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[lionel2341]

'Idol' Singer a Ringer? Album Already Out

How much of a ringer is "American Idol" contestant David Cook? His self-released album, "David Cook," is on the charts and the current season isn’t even over.

Cook’s 2006 CD, “Analog Heart,” was the No. 1 downloaded album all weekend on Amazon’s MP3 service. It even beat Mariah Carey’s "E=MC2."

Back when Cook auditioned in Omaha for "American Idol," he was identified as a bartender who happened to be a friend of Chris Daughtry, a now wildly successful post-"Idol" graduate.

It sure didn’t seem like Cook had a big career already — albeit regionally. He’d already appeared on a couple albums with a local group, and there was some vague mention of a solo album that he’d made himself.

But if "Analog Heart" is now being offered officially to proper downloading services — and not on just mysterious indie platforms — then Cook has to be behind it. That’s a first: an album out from an "Idol" contestant before the contest has concluded. What if he doesn’t win.

More importantly, what happened to "American Idol" simply being a competition for totally unknown or undiscovered artists? What fueled the fantasy for the audience was the concept that anyone — the waitress down the street who had a nice voice — could suddenly become a superstar. It was one thing when Carly Smithson (nee Hennessey) was revealed to have released an album five years ago. But for Cook to have one out now, I think, disqualifies him as a true competitor.

And P.S.: Isn’t this some strange way to get around the "American Idol" contract for management and a recording contract? In the past, "Idol" contestants had to agree to be managed by 19 Entertainment and give BMG first right of refusal for their albums. But a digitally available album made before the show and released before the winner is known? Hmmm…Seems like that bartender from Omaha was smarter even than wily Simon Cowell.

[Mile Hi fan]

I think this kind of issue is partly what has slowed down Idol this year. Carly and now David. I think Michael and Kristy had CD's out also. Everyone should have a right to audition for Idol but they should not be able to compete if they bend the rules to do so. This is another area where A.I. may need to revise their policies so they can keep going and NOT completely loose the edge they had when we all thought it was only for beginner/amatuers ! Just think how bad it would have been if Kellie had been pushed aside because some "semi-pro" pushed their way ahead of her and she didn't get to compete.

[fanofkellie]

Nobody ever said AI was an amateur contest. Nigel et al have emphatically stated that it absolutely is not that and never has been. Many contestants prior to coming on Idol had professional careers or had contracts of some kind, including having albums out, and this has been the case from the very first season. They were "undiscovered" nationally, known, at best, only on a very limited regional basis. AI producers know all about the backgrounds of all the contestants and these facts have never posed a problem for them. On the contrary, they found these talented but struggling artists and determined to give them the opportunity to become "discovered." AI producers feel this is totally legitimate and completely within the parameters of their stated purpose. I, for one, am in complete agreement and simply don't understand why this is problematic for some.

[Countrygal919]

Originally Posted by fanofkellie

Nobody ever said AI was an amateur contest. Nigel et al have emphatically stated that it absolutely is not that and never has been. Many contestants prior to coming on Idol had professional careers or had contracts of some kind, including having albums out, and this has been the case from the very first season. They were "undiscovered" nationally, known, at best, only on a very limited regional basis. AI producers know all about the backgrounds of all the contestants and these facts have never posed a problem for them. On the contrary, they found these talented but struggling artists and determined to give them the opportunity to become "discovered." AI producers feel this is totally legitimate and completely within the parameters of their stated purpose. I, for one, am in complete agreement and simply don't understand why this is problematic for some.

I completely agree with this.

I find it highly amusing that the article failed to mention that Kristy Lee Cook's is also available on I-tunes (I downloaded it a month ago).

[KellieandCarrieFan]

Difference is that Kristy's wasn't released Officially and wasn't promoted at all. The rest of them are.

[Countrygal919]

Originally Posted by KellieandCarrieFan

Difference is that Kristy's wasn't released Officially and wasn't promoted at all. The rest of them are.

Who is promoting Analog Heart? I think his fans just found it and started buying it. Once one person finds something in a fanbase so rabid, its easy to understand how it was so popular.

I'm confused by what you mean by officially released. I downloaded both albums off I-tunes. Doesn't that mean it is an official release?

[pickluh]

Originally Posted by Countrygal919

I completely agree with this.

I find it highly amusing that the article failed to mention that Kristy Lee Cook's is also available on I-tunes (I downloaded it a month ago).

It also fails to mention how easy it is to record and album and put it on iTunes these days. In other words, "officially" releasing an album is not the big deal it once was.

