Idol Record Bits and Pieces – Michael Johns Going Indie – Kristy Lee Cook Album to Drop in September

Michael Johns going indie is a shocker. But, it may work out well. He is already popular and talented. He can quite possibly suceed without a label. It just means he has a lot of work cut out for himself.

AWWWWW In his recently broadcasted Q&A session (http://www.justin.tv/tohaveheroes/164147/Plan_B__July_19th_2008), Andy Skib said something about “David is working with Neal” so this must be a new song!!!!! I’m sooooo friggin’ excited!!!!!

David Archuleta said he had some major collaborations with “famous pop stars” but refuese to disclose who they are. His vocal coach Dean said David wants the album out in October, but David never reveal any date specific.

His vocal coach Dean said David wants the album out in October, but David never reveal any date specific.

I thought I read recently that David Cook’s album has an expected release of November–doesn’t Archie’s album have to come out after Cook’s? I thought the winner’s always came out first.

I thought I read recently that David Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s album has an expected release of Novemberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s album have to come out after Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s? I thought the winnerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s always came out first.

Nov 4 is the Amazon release date for Archie. It could change in the future. No, winner’s cd doesn’t always come out first. Kristy’s CD will drop in September.

KLC: “I think it was like four days total, yeah in four or five days total I got my album done. So, now weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re just picking what sounds we want, mastering, mixing…”

Definitely canned country.

Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re really not supposed to be writing while weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re on contract, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been doing it anyway.

As for MJ, I’m anxious to see what he puts out – indie or otherwise. Wonder if his album will include any collaborations with DC or vice-versa?

Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re really not supposed to be writing while weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re on contract, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been doing it anyway.

Doh. Doing it is one thing, broadcasting it is another.

I suppose Michael will be looking for get a distribution deal like Elliott.

I’m not very surprised about Micheal Johns. He doesn’t really fit into today’s rock scene and doesn’t seem interested in the more soulful stuff he’d probably be good at. And his good looks won’t make any difference. I can’t think of one current succesful rocker today who’s much to look at. Anyway, anything can happen with the right song. Hope he gets it.

Oops, sorry I can’t edit where I am. Right now Elliott is the ONLY person from Idol who’s made it (so far) as an indie. It’s possible Jason or Brooke might make it but they’ll need killer songs. It’ll be interesting to see what happens once the tour is over.

i’m not surprised about michael johns at all (but then i’m not really a fan). i swear don’t these current idols look at the history of other idols. why do they think it happen for them? they need to work hard, get good people behind them and be realistic. it’s hard, really hard. good luck to them all (especially jason and brooke).

I also read in a blog in her MySpace that Amanda Overmyer is working on an album herself…

Four days of recording to make an album? That will certainly be a masterpiece. Why am I so cynical where she’s concerned? We’ll see.

Since it appears 19 has passed on all but KLC, I’m only surprised about Brooke. Her kind of singer is doing well these days. Jason seems to have a devoted fan base but that’s never enough to support a career alone. S7 should have more signings than S6 but right now it’s looking indie for most of them.

After August 21, it is certainly possible that some of the others will get signed by other major labels…Brooke White seems quite possible for another label pickup.

I’m not really surprised that Michael Johns isn’t getting knocked over with major label deal offers. The industry is in a rut, and extra careful in signing new artists (which, really, doesn’t explain KLC and her magical 4 day album).

I did think he had offers, though, just because of some of his soundbites since his elimination, but I guess nothing’s final until the signature is on the dotted line. I wonder if he did have offers and something happened, because he sounded pretty confident earlier on.

i swear donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t these current idols look at the history of other idols. why do they think it happen for them?

If a major label isn’t interested what are they suppose to do, take up house painting. Michael Johns has just a good a shot as anyone else at this stage of the game. I still think if the material is good, something good will come of it. He’s got a reason to be leary of the majors, he’s been burnt enough.

KlC releasing a paint by the numbers cd is just about what I expected from her. She’s marginally talented at best, if she she’d enough clothing, or panders to the OTT patriot sect, she’ll sell a few records, but I don’t see longevity, she doesn’t have Carrie’s chops, or Kellie’s songwriting ability/sass/charisma.

I am interested to seeing what Chikeze has to offer, I think if he has the kind of personal eclectic taste that I think he has, he could be the true surprise of the season.

