Clay Aiken Has Been Dropped from RCA

The only surprise for me is that it didn’t happen sooner. Much sooner.

Clay joins fellow Idol 2nd place finishers, Katharine McPhee, Diana DeGarmo, Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis and Bo Biceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’all dropped from their post-Idol label deals. Only the most recent runner-up, Season 7à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s David Archuleta, remains with his deal intact.

Eeeek. This just goes to show being on Idol will only get you so far in establishing a solid, long lasting career in the music world.

Of the winners, who is still with their original recording company?

Owww. Now I’m worried about Archie.

Clay dropped – no surprise there.

I wouldn’t worry about Archie as he’s already had much more commercial success than any of the other runners up ever did. No he hasn’t sold as many albums as Clay yet, but he’s done way better in the area of radio play and video play. I am guessing he will follow in the footsteps of Jordin except at a quicker pace. Not to mention Jive doesn’t give up on artists as easily as RCA does. If they did Jordin would not have been given the time she was given to build her success slowly but surely.

It’s sad that Clay’s star has faded. I think that like a lot of runner’s up, he was mishandled. A Thousand Ways was a mistake. He should have made another MoaM style cd.
But he’ll be fine on Broadway. Maybe he’ll do a cd of standards, some broadway cast recordings.

Of the winners, who is still with their original recording company?

The women: Kelly, Fantasia, Carrie and Jordin. And of course, Cook.

^Ruben is still with the first half of his original recording company – 19 Recordings and now with Hickory Records..

Fantasia’s still with her record company? She’s only had 1 record out, though? Who is she with?

^Fantasia is with 19R/J Records, has released two albums and plans to release a third in early 2009 (according to wiki LOL)

Clay got many more chances that the other RCA signed runners up. I’ve always felt badly for somebody like Diana, who as a developing teenage singer really would have been better off with Barry Weiss at Jive. Fortunately for Jordin and Archie, Jive became an option.

Dropped or a mutual parting? I’m still not sure. Guess I’ll have to wait for a more official announcement than just from and “insider.” Artists come and go from labels; it’s not an unusual occurrence, especially with the idols.

Ruben was dropped, let go, left on his own (pick one) months before any official word came from Ruben. He released fewer CD’s than Clay did during his tenure and parted ways a year before. And, as the winner, you would think he had a stronger, longer contract than Clay.

So what do you think? Did Ruben have time to fulfill his contract….did Clay? My logic tells me that Clay fulfilled his obligation to RCA….5 years, 4 full length CD’s and 1 additional Xmas EP. RCA may very well have decided to not renew Clay’s contract, or Clay may have seen this as an opportunity to move on. Again, until some official announcement comes, we are all just speculating.

Did Ruben have time to fulfill his contractà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.did Clay?

How could anybody answer that unless they read the contract? My guess is they each negotiate their own contract, otherwise they’d be crowned and signed immediately, and I’ve not seen it happen that way. But, of course, I’ve never read one of their contracts.

Did Ruben have time to fulfill his contractà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.did Clay?

How could anybody answer that unless they read the contract? My guess is they each negotiate their own contract, otherwise theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be crowned and signed immediately, and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve not seen it happen that way. But, of course, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve never read one of their contracts.

That’s why I asked the question and stated in my prior post that we are all just speculating. I was just opening it up to other posters for comment, and I was trying to draw a comparison. Ruben parted ways more than a year before Clay did and Ruben released less CD’s during that time. I’m trying to follow logic, is all. Logic tells me that Ruben, as the winner, would have had a better contract than Clay, but they could very well have had identical contracts. Whichever is the case, it appears Clay fulfilled more of his contract than Ruben just by the fact that he released more CDs and stayed on longer. It doesn’t make sense to me that a runnerup would get a longer contract than a winner. So who is to say that he or Ruben were dropped? Only the label and the artists know for sure. After Ruben’s departure, I believe he made a statement many months later when it became public. I’m just waiting on Clay or RCA to do the same.

