After more than a year of singing covers, Matthew Morrison, better known to ‘Glee’ fans as Will Schuester, finally gets to sing a tune of his own with his all-original debut self-titled album out in stores on May 10.

The album features the lead track “Summer Rain”, which was first played in Ryan Seacrest’s show at KIIS-FM today, along with a guest stint from Morrison himself. “I hope people dig it, and if they don’t, they don’t,” the singer said before the song’s first note played on air.

Fans can listen to the track and the singer’s interview via Seacrest’s website.

Written by music two-some Espionage with contributions from Morrison, “Summer Rain” sounds a lot like Jason Mraz sprinkled with Morrison’s charming vocals. The single will hit digital stores on March 8, while the ‘Glee’ star is slated to appear on the April 6 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the April 11 episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show to promote the single and the album.

“Glee” takes on a different direction on an upcoming episode when they tread the waters at Regionals with original tracks, with one penned by pop songwriting legend Max Martin.

Martin, responsible for other pop hits like “Raise Your Glass” by Pink (which will also be sung in the same episode) and “My Life Would Suck without You” by Kelly Clarkson (which was sung during the show’s first season), co-wrote the upbeat and poppy “Loser Like Me”, a group track which sums up the show’s overall theme. “Get It Right” is another original set to debut on the March 15 episode of the show. The emotional ballad will have Lea Michele singing for the most part.

The idea to perform original tunes has been lingering in creator Ryan Murphy’s mind for months now. At the Television Critics Association forum last summer, Murphy mentioned that he had always wanted to ask the cast to write their own lyrics but didn’t want it to come off as forced or imposing. “I think it has to be organic. It wouldn’t work [before] if they just broke out and started singing their own songs. You wouldn’t get it.”

Loretta Devine and Kathy Griffin have been tapped by “Glee” to be judges for the forthcoming Regionals. News of the casting follows news of a breakdown in casting where the show was searching for an actress to portray a Sarah Palin-esque character and stripper-turned-nun.

On the call sheet, the Tammy Jean character is described as a Sarah Palin home school type. However the source from TV Line has stated that character really isn’t all that similar to Alaska’s controversial former Governor.

At first it was believed that the character was based on Plain because Ryan Murphy said once that he intended to bring that type of character over. Murphy said to TV Guide, we have taken a few jabs this year at right wingers, so we want to have a character that Christian parents and kids can relate to and say look I am represented too.

Devine’s character, meanwhile, is exactly like has been described in the papers. She will play Sister Mary Constance, an African American middle aged woman and former exotic dancer who is now a Carmelite Nun.

Reportedly, the unknown episode will be shot as soon as Tuesday.

In Parade Magazine’s Sunday issue, Josh Groban talks about “Glee” and girls.

Here is what Josh, who announced a world tour recently, had to say.

His new storyline idea for “Glee”: Me and Matthew Morrison in a hair-off. I would take him down.

The type of music he will play for getting a girl into the mood he replied, Nine Inch Nails. We aren’t going to be listening to anything romantic. During the day I get plenty of that. Plus I am super shy when it comes to singing in front of a girl that I like or playing my songs. The reason I guess is because that’s such a huge part of me.

In terms of the dating scene on the East Coast, Groban said, I don’t find too many New York women talking to me without a good reason or looking to get a free ride. They really don’t care about what I do. Here, everybody has something going on. It’s wonderful. You can have conversations about things that aren’t superficial.

Gwyneth Paltrow, the internationally acclaimed expert of conflict resolution, has resolved a raging crisis once again. The highly publicized snit between Kings of Leon and “Glee” is over now, thanks to the deftly wielded connections of Paltrow’s to the two worlds of record music, which is the domain of her husband’s Chris Martin (Coldplay’s lead singer) and filmed entertainment (where she and her family have ties).

Here is how the rewarding and fruitful conclusion was resolved for all parties.

First of all, for those you may have missed all the drama the first time around, Glee’s request for licensing “Use Somebody” to be used on the series was rejected by Kings of Leon. Ryan Murphy, the “Glee” boss, then said, Kings of Leon, F—k you. The response from Kings of Leon was several snotty tweets followed by an apology.

However, everything is going to be alright.

The Hollywood Reporter says a detente was orchestrated by Paltrow through the use of text messages to the warring parties. They have all apologized and now everything is all good.

A spokesman for Kings of Leon said, hopefully everyone can now move on and we can stop discussing this topic finally.

Howie Mandel and Fox are teaming up to do a reality special which takes musical numbers Glee style and brings them out into the real everyday world.

The show titled “Mobbed” is a series with a hidden camera where Mandel along with hundreds of strangers are going to help special guests spring musical dance and song stunts to loved ones and friends.

Mandel said, it’s very exciting being a part of a gigantic musical spectacle like this. Nothing on this scale has ever been attempted before.

Here is how the show will work. A big news item, like a marriage proposal, will be delivered to someone via the help of Mandel’s team. Throughout the episode they will rehearse a big flash mob musical. On the day that the event takes place, the prankee will be subjected to an unexpected and huge performance, which starts out with just a couple of dancers and then evolves into a gigantic spectacle.