Archie must do an R&B flavored pop cd, it would indeed set him apart from the disney saccharine crap of Miley, and the faux rock of the Jonas Bros (sorta like them, cause my 10 year old son adores them!). That could encompass the youthful stuff he must do for radio, and the message stuff that he loves.

I am of course gonna buy MJ’s cd, and little David’s too. If Chikeze lucks up, he’s got at least one sale from me.

I’m not a big Johns fan but I thought he’d get signed. KLC – 4 days of recording? Really?

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?aid=80754

(scroll down the side bar to “Heidi talks with Idol Contestants”- 13:27)

David Archuleta, KLC, and MJ talk about their future plans….nice interview. It’s from a news station in St. Louis.

Michael might still get signed. I think he’s just learned that if he wants to make the album he wants, he has to make it himself first and then shop it around the labels or distributors. He’s been signed 3 times in the past before (and of I understand it correctly, had those labels go out of business under him), so maybe for him, he doesn’t think it’s that difficult to get signed by a label. Given that (IMO) the problem for him on the show was that he couldn’t show the audience who he was going to be as a recording artist (he didn’t fit into any one box that appealed to a wide cross-section of fans), it may be the case that he’s having the same problem with record labels that are trying to continually stick him in the rock/soul box that he may not necessarily agree with. If he has a completed album done, then (in his mind) it’s a lot easier for him to show a label what type of artist he is and also ensure that the label he signs with gets that. Just an opinion.

Since we’re talking about idol records I’m hoping it’s okay to post this question here…
Does anyone know how Ace is doing in the “man I hope Ace beats Connie” cd sales? I want Ace to kick his greasey butt!

Lu,

Here is the post from Ken Barnes about the first week CD sales for Ace:

Speaking of welcome, this week we welcome a new addition to the chart — making his first appearance, with his self-titled debut album, is the ninth Season 5 contestant to release a post-Idol album, Ace Young. He’s at No. 160 this week, selling slightly more than 4,000 copies.

link

thanks… darn it. I was hoping for way better than that!

Your welcome Lu. I was too.

so theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re not supposed to write while under AI contract? Must not be a big deal. Elliott told fans he was writing during the tour and Jason said heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been writing in one of his vlogs.

I agree MJ probably has or will have offers, just not what heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d like. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s probably not the only one. Also agree with Keel that it’s not necessarily a bad move to make the album they want first, then see what their options are.

I believe Bucky and maybe Mandisa were the only ones from S5 signed to a label not connected to 19? I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t follow anyone last year. Was anyone signed besides Jordin and Blake?

I thought I read somewhere that there was one other idol besides Elliott that went indie & sold gold-Josh?

lol at KLC throwing a record together in days (and appears to be proud of it!). Springsteen used to take a couple years to put an album out.

Directions:
(1)Begin by pouring your pretty blonde into mixing bowl
(2)Add 10 table spoons of country songs
(3)Mix for four to five days, or until batter reaches right consistency
(4)Bake for 45 days
(5)Enjoy

sounds like a paint by numbers for kristy

and funny thing is, i can see her potentially reaching K Pickler status

Major-label signings not connected to 19E (by finalists):

Season 1 – none

Season 2 – Kimberley Locke, Josh Gracin

Season 3 – LaToya London, George Huff, John Stevens

Season 4 – none

Season 5 – Bucky Covington, Mandisa

Season 6 – Phil Stacey

I don’t think it is really wise of Kristy to tell people that her album was recorded in four days. Just doesn’t put the right image across, you know?

After reading the link Pam posted, what Elliott was able to do as indie was pretty darn impressive… It doesn’t appear that anyone that went the indie route has even come close unless I’m missing something (entirely possible).

I still hold out hope that things can happen for Jason. I love his sweet, pure voice. Fingers are crossed for him. Now everyone go get a copy of Ace’s cd so he’ll outsell Connie!

wow you’re quick itsalleternal ! Thanks!

I didn’t realize there were so few.

If Kristy already had the songs it doesnt take that long to record her cd. Dierks Bently said his last cd he did in ten days because he already had the songs and knew which ones he wanted for his cd. And it sold over a million

I’m just going to be patient with Michael and his album. I’m pretty sure he has had offers so am a little confused. I know his album with the Rising showed he could do stuff that would work on radio but maybe he didn’t want to go in that direction. He’s said he does want to do a rock/soul album which could also work if done right. I will continue to hope that he does sign with a label but will buy his album no matter what. I think his personality, voice, and looks will help him as it has in getting a lot of appearances post-idol. He certainly has a lot of contacts from what I hear.

