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• Sime Darby estate workers to get 20-30% salary increase
• Home Ministry to speed up traffic at entry points in a week
• Southeast Asia’s 1st nuclear plant will start in Vietnam in 2020

Sime Darby estate workers to get 20-30% salary increase Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:44 AM PDT PETALING JAYA: Some 37,000 estate workers and non-executive staff of Sime Darby will receive a flat wage increase of RM200, under a voluntary effort by the company to give them a better deal, from July 1. The new wage scheme is expected to increase their basic salaries by 20-30% and will be effective from July 1. The plantation workers' quarters will also be upgraded to housing estates with mini-townships, Sime Darby president and group chief executive Datuk Mohd Bakke Salleh announced here Monday. Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, who was present at the announcement, said he hoped other government-linked companies (GLCs) and plantation companies would follow the example set by Sime Darby. "This is the result of discussions between the Prime Minister's Department and Sime Darby to increase the quality of life for workers. "The Prime Minister will also enter talks with other GLCs and plantation owners to raise their worker's pay to meet the goals set by the New Economic Model," he added. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Home Ministry to speed up traffic at entry points in a week Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:42 AM PDT PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry is to introduce ways to speed up traffic at the entry points of the country within a week. Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said Monday the steps were to overcome delays that visitors faced at a few entry points in the early stages of implementing the biometric system by the Immigration Department. He said the measures, involving changes in clearance procedures, followed continuous and comprehensive monitoring. "Among others, frequent travelers who hold the Malaysia Automated Clearance System, Frequent Travelers Facility, border pass and cross-border pass will have their biometric recorded once only," he said in a statement here. The immigration monitoring system using the biometric technology was implemented on June 1 at 63 entry points of the country. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the biometric system has been identified to help curb criminal activities involving foreigners across borders. Mahmood said that another procedure involved foreign visitors, where the Nexcode stickers would be issued only once for every valid passport. He said that counters and equipment would be renovated for the convenience of visitors, and Immigration officers would be placed close by to give assistance. - Bernama Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Southeast Asia’s 1st nuclear plant will start in Vietnam in 2020 Posted: 06 Jun 2011 04:57 AM PDT MOSCOW: South East Asia's first nuclear power plant will be operational in Vietnam in 2020 after six years of construction, as demand for nuclear energy remains strong in the region in the post-Fukushima era, a nuclear conference was told Monday. It will be commissioned two years after Bangladesh completes its Roopur Nuclear Power Project and becomes the latest country in the region to develop such energy. Tran Chi Thank, of the Vietnam Institute of Energy, said the first plant would be built by Russia while Japan would undertake the construction of the second one beginning 2015 and ready for commissioning in 2021. Both will be built in the Ninh Thuan province, he said. "The study towards nuclear energy in Vietnam began 30 years ago but was put on hold due to the Chernobyl (crisis in Russia) in 1986. But it was approved in 2009, " he told the AtomExpo 2011 organised by Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) here. Besides Vietnam, other South East Asian countries that have declared their intention to develop nuclear energy are Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. According to Tran, the biggest challenge facing Vietnam was to develop its nuclear manpower as the number of personnel available now was limited, adding that they were working closely with Russian nuclear institutes to train them. Shawkat Akhbar from Bangladesh's Nuclear Power and Energy Division said the country was moving into nuclear energy due to limited resources. "We hope to achieve 20,000 MW of electricity by 2021 from two units. In fact the Roopur site was chosen in 1963," he said, adding that more than 1,600 personnel were involved in the project team. Both Vietnam and Bangladesh have sent their personnel to undertake intensive training in Russia. Yury Seleznev, Rector of Russia's training institute CICE& T, said about 1,000 highly trained personnel were required to run a two unit nuclear plant, adding that training must start five years before a plant was commissioned. "All staff must be already trained two years before the plant starts operation. A training centre that also plays the role of an information centre must be in place five years before the operation," he said. - Bernama Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

