AI 2010

[Spooky]

Crystal Bowersox Holy Toledo

Crystal Bowersox - Piece of My Heart

Mason by Brian Walker w/Crystal Bowersox

Crystal Bowersox - Farmers Daughter

Crystal Bowersox On The Run

[Pearl@32]

I hope AI doesn't kill Crystal's spirit. But her life is not going to be the same.

Gee Ryan, sure the money is "great" and you can buy your mom a house, but that makes it worth it?

He was truthful about one thing: about it being a business. She will become a commodity, and I don't think she'll like that aspect. But when they get signed to the 19 Entertainment label, 19 owns them. Idol is not for everybody, especially if their CDs don't sell well.

If truth be told, it is amazing that Idol contestants make up a certain fraction of the music business. Then again, they used to call that "Motown."

PS. TMZ can be dead-on right sometimes.

[Spooky]

Gee Ryan, sure the money is "great" and you can buy your mom a house, but that makes it worth it?

Ryan does have a LOT of money and I am sure he uses it to solve some of His problems, but you're right, fame can kill some peoples spirit and all the money in the world can't fix that. That being said, I think she'll be fine. After watching the vids below, you can tell she loves music and loves performing her music. Going into something like AI is a culture shock for sure and not everyone is going to adjust to it in the same way. She's smart and seems to have a grasp of what is important to her and that can keep you on course in unfamiliar waters.

[Spooky]

Any idea how long their 19 Entertainment contract is?

[Pearl@32]

Contract details are hush-hush. But there are a few tidbits out there. Sounds like their contract for the show lasts 90 days after the finale. [ http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/05/66814973/1 ] But there's a little more than that.

Michael Johns released from 19 Entertainment's American Idol contract, doesn't want a label
American Idol 7
by Andy Dehnart / August 14, 2008, 1:46 PM

American Idol 7 finalist Michael Johns has been released from the show's restrictive contract that prevents finalists from being signed by other record labels or from releasing records until six months after the show concludes, thereby keeping their music out of the way of the show's winner (and runner-up).

Johns "asked to be released from the 19 Entertainment contract" and "19 agreed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Johns has already "been on two major labels and an indie" and now "plans to go on his own like Elliott Yamin and hopes to find distribution any way he can," and "says he's recorded eight songs (two songs by Diane Warren), most done before the tour started. He hopes to get 25 done by Thanksgiving and pick 12 for an album set to be released in January or February," according to the paper.

"They said, 'Look—we realize you're 29 years old. Good luck.' I was so thankful. I've been able to work and get things done instead of wait around," Michael told the paper. He said he's not going to a major label because "I want control back. It's not like I need a label to get me noticed. This is one of my last shots to be in this situation." As to a producer, he said, "I can't believe producers are returning my calls! Ultimately, we'll write as much as we can then figure out what producer to stylize it. ... It's an album hopefully you can dance to, work out to, chill out to."

Michael says his friendship with winner David Cook—which has recently manifested itself in impromptu dances they do during the tour, although organizers asked them to stop until fan protests caused organizers to reverse their decision—means that they'll collaborate in the future. "I can't see how we wouldn't work together. We're such great friends. Even though we're a bit different stylistically, I used to do that kind of sound back in Atlanta. We really have a good connection. We keep each other sane. Working together — it's something we talk about all the time," he said.

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_7/2008_Aug_14_michael_johns_released

[Spooky]

Interesting. Thanks!

[Pearl@32]

'Idol' Winners: Not Just Fame but Big Bucks
By EDWARD WYATT
Published: February 23, 2010

LOS ANGELES — It is doubtful that any of the remaining 24 contestants on "American Idol" hope that they will be playing the Teen Angel in a touring production of "Grease" in Milwaukee three years from now.

But that's what Taylor Hicks, the 2006 American Idol winner, is doing. And it shows that winning the most popular talent competition in the country is no guarantee of superstardom.

Easing that potential pain are the substantial financial rewards promised to winners of "American Idol," regardless of how many records they sell once the show ends. In the year since he stood under a confetti shower in the Nokia Theater here, Kris Allen, last year's winner, has earned at least $650,000 from "American Idol," according to contracts that last season's contestants signed with the show's producers during the competition.

