Alisan Porter won The Voice season 10 in the spring of 2016, and since that time her fans have been waiting patiently for new music. But will Republic Records, the label that signs Voice winners, support her artistic ambitions? So far, the label doesn’t have a great track record with Voice winners. Only Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery, country singers from Team Blake Shelton, have experienced any success or longevity. However, it’s worth noting that both artists are signed to Universal imprint, Big Machine Records rather than Republic.
Season 9 winner Jordan Smith seems to be on the right track–but he’s co-managed by The Voice executive producer Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey. It helps to have friends in high places.
Nearing a year after her win as a member of Team Christina Aguilera, the former child star has hit twitter with a stream of interesting tweets. I even wonder if the talented singer is still signed to Republic?
On Tuesday, Alisan tweeted “Things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. But, things always turn out the way they are supposed to.” That was followed by a few interesting retweets from fans that seemed to hint at both disagreement with Republic, and maybe a tiny bit of frustration that The Voice hasn’t invited her back to perform again:
Things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. But, things always turn out the way they are supposed to.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
@alisanporter I want you to perform your brand new song on the voice since you didn't perform last season
— Lance Smith (@lancesmith2012) January 25, 2017
Talk to them…. https://t.co/yEA0Gg4qHN
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
@alisanporter You and Republic…. Um, “different”?
— Jon Kent (@UPSninja86) January 25, 2017
On Wednesday, Alisan had more to say via twitter. Her entire train of thought is worth checking out:
“Tomorrow I leave for the motherland #Nashville to write and record with some of my favorite human in the entire world. #allthefeels,” she wrote.
Alisan hinted at disagreements with the label over the musical direction of her post-Voice debut: “What I represented to you all on @NBCTheVoice was exactly who I am. So I am going to give you an album that encompasses that. I almost allowed the “powers that be” to change that. But being inauthentic just isn’t me. I’ve worked too hard to know who I am. So thank you for your patience and your love and understanding. This new journey is nothing without you all.”
Tomorrow I leave for the motherland #Nashville to write and record with some of my favorite human in the entire world. #allthefeels
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
What I represented to you all on @NBCTheVoice was exactly who I am. So I am going to give you an album that encompasses that.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
I almost allowed the “powers that be” to change that. But being inauthentic just isn’t me. I’ve worked too hard to know who I am.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
So thank you for your patience and your love and understanding. This new journey is nothing without you all.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
The singer continued, “Although this was at times a very painful process, I am sure it was exactly what I needed to make the art that you will FEEL and embrace. I am grateful to have such loyal fans. I truly love each and every one of you.”
Although this was at times a very painful process, I am sure it was exactly what I needed to make the art that you will FEEL and embrace.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
I am grateful to have such loyal fans. I truly love each and every one of you.
— Alisan Porter (@alisanporter) January 25, 2017
Republic Records is still mentioned on Alisan’s official website for what that’s worth. However, only Jordan Smith is listed on the Republic Records site. Sundance Head, the latest The Voice winner, isn’t listed on the label roster either.
Here’s a summary of The Voice winner track record with Republic:
Jermaine Paul (S2), Josh Kaufman (S6), Craig Wayne Boyd (S7), never released an album with Republic. Javier Colon (S1), Tessanne Chin (S5) and Sawyer Fredericks (S8) were one and done.
Cassadee Pope (S3) has released an album, and two EPs. She’s the first The Voice singer to be nominated for a Grammy–her No. 1 country duet with Chris Young “Think of You” from his album, I’m Coming Over, earned a Best Country Duo/Group Performance nod.
Danielle Bradbery (S4) dropped her self-titled debut album in 2013. She released a buzz single, “Friend Zone” in 2015, but there has been no recent news on a forthcoming album from her.
Both Cassadee and Danielle are listed on the Big Machine Label Group official website.
And Jordan Smith (S9) released a quickie cover album a few months after his win last winter, and a Christmas album in fall 2016. Both sold respectably well their first week (73K and 20K respectively).
Winter 2016 winner Sundance Head (S11) has not released any new music. It’s not clear if he’s signed with Republic–like I mentioned above, he’s not listed on the label’s artist roster. In the past, Big Machine Label group has had the right of first refusal on country acts.
As you can see, Republic Records has been less than satisfactory. It’s no wonder that season 11 runner-up Billy Gilman claimed that he’s glad he didn’t win. The Voice coaches have also voiced dissatisfaction with Republic-from Adam Levine calling them out to Blake Shelton pleading with them to do right by the artists.
Even if Alisan winds up releasing music on her own, she came to The Voice with enough experience and industry connections to make the exposure she received work for her. Still. It would be nice if Republic did more than just make money WHILE the singers were on the show selling boatloads of iTunes downloads.