If he has no other option than he should do the best he can with indie, but I think it will be a bumpy road for him. In this business I think compromising can sometimes help a great deal and Michael seems very stuck in his ways and wants to do everything just the way he wants. I admire him for sticking to his guns but that sort of attitude hasn’t exactly helped him at this point. I’m in wait and see mode. So many of these people talk about album plans and they never even see the light of day.

Right on Lu. Elliott’s accomplishments are amazing even compared to some major label artists! Gold records aren’t just churned out these days. Far from it.

I can’t wait for something to be released by David Cook. I don’t even care what it is. It can be a song from the show or an entire album of new music, but I am hungry to hear his voice on the radio. It is too long to wait until fall. I wish there were plans for him to release a single on August 11th, too. Or even sooner would be nice. I can’t get enough of his voice and can only afford to go to so many concerts.

I interrupt this regularly scheduled program to inform you of a special clip that will bring a tear to your eye ( or elicite a glorious howl ) at Rickeys. It is aptly named sexy dance.

Jason, you owe me a bottle of windex because I had to clean ice cream off my screen.

ShariG , bit WORD on your entire post. Really, my thoughts exactly.
I do have all of DC’s pre-Idol music, and have been listening to little else for the last few weeks, but I’m very eager to hear where he’s at musically right now.
He is, however, not one to drop information prematurely, so I suppose we’ll have to be patient for a little bit longer. I do hope he’ll have a single out by the time the tour ends.

I really like Michael Johns, but to me his biggest problem was that he likes those big songs (Bohemian Rapsody, Dream On) that were sung by dynamite groups. He is a lead singer in a group more than a solo artist, I think.

I don’t think the songs Michael picked on AI or chose to sing on tour necessarily represents his vision for an album. That goes for any of them.

I like Michael’s pre-idol CD – nothing wrong with being the lead singer in a group if he goes that route. I’m not sure he will. Who knows.

Hopefully, MJ can pick up on the momentum of the tour. But, indie means working your butt off and climbing a big hill all on your own adrenaline. Ask Ace! Does anyone work harder than this guy? Does anyone do more for his fans than Ace, corresponding with them, filming a video diary, standing for hours signing every last cd and photo the fans give him, posing for a million photos, hugging, giving, flying from one city to the next to sing his songs and hope for some sales? Did I leave anything out? He nearly killed himself to get this CD out. Are people hearing it? It’s tons better than some of the crap that’s selling. This business has no soul. The good guys finish last most of the time. I’m hoping Ace breaks the mold one more time.

Yeah, I’m a BIG fan.

I think that Archie is showing more intelligence in what he is saying about his cd that Kristy is. He is showing restraint and respect to his collaborators while Kristy is spouting her 4 day recording. Like I said in yesterdays thread, that doesn’t make me feel like she is putting her heart/soul into it and doesn’t persuade me to want to check it out.

ETA I put a link in the headlines thread that goes to the previous post I had in this thread. :)

My 2 cents:

Just because Michael seems is saying he is reluctant to sign with a label does not mean he doesn’t (or hasn’t) had offers. At some point he had been talking to four labels. It sounds like he has made the choice not to be managed by a label at this point. There is a big difference. If four labels were truly interested, they will still be there when that CD is finished and can all take their turns at distribution. He is making the record he wants to make instead of letting a record company manage him to death and tell him what to do.

He also said that he has investors which to me, sounds like he has people willing to front the cash for both making and distributing the CD in case it is not picked up by a major label.

I’m not worried.

Wow, 4 days to record an album. Just more of the fast food society we live in. Wonder if they’ll have drive through studios next? Just pull up, sing into the speaker,and, in less than half an hour, voila! You have a brand, spanking new country album!

Guess 4 days is the new 8 days a week?

I think Ace’s album could have done better the first week if his distribution had been better. I couldn’t find the DVD version at the two Targets I tried. I heard they are shipping more. Hope it’s not too late.

Good luck to MJ and Jason and all those who are likely to go indie. I have a bigger hoop when I judge “success” of the Idols than most. If they can do what they love and sustain a career doing that, then that’s a win to me. I know plenty of musicians who can’t.