That amount reflects the minimum a winner would earn. Including performance fees and merchandising royalties from the "American Idol" tour, as well as other opportunities, winners have never failed to earn less than $1 million in the year or so after the contest, people close to the show say.

It is not just the winner who cashes in; finalists who reach the Top 5 this season are likely to earn close to $100,000 from the show — and three to four times that if the "Idol" producers sign them to a record deal. The Top 12 contestants are guaranteed several thousand dollars for their efforts. And that is before accounting for the Top 10 finalists' earnings for appearing in the summer's "American Idol" tour.

These details emerged from copies of last year's contracts filed in state court in Los Angeles under laws requiring court approval of entertainment-industry deals with minors.

Last season those laws applied to Allison Iraheta (who finished fourth) and Jasmine Murray (Top 13) and to three other contestants who reached the Top 36 but were eliminated in the semifinal round.

The winner and those finalists fortunate enough to secure a management contract with 19 Entertainment, a producer of "American Idol," and a record deal, are likely to earn far more than they would if they were independent artists who found their own way to a recording deal.

"I'm shocked that they give them that much money," said a longtime agent for recording artists who works at a major talent agency here. The agent spoke on the condition of anonymity because she had not seen the contract; portions of the deal were read to her by a reporter.

A respectable recording contract for a new artist today would include an advance of $100,000 to $150,000, the agent said, although she noted that the "Idol" contract potentially binds the artist to the show's producers for up to seven years, roughly twice as long as a typical first contract.

Executives at 19 Entertainment declined to comment on the contracts. In a statement the company said: "Our business is built through strong, respectful relationships with our talent, so it is important that they are fairly represented in contractual agreements with 19 Entertainment. With 'American Idol,' we have deliberately structured these agreements to ensure that artists can cross the threshold of success, and that they have all the support necessary to achieve their dreams."

Mr. Allen, last year's winner, earned an advance of $350,000 for his first album, exclusive of recording costs, half of it paid soon after the competition ended and half when he finished recording. His self-titled first album sold 80,000 copies in its first week of release last fall — disappointing for an "Idol" winner — and 260,000 in its first three months, according to Mr. Allen's Web site, krisallenofficial.com.

An Idol winner's riches extend beyond the recording contract. Last year the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida opened "The American Idol Experience," an interactive attraction.

To promote it, Disney paid Mr. Allen $100,000 to turn to a camera and shout, "I'm going to Disney World" after winning the competition and to visit the park, according to the contracts. He stood to earn another $100,000 for spending a day filming scripted dialogue segments for use in the attraction and for taping a vocal performance for the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade television show.

But wait — there's more. Also according to the contracts, as the winner Mr. Allen has received a $100,000 advance on royalties from a three-year merchandising contract, which gives 19 Entertainment the right to use his image to promote goods and services.

Those $650,000 in earnings do not come without strings, of course, strings that bind "Idol" contestants to 19 Entertainment for years. The company can sign a management contract with any contestant it chooses, binding the contestant to pay 15 percent of his earnings, not including those from recording and merchandising contracts, to 19 Entertainment-related companies as a manager's fee. The initial contract extends for three years, although 19 continues to collect a percentage of some of the contestant's earnings for 10 years.

The winner is not the only contestant who earns after the show. Last year the runner-up — Adam Lambert, whose first-week album sales were more than double those of Mr. Allen — earned $300,000 in advance royalties for his album, a $75,000 merchandising contract and $50,000 in fees from Disney World for the Idol Experience attraction.

The remaining Top 5 finalists each received $50,000 from Disney for their participation, while the rest of the Top 12 finalists could have earned $200,000 each for a first album and $50,000 from merchandising if 19 Entertainment had exercised its option to sign them to a contract.

Contestants do not have to make it to the Top 5 to begin making money. Once they reach the Top 12, "American Idol" singers each week record a version of their song for sale on iTunes. Once they begin recording, they receive a one-time payment of $1,000 and a $1,000 advance on royalties for each recording.

When they make it to the Top 12, contestants also usually perform in a group number during each week's results show. Because that performance is not part of the competition, the contestants earn performance fees under the union contract that broadcasters have with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, known as Aftra.

