Things have been very quiet in American Idol land. The contestants are on tour, but as Ken Barnes from the USA Today Idol Chatter blog has noted, the buzz on this years contestants has been nearly non-existent.
Last year at this time, you blog peeps were chattering about Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler–all had announced record deals with Sony/BMG by this time last summer.Â
Between Katharine McPhee’s admission she was an active bulimic prior to her Idol audition, and her 3 week absence from the beginning of the tour due to throat problems–this blog at least–was never at a loss for subjects to discuss.
And of course, there was the Unofficial Taylor Hicks Travelling Shadow tour, featuring his old band Little Memphis Blues Orchestra and any of the other Idols who wanted to join in on the fun… It took place in clubs in key cities after the Pop Tarts cheese-fest wrapped up for the night.
This year, so far, no signings have been announced. All the Idols have shown up for the tour, and outside of reports of Blake Lewis being mean to old ladies, (not this one though, heh) this year’s gang is gossip-free.
Not longing for the good old days exactly, but I would like SOMETHING to happen. News about Jordin and Blake’s contracts with 19 would be nice for starters…
In the meantime, here are some interesting articles from Entertainment Weekly. About former Idols, of course.
EW rates the Idols and muses on their post-Idol careers. Also, I have a little news about Bo Bice. Good stuff.  After the jump…
Entertainment Weekly posts an Idol report card. They grade several Idols on their post-Idol careers. Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry receive A’s of course, for their multi-platinum successes. Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee, whose albums underperformed by Idol standards merit a C and C- respectively. Elliott Yamin, everyone’s favorite underdog, scores a B for his eponymous album and single, “Wait For You,” which have become sleeper hits.
The grades are right on if only the Idol’s album successes are considered. But, an Idol’s success is more than the sum of their record units, in my humble opinion. While Taylor Hicks may not be selling many records right now, his tour appears to be doing very well. And Fantasia is becoming a Broadway star as Celie in The Color Purple. Also, her sophomore album has gone gold and her latest single, “When I See U” is currently climbing the charts. I would have given her a B+ at least…
This EW piece, claims there is no formula for post-Idol success:
A year ago, at the close of the fifth and most popular season of American Idol, it was easy to envision how the following 12 months might unfold. Winner Taylor Hicks, trading on his appeal among older women, would enjoy something akin to Clay Aiken’s early multiplatinum career. Runner-up Katharine McPhee would blossom into 2007’s reigning sexpot-next-door. As for the contestants who’d been eliminated earlier, third-place Elliott Yamin’s best hope was to pick up Hicks’ leftover white-soul crumbs. Kellie Pickler, who came in sixth, would go back to slinging burgers at Sonic — perhaps joined by new fry cook Bucky Covington, the No. 8 finisher. And poor Chris Daughtry, who ended up fourth? He’d spend years hustling the bar circuit, desperate to establish some rock cred.
You know how this story really turned out. Hicks’ debut disc stalled — it ranks 184th on the list of best-sellers for 2007’s first half. Topping that same ranking is newly minted superstar Daughtry, whose first album has sold 2.9 million copies. Country freshmen Pickler and Covington both have sizable radio hits…unlike McPhee, who’s MIA in any format. Yamin, passed over by the usual Idol label and manager, went indie and proved to be a late bloomer: His ”Wait for You” is an unexpected pop hit. ”I tell people third place is the new first,” Yamin quips.
 In other words: Keep hope alive, season 6 also-rans Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. And be afraid, very afraid, Jordin and B-B-Blake.
More about Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks:
 The Idol music factory may be taking a more cautious approach with the latest season’s power couple, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis. There’s no plan yet for either to enter the studio (in past years, top finishers were already recording their debuts by now) — maybe because neither one seems like a sure thing. ”If they push Jordin to be an edgier pop act I think it’ll do well, but if they go with the nice girl next door, I don’t think it will do that well,” says Niko, a DJ at New York’s influential pop station Z100. And Blake? ”Everybody from Idol is going to have a chance. But if we want somebody to come on the station and beat-box, we’ll get Justin Timberlake.”
