Video - Austin Mahone Might Have Just Hit the Big Time with His “How to Love” Cover by Lil Wayne

Austin Mahone

Okay, we’ve been watching Austin Mahone for the last year - watching him slowly improve his covers and voice quality over time.

While we we’re impressed in the early days, he seemed a bit timid and a bit unwilling to totally let himself get lost in a song. He seemed a bit shy.

But a couple of months ago, Mahone started using either reverb, compression, or a delay with his video recordings and it stepped up his game by a mile.

A big fat Texas style mile…

There was a HUGE improvement over his earlier videos.

And tonight, Austin Mahone just released his latest cover which is “How to Love” by Lil Wayne – a song that’s been covered by a lot of singers including Justin Bieber.

And we got to say that Austin’s version just blew us away. In fact, we think that his version of “How to Love” may very well be the video that finally gets him noticed.

For those of you who aren’t musicians, “How to Love” is a very hard and somewhat technical song to play and sing.

It is NOT for the timid and shy – and he NAILED it.

Austin Mahone has grown up. He has improved. He now seems able to quickly learn any song he wants, and compile a very professional sounding video with just the right amount of effects to make it sound great.

That may not sound impressive until you realize he is NOT in a $10 million dollar digital studio with sound technicians and guru mixers.

He does it in his bedroom!

You have to listen to it to see what we mean….



As much as we hate to admit it, we like Austin’s version better than Lil Wayne’s.

Now, that brings us to Justin Bieber…

Justin also covered the song and it WAS in a $10 million dollar studio. While Justin’s version was powerful, we think Mahone’s was almost as good but in a more pleasurable, romantic, and “pure acoustic” way – without all the HIV drama and hip/hop rap that’s in Lil Wayne’s music video.

Anyway, we think that this cover is the one that some producer for Ellen, L.A. Reid, or some other Indy label or A/R person is going to hear – AND THEY’RE GOING TO TAKE NOTICE AND COME KNOCKING.

Did you hear that Austin?

You better sit down and take a deep breath because it may be awhile before you have a chance to rest those tired feet once they find you.

Get ready – we think you just recorded the video that’s going to make you famous.

We hope we’re right. We first wrote about Austin in in July when we we’re blown away by the fan following he had accumulated via social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and his Blog.

Related: Meet Austin Mahone – Social Media Genius or the Next Justin Bieber? – Video

Mahone seems to be hitting on all the right cylinders, and doing everything right in the social media world. He has a great voice and the ability to pick up various music styles quickly.

We’re afraid the only thing left to happen now is for his fans to help get him noticed by an important person or music label so he can get famous and start recording his own music.

Austin on the beach

Personally, we can’t wait.

And we know about 500,000 other people who will be beating down the doors of the record store to buy his first album.

Hear that L.A. Reid? Hear That Ellen? Hear that music industry people? Hear that A/R scouts?

We’re just saying – you better snap this kid up because he is going to leave you in the dust if you don’t get him a deal fast.

And Austin, when you hit it big - please don’t forget about us small, yet humble blogs that helped get your story out.

Congrats. You have come a long way.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – We are Mahomies now.

Scotty McCreery Talks about His First Album and New Music Video

Season 10 Winner Scotty

Season 10 American Idol winner and country music crooner Scotty McCreery sure has been busy since his big win.

While McCreery has been on tour this summer with the “American Idol Live Tour 2011”, he has
also been working hard behind the scenes on his first feature album and new music video.

Scotty, who was signed a record deal with Mercury Nashville and Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope Records shortly after his win, says his first music video for “I Love You This Big” will be out on August 9th and his first album will be released later this Fall.

He also announced the creation of his new official website at “ScottyMccreery-Official” and says he will be releasing new tracks, news, and videos before the album comes out so his fans can see and hear what he has been working on.

Scotty talked about his new album saying,

“I’m really excited to let people hear what we’ve been working on and putting so much effort and energy and time into. It’s something that I’m really proud of. I can’t wait for them to hear it! Hopefully they’ll feel what I was feeling in the studio.”

Watch Scotty's Win Video

Visitors who register at the website and pre-order his new album will also receive an autographed photo of Scotty along with a signed poster and a free digital download of his new music video “I Love You This Big”.

The Garner North Carolina native was the youngest person to ever take home the American Idol crown and within weeks had shattered the Billboard 200 charts with his first single.

“At his age, Scotty has the chance to become one of the first teen idol type celebrities born from the country music genre. There are thousands of young girls who would pay any price for a poster of a shirtless Scotty McCreery hanging in their bedrooms. And their parents would be happy to buy it for them because he is a fantastic role model for any teen.”