I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t worry about Archie as heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s already had much more commercial success than any of the other runners up ever did. No he hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sold as many albums as Clay yet, but heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s done way better in the area of radio play and video play. I am guessing he will follow in the footsteps of Jordin except at a quicker pace. Not to mention Jive doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give up on artists as easily as RCA does. If they did Jordin would not have been given the time she was given to build her success slowly but surely.

You have earned a hug *hugs* thank you…

Dropped or a mutual parting? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m still not sure. Guess Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have to wait for a more official announcement than just from and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“insider.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Shirley Halperin has impeccable sources. She has been proven right time and time again.

“Shirley Halperin has impeccable sources. She has been proven right time and time again.”

She’s with Billboard now? Is she also still writing for EW?

No one knows the details for either Ruben or Clay parting ways with the respective record companies. I doubt we ever will. But I supsect that we didn’t hear about Ruben’s departure from J Records until months after the fact was to 1) give Ruben time to secure immediate work (the Ain’t Misbehaving’ tour) and 2)line up a new contract (ultimately with Hickory). Not only is Ruben still a 19 Records artist in tandem with Hickory, but he’s also under 19′s management umbrella, IIRC. So it makes sense that 19 executives would be delicate in approaching the Ruben was dropped/Ruben left J Records scenario. They didn’t want to hurt Ruben’s popularity/money-making abilties, from which they financially benefit.

As for Clay, RCA may have just decided to part ways with him with no fanfare because then they would have to deal with the hoopla it would likely bring. It looks like Clay has been without a label for months without anyone knowing. 19E has no stake in him at this point and haven’t had a managerial one in years, so I doubt they cared about the news coming out. Maybe RCA was just being nice/saving face/trying to ward off the overzealous faction of Clay’s in not disclosing Clay being gone from RCA. It happens.

If you cannot sell, you will be dropped. Even top artist like Mariah carey been dropped right? By Columbia (if I am not wrong) when her album Glitter bomb.

But of course the record company (they had to paid her off) cannot predicted that she able to come back big with her two last album.

That show you how tough music industry is.

You’re right, hcpoirot. Clay’s album sells have stagnated. And with his penchant for old-fashioned music, RCA just decided to part ways with Clay once his contract expired.

RCA just decided to part ways with Clay once his contract expired.

Or, vice versa. But, I do believe the contract expired. The rest we may never know.

But, I do believe the contract expired.

You believe that, but you don’t know it for sure. If you do I’d love to know the source.

It’s on the front page of Billboard now but the wording is slightly different.

IMO whether the contract simply ran out or if they dropped him I don’t think it matters. With the way his last album sold I doubt they would have held on to him anyway even of there was time left on his contract.

If his pet project (OMWH) had sold respectably and RCA could still make money off of him they would have kept him. And given his options he certainly would have stayed, in my opinion. Clay seems well aware that he’s not mainstream and is a total niche artist with a certain fanbase that will likely always support him. He’ll make decent money by just releasing independently produced songs via iTunes and doing small theater shows here and there. His mainstream singing career is probably over but he and Parker won’t have to worry about their next meal or a roof over their heads.

While I have enduring concerns about AI’s potential for exploitation, I continue to watch it because it does provide opportunities for real talent. Favorites of mine include Kelly, Ruben, Taylor, David C and absolutely Clay. I happen to think Clay has one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from this show.

It seems that I am in good company as respects my admiration of Clay. Clayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s vocal prowess has been affirmed by Julliard trained Neil Sedaka and multi-Grammy winner, songwriter and producer David Foster; his humanitarian outreach commended by former President Jimmy Carter and his comic instincts, master at characterization acknowledged by Oscar, Grammy and Tony winner, Mike Nichols. Mike Nichols: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ Clay is amazing, beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People are going to be surprised by his wide-ranging talentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Further, as a formally trained musician, I found On My Way Here his strongest effort to date. This CD contains remarkable tonal color, and Clay’s vocals are well executed. I am bemused by critics who dismiss this effort via trite lyrics, when we have pop hits out of such profundities as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Gimme Me Moreà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  to endure. So much of the music on pop radio today is composed by ‘non-musicians’. By that I mean those who are obviously unschooled in arranging. Who needs another track of tonic, subdominant, dominant, tonic chord sequences? And, the instrumentation is mind numbingly predictable – electric guitar, synthesizer, and drums. The sophisticated harmonic progression and modulation in à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Everything I Don’t Needà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is a welcome respite from the tired pap receiving mass airplay today.