Well, both have said they’ve done some recording (Jordin, one track and Blake says he’s recorded six). But, there is still no word about who they’ve signed with or even IF they’ve signed a record deal. Although Blake is on record claiming to have signed a management deal with Simon Fuller and 19E.
And, all about Idols going Indie:
If major labels don’t come a-knockin’, go indie-rockin’. For every contestant who scores a major-label offer, many more are left without a deal at season’s end. But the independent route has turned into a surprisingly viable option. It’s certainly worked for Elliott Yamin. When the singer realized the majors weren’t biting, he signed with brand-new indie Hickory Records. ”[It was] a very modest deal,” says Alan Becker, senior VP at RED, the company that distributes and promotes Yamin’s album. ”Not big money or big hype.” Yamin has sold 306,000 CDs without a major-label promo push. ”I didn’t know what to expect,” says Yamin. ”I don’t have any gimmicks. I wanted to be genuine, [but] I wanted to cross over. I wanted to make a singer’s type of record, and it is selling. People are responding to it.” Amazingly, Yamin’s disc could soon overtake McPhee’s heavily hyped big-label CD, which has sold just 344,000 copies.
Hoping to follow Yamin’s lead is season 4’s Constantine Maroulis, who recently started his own label and dubbed it…Sixth Place Records. Unlike Yamin, Maroulis did have a post-Idol major-label experience, albeit a brief one; his Atlantic deal fell apart when the exec who signed him left the company. ”So I said, ‘F–it,”’ says Maroulis, ‘I’m going to do my own record.”’ Due out Aug. 7, Constantine cost a relatively modest $35,000 to make, and Maroulis says that if he sells all of the 150,000 copies he’s releasing, ”I will be a very wealthy man. I own this record. I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.”
Hmmm, Constantine had a deal with Atlantic records that didn’t pan out. I wonder if his record deal fell through at the same time his TV show deal with Kelsey Grammar and ABC fell apart?
Rumors have been swirling for months about Bo Bice parting ways with RCA. And, according to Billboard Magazine, Bo’s indie status is official. He’ll be going back to his Southern roots with Nashville indie label StartArt:
Season four “American Idol” runner-up Bice is getting back to his Southern roots on the follow-up to his 2005 debut, “The Real Thing.” “I enjoyed ‘The Real Thing,’ but [the new album] is more a labor of love,” says the Helena, Ala., native, now inked to indie StartArt. “It’s really me getting back to the roots of what Bo is, which is a Southern rock album and nothing more.” Recorded in Nashville with producer Frank Liddell, the album boasts more songwriting credits from Bice, who had little say the first time around. He also hand-picked all of his collaborators, including Gary Nichols and Chris Tompkins, whom Bice has known for more than a decade. “American Blood,” one song co-penned by the pair, is a slower, country-driven support song for U.S. troops.
The article makes some really valid points. But the truth is that everyone off the show has a chance to accomplish something that they probably wouldn’t have been able to before. For instance, LaKisha may not be the next Whitney, but she certainly has opened the door to making her and her daughter’s life that much better.
Re: Taylor and Katharine … Taylor won’t sell on the level of the other idol winners because he’s just not as mainstream. Period. It’s not a failure of his own, just the expectations he had being the idol winner were too high for his type of music to handle. As for Katharine, my personal opinion is that RCA screwed up. I hated her on the show, but now that she’s off of it, the girl has major cross over appeal and she has a serviceable pop voice. I even sorta like her album, but I can see how the material itself doesn’t really fit her. Regardless, she of any of the idols has a good chance of successfully crossing over into movies, modeling etc. I don’t think either of these two failed. In fact, had anyone else had the same fate, they wouldn’t be considered a failure at all. It’s just that this stupid show is such a catch 22. It gives you “your break”. But at the same time if you make to the end, the expectation surrounding you is often more than most artists will ever accomplish in their lifetime. Success for an AI winner is determined by CD sales. Maybe that’s why they all fight to get as far away from the show as possible.
Dulce makes a lot of sense. I totally agree with Dulce.
AI was foremost a venture to showcase new talent, and secondly to take that talent and manage them and make money off of the AI premise. How does it make money? Tours, TV shows, merchandise, management fees.
