Today is the release day for “True Beauty,” Mandisa’s, (9th place Season 5), new album on Sparrow records, EMI’s Gospel imprint. Right now, the single from the album “Only the World” sits at #3 on the Hot Singles Sales chart and at #6 and #8 respectively on the Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart and Hot Christian songs chart.
Mandisa has also released a book, “IdolEyes”. More information about her book and new album can be found on her MySpace.
Here’s an interesting piece of news from Entertainment Weekly, Season 6 Top 24 contestants Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head, both signed to Universal, will be recording an album of duets together.
More after the jump
American Idol’s Sabrina Sloan has signed a recording contract with Universal Motown, and her first project will be a CD of duets with fellow season 6 semifinalist Sundance Head, the singer confirmed in an exclusive interview with EW.com. ”The feel will be soulful songs with a contemporary twist — kind of Al Green meets OutKast,” said Sloan, noting that she and Head will hit the studio in August, with the hopes of making a late November release date.Jolene Cherry, senior VP of A&R at Universal Motown, said the album will be produced by Peter Collins (Bon Jovi, Rush) and include a mix of new and classic material.
And despite some initial reservations about the duets concept, Sloan said she hopes the combined power of hers and Head’s fan bases will help them get noticed in a music scene increasingly crowded with Idol alumni.
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Is that a gag story? I mean, really. It’s got to be a gag right? An album of duets with Sundance Head and Sabrina Sloan being promoted to their combined “fan bases”? No, seriously!
Marco — Funny! I love it! My thoughts exactly, and they signed with Motown, which hasn’t had a hit song or artist since what? 10 years ago. Even their vets like the Tempts and Stevie don’t record anymore. And as for Sundance, this is a switch, because he had a BAND that was signed to another label a few months ago…poor thing…I guess he can’t decide what he wants to do.
This is telling from EW:
We didn’t want to make anything cheeseball,” Sloan explained. ”But Jolene and the [people at the] label said, ‘It cannot be that.’ We’re putting it out at the same time as [season 6 winner and runner-up] Jordin [Sparks] and Blake [Lewis]. It’s got to be killer.”
So that solves that mystery — Blake and Jordin have a CD comingn out in November!
That doesn’t solve anything. Most people would assume that Jordin and Blake would have their albums coming out this fall. Just live every other Idol winner and runner up in history.
But what gets me is that even freakin’ Sloan and Head (HAH! Great name for the album) get a record deal announcement but Jordin and Blake DON’T?
WTF!?
But Snuffles, we don’t know that Jordin doesn’t have a deal…we just know there’s no announcement…and if she doesn’t there could be a lot of reasons #1 would be she’s underage and her parents have to sign off on it…that leads back to my belief that her dad is co-managing her and making some of these decisions.
As for Blake, we know for a 99% fact that he’s recording and intends to shop his CD around to record labels…which is smart…he probably doesn’t have a “pop” sound, it’s probably revolutionary so he wants it to be rep’d properly.
let’s not get all scrappy people…by August 23, when their contract is up with 19E everyone should know what’s up.
My problem w/Sundance was that he wasn’t all that good - just bec. your pa was a one-hit wonder that doesn’t mean you’ve got the gene, he choked…and did we need another Southern rocker like Taylor Hicks & Bo?
And then his father goes around criticizing AI because his son was voted off? Not a good move. Plus, Sundance looks creepy to me…but we’ll see if he’s got the right stuff. He’s 27, that’s fairly old to be starting out.
Jordin and Blake have both been saying they’re shooting for before Thanksgiving so its not breaking news. But the fact that they’re even being allowed to release something so early shows how much things have changed this year.
I’m trying hard to figure out how this can’t be cheeseball.
Diana DeGarmo was even younger (16) when she came in second and signed with Sony/BMG. I don’t recall there being a huge hold-up in her label announcement.
Okay, Kirsten I give you that. Frankly, nobody knows nothing so there’s no reason for us to keep guessing and stressing. It could simply be that things have changed this year. Contracts are tricky.
And the public has generally been saying this was not the best group of Idols (I disagree), and maybe the bosses heard the public and they’re being very cautious.
But there’s no need for anybody speculating about what’s happening. What I want to know is this — suppose tomorrow they announce that Idols have signed record contract - what difference would that make in your/our lives?
