J Records Decides Another Idol Winner Isn’t the Right Fit
Well, this is sure going to set the rumor mill abuzzing, and the pure fact of the matter is, the rumors and innuendoes will never be proven, and it’s just going to cause a bigger mess and more uncertainty for the upcoming season.
J Records has announced, with incredible timing, ten days before the start of American Idol season 7, that they’re dropping season 5 winner, soulman Taylor Hicks, from their label. And this is after not long ago that they also dropped Ruben Studdard. There were a host of problems surrounding the representation of Studdard starting with lawsuits immediately after his win, along with his runner-up, Clay Aiken, having much better record sales. So what gives this time?
Slow record sales seems to be the blame for Taylor being dropped as well, and while they aren’t saying as much, it’s not the runner-up this time, but most likely the guy voted out in fourth place, Chris Daughtry. While Taylor’s record sales weren’t the best, neither were those of runner-up Katherine McPhee, however 4th place finisher Chris Daughtry and his band was out-selling them all. For the guy that Simon initially didn’t even want to send to Hollywood, but eventually humbly admitted to being wrong about.
However, no one has done better than Carrie Underwood, winning awards all over the place, and certainly Kelly Clarkskon’s success can’t be argued, with a few awards under her belt as well. And what about Jennifer Hudson? Need we remind anyone that the girl was dismissed as an also-ran, then went on to win an Oscar last year? Fantasia’s season isn’t looked upon fondly, yet she’s on Broadway right now. Some asked why Kelly Pickler and Bucky Covington were even in the top 10 in their season, yet they both have successful records out. Anyone out there own the albums of Justin Guarini, Kimberley Locke, Josh Gracin, Jon Peter Lewis, George Huff, Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, Elliott Yamin, Mandisa, and Blake Lewis? I’ve got two of those, along with nine of the ones mentioned earlier.
I just don’t think we can look at any of those people, though, and say they weren’t good recording artists. There are six ex-Idols up for Grammy awards this year and only half of them are winners. I think the ones that don’t do well were just mislabeled being Idols. If I wanted to be a recording star and I was between the ages of 16 and 29, I’d be showing up an American Idol audition whether or not I liked the music of Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.
I really thinks that’s all it comes down to with Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard. I don’t think they were the right fit for the Idol machine marketing, yet both excellent artists in their own right. Taylor was my favorite for that season, and you can’t argue against his originality, but maybe he was too original. And when you look at it, neither Taylor or Ruben were sitting around waiting to try out for American Idol. Ruben was dragged there to support someone else, and Taylor was being chased by Hurricane Katrina, and on a lark decided on getting on a plane that would take him to Las Vegas, where they just happened to be holding American Idol auditions.
So what does it mean for the future? It means Jordin Sparks knows she has to perform better than she currently is, or she’ll be dropped, free to do the music she wants. And for any of the current final 24 that are sitting around waiting to start performing on February 19th, they know if they just suck it up and do what’s asked of them, they could end up the winner. They aren’t guaranteed of anything, though, just one million dollar contract for one album, which to them right now seems like the world, but really all they need is a few months on our TVs every week so that we’ll go and find their music on iTunes about six months after the show ends.
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For more information on American Idol, see SirLinksalot: American Idol, and for more about Taylor Hicks, see SirLinksalot: Taylor Hicks.
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John | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Goodbye to Clive Davis and J recoreds, Taylor is btter than the way they went through the motions trying to promote his CD. I have seen Taylor live several times. He puts everthing into his live performances and the music is outstanding. I can only wish him the best in 2008 and beyond. He’ll be fine. Just watch his Whomp at the Warfield DVD and you will get the picture of his true artistry. I will support him along the way!
SOUL PATROL
Sean | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Kimberly Locke has a #1 song right now.
She found her nitch (dance music) and a huge gay following and that was that. Girl will be around forever!
Yippie!!!! | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Taylor was “not the right fit for the idol machine” I agree, he is very original, doesn’t want to be in the clutch of Clive.
As Taylor always said, he is a working musician and just wants his voice heard. Some want to be “stars” at any cost. Taylor just wants to do what he loves. He’s the real deal. He will have another CD I’m sure, even if he has to do it himself as he did with his first 2CDs Under The Radar and In Your Time. Those are amazing CDs, it’s the music that Taylor loves best and wants to get back to.