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Night moves Posted: 06 Jun 2011 12:07 AM PDT The undead, werewolves and vampires all live among us. Well, that's the premise of the new Brandon Routh vehicle Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night, at least. IT'S not too farfetched to think that supernatural beings could actually live amongst us – passing themselves off as nothing more than just nocturnal people. In the world of Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night, it turns out they hold jobs and socialise in clubs, co-existing perfectly with the living – even if majority of the people have no idea who they are sharing their breathing space with. The main character in Dylan Dog is a private investigator who specialises in paranormal matters. He knows about the creatures as he was once in charge of keeping the truce within the undead community; you know, things like zombies are forbidden to eat human flesh, and werewolves and vampires must not be seen together. However, when the audience first meets the character Dylan Dog, he is just another ordinary private eye with cases that mostly revolve around cheating spouses. All that changes when a case leads him to discover a strand of werewolf hair; so now whether he is in favour of entering the world of the paranormal or not, he's dragged in to explore the underbelly of nightly goings-on revolving around the supernatural creatures. Dylan Dog is based on the successful Italian graphic novel created by Tiziano Sclavi. It's mainly set in London, where the protagonist lives, and the character's looks are said to be based on the English actor Rupert Everett. For the film, the producers decided to change the location to New Orleans, and get Brandon Routh (who is perhaps best known for playing Superman in Superman Returns) to play the protagonist. In the production notes of the film, screenwriters Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer admire Sclavi's version of London, which is gothic and dark. In the comic panels, they look like places where anything can happen; it was a challenge to find places that looked like that. So when New Orleans was brought up they knew it'd be the perfect location if they wanted to bring Dylan to the United States. Many of the locations were scouted out in New Orleans to provide the perfect backdrop for the film – in the end, the film features a number of famous sites in the city including Saenger Theatre, the Ninth Ward Wharf, Bourbon Street and the Garden District. Meanwhile, in an interview provided by RAM Entertainment, Routh admitted that he was familiar with the comic books even before he got the script. He said: "I have a friend who lived in Italy for seven years, and he speaks fluent Italian. We were roommates at one time, and he told me abut this great comic book he read in Italy, which helped him with his Italian and it was Dylan Dog. Years later when I received the script titled Dead Of Night based on Dylan Dog, I thought, 'Don't I know this?' I called my friend and he said 'Can you do this movie? For me, he is cooler than Superman'." Routh found the character appealing because Dylan is the kind of guy who doesn't want to be a hero but rises to the occasion when he has to. Routh said: "What's exciting about Dylan is that he has two sides to him, when he gets in tough situations, he puts on this game face like Indiana Jones or Han Solo. When he's more relaxed, he has a more emotional side to him." Dylan also has a dry sense of humour and his viewpoints are usually dripping with sarcasm. To balance this is the presence of Marcus, Dylan's assistant, who provides the comic relief. In the comics, Dylan's assistant is named – get this – Groucho (as in Groucho Marx). But here, Marcus' comedy is more in line with the fact that he becomes a zombie while investigating a case, which creates all kinds of opportunities for actor Sam Huntington to go absolutely crazy. Huntington, of course, played Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns. Huntington said: "Brandon and I had been friends for awhile, and he calls me up and says, 'Hey man, I just got this part in this movie, and I think you'd be great for this role and the movie is called Dead Of Night.' And I said, Oh man, I just went in for that three months ago and I never heard anything. What's happening with it?' And he said, 'We're doing it.' and from that moment on, it was our mission to make this movie together. Marcus is a real shot of life. He's Dylan's sidekick and he's kind of his little brother in many, many ways." Other than buddy comedy, what is in abundance in Dylan Dog is, of course, the world of the supernatural. To ensure there is a level of authenticity with the creatures, director Kevin Munroe decided to get actors to wear makeup and do the physical action themselves, instead of blending CGI characters into the scenes. Munroe explained: "What I love about live action is the level of collaboration. Not that there isn't any in CGI. But with live action, there's a lot of happy mistakes and it feels more freeing to me. I like it." Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night starts showing in cinemas nationwide on June 9. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Communication unit to address residents’ concerns Posted: 05 Jun 2011 07:45 PM PDT A STRATEGIC Communication Unit will be set up by the developer to tackle problems and address concerns brought up by residents at the redevelopment of the Sustainable People's Housing for Urban Renewal project in Cheras. Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin has directed property developer SP Setia Sdn Bhd who are the project contractor to keep communications channels open between the residents to ensure a two-way communication between the stakeholders — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Ministry. SP Setia Sdn Bhd has been picked to redevelop the ageing Seri Johor, Seri Pulau Pinang and Seri Melaka low-cost apartments and the Taman Ikan Emas low-cost homes in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. According to ministry sources, the project is about putting people and their views first, hence it is important to consult the residents and get their views during the development and ensure that any queries or grouses by the stakeholders regarding the project can be addressed. The Sustainable People's Housing for Urban Renewal project is part of the government's urban renewal programme to inject life into decaying and ageing townwhips and slum areas in the Federal Capital. The project undertaken by the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry and City Hall will see many old low-cost housing projects in the city being redeveloped to provide the urban poor better living conditions. The renewal programme includes demolishing old low-cost flats and houses and rebuilding units with more rooms and living space that are more conducive and with better facilities, said Nong Chik. "Other areas proposed for this redevelopment projects are San Peng in Pudu, Kg Kerinchi and Sri Pahang in Pantai Dalam and other areas in the city with flats over 30 years old. "This project is initiated to provide KL-ites with better living conditions and enhance their quality of life,'' Nong Chik said. When announcing the urban renewal project for Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak recently, Nong Chik said the project valued at RM2.8bil will include; phase 1 — the development of a total of 1,255 units of affordable housing which will take about three years to complete; and phase 2 — an apartment housing project targeted at young executives. It covers an area of 53.4 hectares. Once Phase 1 is completed, units would be returned to the DBKL to be sold or rented. All units will have three bedrooms, basic facilities include parking bay, a recreation area, clubhouse and a multi-purpose hall. Nong Chik added that the residents need not be relocated during the redevelopment exercise as it was a big area and the project will be carried out in phases. Related Story: New spacious homes Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

New spacious homes Posted: 05 Jun 2011 07:44 PM PDT Kuala Lumpur's low-cost housing schemes built in the early 1970s and 80s are no longer conducive for living. The Government's effort to redevelop these houses to provide comfortable housing and a better living environment should be lauded. StarMetro reports. A GROUP of children played along the corridors of the Seri Pulau Pinang low-cost flats in Bandar Tun Razak Cheras — oblivious to their messy surroundings. Without caring for the world, they laughed and chased each other from one end of the corridor to the other in excitement. It makes one wonder whether in a few years time, when these children were older, wiser and more aware of their living conditions, would they still be hanging out at the corridor? It is no secret that Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) older low-cost flats and housing schemes are too small with no facilities like open areas or recreation spots for children to play and hang out. The cramped living conditions often drive these children to hang out elsewhere, and at times the places they run away to seek respite from their overcrowded homes, are not always a healthy environment. Often, to get away from their overcrowded abodes, they often hang out with wrong individuals and get mixed up in seedy activities. Melati (not her real name) who lives at the Seri Pulau Pinang low-cost flats in Cheras, said she often found her two-bedroom unit stiffling and overcrowded. "I live there with my parents, four brothers and two sisters,'' said the 17-year-old. "Sometimes I wish I could just run away and go somewhere where I can be alone. It is so stressful here (home),'' she added. Melati's feelings is not uncommon. In fact many children who were born and bred under such circumstances often seek to escape elsewhere and at times many get involved in illegal activities like stealing and illegal motorcycle racing. The truth is the younger generation are not the only ones affected by the situation. Newlywed Kasturi (not her real name) lives at Seri Melaka low-cost flats with her husband and in-laws. "It can get a bit overcrowded here and at times it