labels

by FRED BRONSON - 2/26/2019

Diana DeGarmo on Upcoming 'Gemini' Album & Why Post-'Idol' Music 'Broke' Her Heart

by FRED BRONSON - 9/05/2018

For David Archuleta, 'Winter' Is Coming With New Tour and Album: Listen to 'Christmas Every Day'

by FRED BRONSON - 8/28/2018

Jessica Meuse Explains Why Album Title 'Halfhearted' Doesn't Mean What You Think

by FRED BRONSON - 7/02/2018

'Idol' Duo Maddie Poppe & Caleb Lee Hutchinson Talk Tour, New Music & Their Relationship: 'Public Pressure Has Not Ruined Our Lives'

by FRED BRONSON - 5/21/2018

Maddie Poppe Wins 'American Idol', Boyfriend Caleb Lee Hutchinson Is Runner-Up

by FRED BRONSON - 5/07/2018

'American Idol' Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie & Luke Bryan Recall Their First Time on the Billboard Charts

by FRED BRONSON - 4/23/2018

'American Idol' Makes Radical Change For How to View and Vote

by FRED BRONSON - 4/16/2018

'American Idol': Get to Know the First Half of the Top 14

by FRED BRONSON - 4/15/2018

'American Idol': Get to Know the Second Half of the Top 14

by FRED BRONSON - 2/01/2018

Allison Iraheta's Halo Circus Premieres Electronic-Leaning 'Narcissist'

by FRED BRONSON - 9/08/2017

‘American Idol’ Alums, Inspired by Colin Kaepernick, Reimagine National Anthem

by FRED BRONSON - 7/13/2017

Watch ‘American Idol’ Alum Haley Reinhart Cover ’60s Classic ‘The Letter’

by FRED BRONSON - 2/06/2017

It's 'Obvi' Why 'American Idol' Alum Elliott Yamin Teamed Up With Bangladesh-Born EDM Producer Sanjoy

by FRED BRONSON - 8/15/2016

'American Idol' Alum David Hernandez on New 'Beautiful' Song & Video: 'Our Differences Make Us Beautiful'

by FRED BRONSON - 8/05/2016

Nick Fradiani Talks New Album 'Hurricane' & Writing His Own Music

by FRED BRONSON - 5/06/2016

Rickey Smith Remembered by His 'American Idol' Family

by FRED BRONSON - 4/07/2016

As 'American Idol' Comes to a Close, Past Contestants Prepare for Series Finale

by FRED BRONSON - 4/04/2016

When 'American Idol' Met Billboard in Season 2: How 'Hot 100 No. 1s' Night Was Born

by FRED BRONSON - 4/04/2016

'American Idol' Begins: When Kelly Clarkson Wasn't Even on the Radar & More Season 1 Memories

by FRED BRONSON - 3/17/2016

Top 100 'American Idol' Live Performances of All Time

by FRED BRONSON - 3/07/2016

Kelly Clarkson Makes History as First 'American Idol' Contestant With 100 Billboard No. 1s

by FRED BRONSON - 2/14/2016

'American Idol' Alum Rayvon Owen Opens Up About His Sexuality in New Video, 'Can't Fight It': Exclusive

by FRED BRONSON - 9/21/2015

David Cook's New Album: 'It Has Reignited My Love for Music'

by FRED BRONSON - 5/12/2015

Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time

by FRED BRONSON - 4/03/2015

'American Idol' Behind the Scenes: Daniel Seavey Uptown Funks It Up, Ruben Studdard Returns

by FRED BRONSON - 2/27/2015

'American Idol' Alum Jon Peter Lewis Takes Rock Opera to New York City

by FRED BRONSON - 1/28/2015

Keith Urban on the 'Strategic Journey' of ‘American Idol,’ Remembering David vs. David

by THR STAFF - 10/17/2014

‘American Idol’ Performance Series to Launch at Los Angeles Restaurant Vitello’s

by FRED BRONSON - 9/22/2014

‘American Idol’ Alum Scott MacIntyre Requires Kidney Transplant Within Six Months

by FRED BRONSON - 7/04/2014

‘American Idol’ on the Charts: New Album ‘Hope’ Brings Danny Gokey First Billboard No. 1

by FRED BRONSON - 6/06/2014

‘American Idol’ on the Charts: Adam Lambert’s ‘Very Best’ Debuts

by FRED BRONSON - 4/25/2014

‘Dead’ Man Singing: Lee DeWyze Writes ‘Blackbird Song’ for His Favorite Series

by FRED BRONSON - 3/24/2014

'American Idol' on the Charts: Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban All Rise