I want a DVD of the concert, that’s what I want. They should make a backstage DVD of the concert and / or a FOX TV special about the concert.
I could die happy.
For heaven’s sake, it’s just natural curiousity. Here’s a newsflash: I read and post on an American Idol blog. Turns out, I’m interested in Idol and the goings on. Signing is one of the goings on. Plus, it’s news. I like news. There is nothing sinister. Rest easy in the knowledge that my life will go on without signing news.
I wasn’t angsting over signing news. I was simply pointing out the flaw in the logic of a theory as to why Jordin wasn’t signed.
Awwww, I’m happy for Sundance and Sabrina.
But what is Tommy Daniels gonna do about a bodyguard now?!?!?!
The Sabrina signing is new to me (duets? — I say again — sheesh!) but we heard reports about the Sundance signing back in May. I never paid it much attention though back then.
Marco didn’t Sundance have a band? Seems like he switched up and is now solo?
Jane - yeh, I remember that little dig he gave Daniels - so superior! And he also bad mouthed Sanjaya (or his father did, I can’t remember) couldn’t understand how Sanj was still standing and he wasn’t.
It has to do with Likability!
I don’t see those two teamed together, I just don’t see it. But that’s Motown for you.
If you really want a laugh go to ew.com - Paris Hilton is nom’d for Teen Choice Awards (along w/ Jordin)….I just don’t understand America these days…I just don’t understand it.
JMHO.
BUt I don’t think Blake is shopping for labels anymore. I am pretty sure he already has an offer on the table from a major label outside BMG. Why would he keep announcing his album for Thanksgiving? His local paper confirmed that his debut would come out on Nov 20th
Also, Phil said to some fans that Blake’s album is beyond amazing. And that is going to be way better than they were expecting. So there you go.
All of these tidbits of information regarding his record just makes me think the deal is already setup but for some reason the announcement hasn’t been made. Can’t wait for that day!
I don’t remember him ever being in a band. He may have been with band but I just don’t remember it. I just remember him being the “son-of” and thinking that might have been the reason why he got a record deal so quickly.
Being the son of is also why he survived Hollywood week. you know, Randy knows everybody in the business….I think he knew the daddy….
Did your inside source tell you this?
Wishful thinking? Common sense should make ANY of them want to release in that time frame. It has nothing to do with labels calling shots, its just logical. A lot of the time when these contestants give release dates they often change. It happens all.the.time. Just because Blake is saying this is the date that in no way means the CD will be coming out that day. Simon Fuller may very well get him a deal but I highly doubt he’s being given this much creative control as a newbie from a major label. At the least 19E might be giving some input/advice. Last year I wanted to believe Elliott had major labels fighting over him. Look, there is nothing wrong with having high hopes for your favorite and believing the best, but you also have to be a little realistic and a little open-minded.
“I could die happy.”
LMFAO. You’re a better person than I, Kirsten.
Is this a Blake thread too?
Go Sundance-son-of-Roy.
PLEASE do not question your fellow posters motives or dictate to them what they should be discussing. Basically, do not tell your fellow posters what to do. Thank you.
Trina makes a lot of sense. It’s happened before. Dates announced and then pushed back.
And another thing - if Sabrina & Sundance are aiming for November they’re also going to go up against Mariah’s release, Whitney’s slow-a** release (supposedly coming in November, pushed ahead from June)…so it’s not just Blake and Jordin…
MJ - I will revise my message to “all”, which is what it was meant to be, not specifically to Kirsten.
Erm… yay for Mandisa!
Thanks mj.
They all talk up when they are going to release, even if it turns out there is no deal.
And what pal is going to say anything other than it’s great?
They are hardly likely to say no one’s interested, or we are still hawking it around.
ETA: Not trying to upset anyone, there could well be a deal on the table, but they have use spin whatever might be going on behind closed doors.
Way to go Sundance and Sabrina!
Good luck to Mandisa!
Ok. Thank’s for clearing that up Lisa B.
Good luck Sundance and Sabrina! I only hope the best for that powerhouse Mandisa!
Is it me or is Sabrina darker than her Idol days? Looks like she poured on the coppertone.
I was pleased when I read that Mandisa’s single was charting well. That girl has a great big voice and I think she will do well in the genre of her choice, which at the time seems to be Gospel/Contemporary Christian. So hooray for Mandisa, may she have a very successful album debut.