The new Idols have figured out how to cut out 19E from management and recording. That could be good, could be bad. If anything the Idols are showing other artists they can be their own person, own a label. Not everybody can do that. Obviously, Jennifer Hudson couldn’t do that, she’s signed with Clive’s group. She didn’t go indy with the success of DG.
It looks like Katherine, on her 3rd management company, is indeed turning to movies, TV and modeling. As a singer frankly IMO she’s OK, she lacks performance skills, and her competitors - Mariah, Christina, Beyonce, Pink - can mop the floor with her. I don’t see her being a BIG star. She doesn’t have that appeal or that drive. I do see her popping up in a supporting role movie and maybe a supporting shot at a TV series.
I don’t see Bo being a really big star. I think he’s going to be regional. He’s back where he was before Idol - local and touring, and he hasn’t changed his looks. You gotta make some appearance changes if you want to be big (see Kellie Pickler). And Bo is satisfied being low-key, wearing the same old clothes and singing the same old song. I had really high hopes for him, but he won’t change.
Now - Taylor is different. If you saw him on the View he lost weight and he was botoxed. He looked glowing. That’s what you do when you want stardom. You do the TV shows and write books and who knows - maybe he’ll be on Broadway?
Fantasia is now the star she was meant to be. No turning back now. It’s not all about CD sales. She can live the rest of her life on Broadway and tour and make an occasional CD and she will be a star.
AI is very good for young kids who have a dream and want to touch stardom.
MY S6 predictions: Blake goes indy, following Elliott’s lead. Jordin signs with Clive because she has no choice. Melinda and Lakisha go small label indy. There are too many like them fighting over song material. Chris goes indy. Chris S. is already indy label. Phil goes indy, I don’t see a major signing him. Sanjaya becomes a model and TV celeb; like Mikala.
The others - Haley and Gina will fade from memory.
but like Elliott said - he’s making money, he’s making a living, that’s all that matters; right? (sorry to be so long!)
Before Elliott, going indy meant going nowhere and selling about as many albums as Ayla Brown. I think most of them will find going indy a ticket to obscurity if they choose that option. My predictions: quite a few of the S6 idols go into Christian/gospel music.
Taylor botoxed?
HA
Great summary MJ. Lots to mull over. Dulce and Chicago-Sally also brought up some very interesting points/reflections.
Taylor won’t even dye his hair. Do you really think he would go for botox? LOL
I still say Phil will the be star of AI6. He will be signed to a major record deal and will record a very successful country album…not Christian, country. He may have a few Gospel songs on the album; but his goal is country music.
Am I wrong or did Phil decide country was his thing after “country week” on AI when he received so much positive feedback? He hadn’t been doing too well before that. Smart move for Phil to go country. He would never make it in Pop.
Thank goodness, sammy. I only listen to country.
I don’t think Blake will go indy at all.
He is the most popular and the one who sells the most that’s for sure. Look at all his downloads, he never even had a physical single out and he sold 382,000 copies@!
It would be crazy that major labels aren’t interestes. I bet he hasmany offers from other major labels besides Clive and he is waiting for the 90 day period to think and decide where to go.
Simon Fuller is confirmed to be his manager and I don’t think he would want Blake to go indy. I think Blake and Jordin will be only ones going major. And I also think Blake will be the most successful of the AI 6 bunch.
MJ: By the way did you ever write a Tampa recap and/or posted your opinions on the show? I am always looking forward for your concert recaps but I never found the Tampa one.
I pretty much agree with the entire article.
Kelly has set the bar for major label pop, Chris set the bar for major label pop-rock, Carrie set the bar for major label country, and Elliott has set the bar for future independent artists….and even for some alums in general (see Katharine McPhee).
And, like Randy said (which the article reiterated): “Song choice, song choice, song choice!” Nobody is going to respond to craptacular songs. “Wait For You,” “Before He Cheats,” “It’s Not Over,” and “Since U Been Gone” are all songs written with a massive appeal factor and are all backed by powerful voices.
I think that THAT may be the formula for post-Idol success: above-average voices coupled with amazing songs. They already have built-in fanbases so their only goal is to broaden it. I think Jordin would fare rather well if she went the Kelly Clarkson ‘Breakaway’ route, production-wise. She definitely has the voice, and her major label is more than capable to provide the production.