This project has been under development as a possible series over the last year. If the show results in good ratings Fox may air additional “Mobbed” shows. The special will air at 9 pm on March 31 following “American Idol.”

Recently, the Glee cast charted more singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart than The Beatles. They’ve outdone even The King himself now. That means they have out done everybody.

The previous record of 108 charted singles had been held by Elvis Presley. However the Glee cast, which debuted six songs yesterday into Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, has now toppled The King off his throne. The cast just last month broke the Top 40 record of Elvis’ also.

However, The A.V. Club has pointed out that Elvis started recording songs before Billboard’s Hot 100 chart was launched in 1958. Also during the two years prior to Billboard starting to officially keep track, he did have several singles make it onto the chart. Also the songs the Glee cast covers are songs that are already proven hits, which gives them an easy advantage for gaining popularity.

FX has bought a pilot from Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy, the co-creators of “Glee.” However the two say they still are committed to the McKinley High crew.

A pilot order for “American Horror Story” has been given by FX. The drama was co-written by Falchuk and Murphy. It will be directed by Murphy. FX hasn’t released any information on what this show is about. We are guessing it will be some type of horror story taking place in America. Brad Falchuk did say the show is from the genre of horror but includes our subversive sensibilities.

For Falchuk and Murphy this pilot is a homecoming of sorts. They worked together on “Nip/Tuck” at FX before they created “Glee” along with Ian Brennan. John Landgraf, the head of FX, is happy to have the two back. Describing “American Horror Story” he said, it’s a brilliant and wildly original series. Brad Falchuk and Ryan are evil geniuses.

Horror Story’s pilot production is scheduled to be in April. If the series is ordered by FX it will be filmed during late spring as well as summer and potentially air next fall. Presumably that would allow Falchuk and Murphy to concentrate on Glee’s third season.

Murphy said, the fans of “Glee” can rest assured. We aren’t taking our eyes off the ball even for a second. The stories for the remaining episodes of the seasons have been broken and we’ve planned big things for the Glee Club as they continue striving to make it through the Regionals and into the Nationals competition that takes place in New York City.

Dante Di Loreto, Falchuk and Murphy’s fellow executive producer on “Glee,” will be an executive producer for “American Horror Story” as well.

For all the Gleeks out there that are invested in Kurt and his dad’s relationship, this news might be potentially worrisome or very exciting. Reportedly, Mike O’Malley, who has been nominated for an Emmy and received rave reviews for his subtle performances playing a blue collar man who is attempting to come to terms with the identity of his son, has been cast into the lead role for “Family Album,” a comedy pilot from Fox. He will be playing a father who is attempting to take the family on a perfect vacation. Every season will show what happens along the way, kind of a like a comedic 24. That’s good news, right?

Certainly O’Malley will be getting more time on screen on his own show in the lead role than he currently gets being part of Glee’s ensemble. However if “Family” becomes a series, then O’Malley mostly like won’t have as much time to appear on “Glee” in the role of Burt Hummel. Since the show O’Malley would be appearing in is also on Fox, the network undoubtedly would allow O’Malley to appear in both shows. However if his schedule becomes too hectic, the producers of “Glee” may need to find some way of explaining why Kurt’s dad is hardly ever on the show. Hopefully another trip to the hospital won’t be repeated. However now that I think about it “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by Chris Colfer is one of my all time favorite “Glee” songs.

Darren Criss, the “Glee” newcomer, can be seen flaunting his six pack abs in the annual Hollywood Issue of Out Magazine, which hits the stands on February 22. However, that isn’t the only thing the actor is revealing.

March’s cover boy, whose “Teenage Dream” cover of the Katy Perry song topped the iTunes chart last year, is also revealing why he decided to come out in terms of being straight after he landed the Blaine Anderson role, a high school student who is openly gay, during the second season of “Glee.”

It is more empowering for everyone including myself I think, if I am clear about identifying that I am a straight male who plays a gay character, the native of San Francisco reasoned. That’s more powerful ultimately for both communities.

His fans aren’t too surprised by this. The University of Michigan graduate grew up with gay community members all around him. Criss was a child actor who performed in many local musicals, which included “Les Miserables.” He befriended many cast members who were in their twenties or thirties.

Criss said, I was out a lot later after shows and going to restaurants than most other kids. It wasn’t like we were doing body shots from pretty Castro boys. It was just that me and some older guys were friends. I admired them. I didn’t put things together and figure out they were gay until later.

A straight man playing a gay television character who is also an LGBT community ally does have its perks.

Criss said, the coolest thing isn’t that the show is a big hit, that is a bonus. The really cool thing about this is that the gay community inadvertently raised me.

Don’t expect that Criss’ character will be falling for Kurt Hummel (played by Chris Colfer) any time in the near future. According to Ryan Murphy, the show’s creator, it’s my job being head of the show to keep the two apart for as long as I can.

Will they ever get together? Murphy replied, when and if that time comes, we will treat the relationship just like any other relationships we have on the show. I want theirs to be just as exposed and flawed as everybody else’s.