creates tension within the family,'' said the 31-year-old kindergarten teacher. "I sometimes wished that I could move out and get my own apartment, but we can't afford that at the moment,'' she said. Mokhtar Ranib has been living in a two-bedroom unit in Seri Melaka flats for over 28 years with six members of his family. He recalled how difficult it was especially when his children were growing up. "Everyone was on each other's nerves all the time and things often got out of hand with minor squabbles among the children,'' the 67-year-old said. When the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin announced that the Government was building more comfortable houses by redeveloping the older units recently, it got everyone in the neighbourhood excited. The redevelopment project will see an end to the one- and two-bedroom units, as all the new units being built will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms with bigger space and better facilities including recreation areas. Under the project, tenants who prefer to buy the units can purchase them at RM42,000 or those who could not afford may continue to rent the unit at RM124 — the current market rate. No doubt many tenants expressed their excitement over the project, but they were concerned about securing bank loans to buy the units. Mokhtar was pleased that his apartment has been earmarked for redevelopment plans. But he was worried that he may not be able to afford it when it is ready. "I am 67. Who is going to give me a loan to buy my place,'' he lamented. Securing the loan to buy their dream home would probably be the biggest hurdle for urban dwellers like Mokhtar and Kasturi. The Government is doing something to resolve this setback and hopefully they would be able to find a solution and enable poor urban residents to finally buy the homes of their dreams. Related Story: Communication unit to address residents' concerns Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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• Complex to be completed in 2012
• Police to step up efforts to curb school violence
• Metro Watch

Complex to be completed in 2012 Posted: 05 Jun 2011 05:44 PM PDT MALACCA: Construction of the state's recently revived Customs Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex is expected to be fully completed by March next year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the government had strived hard to ensure the project was restored after the initial construction hit a snag due to technical hitches on the part of its previous contractor. "We have commissioned a second contractor and up to now 38% of the project is completed and if all goes well, we could anticipate the RM73mil complex to be operational by mid-2012," he said at a site tour recently. Once completed, Mohd Ali added the complex could accommodate 15,000 visitors arriving from neighbouring countries on a monthly basis. "This will certainly be a boost for Malacca in terms of the tourists arrivals," he said. The CIQ will complement the Batu Berendam International airport as a major gateway to the state and also to expedite the entry process for foreign tourists. Mohd Ali said once the CIQ was completed, the state could also attract tourist boats from Singapore and Batam to enter the local waterway. He added that frequency of the current ferry services from Bengkalis and Dumai in Indonesia could also be doubled with the new facility. The increase, could turn the Malacca port as an optional hub for ferry services from neighbouring countries. On another matter, Mohd Ali said the government hoped to introduce a tram car to ferry city folks to several selected destinations. He said the tram service would help alleviate traffic congestions at the city-center while the monorail service was also expected to resume soon and would serve several populated areas here. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Police to step up efforts to curb school violence Posted: 05 Jun 2011 05:43 PM PDT KUALA TERENGGANU: Police are insisting that school violence and bullying cases are not major problems in the state despite numerous reports made this year. On May 24, eight secondary school pupils were sent for a two-year community service with the state Welfare Department, with a RM1,500 bond for good behaviour after they were found guilty of trespassing into a school and beating up a student. Three Form Three, Four Form Five pupils and a fourth former had trespassed into SMK Agama Durian Guling in Bukit Payung on the morning of April 7 to commit the offence. Barely a few days after the boys were sentenced, another Form Two pupil had his left ear partially torn after he was beaten up by a schoolmate who caused him to fall onto a window pane in his classroom. Terengganu CID chief Asst Comm K. Manoharan said the two occurrences were isolated incidents but the police would step up efforts to curb the problem before its got worse. He added that among the steps taken were urging the schools to be tougher on school bullies and assigning a school police liaison officer to hold more talks and counselling on crime prevention. "Our main target this year are crimes committed by