by FRED BRONSON - 3/22/2014

'American Idol' Reunion: 3 Alums Reveal How Jennifer Lopez Collaboration Came Together

by FRED BRONSON - 2/26/2014

How a ‘Voice’ Mic Failure Gave ‘Idol’ Alum Jon Peter Lewis a Second Chance at Music

by FRED BRONSON - 2/14/2014

‘Idol’ Couple Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo Embrace Samson & Delilah on Concept Album

by FRED BRONSON - 2/13/2014

Ruben Studdard Talks New Album, Weight Loss and Those People on the ‘Idol’ Billboards

by FRED BRONSON - 2/06/2014

Ruben Studdard Reacts to Clay Aiken’s Run for Congress: He’s ‘Very Passionate’

by FRED BRONSON - 7/26/2013

‘American Idol’ on the Charts: For David Archuleta, It’s Christmas in July

by Shirley Halperin - 6/03/2013

'American Idol' Alums Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young Tie the Knot

by Michelle Amabile Angermiller - 5/31/2013

THR’s Fred Bronson to Officiate Wedding of ‘Idol’ Alums Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo

by FRED BRONSON - 4/23/2013

American Idol’: Season Three’s All-Girl Final Four on Season 12’s Female Showdown

by FRED BRONSON - 4/15/2013

‘American Idol’ Alum Kimberly Caldwell Launches Accessories Line

by FRED BRONSON - 2/21/2013

‘American Idol’ on the Charts: Katharine McPhee Makes ‘Smash’ Return; Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood See Grammy Bumps

by SARAH SKATES - 9/27/2012

IEBA Conference To Host WME’s Patrick Whitesell, Paula Abdul

by FRED BRONSON - 8/09/2012

‘American Idol’ on the Charts: Phillip Phillips’ ‘Home’ is Top Digital Seller, Carrie Underwood’s ‘Blown Away’ Builds

by FRED BRONSON - 6/11/2012

'American Idol' Tenth Anniversary: 345 Billboard No. 1s, From Kelly Clarkson to Phillip Phillips

by FRED BRONSON - 1/07/2012

‘American Idol’s’ Brooke White on Feeling ‘Lost’ as a Solo Singer

by FRED BRONSON - 8/19/2011

Scott MacIntyre’s Wedding: An Inside Look

by FRED BRONSON - 5/06/2008

Q&A: David Archuleta of 'American Idol'

by FRED BRONSON - 5/06/2008

Billboard Q&A: The 'American Idol' Final Four

by FRED BRONSON - 7/15/2004

Delightful DeGarmo Ready For The Road

by FRED BRONSON - 10/04/2003

Clay Aiken 'Measures' Up On RCA Debut

Music Videos

3857 Pop Goes The World Videos From 98 Countries My favorite songs from all over the world. Some in English and some not.

Motoki Ohmori (Japan)

175 Idol Videos From 22 seasons American Idol has produced more stars than any other TV talent competition series.

Kelly Clarkson

Enjoy listening to the music with these Spotify playlists I've created

Surf songs: it's a sub-genre!

The best runs of three outstanding consecutive singles on the U.S. charts.

One of our greatest composers.

Songs that sound like tunes your mother should indeed know.

The Academy Award winners for Best Song, in chronological order.

It's an honor just to be nominated.

A different take on your favorite ESC songs.

From the top of the Hot Country Songs chart.

Country music from beyond the U.S. borders.

Paying tribute to one of the architects of rock 'n' roll.

The dance sensation that shook the nation.

Comedy tonight.

Artists who have stood the test of time.

Songs in sets of 5.

The best folk-pop songs of the rock era.

But still worth a listen! (Based on the Hot 100)

Broadway's best opening numbers. What a way to start the show!

The Guinness World Records holder for the most covered song of all time.

The best music from artists who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

The sequel to my playlist of one-word song titles.

Female vocalists shine in songs from 2001-2024.

Gone but not forgotten.

The answers to all your questions.

We really name these tunes.

Kindly step into my wayback machine.

Just the words.

Artists I have interacted with. Some were interviewed. Some shared meals. Some I worked with. Some were very brief but memorable encounters. Some are close friends.

Stars on 45 and beyond.

Paired to compare. Some surprises!

Disco was stayin' alive.

It was a Gee, Oh Physical year!

There are no adults in this room.

Good things come in threes.

Nothing Orwellian about it.

Save this one for a rainy day. Or listen while the sun is shining.

