When Season 10 wraps up, and the record contracts are signed, will Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina be welcomed at country radio? Here’s an industry insider who believes…maybe not.
We turned again to Facebook to gauge the industry’s reaction to McCreery and Alaina, asking people for their thoughts on the future of these two teens in the country format. The reaction was largely negative, particularly toward McCreery. But one widely respected programmer, KEEY (K102) Minneapolis’ Gregg Swedberg, had a completely different view.
Rivers predicts both Idols will have a “one and done” career, a reference to the number of albums they’ll ever get to release.
Two programmers, WFRE Frederick, Md., PD Jess Wright and KUZZ Bakersfield, Calif., MD Toni-Marie, already have other plans for the day a label rep wants to bring McCreery by their stations for a visit.
Says Wright, “If Scotty McCreery gets signed, I’m gonna need to change my phone number.”
YIKES. Wright goes on to explain, “Carrie Underwood actually had talent from the beginning. Scotty really doesn’t. For him, being on ‘American Idol’ is only a blessing because it’s the only thing the label will be able to point to as a reason to play his music.” DOUBLE YIKES.
Adds Toni-Marie, “I wish people would quit comparing this kid to Josh Turner. He attempts to sound like him, but the only thing he is successful at is looking like the kid on MAD magazines . . . Maybe Scotty does have some potential. I don’t see it, but he needs someone to teach him to be who Scotty is. Quit doing JT covers and doing that weird eye thing that only Queen Reba can get away with.”
Adds KIIM Tucson, Ariz., PD Buzz Jackson, “Scotty hasn’t demonstrated that he can be anything but creepy.”
The assessment of Lauren Alaina isn’t quite so negative–PDs recognize her talent, but believe she’s still too inexperienced, “I think Lauren could take it, but she is still very young and I don’t know that she can handle it yet, says Toni-Marie, ” Maybe with the right people behind her and parents who hopefully brought her up well, she can do it.”
KJJY Des Moines, Iowa, MD Eddie Hatfield agrees. “Lauren has a shot if she’s handled correctly. People seem to like her. There will be a curiosity factor on Scotty’s first single. If it isn’t great, that will be it for him.”
One widely respected programmer, KEEY (K102) Minneapolis’ Gregg Swedberg, had a completely different view, “Maybe I’m nuts, but I love both of them, ” he says. “Scotty is more than just a Josh Turner clone . . . Lauren still needs to get some experience, but the girl can sing. It all comes down to the songs. If they’re smart (and they are), they’ll get the best songs they can, because a 25 million person launch pad is nothing to sneeze at.”
The consensus seems to be: Country music is NOT a dumping ground for Idol contestants. Carrie succeeded, but she’s a one-in-a-million talent. Both Scotty and Lauren are going to have to prove themselves to country PDs, just like everyone else. Unfortunatly, both–especially Scotty-are going into the game with some negative perceptions.
While Carrie succeeded spectacularly, there are your Phil Staceys and Kristie Lee Cooks who failed right out of the gate–getting dropped by their respective labels after only one album. Danny Gokey is chugging along in the format, but the jury is still out on whether he’s got a long career in country radio or not. We’ll see if Scotty and Lauren can eventually win the PDs over.
