According to US Magazine, Big Machine Label Group CEO, Scott Borchetta, will be the new American Idol 14 mentor. He’ll take the place of Randy Jackson who recently announced that he’s leaving the show for good. Reportedly, he’s currently in talks to take the position.
Yeah, there was that other rumor that A&R exec, Teresa LaBarbera-Whites had the job. But to be honest, this latest rumor seems more likely–if only for the reason that Borchetta would actually bring some buzz to the show. Before Randy Jackson mentored, it was Interscope records CEO (at the time), Jimmy Iovine. Certainly, if Idol were looking to hire a behind-the-scenes type person from the music industry to mentor, they would prefer someone with some name recognition.
And Borchetta would be quite the get. In case you don’t know, Borchetta is the man responsible for Taylor Swift’s career. The story goes that he signed her when she was only 14 years old, and the rest is history. He has also helped shepherd the careers of The Voice contestants, Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery. A little bit of trivia: He already has an Idol connection. He was a judge on the CMT competition reality show, Can You Duet, produced by FreemantleMedia, which aired for two seasons in 2008-2009. So there you go.
UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter write up of the Borchetta rumor reminded me of a lovely little incident after the Grammy Awards in 2011, when Scott TOOK A SWIPE AT AMERICAN IDOL in an attempt to defend Taylor Swift’s horrible live singing, which was being roundly criticized.
She is the voice of this generation. She speaks directly to (her fans), and they speak directly back to her,” said Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta in a phone interview. “This is not `American Idol.’ This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.
WELP. One Ms. Kelly Clarkson took issue with THAT statement. She and her high notes chewed Borchetta a new one one her blog.
I understand defending your artist obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like, including Taylor, so you might see why its upsetting to read you attacking American Idol for producing simply vocalists that hit ‘the high notes’. Thank you for that ‘Captain Obvious’ sense of humor because you know what, we not only hit the high notes, you forgot to mention we generally hit the ‘right’ notes as well.
Click on the link above to read the rest of Kelly’s takedown. It was perfect. Good times!