Every career had to start somewhere.

Opening songs on some of the greatest albums of all time.

The husband and wife team responsible for so many classic hits.

Another British invasion.

When we loved rock and roll.

The greatest team-ups of rock and roll.

The very best of Berry Gordy's legendary label.

The greatest J-Pop girl group and a personal favorite.

The brothers and sisters of rock and roll.

Out of the studio and onto the stage.

The companion soundtrack to the new book Rockin' The Kremlin by David Junk with Fred Bronson. All of these artists are referenced in the book. Learn all about it here.

These solo artists were also in groups or duos.

The '60s are a hard act to follow.

One of the best decades for music.

A #1 hit for the Fleetwoods in 1959. Hear all of the many cover versions.

In honor of the Chic co-founder being named a Laureate of the 2024 Polar Music Prize.

They came, they SAW, they conquered the charts.

Simply the best.

Musical hues.

Non-Motown artists sing Motown's greatest hits.

Call it a family affair.

The husband-and-wife team wrote many hits, especially for the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison.

Left and right, good and bad, night and day -- you get the idea.

The hits you know, but not sung in English.

Words, words, words.

The best songs from 1940-1949.

The hits from 1950-1955.

You know them best in their instrumental forms.

The greatest group of all time, alphabetically.

The really big holiday playlist, with over 7,000 songs. Suggest you listen on "shuffle."

Over 1,100 of my favorite holiday songs.

The softer, more traditional side of holiday music, perfect to play at family gatherings this December.

The best music from the Walt Disney Company.

The lost and found songs of Berry Gordy's legendary label.

Holiday songs from 22 seasons of American Idol finalists.

Curating this playlist was as easy as
1-2-3.

The fifth and final look at the Hot 100 by the numbers.

Fourth in a series.

Music with a sci-fi, fantasy or horror twist.

An alphabetical journey through seven decades of the fabulous Cher.

Every artist has a beginning. These songs all marked first entries on the Billboard singles chart.

Paying tribute to the great Elton John

The recent discovery of a parallel Earth in an alternate universe came with a surprise -- their music is almost like ours, but not quite.

Tennant and Lowe, alphabetically.

They almost made it to #1. And #2.

It was over 60 years ago but the music still sounds great today.

The British Charttoppers.

An alphabetical journey through the music of the Queen of Pop.

The most popular music on Earth right now is from South Korea.

The solo works of ABBA's two great vocalists.

A Supreme review of her career, in alphabetical order.

Relive the music with all of the songs from Season 1 and Season 2 of the brilliant series.

Music, geographically.

Ever since my first trip to Japan in 1993, I have been a fan of their pop music. Here are some of my favorites.

You'll love the harmonies, the doo-wop and the memories.

Songs inspired by really real people.

Artists love having No. 1 singles. But then they have to follow them up.

When rock was young.

The runners-up of rock and roll.

Barry & Cynthia wrote many of the rock era's greatest songs, together and separately. In loving memory of Cynthia.

A-sides are great, but don't forget about the B-sides.

Songs that were never released as the A-side of a single in the USA.

From a more innocent time.

Words get in the way.

Songs from the musical theatre.

From 1956 to 2023, these artists went to Eurovision -- but not with these songs.

Based on The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits, as seen on "The Last Of Us."

Motown's early years and just before the Beatles in America.

An alphabetical journey through the songs of Taylor Swift

Singling out another great year for music

You know him as a legendary artist; he is also one of the greatest songwriters of the rock era.

An alternate take on the Pop Goes The World playlist, featuring just the danceable hits.

They went from stage, screen and TV into the recording studio.

For your next drive, hit the road, Jack, with this potpourri of songs.

The Solo Years.

Some songs are so great they have to be recorded again and again.

It all started with "I Will Follow Him" in 1963.

You might be surprised how many pop hits were composed by the great Bob Dylan.

The California composer writes about surfing, cars, girls and vibes.

The greatest songs of one of the most brilliant artists of our time. In alphabetical order.

Raving on with the songs of a music legend.

Ain't nothin' like the summer

ABBA -- with all of their songs in alphabetical order

The greatest songs that originated on television shows including theme songs, numbers from musical episodes and more.

A deep dive into one of the greatest songwriters of our time

The greatest hits from one of the greatest years for music.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tapestry with an in-depth look at the songs written by Carole

From 65 years of the biggest music event on Earth, the best Eurovision songs.

Songs and artists inspired by one of Sweden's biggest exports.

Soundtrack hits from your favorite films.