As for Blake, I foresee a massive flop because of 2 things: 1) He doesn’t have a major label, and 2) his voice is teetering between average and below average (although it’s DEFINITELY below average for a show like American Idol). What’s the one thing that is universally agreed upon regarding Blake? His beat boxing, of course. The gimmick certainly garnered him Idol glory (so did the grey hair and the spaz routine with Taylor) but beyond the show, it has proved that gimmicks (when they aren’t supported with vocals) don’t translate well to the buying public.
There’s one thing I forgot: the MAJOR disinterest in season 6. This may cause Jordin to have to work a little harder to gain new fans but I see it as disastrous for Blake. Only if he makes INCREDIBLE songs (and not the rebel underground garage stuff that he’s doing now) will he survive the mean waters of the recording industry. So far, I’m not too optimistic about him since he already exudes an overwhelming “I already know what I’m doing” vibe.
Tony:
Obviously you are completely bisaed about Blake.
Blake beatboxes right,, but he has an incredible voice too. Come on, the guy is super talented.
Have you seen the tour videos recently? His voice soars… He’s been getting awesome reviews from critics.
He wasn’t the frontrunner guy on Ai for nothing. People adore him. Go see a concert and maybe you will change your mind about him. Heh.
Besides, how do you know he is not going to sign with a major label? Nobody knows and his voice is very radio friendly. He will do very well, you will be surprised. I am betting money that he will be the most successful of the AI 6 bunch
sammy
Phil sang a LeAnn Rimes song prior to country night.
Very interesting article
My Thoughts:
1. After watching Amy Winehouse become successful with her own brand of “indie soul”, I think the excuse that Taylor isn’t as successful as past Idol winners because he isn’t “mainstream” enough may not be totally correct. Amy Winehouse has shown that an artist can take an “old soul” sounding vibe and mix with a new twist and create a successful career in both sales and critical acclaim. Perhaps if Taylor was given more freedom to create his brand of soul he could have created a more “successful” niche. Perhaps with his sophomore album…
2. Chris fans have been saying that “4th is the new first” but according to Elliott “3rd is the new first”. Perhaps both are correct.
3. Kat’s lack of CD selling success IMO is due to the public at large not buying into her being a “Pop” artist. I do not think it is her songs (her songs are no worse than any other songs put out by Pop female artists) but the songs don’t match what people perceive her as. Kat hopefully will create a more successful career in acting. Kat’s problem may be the same problem Jordin may have so TPTB must be careful on what kind of artist Jordin will be.
4. I thought it most interesting about what was said about Chris was that Clive was going to do something totally different for Chris until Chris sang songs acoustically he wrote to Clive and Clive changed his mind. First of all, I wonder what Clive wanted Chris to do musically. Secondly, I agree with the article, in that if an Idol wants to predominantly write on his or her album, the Idol must convince Clive that he or she can write.
5. Blake doesn’t have the voice IMO for CD selling success as defined for these Idols but he has the charisma and he is current. I am on the fence about Blake.
6. I agree with people who say that Phil may end up the most successful from Season 6.
7. Most importantly time will tell on these idols…
I’m not so sure I agree with the whole Jordin/Taylor, Melinda/Elliott and Kat/Blake comparison. All any of them have in common is the spot they came in on AI. Elliott’s story is such a rare case I wouldn’t bet on Melinda having the same luck. My money is still on Phil as being the breakout star.
I don’t know, before anyone predicts Blake to be the biggest success story shouldn’t he get himself a record deal first? I know he’s popular, but everything from the description of his CD to how he’s going about things with this label situation sounds like a total mess. All his popularity may turn out to be useless in a few months if he can’t find a label to sign him and his “creative” CD.
I am a HUGE Blake fan, but realistically speaking, his music isn’t mainstream enough. According to his best friend, Kristi, Clive was interested, but Blake chose instead to record his album first and shop it around to labels. I don’t think he’s as horrific as Tony seems to think. Blake is a fine singer on par with a majority of the professional musicians out there today. Only on American Idol is singing picked so closely apart in regards to pitch and the like. Listening to “Live Aid” at times was like nails on a chalk board. Keep in mind it does take more than a good voice to make it.
