Over the years, award-winning hitmaker, savvy record executive, successful music publisher and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has worked with the best. Her songs have been recorded by such superstars as Pink, Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Santana, Steven Tyler, Celine Dion and many others. But success wouldn’t have happened for this songwriter, artist and producer without the darker times of defeat. Now, in this daringly honest memoir, DioGuardi reveals everything she’s learned about living, creating, loving, stumbling, picking herself up again and ultimately succeeding. And, of course, she hares behind-the-scenes stories from her years on American Idol, including the real truth about her departure from the show. Passionate, wide and funny, A Helluva High Note inspires readers to find, develop and follow their own true voice.
A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love, and American Idol
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
Kara DioGuardi is an award-winning hitmaker, a savvy record executive, and a successful music publisher whose songs have been recorded by such superstars as Pink, Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Santana, Steven Tyler, Céline Dion, and so many others. She was also the feisty fourth judge on American Idol. But success wouldn’t have happened for this songwriter, artist, and producer without the dark times of defeat. Filled with the grace, raw honesty, and haunting emotion of her hit songs, A Helluva High Note is the soundtrack to Kara’s life—an intimate anthem about living, creating, loving, stumbling, picking herself up again, and ultimately succeeding. It is a moving chronicle of the experiences that have inspired her songs and given her the resilience and perspective to become the confidant, accomplished, adventurous warrior she is today.
Kara not only writes about what it was like to collaborate with some of our favorite performing artists, she also opens up about everything from her struggles with debilitating stage fright and an equally paralyzing eating disorder, to the most devastating yet profoundly life-altering experience—caring for her mother during her fatal battle with cancer. And, of course, she shares behind-the-scenes stories from her years on American Idol and the real truth about her departure from the show.
A Helluva High Note is filled with memorable and inspirational tales from the heart and trenches of life, business, and the world of entertainment. Passionate, wise, funny, and down-to-earth, it proves that finding, cultivating, and following your own true voice really is possible.
About the Author
A Grammy-nominated, 2011 NAMM Music for Life Award winner, 2009 NMPA Songwriter Icon Award winner, and 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, Kara DioGuardi has songs that have appeared on more than 160 million albums. Kara also serves as executive vice president of talent development at Warner Bros. Records and co-owns Arthouse Entertainment. In 2011, she made her Broadway debut in Chicago as Roxie Hart. She lives in Los Angeles and Maine with her husband, Michael McCuddy.
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More About the Author
Kara DioGuardi's songs have appeared on more than 159 million albums. She is a Grammy-nominated hitmaker, a 2011 NAMM Music for Life Award winner, 2009 NMPA Songwriter Icon Award winner, and a 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year. In addition, she has received fifteen BMI Awards for cowriting the most-performed songs on the radio. Kara also works at Warner Bros. Records, where she serves as executive vice president of talent development; co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a music-publishing venture with Bug Music; and is currently appearing as judge on Platinum Hit, Bravo's new reality show in search of America's best songwriters. In fall of 2011, Kara made her Broadway stage debut as merry murderess Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO. She lives in Los Angeles and Maine.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Beirne
Format:Hardcover
This is a must read: Kara tells an amazing life story of tragedy and triumph. It is truly remarkable how much she has accomplished via unyielding devotion to her dreams. She is obviously extremely talented, but what is even more striking is her tireless work ethic and commitment.
This book is an engagingly-written, "page turner" that is sure to captivate. Her encounters with music's biggest stars are wildly entertaining and fun to read. What is most amazing, however, is how down-to-earth and hard working she has remained in spite of such stardom. She is a paragon for overcoming obstacles and seizing the day.
This book really spoke to me, and I know that it will do the same for countless others.
This book is an engagingly-written, "page turner" that is sure to captivate. Her encounters with music's biggest stars are wildly entertaining and fun to read. What is most amazing, however, is how down-to-earth and hard working she has remained in spite of such stardom. She is a paragon for overcoming obstacles and seizing the day.
