Kara DioGuardi
Kara DioGuardi | |
---|---|
Ossining, New York, U.S.[1] | |
Genres | [2] |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | |
Member of | Platinum Weird |
Website | karadioguardi |
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi (/ˈkærə diːoʊˈɡwɑːrdi/; born December 9, 1970) is an American songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, and singer. She primarily writes music in the pop rock genre.[2] She has worked with many popular artists;[3] sales of albums on which her songs appear exceed 160 million worldwide.[4] DioGuardi is a 2011 NAMM Music for Life Award winner, 2009 NMPA Songwriter Icon Award winner, 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, and has received 20 BMI Awards for co-writing songs.
DioGuardi was a judge on
Early life
DioGuardi was born in
DioGuardi grew up in the
Career
Professional songwriting
DioGuardi has a songwriting catalog of several hundred songs; over 300 have been released on major labels worldwide and over 150 have appeared on platinum selling albums. She has had 50 international charting singles over the course of her career, and her songs have helped propel more than 66 albums into the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. Her songs have been featured in major motion pictures, television shows, film soundtracks, and radio spots, as well as in national and international commercial campaigns.
She wrote with Ashlee Simpson for Simpson's first and second albums, in 2003 and 2004. She collaborated with Thalía in 2003 for her self-titled album Thalía. In 2004, DioGuardi co-wrote one-sixth of the tracks off Kelly Clarkson's sophomore album Breakaway including Clarkson's hit "Walk Away". DioGuardi then worked with Australian singer, Ricki-Lee Coulter on her 2005 single, Sunshine from her debut studio album, Ricki-Lee, which was released in October of the same year.
She also worked with Christina Aguilera on her album Back to Basics in 2006, co-writing twelve of the thirteen tracks on disc one of the album, among them being "Ain't No Other Man" and "Back in the Day". In the same year, she collaborated with Jesse McCartney on his album Right Where You Want Me, co-writing four songs called "Anybody", "Invincible", "Running Away", and "Feels Like Sunday".
In 2007, DioGuardi worked with many notable artists, one of whom was
" among other releases.Among DioGuardi's projects is the song "Not Meant to Be", which appears on Theory of a Deadman's 2008 album,
In 2007, Dioguardi and Eurythmics member Dave Stewart wrote "Taking Chances" for Celine Dion. It was released as the first single from the album Taking Chances in September 2007. The song was a success around the world reaching the top ten in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy and Switzerland. It also peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[11]
In 2009, DioGuardi wrote "If I Can't Have You" for
Songs for film and television
DioGuardi has also written for films and television series. She wrote "Halo" for
Music publishing
DioGuardi co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a publishing company which is a resource business for record companies and other music entities seeking compositions, productions, artists, and related music services. Arthouse has been a part of many chart-topping hits including B.O.B's "Nothin' On You"; Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade"; Cee-Lo Green's "Forget You", Flo Rida's "Club Can't Handle Me", Demi Lovato's "Heart Attack"; Jason DeRulo's "Want to Want Me" and "Trumpets"; Eminem's "Monster", Zedd's "Beautiful Now", Jon Bellion's "All Time Low", Maroon 5's "Memories", Illenium's "Good Things Fall Apart", Halsey's "Graveyard", Florida Georgia Line's "Simple", and Ingrid Andress' "More Hearts Than Mine."
Reality television
In July 2006, DioGuardi was a judge in an Idol-like TV show called The One: Making a Music Star. The show debuted on ABC with the second-lowest rating ever for a premiere on a major American network and was abruptly canceled after just two weeks.[12]
In 2009, she joined the hit Fox television show American Idol as a fourth judge for the show's eighth season alongside judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul.[13] DioGuardi returned to Idol for its ninth season alongside Cowell, Jackson, and new judge Ellen DeGeneres who replaced Paula Abdul after she quit the show in contract disagreements.[14] However, DioGuardi decided to leave the show on September 3, 2010 and did not return for the tenth season of Idol.[15] It has since been said that DioGuardi helped Steven Tyler become a judge on American Idol, after they worked together at DioGuardi's house in Los Angeles. She has had Idol connections in the past: in 2000, DioGuardi and former Idol judge Paula Abdul co-wrote the UK number-one single "Spinning Around", performed by Kylie Minogue. DioGuardi has written many songs sung by Idol winners and alumni such as Kelly Clarkson, Allison Iraheta, David Archuleta, Carrie Underwood, Diana DeGarmo, Katharine McPhee, Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, and Adam Lambert. DioGuardi co-wrote the American Idol season eight coronation single, "No Boundaries", which was performed by both finalists during the competition. DioGuardi struggled to find her place among the judges. In Richard Rushfield's book, "American Idol: The Untold Story," he reveals that often the other judges would leave the studio during commercial breaks, leaving DioGuardi behind to awkwardly sit by herself.[16]
DioGuardi also co-wrote with Jason Reeves a song called "Terrified" for Katharine McPhee's album Unbroken,[17] which was covered by Didi Benami, an American Idol contestant from Season 9, during Hollywood week. DioGuardi recorded a video of herself singing "Terrified" with Jason Reeves on YouTube, which has over 1,800,000 views. She appeared on Hannah Montana as herself in the episode "Judge Me Tender".
After leaving American Idol, she was a head judge on the
Other projects
DioGuardi guest starred as herself on The Simpsons and Sesame Street. From September 5 – October 30, 2011, she made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.[19][20] She released an autobiography after her departure from American Idol named A Helluva High Note; Surviving Life, Love and American Idol.