Long story short, I think Clive Davis could have made Blake into a star. He would have given him catchy, pop-hip-hop material and Blake would have sold the rest. Will he get a deal? I’m certain that someone will give him a deal based on the material he has currently, but I won’t go so far as to say that he will sell the most records out of AI6.
I do predict however, that he will have a big opening week off the steam of American Idol. After that, unless radio/MTV picks up his stuff, it will fall ala. Kat McPhee and Kelly Clarkson. He’ll make Gold, but not much more. Hence, he’d better hope for an indie label where that kind of success could be appreciated.
Re: the other idols, they all have a chance at success on their own terms. It just depends on what they are shooting for.
How could Clive be interested but Blake decide to shop the album? I thought idols had no say if AI wanted them. Probably, Clive doesn’t like Blake’s music and has passed. He probably wanted Blake to do more “pop” stuff and Blake refused.
LMAO that an indie deal is now considered a good thing. It’s a good thing if you have musical chops that come around every 20 years. Don’t hold your breath waiting for the next Idol indy artist to sell 300K plus and have a Top 10 smash hit.
jpfan ~ It probably comes down to creative differences. Clive was interested because Blake has all of the qualities that a pop star needs to possess. I agree with you that it is likely due to creative differences that Blake decided not to sign with Clive. Just because a deal wasn’t inked doesn’t mean that there wasn’t interest there to begin with.
In regards to your second statement, I don’t think that getting a deal from any label should be looked down upon, even from an indie label. The stats for anyone getting “discovered” much less getting a deal are dismal at best. I think for any musician worth his/her salt any label deal is a chance to get your music heard.
If you are referencing Elliott Yamin’s success at Hickory as being a one time Idol event, I think you may be sorely mistaken. Blake may not reach even that level of success, but you never know what is coming down the pike for the next few seasons of idol.
I agree with Nola that Phil will be the surprise success out of this season. Season Six wasn’t a heck of a lot to write home about and Phil didn’t start out as my fave but that man can sing.
Many idols will outself Elliott. I’m not predicting gloom and doom. But in the past any idol who went “indy” went nowhere. It was not considered a good thing to have the major companies pass on you. If Blake is being managed by 19, he will def be signed by a major company. I’m sure Phil hopes to be signed by a major and not go “indy.” Taylor is a special case because of his devoted fan base.
However, if Constantine sells albums that means that the indy thing is for real and a real option for AI people. The problem is not the music but the promotion. Constantine has that soap but most people need the radio play and not many get it. To be a real hit, you need to expand the fan base and that’s very hard without millions of new people hearing your music.
Wow. If Simon Fuller is definitely managing Blake I have to question his motives if he thought it would be smart to turn down Clive Davis. I’ve suspected creative differences caused the deal not to happen, but Fuller being involved gives me bad vibes.
RE: Blake
If Blake had decided to sign with Clive and was willing to compromise, then I would have said Blake would be a major hit outselling Jordin. He has all the right elements. He has a unique sensibility that (if he worked with professional song writers) could have produced some great radio hits.
BUT
According to what he and his friends are saying. He’s recording his album independently, on his own terms and plans on shopping it around once it’s finished and HOPES to have a “bidding war” on it. They say he’s working with some name PRODUCERS but from what I’m hearing the songwriting is all him. I think it’s completely self-indulgent and this gamble could cause him to fall flat on his face.
RE: Jordin
The lack of news regarding a record deal and management contract is slowly killing her. The most I’ve heard is that she’s recorded ONE SONG. Her record deal should have been announced 6 weeks ago. WTF!?
RE: Phil
I think Phil deciding to go country is a smart move. I think he’ll do well like Kellie Pickler has (she’s gone Gold) but I doubt he’ll be the “biggest Idol success of Season 6″.
WILD CARDS
Chris Richardson - I keep hearing that he’s a killer song writer. I’ve heard 1 song where he was jamming with Timbaland. I was mighty impressed. He claims he’s moving to Nashville. A bit of an odd move but if he’s looking for mostly songwriting work, then it’s a smart move. If he doesn’t have a successful recording career, he could have a very successful songwriting career and end up making more money than all of them combined.