Count me as one who believes that Blake has a label/contract and has for a while. I’m not in any angst over it either way because I have faith in his talent and his popularity. I’m mostly looking forward to hearing his cd.
I like Sundance a lot and think that he has a lot of talent even if it didn’t come out very often on the show. I’m not so keen on Sabrina and really was shocked when I first heard of their duet album. I guess I’ll wait and see but would be more likely to buy a Sundance album than this one.
Happy Mandisa Day!
Hey bean99, thanks for your post.
At least now I am not the only in this blog who believes in Blake’s future.
By the way, good luck Mandisa! Hope you are very successful in the gospel world, you have an incredible voice!
I believe in Blake’s future, but I agree with Trina that we have to be realistic. I remember last season all the “deadlines” that the Elliott fans were waiting on and each one passed with no news. And it was argued then - “Elliott has such potential?! How could people be passing on him?” the same way that it is now with Blake. Well, that’s the way the industry works.
Time will tell, but I’m not making any predictions that he’s going to be as huge as Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson and sign some huge recording contract, because we DON’T know that. We can speculate all we want, but we don’t know shit.
Optimism is great, but it’s my personal opinion that a little realism is needed too.
As far as Sundance and Sabrina - eh. I never really liked either of them, so I doubt I’ll be buying that cd…
You are right Sarah, but hey…
At least Blake is signed and managed by 19 and Elliott wasn’t. Simon Fuller is backing him up which helps a lot.
Also Blake is the runnerup, whom I would think was way more popular than Elliott. JMHO. I love Elliott too by the way.
I know one has to keep it real but I am pretty positive Blake’s future is bright. I just have this feeling and I am looking forward to his solo career. Hey I am a BIG fan, what can I say. It would seem crazy to me that a major label would pass him up. Just saying. Anyways, all I got left now is to pray for him to get signed. Please !
So… using this same logic, *** would be as popular as Blake. And we see how she’s done.
I am using Elliott as an EXAMPLE. My point is that when the 90 days come and go with no news, JUST like last year, people will be saying “end of the tour”, JUST like last year.
Well, I could understand how Elliott be passed over by major labels. he had almost no charisma on stage (then) and besides the great voice, there didn’t seem to be much there. It’s easy to see how Katharine or even Blake are just an easier investment than Elliott was at that time. As for Katharine, she DID get a major label deal and still is getting a lot of attention. She’s all over the place on television, on magazine covers, and she will be in the movies. In no way is Katharine McPhee failure.
Remember that it’s NOT like last year. There is NO NEWS from anyone other than Sabrina/Sundance (who apparently are getting a deal just to record an album of duets - covers if you will). There SHOULD be something said about Jordin since she did win, but nothing has been said. Therefore, I don’t think we can use previous years as templates at this point.
I don’t think Elliott’s a good comparison with Blake either. Elliott was popular but didn’t get anywhere near the crowd reaction in concert that Blake seems to. Elliott has the great voice but I agree with Dulce about his lack of stage presence which Blake has a ton of. It’s worked out very well for Elliott so all’s well now.
Sarah, I’m not one of the fans that assumes that Blake will be the next Kelly, Carrie, or Daughtry but I do feel he’ll do well. Why not be optimistic about his chances? I hope for the best but it’s not going to change my life if I’m wrong. Just like last season with Chris, I’ll be doing my part by buying his cd and can’t control anything beyond that.
There was a poster named Truth Teller who predicted how the S5 idols would do selling CDs. He was an exec with 30 yrs. in the music biz and completely nailed it for the top 4: Tay/Kat - disappoint, Chris - hit, Elliott - needs one good song. I’d love to hear what he has to say about Season 6 prospects.
Blake and E are only similiar in that it’s odd they haven’t been signed yet way. As the runner up, it would be amazing if Blake wasn’t signed. Third place idol finishers usually go nowhere (like 4th place finishers.) Chris and Elliott changed that up a bit though.
Josh Gracin is another 4th place finisher who did well with his first album. No where near the success of Chris D. but US sales were about the same or better than second place finishers Bo, Diana, Justin and Kat who had major label signings.
Was Josh Gracin really in 4th place? I always thought he stayed in as long as he did because he was a Marine and a country singer who always seem to do well.