The hits you know by the artists who wrote them.

Female singers from the 1920s to the 1970s.

The best Beatles songs -- but not by the Beatles!

Pop, country and R&B artists sing the best of Broadway.

Boy Meets Girl and then they sing!

My favorite pop songs from all over the world. Many in English, many not!

Here's your holiday playlist, great to listen to in December or any month.

Like the title says, songs -- sung in French.

You're Invited to the Disco Ball.

The Brits love Motown. Maybe that's why they have covered so many Motown songs.

It's My Party" and beyond!

Elvis Covers.

Finalists from many seasons of Idol sing their post-Idol tunes as well as songs they performed on the show.

The very best of one of the best singers of the rock era

The hits you know by the artists who recorded them first.

Motown artists sing the hits -- that other Motown artists made famous

Decades of Diane's greatest songs

Motown artists recorded many non-Motown songs. Here are some of the best (and maybe a couple of Motown covers, too).

ABBA's best songs, as recorded by others.

Music from the creative genius behind many of Broadway's greatest shows.

1964 - The year that changed everything.

Articles by Fred Bronson

by FRED BRONSON - 5/27/2025 Image of Billboard logo

Here’s What Happened at the Royal Swedish Ceremony That Honored Queen’s Brian May & Roger Taylor and Herbie Hancock

by FRED BRONSON - 9/17/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Remembering Tito Jackson In His Own Words: ‘I Think I Was Put Here to Do Music’

by D. JUNK, F. BRONSON - 7/02/2024 Image of Billboard logo

The Inside Story of How t.A.T.u. Captured the World’s Attention: ‘Rockin’ the Kremlin’ Book Excerpt

by FRED BRONSON - 5/31/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Pat Boone at 90: Six Things You Didn’t Know About One of the Rock Era’s Most Successful Artists

by FRED BRONSON - 5/21/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Nile Rodgers & Esa-Pekka Salonen Celebrated as 2024 Laureates at Sweden’s Polar Music Prize

by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo

French Singer Halts Eurovision 2024 Rehearsal Performance to Deliver Peace Statement

by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Sweden’s Benjamin Ingrosso Takes a Star Turn at Eurovision 2024

by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Eurovision 2024: Switzerland Defies the Odds to Win With Nemo’s ‘The Code’

by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Two-Time Eurovision Champion Loreen Says She ‘Practiced Even More’ for Her 2024 Victory Lap Performance

by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo

From Fan to Power Player: How Eric Lehman Brought Luxembourg Back to Eurovision After a 31-Year Gap

by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Netherlands’ Joost Klein Disqualified From Eurovision Amid Investigation

by FRED BRONSON - 5/09/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Switzerland, Georgia, Israel & 7 More Countries Qualify for Grand Final of Eurovision 2024

by FRED BRONSON - 5/08/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Marcus & Martinus at Eurovision: The Identical Twins Say They’re the ‘Most Competitive’ Act in 2024

by FRED BRONSON - 5/08/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Angelina Mango’s ‘La Noia’ Advances Italy’s Odds to Win Eurovision 2024

by FRED BRONSON - 5/07/2024 Image of Billboard logo

After ‘American Idol,’ This Singer Is Moving to an Even Bigger Stage: Eurovision 2024

by FRED BRONSON - 5/07/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Luxembourg, Ireland & 8 More Countries Advance to Eurovision 2024 Grand Final

by FRED BRONSON - 5/03/2024 Image of Billboard logo

5 Things to Watch Out for at Eurovision 2024, According to the Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor

by FRED BRONSON - 4/30/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil Want People ‘To Feel Empathy for Ukraine’ With Their Eurovision 2024 Song

by FRED BRONSON - 3/28/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Eurovision 2024: Showrunner Per Blankens Previews What to Expect, From ABBA to the Runtime

by FRED BRONSON - 3/12/2024 Image of Billboard logo

Nile Rodgers and Esa-Pekka Salonen Named 2024 Polar Music Prize Laureates

by FRED BRONSON - 5/23/2023 Image of Billboard logo

Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo and Arvo Pärt Celebrated as Laureates at Sweden’s Polar Music Prize

by FRED BRONSON - 3/28/2023 Image of Billboard logo

Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo and Arvo Pärt Named 2023 Polar Music Prize Laureates

by FRED BRONSON - 3/09/2023 Image of Billboard logo

Ukraine’s Eurovision Winner Kalush Orchestra Returns To Tour U.S., Raises Money For War Effort

by FRED BRONSON - 2/24/2023 Image of Billboard logo