Sanjaya - Let’s just say that Sanjaya has a LOT of irons in the fire and has a STRONG chance of finding success in a variety of mediums (including music).
Melinda - I haven’t heard zilch. But she’s got connections and is a smart cooking on top of all that natural talent. I personally think she’d clean up on Broadway. I hear people are trying to get an Aretha Franklin movie biopic off of the ground. Aretha. Meet Melinda. Melinda. Meet Aretha.
I won’t believe anything about Blake until there’s an announcement. I doubt very much that he can say what’s happening regarding his signing with a label until there’s an official announcement about Jordin. He may have told Kristi some of it but I doubt that she can tell all either. It’s just speculation about Blake turning Clive down and vice versa. I do believe that Blake’s cd stands a very good chance of doing well. He has a talent for arranging songs that we saw during the show and the songs that weren’t current, became current. He also sounded really good doing covers like Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke who are doing very well right now. I have almost all of Blake’s studio songs and he has a very good recording voice which will help. I think his cd will be a good mix and look forward to it and it doesn’t hurt that he’s very cute and girls of all ages seem to love him.
I don’t know how well Melinda’s cd will do but think she has a good career ahead of her. She has a wonderful voice and a sweet personality. Chris R is borderline for me like Ace was. Very cute with an okay voice but the young girls love him. Phil will do okay in country but not so sure he’ll be a big success. He has a good voice but not much stage presence and doesn’t have the looks that helped Kellie and even Bucky. I’m not sure about Gina. I think she should take the Rent part if it’s still available. Chris Sligh is the one other than Blake that I’m interested in seeing what his cd will contain. I’ve always thought he had the best voice of the guys and that hasn’t changed since I’ve heard some clips from the concert. Jordin is a big question mark for me. The fact that I’ve left her almost to the end says it all for me. I have no idea what they’re going to do with her and think they should beware of a Kat type cd. Lakisha will probably do okay but I don’t have any interest in the type of songs she does.
bean99:
What a great post… I agree with you on everything you said regarding Blake and all the other finalists.
Blake’s Cd will do well. From what I’ve read his record is very much anticipated by his fans. Girls love him. Guys think he is cool and talented. His style is current which is important.His voice sounds awesome recorded.
I think I’ve heard in one of his interviews that his CD will include a great mix of electro pop loop based with also classic pop like Maroon 5 and Jamiroquai. This was on the EW Idolatry interview. I think that combination will sell very well.
I agree Jordin should beware of a reprise of Kat’s CD. I dunno what they are going to do with her. It’s going to be hard, she still doesn’t know who she is musically. JMHO.
All interesting speculation. Phil=Josh Gracin no more no less. Look at this profile of the idols. Which ones are “stars” and which ones are making a living? http://www.buddytv.com/tvshow/page/American-Idol-cast-1.aspx
and which ones have fallen off the face of the earth?
there is a difference between making a living in show business and being a bona fide star.
to Snuffles:
“Sanjaya - Let’s just say that Sanjaya has a LOT of irons in the fire and has a STRONG chance of finding success in a variety of mediums (including music).”
How do you know this? Sanjaya has a chance to be a big world musician and star because of his ethnic background. He needs very good creative management.
“Melinda - I haven’t heard zilch. But she’s got connections and is a smart cooking on top of all that natural talent. I personally think she’d clean up on Broadway. I hear people are trying to get an Aretha Franklin movie biopic off of the ground. Aretha. Meet Melinda. Melinda. Meet Aretha.”
The Aretha role has been taken by Jennifer Hudson, trust me. Melinda has been doing a lot of traveling overseas in behalf of Idol Gives Back, esp. to Africa. I see her more as an event singer; you know someone who does those high-class private events like political campaigns. She would be smart to sign with 19E because for all the criticism, they know all the right people (Elton, Eric, Sting). If she records, it will be indy. I just don’t see a major label (except Blue Note) taking her because there are so many like her out there.
Using the words ‘Sanjaya’ and ‘musician’ in the same sentence is, well…….BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I’m biased about Blake because of the fact that he falls well below the vocal talent of many past contestants and I acknowledge it?
LOL. Alright.