Scotty McCreery has been packing in the fans this summer on the American Idol Tour with fellow contestants James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams, Lauren Elaina, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, and Hailey Reinhart.

Related: American Idol Live Tour 2011 Update – Scotty Rules, Durbin Rocks “Guns and Roses” – Video

McCreery hits the stage midway through the show and sings Josh Turner's "Your Man”, “Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not”, and his signature hit “I Love You This Big”.

Insiders say this has been one of the best summer tours by American Idol contestants ever, and that the crowd goes absolutely crazy when Scotty McCreery takes the stage.

The tour runs through mid-September and you can buy tickets and check for concert dates in your city on the American Idol Summer Tour official Website.

Can’t wait to hear what young Scotty has cooked up for us!

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – We love you this big too…

American Idol’s Pia Toscano Finally Signs Record Deal with Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records

American Idol contestant Pia Toscano can finally say she has a record deal.

After Pia’s shocking elimination from American Idol it was announced that she had signed a record deal but her reps later said it was all just rumor.

Today, Jimmy Iovine and his Interscope Records announced that Pia Toscano has officially signed to the label and is now under management with Red Light Management.

Ex-Idol contestants Haley Reinhart and James Durbin are also under contract with Red Light.

Related: Did AI’s James Durbin Really Get Arrested?

Toscano’s first single, “This Time” has already been recorded and is set to release on July 15, 2011.

“Pia has been working with several artists and producers including Rock Mafia and is proud of her first single “This Time”. We look forward to a long relationship with Pia, and other Idol contestants.”

Pia was a viewer favorite before being booted from the show before Stefano Langone. There were also subsequent tales of a romance between the two.

Related: Pia and Stefano share off-set excitement

If you recall, Jimmy Iovine played a crucial role in last season’s Idol competition. It was speculated that any good talent would be snapped up by his Interscope records after the season was completed.

Pia told reporters after the announcement,

"I'm looking forward to working with him and everyone at Interscope Records and 19 Recordings. This is a dream come true."

She also said she will have a new album out before the end of the year and it will be a “huge, big diva sounding album.”

Watch Pia Toscano and Lauren Alaina Backstage Interview


Jimmy Iovine and Interscope also represent 50 Cent, Travis Barker, The Black Eyed Peas, Greyson Chance, Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fergie, Lady Gaga, new Kids on the Block, Pussycat Dolls, Soulja Boy, Sting, Timbaland, U2, Will.i.am, and others.

Pia seems to be in good company with Jimmy and we can’t wait to hear what she has to bring to the table.

Go get ‘em Pia.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – Jimmy said it was ok

Does Stefano Langone Have a Record Deal Yet? Pia Toscano Got One… Is He Gay? Can He Play Piano?

Lots of fans are talking about Stefano Langone these days.

And they are all asking the same questions:

Does he have a record deal yet? Does he really play piano and guitar? Did he hold back on American Idol? Did he really admit to being gay?

Ever since Stefano told reporters he was intentionally holding back during his American Idol performances, viewers have been wondering when he will be signed to a record contract.

Langone, 21, shocked the world when he told reporters that he is using his Idol experience as “star school”, and was planning to release his “swag” on the general public with his first album after the summer tour.

Most critics are saying it is just a matter of DAYS before he announces a record deal. Remember what happened to Pia Toscano?

Within 24 hours of Pia being eliminated she had a record deal with Interscope Records and is already working on her first single.

Related: Pia Toscano signs record deal with Interscope Records

Stefano has been dealing with the media as if he is already the next big sensation telling reporters,

“I held back on purpose. Idol is not my style. I didn’t want viewers to see me play the guitar or piano because I am waiting to show them my passion and skills on my first album”

Langone says he knew he would never be the Idol winner so instead he has used the exposure to network and prepare to launch his own career.

He says that during the American Idol Summer Tour he plans to show audiences how good he really is.

There is also speculation that Langone will appear on the Jay Leno show this week and will be asked about not only a record deal, but also about getting arrested for DUI in 2010, and rumors that he is gay.

Another Idol, Jacob Lusk, has also admitted to being arrested but feels it won’t jeopardize his chances at winning. Jacob has admitted to being gay.

Related: American Idol Jacob Lusk Arrested in L.A.

Stefano says he has a “man crush” on fellow contestant James Durbin, and has even agreed to be his best man at his wedding, but also says he is single and hanging out with the ladies – taking it all in saying, “I’m not gay”.

Who do you think is going home this week?