That contract pays the artists from $1,011 for a one-hour show to $1,540 for a two-hour episode, meaning that a Top 5 contestant is likely to earn close to $10,000 in performance fees over the season: not a fortune, but with 20 million people viewing each week, it is a start.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/arts/television/24idol.html

Oh yeah, it's the big time. And they will own you, unless you opt out or don't get signed by them.

It works for some contestants. But there can be a double-edged sword with the contract. Look at the dip Kelly Clarkson took with her 3rd album, My December. She wanted to be more rock instead of pop (more like Pat Benatar, who has had her own share of ups and downs with the industry) and ended up with one fizzled out single. Contrast that with her newest pop-schlock, All I Ever Wanted, and the singles "My Life Would Suck Without You" (which = without American Idol), "Already Gone," and "I Do Not Hook Up," (which was actually a Katy Perry song).

The article cites Taylor Hicks doing Grease tours, but honestly, some contestants DO go on Broadway and Broadway Across America tours. Is that supposed to be horrible? 19 Entertainment dropped the BALL on his advertising BIG TIME. They didn't want to promote him. The content on his album, I'm not sure what happened, but I previewed tracks and I didn't want to listen to it, and I liked him! So maybe 19 changed their minds. But he's a great entertainer who's got a solid voice and would work well on the theater stage. I just don't like the way the article disses him.

Ruben Studdard has had a hard time keeping momentum, but at least Idol keeps bringing him back. (It was nice to find out that he and Clay are still friends and planning to tour together!)

If they didn't blast the airwaves with Idol songs, maybe I'd buy more of them. I only have a handful of purchased downloads (Kelly C. and Katharine McPhee actually) and I don't own a single Idol contestant CD. What's the point when they're in heavy rotation? I guess maybe I could support some of my favorites, like David Cook and Elliott Yamin (Ooh, I forgot I got his "This Christmas" single!).

[Spooky]

the "Idol" contract potentially binds the artist to the show's producers for up to seven years

That's a little scary to me. Seven years is a long time to owe the company store.

[Pearl@32]

With all the perks, the same rules also apply to Idol contestants like music entertainers: they have to pony up for accountants, lawyers, video costs, bodyguards, etc. Blake Lewis found out the hard way of his share of a video shoot for a single he didn't even want to release. ($150k) (!)

I will never forget Left Eye breaking it down on Behind the Music: "Here's how a multi-platinum selling group can go broke..." 

Aw, Miss Crystal! So awesome and heartfelt. Lee and Aaron kicked butt too.

[Spooky]

FYI - my mom works with Tim's aunt or cousin or something like that.

Alicia Keys is a gorgeous woman! I like Kara's hair tonight. SULLY! Did I mention that Alicia Keys is beautiful?


Casey James – Don't Stop – He was off a bit tonight. Not horrible, but to me it was like was doing a song at the end of a very long set and his voice was tired. Simon is right too, lazy song choice.

Lee DeWyze – The Boxer – Nice job. The song suits his voice very well, or maybe he just makes his voice suit the song. I think the latter is true. He's a very talented guy and I hope it's down to him and Crystal at the end.

Tim Urban – Better Days – Not very good at this point of the competition. I would love to hear Lee sing this song.

Aaron Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly – The song was way too big form him. His voice sounded all over the place to me. Simon is right, I'd have turned the radio off in ten seconds.

Siobhan Magnus – When You Believe – Girl can hit some crazy notes. I liked it. Wasn't perfect, but she did a better job with a very hard song than Aaron did IMO.

Michael Lynche – Hero – His performance didn't live up to or match the arrangement IMO. I was expecting more power from him at certain points in the song. He did sing it well, but something was missing for me.

Crystal Bowersox – People Get Ready – She looks very pretty tonight and WOW what a performance! 


My favs for the night.

1. Crystal - The best by far tonight! Give her the gorram contract already! The only one that has a chance to beat her is Lee and he will have to step it up to do it.

and one notch below...
.
2. Lee

And a few notches below that....
.
.
.
3. Siobhan - Michael tie
4. Casey- Tim - Aaron - tie