Scott Borchetta, who has been tapped by American Idol to mentor this season’s contestants, will take on a bigger on camera presence this week.
Idol viewers will “see me working with the kids, helping them with song selection, helping them understand what life could look like after the show,” said Scott in a recent interview with USA Today.
The Big Machine Records label chief, who helped develop Taylor Swift into a worldwide music sensation, is still bullish on Idol, despite declining ratings, “We never look at the past. We’ve always been more about writing history and not reading it. If we have the ability to broadcast, and, in real time, develop (an artist), that’s a risk absolutely worth taking.”
Scott wants to change the long-held perception of Idol as simply a singing competition.
“A technical singer was great 14 years ago,” he said. “Now, because we have so many opportunities to see anything at any time on any device, it has to be more.
“My whole mission is that (the winner) is not going to be the best singer, technically. I’ve got to make everybody understand that the next big superstar to break off the show will be an artist.”
Scott is committed to the contestants even beyond what happens on camera. He plans to talk with key radio stations weekly to create relationships that will pave the way for the Idol winner. Behind the scenes, he has songwriters already working on material for this year’s contestants to record.
“We’re students of media and how we can continue to engage in meaningful ways,” Scott said. “If I ask you for your attention, I better be ready for your attention. That’s a fundamental that really doesn’t ever change.”
The American Idol Top 12 will be revealed TONIGHT (March 11) at 8/7c pm on FOX. The contestants who advance will reprise the songs they sang at their auditions. Click this link if you want to be spoiled. The show was taped yesterday. On Thursday, one contestant will be eliminated as the Top 11 perform “party songs.”
According to a source who attended the taping, a video package introducing Scott aired while he stood on stage with Ryan. It featured country artists sharing their feelings about working with the label executive.
ETA: I think Scott may also be addressing the last couple of years where the winners were very good technical singers, but didn’t have the necessary charisma and/or artistry to become a pop star. He’s trying to re-steer the ship. I’m willing to give the guy a chance. I’ll be really happy if he manages to break even a semi-star out of this season of Idol.
ETA: ALSO. Nowhere did Scott say that EVERY SINGLE YEAR the best singer won Idol. He’s saying that what worked in 2002 doesn’t translate to the current musical climate. I agree with him. He’s going to run into trouble if he uses to heavy a hand to manipulate the outcome. But I’m pretty excited that he’s on board to A&R the winner and promote them to radio.
Besides, Scott doesn’t really hate good singers. He told Yahoo News that Carrie Underwood was his favorite Idol winner. “She’s just got a jet engine of a voice and can throw down in any situation. She’s just awesome, a great performer and a good-hearted person.”
Simon Cowell is his favorite judge. “There are some very smart ones on this season but my all-time favorite judge? Had to be Simon. Just because he was so entertaining. He said some of the funniest stuff. He just said his gut reaction and I appreciated that. Steven Tyler would be a close second.:
Oops. Favorite judges are not from this season!
Interesting soundbites from they Yahoo interview:
How do you think you’ll be different as a mentor than your predecessors? – I’ll try not to use the phrase pitchy dawg. That’s someone else’s line. I don’t know what they did behind the scenes. So, all I can tell you is that I’m going to be me and we’re going to approach it the same way we approach everything at the Big Machine Label Group — full-on frontal attack.
Where do you fall in the personality spectrum? Are you demanding, mean, a pushover? – I’m very specific and hands-on. I can be demanding but I demand what I believe an artist to be capable of. I’m very specific about caring. I want to help these artists achieve their goal of becoming the next American Idol. If I think you’re doing the wrong thing, I’m very specific. Same as if I think you’re doing the right thing. So it’s very black and white. I don’t like slackers.