This book really spoke to me, and I know that it will do the same for countless others.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this as a gift for my 17 year old daughter, who is very interested in music (and sings quite well herself!). Not only did she read the whole thing in a matter of days (when's the last time she did that?!), she kept telling me how much she LOVED the book and how inspired it made her feel. Honestly, I haven't heard her say this many positive things about a book in years.
So since she wouldn't stop talking about what an inspiration it was for her, I eventually picked it up and started reading it. Well wouldn't you know, it was an EXCELLENT read!! I'm a 48 year old father of two and I found it not only to be a well-written story but very meaningful ... it really delivers the messages you'd want to instill in your children, so I'm thrilled to have my daughter be such a huge fan of this book. Not only that, but it's well-written, delivered with a fun tone, but at the same time is very heartfelt and personal.
I highly recommend everyone picks up this book. It made a great gift for my daughter and heck, I loved it too. It imparts great messages no matter what age you are, so do what I did - give it as a gift and then take it back, and read it for yourself!
So since she wouldn't stop talking about what an inspiration it was for her, I eventually picked it up and started reading it. Well wouldn't you know, it was an EXCELLENT read!! I'm a 48 year old father of two and I found it not only to be a well-written story but very meaningful ... it really delivers the messages you'd want to instill in your children, so I'm thrilled to have my daughter be such a huge fan of this book. Not only that, but it's well-written, delivered with a fun tone, but at the same time is very heartfelt and personal.
I highly recommend everyone picks up this book. It made a great gift for my daughter and heck, I loved it too. It imparts great messages no matter what age you are, so do what I did - give it as a gift and then take it back, and read it for yourself!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've never been a huge fan of Kara. I missed Paula when Kara joined and actually stopped watching Idol. Then, I heard Kara on the radio talking about the book and I thought I'd give it a chance. But, even after getting the book, I had a hard time starting it.
When I finally did start reading, I did not want it to end. The book is awesome- thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational. In an industry where you always hear about bad people, it was great to read about a truly good person (yes, she won me over) who has made it to the top on her own through hard work and perseverance.
When I finally did start reading, I did not want it to end. The book is awesome- thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational. In an industry where you always hear about bad people, it was great to read about a truly good person (yes, she won me over) who has made it to the top on her own through hard work and perseverance.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Inside Perspective of the Music Biz
This was a really poignant personal story as well as a neat peak behind the scenes of pop music. Kara comes across very real and the reader can easily relate to her experiences of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Chelcey Dunham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great insight into Kara's Life
She is a very interesting and genuine person, one thing I really like about her, she is very honest in her biography. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Philip B. Bigelow
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for artists or people with a dream
Also great book if you like Kara Diogardi. As an independent artist, I learned a lot from Kara's book. Found it inspiring and REAL.
Published 4 months ago by Coyote
5.0 out of 5 stars
kara dioguardi helluva high note
i absolutely loved this book so glad that i oredered it i read this book from front to back in just three days.
Published 19 months ago by stacy curry
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was ok....
I was really excited to read this book, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. I did enjoy reading her stories about working with various artists, her stint on American Idol,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by rhutchi2
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy read
I enjoy writing and have always been fascinated by song lyrics and the meaning behind them. I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my attention and was an easy read overall. Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Rainey
5.0 out of 5 stars
songs, pain, and redemption
"A helluva note" is a memoir by Kara DioGuardi, best known as the fourth judge on American Idol series eight and nine, as well as a song writer known for hits like "Escape," "Ain't... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Alla S.
4.0 out of 5 stars
An inspiration for girls everywhere
I love Kara, I really do. Hearing her sing the songs she's written, the emotions she puts into it moves me. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lisa Love
4.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyable
I enjoyed Kara's memoir, especially the American Idol parts, and felt she was candid and down to earth. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Joanne Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review: "A Helluva High Note"......
Loved this book, "A Helluva High Note" by Kara DioGuardi. Even though i am not a songwriter nor wish to pursue a career in the music industry, (although "anything is possible. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Kristin Bierman