AC seemed a natural niche for Clay. It mystifies me that he has not received airplay on those stations. I do think Clay is well served getting beyond the notorious Clive Davis. I’m in no doubt that he’ll go on to another label, and I am hopeful it will fully support this young man to realize his huge potential and properly showcase his vocal gifts.

But, I do believe the contract expired.

You believe that, but you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know it for sure. If you do Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d love to know the source.

That’s why I carefully chose the words “I” believe, because like everyone else I am speculating. But I am trying to use facts that makes sense to me to state what “I” believe. Clay came off idol and signed with RCA over 5 years ago. He released 4 full length CDs and one 4 song EP. No record deal goes on forever. The idol artists’ selling and staying power was pretty untested at the time those contracts were signed. Five years and 5 CDs for a new artist seems like a pretty good contract deal to me. That’s why I believe the contract has expired….the operative words being “I believe.” At lot of us here wish we knew for sure, but we just don’t.

If his pet project (OMWH) had sold respectably and RCA could still make money off of him they would have kept him. And given his options he certainly would have stayed, in my opinion.

I think this is a reasonable speculation. Going the indie route is really, really tough. I would imagine Clay is off looking for another label deal as we speak.

Clay was with RCA for 5 or 6 years, they did give him lots of chances, all things must come to an end. He’s doing new things now (Broadway) and it will be interesting to see what he does next. It’s hard to say if a recording career is in his future and if so, what kind of music. He’s an all-round entertainer so I think he’ll always be doing something.

Although sad, I saw this coming a mile away. His last album flopped bigtime.

I didn’t realize the awful track record of 2nd place finishers. Archuleta is the only one still with a major label? Hopefully he can buck the trend of runners-up being dropped.

I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t realize the awful track record of 2nd place finishers. Archuleta is the only one still with a major label?

archuleta and katharine

My opinion?? Okay!!

I wouldn’t worry about David A’s future. There is little relation between 2nd-place Idol finishers anyway. You couldn’t get a stronger 2nd place finisher than David A. That’s why he was grabbed right away by a major label that knows just what to do with him. He’s obviously had great success in little time and I think it’d be surprising if he didn’t continue to do very well.

As for Kat, she tried that R&B thing which fit her like OJ’s glove. Do you remember her awkward moves? Yikes. She finally straightened up and went back to those who loved her all along, David Foster et al, who brought her back to the Andrea Bocelli/adult contemporary fold where she is no longer the ugly duckling but voila, once again a lovely swan.

As for Clay, there’s no sense in pretending his coming out didn’t have some effect on record sales. It even hurt George Michael. But that said, he could have used better producers and maybe he will hit his stride again with the right album. It’s hard for me to keep up with him because I don’t go for that horn-like, Johnny Ray, stentorian vocal sound. But I don’t like Josh Grobin much either and he’s doing fine without me so hopefully Clay will too. Personally, I do like Clay and will be happy if he makes this label sorry they let him go. Either way, he’s got good friends on Broadway and probably is happier with his life than ever.

I guess RCA got their ROI on Clay, saw diminishing returns and cut him loose. Same as the others they let go. Archie is surely safe for awhile. He’s got the advantage of youth, popularity, and the right material for his market. But it’s early still so I hope he makes hay while the sun shines, as they say.

I’m not into Clay, but as vocalists go, he’s undeniably gifted. His stylings a bit florid and overdone a bit, but he can sing. The problem as I see it is that the songs he’s recorded aren’t all that interesting (IMO) and don’t get a lot of airplay. With Idol six seasons behind him, he’s not that relevant anymore.

If he chooses to pursue acting in whatever form, there might be some renewed interest by the public and by a label and something fresh around which to develop another CD. He might even be working on that now.

Musical,

Better stop that now. You are starting to make sense.

