Here’s some interesting info forwarded to me by Windmills from Row Fax. It’s a list of Idol-relevant pitchsheet listings–basically song solicitations made by labels looking for material for their clients.
Casey James/Sony**/Frank Liddell/August/City: Nashville, TN/Pitch Preference: CDs
Casey’s listing is interesting, because it has Frank Liddell listed as producer. Frank Liddell is co-producer of Miranda Lambert’s albums, Kellie Pickler’s upcoming album, and albums from David Nail and Eli Young Band. He is also Lee Ann Womack’s husband. Casey recorded “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” with songwriter/producer Chris Lindsey.
James Durbin/TBD/Howard Benson/ASAP/City: Calabasas, CA/Pitch Preference: MP3/Contact: music@bokmusic.com/Description: 4th place on American Idol season 10; Rock hits a la My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds To Mars Closer to The Edge; amazing songs, fun uptempos and also lyrics about overcoming struggles. Absolutely no phone calls
The fact that James has a listing is a good indication he’s going to be signed by a label. Note producer Howard Benson (worked with Daughtry) and examples of the types of material being sought out. Interesting. Lyrics about overcoming struggles? Perhaps related to his own personal struggles with tourettes/aspergers.
Bucky Covington/TBD/Mark Miller, Dale Oliver/TBD/City: Nashville, TN/Pitch Preference: CDs Only
Mark Miller (Lead singer of the band, Sawyer Brown) and Dale Oliver also co-produced Bucky’s debut album.
Carrie Underwood/Sony**/Mark Bright/Late August/City: Nashville, TN/Pitch Preference: CDs/Description: GREAT Carrie songs…the BEST of the BEST only. Please drop off at guard desk…NO MP3s!
Carrie’s is less of a revelation, but interesting nonetheless.
A couple more notes: Both Bucky and James label is listed as TBD but were NOT listed under “Smaller Labels & Indie Projects” category. Bucky was working on his second album when his label, Lyric Street Records folded. It looks like Bucky and James are ready on the verge of signing label deals.
UPDATE: Music journalist, Eric Alper tweeted in July, “eOne Music signs American Idol finalist Bucky Covington, new album out in first quarter in 2012.” However, I would consider this still a rumor and not official. Bucky is NOT listed on the eOne Music website as one of their artists.
UPDATE2: From an interview with VP Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jim Velutato:
MBJ: What do you look for in a song?
JV: It has to have a unique concept–that’s the main thing. By looking at titles, you can get a lot of information. Today, I was going through songs for Carrie Underwood, and I saw “I’m Good For Your Heart” and “I Love What You Do” , which are typical titles. Then, I got a song called “A Town In Colorado, ” and that instantly got my attention, just because I wanted to hear the story behind it. It turns out that that song has a great story and would be a great for her. (Also talks about holding a writer’s camp for Carrie. Read more HERE.)
Reporting: Windmills