Ari | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Clive Davis dissed Taylor every chance he got. Daughtry is his boy. Taylor is most likely breathing a huge sigh of relief to be rid of that band of thieves. In spite of the middle school mind games played by CD and the AI crew, Taylor has been making lots of excellent contacts in the music world. I think he will be a force to be reckoned with in the area of the music scene that actually concerns itself with making good music. Let Clive and Co. have the part that is about squeezing the last drop of artificial flavoring out of a flavor of the month.
pat | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
I have both of Justin Guarini’s cds, his first “Justin Guarini” cd and his independently produced and released 2nd cd, Stranger Things Have Happened a beautiful collection of smooth jazz songs, and I enjoyed both of them.
NOBODY in the history of Idol got more screwed, was more sabotaged, and had less opportunities given to them than Justin, yet he is extremely talented, and I anxiously await his 3rd cd, which will be r&b, funk,and pop, because Justin has said that it will be the cd he always wanted to make, the one most reflective of who he is, and I know that like him, it will be wonderful!
Idol is all about showBUSINESS, and numbers. It is NOT about originality, creativity, and artistry, but Justin like some of the others you’ve mentioned has a gift. He is a unique, thorougly enjoyable and talented performer, and like the other truly talented ones, I am sure he will ultimately shine like the star he is.
Mary Allison | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
Anyone out there own the albums of Justin Guarini, Kimberley Locke, Josh Gracin, Jon Peter Lewis, George Huff, Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, Elliott Yamin, Mandisa, and Blake Lewis?
Well, I have 6 of them (somebody must have bought them right?). I really enjoy Taylor Hicks. Hopefully thanks to the internet his music will continue to be aailable even if he has to do it himself.
arouet | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
There seemed to be a lot of fighting between Taylor and J records- so I’m sure dropping him is not all about sales but they don’t want to deal with him. He is probably better off going to a company where they have the same vision for him as he does.
With the right label, Ruben could do well and I would rate him as best possibility for a big comeback of any of them. The problem was they couldn’t find good songs for him and didn’t know what to do with him. They marketed him as an R-n-B star and the truth is, he had success in that market- but that wasn’t good enough so it was sort of a ‘catch-22′ there.
At any rate, look for Blake and McPhee to be dumped soon- and if Clay’s next album only goes GOLD like the last one, it will be bye-bye to him from them as well. And surely Mario V has already been dumped but no one cares enough to report it.
Blondi | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AJxc3Lxn4o
Here’s some education if you want to know what an artist goes through with a Label.
PatLP | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
It breaks my heart to hear this, since I thought Taylor’s cd was the best I’ve heard in years. I know why it didn’t sell as many as Daughtry and Blondie, because it wasn’t the crap they play on the radio and lord knows, I couldn’t find a Taylor cd in the stores here in Memphis, whereas the others took up 2 rows on top. Something is just wrong with this picture. After the way idol shunned Taylor all of last year, I’m not at all surprised, just disgusted with them. I’ve been to 4 of Taylor’s concerts and if anybody wants to see talent, GO! He’s got an incredible voice, so good looking, unbelievable performer, so original. I think Taylor will be around many years after all the tatooed scraming baldies and the sound alike blondies have long been forgotten. Hopefully, American will learn to listen to music again since the last few years the majority seem to be tone deaf! I can’t wait for Taylor’s cd or dvd and I just hope this won’t deter Taylor’s recording ability, his band was so very good. Please don’t change Taylor, We will always love you , to me, you just play good old rock and roll with a whole lot of soul.
Dagg | Jan 15, 2008 | Reply
Chris D. is awesome and to put him down is just being spiteful. He has done a great job with every song he has put out. Taylor is good but he can only do soul, he truly is not a all around performer. He is not marketable for the masses. I am not tone deft I just like enjoyable music no matter what form it is in. I like Bucky and Pickler also. Does that mean I do not have good taste in music, no. It means that I can appreciate many forms of music considering that my tow top performers are Barry Manilow and Ozzy Osbourne.
Kate | Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Every record label loves an “instant superstar” – but lets face it – they’re not everywhere.
JRR Tolkien’s publisher understood his duty to also give the world “good literature” even if it doesn’t make the company as rich as some of the other short run best sellers that hit the market. J Records should take a leaf out of that book.