Just watch “The Making of Girlicious.” The record companies are far worse than American Idol, which actually gives a variety of different people a chance. They don’t care about talent AT ALL.

Clay’s publicist has finally gotten around to spinning this story via People. She’s claiming there were unsuccessful contract negotiations and Clay decided to leave. More than a little unbelievable when you consider he sold 100 copies of his last cd and didn’t have a leg to stand on with negotiations.

I saw this on another site and I think it totally sums up the extent of negotiations RCA went through with Clay:

Clay: Can I stay?
RCA: No.
Clay: Well, I guess I’ll just be going now.

Clayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s publicist has finally gotten around to spinning this story via People. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s claiming there were unsuccessful contract negotiations and Clay decided to leave. More than a little unbelievable when you consider he sold 100 copies of his last cd and didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a leg to stand on with negotiations.

The exact quote was “We were unable to come to terms in a recent contract negotiation, and decided that it was best to move on,” the rep, Cindi Berger, said Friday.

It would appear that Clay was at the end of his contract after all. That’s quite different from being dumped. And if Clay’s publicist is spinning, all RCA has to do is dispute it. I’ll be waiting. As with everything Clay, this is probably not the last word.

RCA isn’t going to say anything. They never have with the other idols. They’ve always let them save face by explaining it in their own way and I’m sure Clay will get the same courtesy. Being without a label in this economy kind of sucks. I can’t imagine who is going to sink money into Clay when the return on that investment will be iffy at best. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not even looking for a label. I’ve always suspected Clay knows the score as far as his marketability much more than his fans.

All this talk about Clay got me listening to the 2 albums of his that I have.

According to a couple of articles I have read Clay was not dropped he left. dont know whats true.

Katharine was picked up and is working with David Foster. She is set to put an album out this spring/summer.

I saw this on another site and I think it totally sums up the extent of negotiations RCA went through with Clay:

Clay: Can I stay?
RCA: No.
Clay: Well, I guess Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll just be going now.

:lol_tb: no doubt RCA is probably still reeling from the agony of losing him. I’m sure they had great hopes for another CD that would struggle to sell 200k.

Nial, why wasn’t Jive records available for Diana? I think Ruben was managed by them in season 2, before her season, so it should have been available (if they had chosen to record her).

Nial, why wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Jive records available for Diana? I think Ruben was managed by them in season 2, before her season, so it should have been available (if they had chosen to record her).

Ruben was with J Records not Jive, they are two different labels. Up until Jordin went to Jive, J/Arista and RCA were the two labels associated with the show unless it was somebody like Carrie who went with a country label. I just always assumed Barry Weis wasn’t interested in Idol until the later seasons when he saw how profitable it could be.

The record companies are far worse than American Idol, which actually gives a variety of different people a chance. They donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care about talent AT ALL.

So true, jimmyboyd2, and the read at this link certainly affirms it:

http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/thei…rinterview.html

The best is yet to come…Clay is finally free …his artistic expression will no longer suffer the edits of conformity…and the deficits for what passes as ‘music’ on most radio stations.

This seems a reasonable take on RCA’s role:

http://media.herald-dispatch.com/blog/idol/

As for Clay, there’s no sense in pretending his coming out didn’t have some effect on record sales.

His CD had already tanked by the time he came out to People.

RCA isn’t going to say anything. They never have with the other idols. They’ve always let them save face by explaining it in their own way and I’m sure Clay will get the same courtesy.

ITA. I can’t imagine any artist who doesn’t already have a ton of clout, turning away from a major label deal in this terrible economic climate. I just don’t buy it with Clay like I didn’t buy it with any of the other Idols who had been dropped.

The best is yet to come…Clay is finally free …his artistic expression will no longer suffer the edits of conformity

So, Clay’s last album wasn’t the real Clay either? The “man” was keeping him down there as well? Who is the real Clay, then. It doesn’t seem to be very clear.

All I have to say is that Clay’s last album was very interesting, musically, stylistically, vocally, and if things in the music biz were on the level, it should have gotten airplay and sold much better.
I’m pretty sure Clay will end up on his feet anyway.