I hope it’s that easy for Phil to get a gold record. Josh was a good looking guy. During the first several weeks of Idol, Phil received many more comments related to his looks rather his singing. I’m convinced that looks contribute a big part to the appeal of Blake and Chris R. — at least initially.
Still, I like a quote from Randy Jackson in that Entertainment Weekly article: “If records don’t sell, it means the songs are bad.” Hopefully we’ll hear good things from all our favorites going forward.
Squishy:
My thoughts too about Amy Winehouse. But shame on Arista for making Taylor include poppier tunes and then never even bothering to release even one song to top 40! They put him in the AC slum and that is definitely not the way to sell records. The record company failed Taylor, not the other way around.
Do you guys notice that throughout these threads there is NO mention of Haley?
Hmmm…..
As for Amy Winehouse - you must be kidding. She’s going to die before she’s 30 years old. That woman is a wreck. I don’t care how much talent you have, when you drink and drug the way she does and she doesn’t give a sh** about anything — I don’t understand that kind of attitude….I think she’s WAY overrated.
IMO Taylor has a few good cuts on his debut album, especially the new one The Right Place. Of course that shmaltzy single, Do I Make you Proud was the pits, but he had to sing that. But the others I’ve heard are pretty good. He’s selling the record, he’s selling his image, he’s going to be around …. but more in the sameness of Clay Aiken….Taylor knows how to tour…my problem with Taylor is he idolizes and sounds like Ray Charles and makes his rocking motions….it’s just too much and Taylor needs to develope his own performance style. If Taylor plays along and listens to the record company, he should do well selling CDs. I just don’t believe a record company gives an artist bad songs so they fail. They certainly let Chris D. do his own thing, and they don’t want Kelly C. to fail. Why would they? They lose money on those artists that fail.
But once the artist has recorded the record, it’s the ARTIST NOT THE COMPANY that has to sell the song.
http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=392fe6168ec4d15cebb331a7338dab
From TMZ, Kat’s photo shoot. Looks good.
To Sammy: To write that Phil would never make it in pop — well, I’m not holding my breath for him to make it period….but….he could very well follow Clay Aikens into pop…it seems that country is the easy way in…
If Phil had opted to focus on country more in the semis (not LeeAnn Rimes, but maybe a male country artist), I think he would lasted longer. He’s the one of this season who grew on me the most but it really hit home when he sang during Country week. I do think he’s got an awesome voice. I don’t know if he has the packaging to be a star, but I will say that country artists tend to look less Hollywood glam and more regular Joe so we’ll see.
As for Blake, he didn’t have the most polished live singing voice but I far prefer his recording voice over Jordin’s (and also Melinda’s even though she was my favorite on the show). Granted, the quality of the AI recordings leaves something to be desired, but I would rather see Melinda live and maybe listen to Blake on the radio or an mp3. That said, based on how Blake has described his recordings so far, it doesn’t sound like something that I would ordinally listen to. I was hoping Blake would do something Maroon 5-ish or maybe jazzy like Jamie Cullum.
That being said, none of this year’s crop caused me to get emotionally invested like last season.
Tony, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but I would like to point out that it wasn’t “spaz” and “gimicks” that won over the vast majority of Taylor’s real fans, it was his voice and his musicianship and the way he connected with the music. I think however, that your comment about Taylor emphasizes the problem he (and others) will have in being cast in a particular role on a reality TV show.
American Idol seems to be a double-edged sword. It’s a great stepping stone (yes, I said it) for a career, but it also has a… cheesiness? factor or maybe the sense that it emphasizes the wrong things like churning out instant hits and Hollywood glamour/packaging over musical over substance and artist development (longevity), etc. - IMHO.
That being said, my own feelings about the show have evolved from completely disinterested to obsessed to ambivalent due to a variety of factors, but there does seem to be a weird love/hate attitude about the media and the industry about the AI franchise and the artists that start out on the show. Most media critics remind me of middle school kids: they want to pretend that they are “too cool for school”, but at the same time still like playing Pokemon cards and watching Hannah Montana. In this case, the critics are “too cool for Idol” but have their favorites on the show and get just as invested (and/or disgruntled) about what happens.