Kris recently chatted with Billboard about his upcoming album. Check out what he had to say in the article below!

Kris Allen, Title TBD (19 Recordings/Jive Records, Fall TBD)

“American Idol” winner Kris Allen isn’t just expected to record a debut album — he’s supposed to make chart-topping hits and live up to the sales of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and David Cook before him. For his fall debut on 19/Jive, the 23-year-old has a wealth of songwriters and producers to choose from: David Hodges (Clarkson, Daughtry), Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Whinehouse) and Claude Kelly (Akon, Leona Lewis) have all submitted material for the record. Allen also collaborated with Joe King of the Fray in June at Timbaland’s Virginia Beach, VA., recording studio. “Each writing session has a learning experience,” says Allen, who adds that his record will sound similar to John Mayer and Jason Mraz, with possible traces of the urban sound that he’s been exploring with some collaborators. “I think we are trying to figure it out and that it’s going the right way and I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait”

Kris Allen: Adam Lambert Isn’t ‘Stealing My Thunder’

Penning his first song.
“I was in my first year of college, and I wrote a song called ‘The Real World’ and it was horrible! But you live and you learn. The thing that inspires me the most [when I write] is stuff that is happening in my life at that time. Whether it be the good, the bad, whatever. It’s just about different people, friends, family and my wife.”

Serenading the ladies on campus.
“I’ve been with my wife for seven years, so I didn’t do that. But I was known as the guitar guy.”

Read the rest of the interview here

Adam Lambert, Kris Allen Team With Top Hitmakers For Debut Albums

“I’ve been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it’s going well,” Allen says. In fact, sources tell Billboard.com that he’s been working with some of the top songwriters and producers, including David Hodges (Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry), Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Winehouse) and Claude Kelly (Akon, Leona Lewis). Allen also hit Timbaland’s studio in Virginia Beach to work with Joe King of the Fray, whose take on Kanye West’s “Heartless” inspired Allen’s own performance of the song during the competition. Allen attended the group’s show that evening after the writing session.

While Allen has been experimenting with some urban-influenced styles, he’s honing the material for the album in a John Mayer/Jason Mraz direction. “Each writing session has been a learning experience,” he says. “I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it’s going the right way and I’m really excited about it. I can’t wait.”

Meanwhile, Lambert’s recent revelation of the straight boy crush he has on his former “Idol” roommate has left Allen unfazed.

“He was so funny,” Allen says. “He texted me that day, like, ‘I’m so embarrassed.’ I’m like, ‘No, are you serious? Don’t be embarassed. I think that’s hiliarious.’ My wife, she’s so funny. She was like, ‘Tell Adam I have a crush on HIM.’ ”

“He is something different that no one’s probably seen before, at least in a long time. But we’re two completely different artists as well, so I don’t think either one of us have anything to worry about.”

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Better Than Ezra singer wants to write with Kris!

Better than Ezra leader finds kindred spirits on ‘AI’

Watching “American Idol” has become a ritual in the Los Angeles home of Better Than Ezra vocalist/guitarist Kevin Griffin. It should be. After all, he’s written songs for a number of contestants.

“I have a song called ‘Avalanche’ that [David Cook and I] wrote together,” Griffin said during a recent interview with LiveDaily via telephone from New Orleans. “I’ve written with David Archuleta; our song didn’t make the album. I’m writing right now with Jason Castro and another kid, Josiah Leming, I just produced a song. He got kicked off early and he was really, really good. I’m hoping to write with Kris Allen. We’ll see.

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Kris Allen ‘Flattered’ by Adam Lambert’s Crush

In his Rolling Stone cover story, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert admitted he’d been crushing on his roommate in the Idol mansion, Kris Allen.

“I was like, ‘Oh, s—, they put me with the cute guy … Distracting!” Lambert told the magazine. “He’s the one guy that I found attractive in the whole group on the show … totally my type – except that he has a wife.”

Allen’s response? “I’m flattered,” the Idol winner tells PEOPLE exclusively, “And think it’s hilarious.”

The duo will have plenty of time to laugh over their missed chance at bromance this summer: Allen, Lambert and the other eight finalists from the show’s top ten will hit the road on a 52-date tour starting July 5 in Portland, Ore.
– Rennie Dyball

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Adam talked about Kris in his Rolling Stone article:

But exactly what is his type? When Idol producers put him in a room to share with Allen, Lambert says his first thought was, “They put me with the cute guy. Distracting! He’s the one guy I found attractive in the whole group on the show: nice, nonchalant, pretty and totally my type — except that he has a wife. I mean he’s open-minded and liberal, but he’s definitely 100% straight.”

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Here’s a cool article on Kris singing the National Anthem last night:

Finals: Kris Allen, nervous?

No way. Dude sang in front of 30 million people every week.

And the American Idol winner sang the national anthem just now, in his typically sweet, less-than-bombastic style that won him the Idol title a few weeks back and across the street at Nokia Theater.

The Staples crowd seemed to be feelin’ his rendition of the anthem, launching a huge cheer before it was even through. (This is where it’s important to report that before the game, Allen was forced to pick sides in the Lakers-Magic series; he went with the Lakers. Because of Derek Fisher, who, like him, is from Arkansas.)

Oh, Kobe seemed to dig Allen’s rendition, too. Saw him on the big screen baring his teeth during it. Really.

Source

Kris Allen Calls Adam Lambert & Drake LaBry a ‘Cool Combination’

Allen looked relaxed an hour before singing the national anthem, which he executed to perfection, drawing a huge ovation from the Staples Center crowd, which included Rihanna, Diddy, Simon Baker and Leonardo DiCaprio.

But the winner of American Idol, Kris Allen, 23, is already speaking out in support of his good friend and runner-up, praising Lambert for his openness.

“I think he’s happier that he can be himself and it’s nice,” Allen says of Lambert, 27, stepping out with his friend Drake LaBry. “Adam is who he is and he’s not afraid. I support him in whatever he does.”

Read entire article here.

Here is the official press release announcing Kris is signed with Jive Records:

Kris Allen - 19 Recordings Has Signed the American Idol Season 8 Winner and Has Licensed to Jive Records

“As exciting as the last few months have been, I’m really looking forward to what is next,” says Kris Allen. “I’m very grateful to be working with Simon Fuller and his team at 19 Entertainment, along with Barry Weiss and Jive Records on my debut album. Everyone’s been asking me what it’s going to sound like. It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show — definitely in the pop/rock genre. I can’t wait to get started!”

“Kris had a terrific run of memorable performances culminating with an incredible win,” stated Barry Weiss, Chairman and CEO of the RCA/JIVE Label Group. “He’s a super-talented singer and all-around gifted musician who has that rare common touch which will give him the ability to connect with the broadest possible audience. We’re really excited to welcome him to the Jive family.”

Read the entire press release here