American Idol’s Nick Fradiani Parts Ways with Big Machine/19 Entertainment

American Idol season 14 winner Nick Fradiani has parted ways with his label Big Machine Records and 19 Entertainment, reports Billboard.

Nick, who said he is leaving the label on “good terms,” added “It just wasn’t the right fit.” And he sees the split as necessary: “I couldn’t be more happy. It needed to happen, and I was hoping for it.”

The singer signed with the label run by American Idol mentor Scott Borchetta after his win in 2015.

Borchetta has shed all pop acts other than Taylor Swift, including Laura Marano of Disney’s Austin & Ally, from its roster. American Idol season 15 winner, country singer Trent Harmon remains on the roster, as does runner-up La’Porsha Renae on Big Machine/Motown.

“I love Scott. We both wish things turned out differently,” Nick said. “I was signed to a country label, and I’m not a country artist.”

Nick released three singles with Big Machine. His latest, “All on You,” currently sits at No. 36 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.

“A lot of the past Idols didn’t get that. It’s not easy coming off this show,” he said.

Additionally, Nick has also ended his relationship with 19 Entertainment, so he’s a totally free man. He recently hired Madison House and agent Jordan Burger–who also handles season 8 winner Kris Allen and season 7 winner David Cook–as his booking agent.

“I am already far along in the next record and put my own management team together,” he said. “There are a lot of positive things happening. I did my best. Some people will look at it like it’s not going well, but it’s moving forward.”

Nick will still release a video for the song “Love is Blind” from Hurricane, likely on February 14. His team will take over pitching the song to radio and television. Big Machine will still help out with the track.

“I’m still proud of Hurricane,” he said of post-Idol debut album, “But I felt like I was an artist searching for a hit single. and sometimes I don’t think that was me.” Hurricane sold 5,000 copies in its first week of release, the lowest for any American Idol winner.

Currently, Nick is in the studio working on new music and will head out to Los Angeles to collaborate with songwriters.

“The music is feeling better,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been finding myself again in last few months of writing, and if I stayed, I was going to stay where I was.”

He is thankful that Borchetta was open to parting ways. “We both have mutual respect for one another. I think we both knew it was the right thing,” he said.

“It’s not the worst thing to not be on a label,” he said. “I’m not rushing into anything. I’m thinking about the music. I’m in a good place.”

Nick ended up in a weird place–on a label that wasn’t really equipped to handle his needs. It will be interesting to see if Swift stays with Big Machine when her contract is up. I bet she doesn’t.

About mj santilli 34876 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!