Since 2012, she has taught a semester course called "Hitmaking with Kara DioGuardi" at
In late 2017, DioGuardi helped launch the first effort in Maine of a national program working to prevent child sexual abuse, the Enough Abuse Campaign (EAC).[22][23]
Awards and nominations
In 2003, DioGuardi won a
Discography
As a vocalist
With MaD DoLL:
- Mad Doll[25] (1999)
With Platinum Weird:
- Make Believe (2006)
- Platinum Weird (2006)
As a featured artist:
- "If I Can't Have You" on Meat Loaf's album "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" (2010)
- "The Sun Will Rise" on Kelly Clarkson's album Stronger (2011)
Music videos
- "Not Meant to Be" – Theory of a Deadman (2009)
Personal life
DioGuardi splits her time between Los Angeles and
DioGuardi works with the Phoenix House, a non-profit substance abuse service organization; she contributes to recording studios in the facilities and helps teach the teens how to operate the equipment.[24] In February 2010, she joined former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin in a charity trip sponsored by ExxonMobil to Angola where they visited malaria prevention and treatment projects as part of Idol Gives Back.
In May 2010, she posed nude for the annual "Naked Truth" issue of Allure magazine.[34]
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Rock Legends: Platinum Weird | Herself | Television film |
2006 | The One: Making a Music Star | Herself | |
2009–2010 | American Idol | Herself / Judge | |
2009 | Hannah Montana | Herself | Episode: "Judge Me Tender" |
2010 | The Simpsons | Herself (voice) | Episode: "Judge Me Tender" |
2011 | Platinum Hit | Herself |
Awards
Latin Grammy Awards
Year | Title of Work | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | "Bella Traición" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
Published works
- DioGuardi, Kara (2011). A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love, and American Idol. It Books. ISBN 978-0-06-205989-5.
References
- ^ Daily News (New York), August 27, 2008. Accessed February 11, 2009.
- ^ a b "Kara DioGuardi All Music". All Music.com. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi – Related Artists". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
- ^ HarperCollins Author Bio Archived February 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The DioGuardi Family Story". Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon. "Idols, You'll Have to Pass Through Her", The New York Times, January 9, 2009. Accessed February 11, 2009.
- ^ Carlson, Erin (August 29, 2008). "Table for four: New Rochelle's Kara DioGuardi joins 'Idol' judges". Associated Press / lohud.com.
- ^ "Theory Of A Deadman Video Stars kara DioGuardi". Road Runner Records. February 2, 2009.
- ^ "Behind the Scenes of "Not Meant to Be"". YouTube. March 28, 2009. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Taking Chances by Céline Dion - Track Info". AllMusic.
- ^ Maynard, John (July 26, 2006). "'One' Miserable Showing: 'Idol' Knockoff Sets a Record". The Washington Post.
- ^ "'AmericanIdol' adds DioGuardi as fourth judge". Associated Press. August 29, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008.
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi Returning to American Idol". People. July 30, 2009. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009.
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi not returning to 'American Idol': It's (finally) official". Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ "Reading the new 'American Idol: The Untold Story' | American Idol". Archived from the original on January 25, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi". Archived from the original on March 1, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "Ex-Idol Judge Gets New TV Show, Toronto Star". The Star. October 26, 2010.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Kara DioGuardi to Make Broadway Debut as 'Roxie' in CHICAGO in Sept". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ "Former "American Idol" Judge Kara DioGuardi Will Make Broadway Debut in Chicago". Playbill. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ Michele Amabile Angermiller (November 8, 2012). "Former 'American Idol' Judge Kara DioGuardi Teaching College Course". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
- ^ McDermott, Deborah. "Christmas Angels: 'Inspiring others' to stop child sexual abuse". seacoastonline.com. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ "Former 'American Idol' judge partners with Maine doctor, cop to fight child sex abuse". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ a b Laskow, Michael (February 2008). "A&R Insuder: Kara DioGuardi, Keynote Interview, Part 2, Live on Stage at TAXI's Road Rally 2007". TAXI Transmitter / taxi.com.
- ^ Sarah Liss (January 14, 2009). "Idol hands – Why would a hit songwriter join the peanut gallery on American Idol?". CBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
- New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
- ^ Eunice Oh (2009). "Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Got Engaged in Her Pajamas". People. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ Colin Sargent (2009). "Idol Banter". Portland Magazine. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
- ^ Eunice Oh (2009). "Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Got Engaged in Her Pajamas". People. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
- ^ Cynthia Wang (2009). "American Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Weds in Maine". People. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ^ Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Engaged! People.com, January 13, 2009
- ^ "Kara DioGuardi Welcomes Son Greyson James". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ Marisa Laudadio (January 16, 2013). "Baby Boy on the Way for Kara DioGuardi". People. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ The Naked Truth: 5 celebrities bare it all for Allure Allure. Archived on April 15, 2010.
Sources
- Widran, Jonathan. "Kara DioGuardi Discusses How She Got Started, Her Hit Songs, And Songwriting". SongwriterUniverse Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2004.
- Reynolds, J.R. (March 2002). "On the Scene: Kara DioGuardi". BMI MusicWorld. Retrieved December 14, 2004.
- Lee, Chris (December 25, 2005). "Spinning all that angst into pop gold. Lindsay. Hilary. Celine. Pink. Kara DioGuardi's first-person songs pushed them all up the charts. And now it's her turn to shout". Los Angeles Times. p. E1. Guest Co-host; (ABC Television) The View | October 15, 2009
External links
- Media related to Kara DioGuardi at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Kara DioGuardi at All Music Guide
- Kara DioGuardi's channel on YouTube
- Kara DioGuardi at IMDb
- Berklee College of Music's Songwriting Idol
- LiveDaily – Platinum Weird's Dave Stewart and Kara DioGuardi interview