Contents:
August 24th
Yo!!! Hey everybody. Great show!! We kicked ass, it was fun. So cool to perform the song Ty and I wrote for so many people. So thankful for the opportunity. My mom, Pauline, was there!!! She flew in from Canada. I love my family, thank you for your support! And of course Canada, thank you all so much for embracing and supporting the show!!!
August 20th
OOOH, no rest around the mansion. Pretty much as soon as the elimination show ended, we were met by Dave Navarro. We have to write songs again, except this time we'll be performing an original song at the performance show. So we have only a few days to write, record, memorize and rehearse a song and perform it for millions. I'm so nervous. I've never had to write under this kind of pressure and stress.
My song begins with a guitar riff from Ty and a lyrical storyline I had written last week. Also Suzie, Marty and Jordis helped with some areas of the song either lyrically or melodically.
We actually thought we would all be performing our original songs this week, but in the billiard room we found 5 cover songs. So 2 of us are blessed to be performing our originals and the other 5 will do the covers. To be fair we drew names out of a hat to decide who'd sing originals. MiG and I will be singing our originals. So excited!!!!
Rehearsals have been going really well. So excited to be able to perform an original song for y'all.
Tell us about your song selection
The producers of Rock Star:INXS want to hear from you. Click on the comments link below to tell us why you chose the song you did for Deanna. Your name and response may even be mentioned on the upcoming encore performance show.
August 18th
Hey Y'all!!! Elimination show found me in the bottom 3 for the first time. Crap!! Well, I wasn't surprised. It was really fun to sing an INXS song for INXS though. Thank you all, again, for voting. I'm so humbled and thankful. Jessica, my roomie, I love you, you rock, I'll miss you.
WOW….. oh ya, by the way, loved MiG's " Baby I Love Your Way."
August 16th
The performance show tonight was amazing. So many great performances. I'm not sure how I feel about mine. I thought I was gonna break down in the middle of it actually. The audience is always so amazing to perform for, so thank you all so, so much.
August 13th
This week's clinic was all about song writing. INXS gave us a new song idea without lyrics or melody. We were split up into 2 groups, and were given 6 hours to create and record a song. In my group was Suzie, MiG and Ty. We totally gelled and connected and had an amazing, rewarding experience. Oh yes, the group who came up with the best song, each person would receive a new stereo system would get to go out for dinner with INXS. So…we ended up winning! But the ultimate level of give and take communication that the four of us demonstrated, which led to a great song, was way more rewarding than any prize.
Dinner with INXS it was so nice!! We had an amazing time with them. Those guys are seriously sweet & personable. It was really comfortable & fun. Their huge success has not only come from creating great music, but obviously from being genuine and real in a way that touches and affects people deeply. I'm so thankful to be a part of all this. Song selection was quite different this week. INXS chose the song we will sing! For me they cleverly picked "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt. What an amazing, heart wrenching song! The smooth trance like mood and vocal performance will be a challenge to pull off but a welcome one. I love this song.
August 11th
Elimination show saw Brandon going home. Brandon has a huge voice and personality. I love his vocal style. I know he's gonna do great things. I have to thank all my fans again so much for all your votes. I felt really good about "Long Train Running," thought I really delivered, so I was disappointed to "almost" be in the bottom three. Actually I was very disappointed that Suzie -- one of the best performances -- was in the bottom three and some who didn't sing or perform well weren't. So please keep voting for those who kick ass, not just your favorites!!!!!
August 10th
The performance show was great again this week -- everyone kicked butt!! I felt really good and felt really comfortable for the first time. The place was rockin'! The people who come out to the show are always so supportive and uplifting. I'm so thankful to be performing for a crowd like that. So thanks …
August 7th
We went to House of Blues to see Dave Navarro and the cover band "Camp Freddy." They were awesome, it was a great night. You rock Dave!!
August 3rd
Wow, what a great performance show! It's was so awesome. I really enjoyed my song, "I'm the Only One." I was nervous about how I was going to get through the crowd, but people moved for me -- it was so sweet. Thank you to those who were there and helped me out. Hope you all enjoyed the show. You were a great audience.
July 30th
We had a vocal clinic this week. Kirk and Dave were there to partake as well. The vocal coach was Ron Anderson. He has worked with many famous rock singers. I unfortunately am a pessimist when it comes to vocal coaches, but he seemed to really help some of us. I actually went away feeling like "Damaged Goods." My low, unique tone is a result of vocal damage from improper technique, but I like having an interesting sounding voice!!! So I just need to maintain it, which I have been for over ten years. I am sure consistent coaching on a weekly basis would help me greatly to get rid of bad vocal technique.
So once again we battled it out during song selection. The 10 songs this week are all really great. There were a few definite songs that screamed out at me, of course the Melissa Ethridge tune, "I'm the Only One" was one of them. It's a great song to sing, I'm looking forward to performing it.
I have a little bit of a headache … We went to a club called "Prey." Dancing, drinking, mingling, oh yeah and Hugh Hefner was there too. We got to meet him, well just us girls actually!!! Had a lot of fun.