I still would love Ace to outsell Constantine though.

I still would love Ace to outsell Constantine though.

How much did Constantine sell?

I heard rumors that Carly is going to get a major deal outside of 19Evil, but who knows where those rumors start and if there’s any truth to them.
Actually, going by the tour, I’d think the most likely candidate for big success other than the Davids is Jason. Seems like everyone assumes he’s going indie. I wonder if he’ll surprise us.

I agree about Michael’s Indie CHOICE. If indeed that is what happens
that will be his choice. I’m glad he has a tremendous headstart with
12 songs recorded and investors. He’s the one who is reluctant to
sign with a label. He is just not interested in being signed with a major
label at this time.It does NOT mean he has not had offers, in fact he has.
If he is happy, then his fans will be happy and more than willing to
support him. Those of you wishing for Michael to fail, it’s not going to happen.
I wish them all success and happiness in their future.

KLC: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I think it was like four days total, yeah in four or five days total I got my album done. So, now weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re just picking what sounds we want, mastering, mixingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Eh, you might want to keep this information to yourself, Kristy Lee. It seems like after she got a deal, she’s not even trying. No real effort to keep her myspace going or to stay in contact with her fans. I refuse to buy her CD.

I’m really surprised by the Michael news. I thought for sure the other signings would be Brooke or Michael. Guess that just leaves Brooke now.

Actually, going by the tour, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d think the most likely candidate for big success other than the Davids is Jason. Seems like everyone assumes heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going indie. I wonder if heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll surprise us.

As much as I want Jason to succeed, the tour doesn’t mean much, imo. Blake, Chris Rich, Ace, and the disgusting Constantine were all doing very well during the tour. Also, in an interview with indy.com, Jason says:

I’m not really sold on record labels right now. I just think they’re not serving their purpose anymore. I just want to make music for my fans.
I think with the exposure I have now, I have the ability to do that without doing massive promotion. Maybe I don’t know enough.

I hope Jason realizes what he’s up against if he chooses not to sign on to a label or get a distribution deal (as in, I COMPLETELY disagree with him about not needing massive promotion). That is, unless he truly wants to make music for JUST his fans, he needs to make fans outside of the Idol bubble, and the exposure he has now won’t be enough to sustain him in the long run. I hope he proves me wrong.

Constantine was also a huge crowd pleaser on tour. The thing people have to remember is that even some of the Idols that may seem like jokes now (see Blake and Constantine) didn’t always have that reputation and were expected by some to have huge careers. It doesn’t always work out that way and even a huge rabid fanbase can drop down to nothing quickly.

The music industry is in terrible shape with major artists unable to sell albums. Artists are being dropped and I can see major labels passing on any of the Idol crew they feel aren’t viable. As far as I can tell, tour and post tour are different worlds. Based on fan comments and reviews, I thought Blake would do welland Jordin meh. Wrong.

4 days is a lifetime in the world of the Kristy Lee Cooks out there who thinks everything should come easy to them because of their looks. She is probably mad it took that long. ;>

4 days to record an album…what a dumb thing to admit to…she is just so blonde country generic that it’s not even funny. No offense to country fans but some of the worst singers are getting away with making a living in the country genre…more power to them but that genre really isn’t very discerning.

An album recorded in 4 days. How very.

Jolene
Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I still would love Ace to outsell Constantine though.

How much did Constantine sell?

Constantine Week #1 = 8,918, BB200 Rank # 75
Ace Week #1 = 4,137, Rank #160

So far Constantine has sold bet. 25-26,000 copies since it was issued on 8/7/07.

Thank you for that info, Allison! Seems to me like Ace will need a great push to better his sales in the coming weeks. I wish him luck, he deserved better than these numbers.

Jolene, I think Ace did as well as could be expected in this climate. He had no push of publicity for this album that I know of, other than the AOL first listen. He has loyal fans who bought his album. I don’t know if Constantine has many fans left these days. It’s going to be hard for Ace since radio is so un-friendly to any Idol except Carrie and Daughtry these days.

Can’t imagine why KLC would admit to putting 4 days into her CD. Must have been a blonde moment. She needs to not say that again or her sales will be a lot lower than she wants. Not that it really matters to me personally, as I won’t be buying her stuff.

And about Ace, I was not a big fan of Ace, but I do hate to see him sell so low. He seems like such a nice guy.