youths, especially school violence. "It is under control but the police will be more proactive in assisting schools to curb such violence and acts of bullying," he said. He added cooperation from parents was also important in increasing discipline in schools and stopping school violence. "It is not too late to rehabilitate problematic students before they become even more notorious. "Despite the cases, the state does not have major gangsterism problem compared to other states," he said adding that, police would always monitor the cases in schools. He said participation and cooperation from the public was important. "The best weapon to curb crime is cooperation from the public. "The society can become our eyes and ears to prevent crimes especially among students," he said. ACP Manoharan urged anyone with information to contact the police hotline at 09-635 4744 or 09-635 4745. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Metro Watch Posted: 05 Jun 2011 04:59 PM PDT Handicraft's lure Looking for unique and beautifully carved wooden and traditional batek and ceramic products for souvenirs or home decoration? Check out the Pahang Handicraft Corporation complex at Kampung Pandan II, Kuantan-Terengganu bypass. Opens from Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm. For details, call 09-538 5677. Zero waste zone Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) launched the Zero Waste Zone 2011 and it is MPK's aspiration to ensure that Kuantan Town Centre becomes a zero waste zone from Jalan Tanah Putih in front of Giant Hypermarket to Teluk Cempedak. For details, call 09-5121 555/666. Cancer counselling Mahkota Medical Centre will be providing comprehensive cancer counselling services for free to the public, in collaboration with Malacca Cancer Society, every Friday from 4-6pm at No.76, Jalan Taman Melaka Raya 25, Taman Melaka Raya, Malacca. For details, call 06-285 2931 (Dr Sanjeev), 06-285 2975 (Dr Jayendran). Ballroom class A beginner's ballroom dancing class for cancer survivors, family, friends and caretakers is held every Thursday from 11am-noon at a monthly fee of RM10 at Malacca Cancer Society's Oasis centre. Conversational Mandarin class is held every Tuesday from 12pm to 3pm at a monthly fee of RM20. For details, call 06- 283 0988 (Oasis). Volunteers needed National Stroke Association of Malaysia (Nasam) Kuantan branch is looking for volunteers to help rehabilitate stroke victims. Nasam, a non-profit organisation, will provide training. For details, call 09-566 8195 or 019-951 0012 (Chua). Items for recycling Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia Kuantan branch welcomes used items such as metal containers, aluminium cans, glass and plastic bottles and clothing at its recycling centre. The centre is open every Sunday from 9am to noon. For details, call 09-517 2969 / 061. Music classes The YWCA of Malacca is holding music classes at their premise in Taman Aman, Ujong Pasir. Learn to play the guitar, keyboard or drums every Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. For details, call 016-6303 447 (Carole). Jazz dance Johor Baru Chinese Association holds jazz dance classes on Mondays from 11am-noon. For details, call 07-278 8999. Cancer counselling Former nurse Tey Siew Kuan offers counselling for breast cancer survivors every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm at the Malacca Cancer Society's Oasis Centre in No. 76, Jalan Melaka Raya, Taman Melaka Raya. For details, call 06-283 0988 (Oasis). Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' jacket up for auction Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:24 AM PDT BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP): The jacket Michael Jackson wore in his "Thriller" video is hitting the auction block. Auction administrator Darren Julien says the red and black leather jacket is "the most recognized and significant piece of pop culture" to come up for sale, and he expects it to fetch at least $200,000 at the Music Icons auction on June 25 and 26 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills. Jackson autographed the jacket as a gift to his longtime costume designers, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. He wanted them to use the small calfskin jacket as a template for his future concert fashions. A portion of the proceeds from its sale will benefit the Shambala Preserve, where Jackson's two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living since the pop star left his Neverland ranch in 2006. Other Jackson items up for sale include the wig he wore when he announced his ill-fated "This Is It" concert series in London, a fedora and spangled glove he wore on stage, his shirt from the "Scream" video and the battered mailbox from the Carolwood Drive estate where Jackson died at age 50 in 2009. The Music Icons sale also includes one of Eric Clapton's guitars, Frank Sinatra's patent leather boots and 1986 Jaguar, handwritten lyrics and a leather jacket from Johnny Cash, jackets and a guitar from Elvis Presley, a signed harmonica from Bob Dylan and nearly 600 other pieces of music memorabilia from Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, The Beatles and others. The collection will be on view free to the public from June 13 to 25 at Julien's Auctions Gallery in Beverly Hills. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