July 28th
Wow. Again, just humbled and appreciative of those who voted for me! Thank you! Daphna and Heather were both eliminated last night. We were all so shocked, but obviously INXS knows what they are looking for. Daphna and Heather are both such wonderful talents and beautiful people. Their presence in the house will really be missed.
July 27th
Performance night was last night! OOOh, it was intense at times, but a great show all around. I'm really appreciating the increase in both positive & negative feedback from INXS and Dave Navarro, even though it can suck at times. Through their critiques on each of us they are revealing more specifically what they're looking for. I really enjoyed "Give a Little Bit” - the intimacy & pace of the song, but next week I gotta rock!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you all so, so much for enjoying the show.
July 25th
Song Selection is getting a little more difficult with the increase of advice coming from INXS. They' re trying to get more out of us by suggesting we chose songs that differ from what we've been doing. For me they suggested that I sing a song more simple. So… “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp, is what I will be singing this week. It has wonderful heartfelt lyrics with a sing-a-long melody. I'll be performing it with a "less is more" approach both vocally and instrumentally. Just want you all to know how humbling and touching it is to have people vote for me each week. I can't even express how amazing that is. So thank you so much. Please enjoy my song this week. “Give a Little Bit”, it’s specifically for you.
July 23rd
We had a rock clinic on stage craft. We sat with Garry and Tim and watched each person’s performance and talked about each person’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s great to see what works and what doesn’t. I guess the main thing I learned for myself is less is more, which I’m struggling with since I’ve always been taught to be as big and as large as you can on stage, over emphasize movements, give everything vocally. So…the learning continues…
July 20th
The elimination show was tonight…thanks again so much, everyone for your votes!!!! Neal unfortunately has left us. I hope his beautiful spirit came through the TV clearly. His soul and energy are so peaceful. He is so amazing and brings alive every little thing he encounters and experiences. He is a man full of love and magic, a true talent, a definite Rock Star. Enjoy your journey Neal, we’ll miss you, but I know we’ll hear your voice soon….
July 19th
Just got back from the performance!!! The crowd was so great. Overall I was really happy with my performance. Singing a song that I don't emotionally connect with is really tough, and this is how I initially felt about "The One I Love." But I feel like I did take the song on an emotional journey, starting tense and intimate and ending in an explosion. It's important for me to put my stamp on every song, and incorporate my strengths, one of which I believe is power. With each show there are new people watching and I have 90 seconds to give them everything I have.
WOW, we had the privilege of going to a Levi’s designer studio where we each picked out one pair of pants and a top. But the coolest, best thing was that a tailor was there to further enhance the clothes as we envisioned them. I chose a pair of green chords and changed them by adding jean bell-bottoms sewn in it and a jean vest was specially made to my specs!!!
July 16th
Had another rehearsal today. "The One I Love" is starting to come together much better now.
July 15th
We had rehearsals today. There wasn't a lot of time for learning, so I think some of us are a bit stressed about remembering lyrics. My lyrics are easy, just need to get 'into' the song more. My rehearsal went well. With implementing some of my ideas, the band and I changed the instrumentation and vibe of the song to better suit my vocal. I really hope you all "feel" it!!!
July 14th
First off, I just really, really wanna thank you all so much for your support, your votes and your love of rock music. Especially INXS music!!! I feel so blessed to be in this position and be heard by so many.
Today was "Rock-N-Roll Clinic" day, focusing on fashion. We began this day with a discussion on the importance of having a definite style and vibe. Dave Navarro spoke with us. We were then surprised with a sort of Fashion Expo with John Farris and fashion stylist, Ellie Mae. We were given several wonderful outfits and accessories as possible options for our next performance. Of course I gravitated to an amazing burnt orange leather mini dress decorated with feathers. Amazing. Not sure yet when I'll wear it.
The bottom line with fashion is that one element can really be all you need. Similarly in interior design. A designer may base an entire room's concept off of one furniture piece…or maybe the colour palette from one painting. Whether it be a great jacket or one piece of jewelry, that may be all you need to really make a statement and pop!
Also today we were given 13 songs for the next performance. We had to hash it out amongst ourselves who will sing what. This was really tough. I am definitely not happy with my song, but I know a great artist can make any song sound good. So, I will look at this as a great challenge. Also, one of my really close friends, Laurel, told me that if I ever had the chance to sing an R.E.M. song that I needed to do it for her. So this is for you Laurel!!!
Hey, its Daphna's birthday today!!! Happy Birthday, Daphna!!! 30th!!!
Photo Album: kid pic
kid pic
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DEANNA JOHNSTON 17051 | | 
DEANNA JOHNSTON 18052 | | 
DEANNA JOHNSTON 23057 | | 
DEANNA JOHNSTON 13047 |
DEANNA JOHNSTON 12046 | | 
DEANNA JOHNSTON 8042 | |
Custom List: Favorite INXS songs
Favorite INXS songs
“Suicide Blonde”
“Elegantly Wasted”
“The One Thing”
“New Sensation”
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