Comparisons, comparisons. The land of American Idol. LOL.

Okay – I’ll bite just ’cause it’s Sat and I’m sitting here with some damn good coffee and it’s raining and I’m in my pjs and I might not do anything of any great importance today.

So. I’ll bite.

Let’s start with our current reigning champs – the youngsters. Both have appealing personalities and have good voices. Both are not fully formed as artists or singers. Neither have shown any great originality on stage nor have either of them had any great moments. But they have been solid and are adorable. Thus, your results. Both will be signed by a country label. Both will release records quick because they are a curiousity right now “oh look at those cute kids” and AI will want to capitalize on this. Both will have some mountains to climb in getting any radio play. They might well sell some records on this AI fame… long-term careers in country music? Doubtful, IMHO.

Comparison to CaseyJ? These are kids, just starting out on a journey Casey’s been doing for twelve years. Their knowledge of country is surface, their knowledge of themselves is surface and their wisdom about the biz is surface. No comparison in my book and no competition for CaseyJ long term. Again. IMHO

Onto Allison – my fav of that year. Allison, too, was a youngster. She has an amazing voice (much better than Lauren or Scotty), but her record was spotty – as most rushed AI records are. She was not marketed well (I think she should have gone the band route) and thus she was dropped. But Allison is only nineteen. I don’t think this is the end of the road for her and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pops back onto a label at some point.

Comparison to CaseyJ? Allison didn’t have the maturity or moxie to position herself as the artist she wanted to be. Maybe she wasn’t sure what she wanted to be. CaseyJ knows exactly what kind of music he wants to do and exactly what kind of artist he wants to be. Again, no comparison.

And now we move onto the lovely Jason Castro, another of my favs. Who released his first CD in April 2010 – almost TWO years after he was on the show. Jason’s music is folky pop…not a lot of call for that on radio. So he didn’t get played. Jason is also a required taste in peformance style and in looks. This also hurt him, I think. So he’s still on his label, hasn’t been dropped and is now moving into Christian music – which might work well for him.

Comparisons to CJ? Casey is in country – a genre that does get played on radio. Granted his stuff looks like it’s going to be a bit dirtier and bluesy than what’s currently played but I think that might be where country is going. Look at Kellie Pickler’s new tune “Tough” which she says is dirty country. Casey also fits the ‘look’ of a country singer – he’s from TX, has the twang, wears the boots. I know that might be silly, but it does play into the picture. And ah, I would assume he’s not going to wait until next spring to release his music.

Okay. Back to my coffee and pjs.

Oh, wait! I missed Bo Bice in comparisions.

My favorite all time quote from Mr. Bice was when he was asked what he felt about his poppy first album Clive shoved on him. “”You can put a penguin in a mink coat, but it’s still a fuckin’ penguin.” Mr. Bice was biced. He did not have the clout or the confidence to stick to his guns and record his southern rock. I felt for him then, I feel for him now. He also had very serious health issues for several years after the show that limited his ability to record and promote. Again, sads.

CaseyJ has been given the chance to record what he wants his sound to be. He has not been biced. He is not sick. Now let’s see if it takes in the marketplace.

There’s this interesting theme in these comparisions, I think. If you don’t know what kind of artist you are, or are not willing to stand up and fight for your particular “brand” long term success is going to be tough.