An interview with Scotty McCreery Posted: 05 Jun 2011 06:01 PM PDT He may be shy, but put a mike in front of new American Idol Scotty McCreery and he croons like a country music pro. IN what seemed to be an epic country-crooning showdown between two of the youngest finalists ever, country-belter Scotty McCreery overcame all odds to pip favourite Lauren Alaina in the 10th edition of American Idol last month. She may have received the most plaudits, what with her renditions of Carrie Underwood's Flat On The Floor, Pam Tillis' Maybe It Was Memphis and Like My Mother Does, originally recorded by Kristy Lee Cook, and earned judges Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson's votes of confidence. But with his own country gentleman charm, McCreery's bullfrog tunes like I Love You This Big, Gone and Check Yes Or No won the crowd over, instead. In this transcript interview provided by Star World, McCreery reveals how he's dealing with stardom and the hoopla that is American Idol. How are you handling all the attention that you're getting now? Scott McCreery: This is pretty wild, I've got to say. I mean, it's a whole lot more than I bargained for coming into this. I never would have expect­­­ed it. But I'm handling it well. It's what I asked for and this is my new life. So, it's a really crazy ride so far. You were a favourite all season long but did you have any doubts at any point, where you thought you might be going home in the final? Oh, man, in the final week especially, Lauren Alaina, she's something else. She sings like a bird. She's an amazing young lady. But every week, I've heard people say the front runner stuff and the favourite. But to me, it never even crossed my mind like that because everybody here from Top 40 down was just so talented. It was just an amazing ride. But yes, as far as doubting myself, I don't think I ever really gave myself a chance before this show as a musician. And now, it's about the confidence and I don't know. I mean, I've always had confidence in me. It was weird, the nerves for this show. It's something else. Just one random question for you, what was with Ryan calling you Scotty the Body all season? He told me early on, he said it was kind of like a tradition. I think he's done it with all the Scotts he's had on the show, like Scott McIntyre, even. There was another guy named Scott, I think. But it was more like a joke. I mean I've been eating too many cookies on the show anyways. So I'm not as toned as I was back in my baseball days. But yes, Scotty the Body. Yes, we were always joking about that one. So you had an emotional moment when you went back to Garner and you broke down and wept in the car and it seemed like your most emotional moment maybe at the whole thing. What was going through your head at that moment? We were driving up to the school and I just looked out the window and I saw all the familiar faces I missed for so long. And I rolled down the window and someone said, "We missed you and we love you, brother." And that just really got me. I'm about to cry just thinking about it. I missed them so much and it was just such a great moment for me to be back there just to see them again because they're my friends. They were my friends before the show. They're the true ones that I just really love. At what point did you notice your voice changing and what did you use to sound like? I've always kind of sounded the same, other than when I was younger and had a really high voice. But, I'd say Vegas week was the week that I really discovered that I could kind of sing higher than I had been singing in the competition so far. Kim Stacey, one of the vocal coaches, he kind of got it out of me and I used that a lot in singing It's Gone and That's Alright Mamma, ... kind of sing up higher for a lot of different stuff. So, I've used my low voice, but I guess you could say it's changed over the competition. What kind of album would you like to make and who would you most like to work with? We've already recorded two the past month. We weren't sure which one we were going to do – I Love You This Big turned out to be the one. But the other one I'm really excited about, too. I think it's going to be a great album. I've got to pick some good songs. That's what it's all about after the show. It's getting good songs because the fans got me to where I'm at right now. So it's my job to get them the music they want to hear. Hopefully, me and Lauren Alaina will get to do a duet from time to time. I'm not sure about the first album but, hopefully, sometime soon. Did you notice I Love You This Big is apparently No.1 on iTunes? How do you feel about that and how do you feel about the single? When they pitched it to me, I just fell in love with it. When I sang it for my finale, it was kind of a choked up performance. But I got through and I hugged my family with it. But it's really amazing that it's No.1. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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