Home studios are becoming very popular and affordable making it easy to record a decent quality album on your own. A service called TuneCore says it will put your digital music on iTunes for a very small fee.

I recently bought some very reasonably priced gear and I am recording a friend playing acoustic guitar. We are mixing it with GarageBand software on my Mac.

My musician friend says the recordings sound better than when thousands were spent recording him in a studio. Initially the music will be for family and friends, but we may make a commercial version one day and try out TuneCore.

[Countrygal919]

Originally Posted by pickluh

It also fails to mention how easy it is to record and album and put it on iTunes these days. In other words, "officially" releasing an album is not the big deal it once was.

Home studios are becoming very popular and affordable making it easy to record a decent quality album on your own. A service called TuneCore says it will put your digital music on iTunes for a very small fee.

I recently bought some very reasonably priced gear and I am recording a friend playing acoustic guitar. We are mixing it with GarageBand software on my Mac.

My musician friend says the recordings sound better than when thousands were spent recording him in a studio. Initially the music will be for family and friends, but we may make a commercial version one day and try out TuneCore.

Wow, I knew how easy it was to record stuff at home, but I had no idea it was easy to get stuff up on iTunes.

The whole thing is no big deal to me, all the members of the top 12 were unknown until they got on the show. I just wish if people were going to throw stones, they'd throw them at everyone not just a select few.

[pickluh]

Originally Posted by Countrygal919

Wow, I knew how easy it was to record stuff at home, but I had no idea it was easy to get stuff up on iTunes.

The whole thing is no big deal to me, all the members of the top 12 were unknown until they got on the show. I just wish if people were going to throw stones, they'd throw them at everyone not just a select few.

As mentioned, Carly Smithson caught a lot of flak for having a record deal and album before, but I'm glad she is on the show. I love her voice. And, I suppose she does fit the definition of unknown if they mean not an "American Idol". I can see why it would raise some eyebrows and cause some concern though. After a record label signs you an spends two million recording and promoting your album, many people would feel "Well she had her chance".

However, reading the history of that album and watching her video makes me think somebody did something wrong. The video and song don't fit with what she does so well on Idol. I'm happy that she's getting this chance to go straight to the people with a variety of songs rather than trying to get DJs to play whatever she had before.

[texdale]

The way I see it is if I have never heard of them or if you have never heard of them then they are unknown..I know Kristy made the Devoted Cd but as stated it was never released as best I can determine she and a few other young artist were dropped and I suspect due to the lack of promotional money..But hey drop those artist and let them audition for Idol and if they make say the top ten and go on tour you have that promotional time for free..I think Kristy like Kellie got out at the right time..Kristy and Michael are known now and that is worth a lot of money...Just smart marketing I would say....

[lionel2341]

I don't think anyone was throwing stones, Heather, just reprinting an article of interest. Many young artists have albums, but never get promoted. I've personally recorded several young artists that never made it for what ever reason. Kristy was dropped by her Record label with many others due to cost factors. Her unknown album was picked up by an independent music broker for sale.

Many people also forget that Carrie produced a very good album at 14.

As to iTunes, it's very easy to get inde music on itunes these days, you just need to know the right procedure

Ernie

[Countrygal919]

Originally Posted by lionel2341

I don't think anyone was throwing stones, Heather, just reprinting an article of interest. Many young artists have albums, but never get promoted. I've personally recorded several young artists that never made it for what ever reason. Kristy was dropped by her Record label with many others due to cost factors. Her unknown album was picked up by an independent music broker for sale.

Many people also forget that Carrie produced a very good album at 14.

As to iTunes, it's very easy to get inde music on itunes these days, you just need to know the right procedure

Ernie

I think the author of the article was throwing stones trying to drag David Cook down, not anyone here on the board. My point was if you are going to expose one contestant for recording and selling an album pre-idol then expose all the others as well. Which would include Carly, Michael, Kristy, and David, I don't think its fair to just expose the contestant who is riding on the highest wave of popularity.

[Countrygal919]

Originally Posted by pickluh

As mentioned, Carly Smithson caught a lot of flak for having a record deal and album before, but I'm glad she is on the show. I love her voice. And, I suppose she does fit the definition of unknown if they mean not an "American Idol". I can see why it would raise some eyebrows and cause some concern though. After a record label signs you an spends two million recording and promoting your album, many people would feel "Well she had her chance".

However, reading the history of that album and watching her video makes me think somebody did something wrong. The video and song don't fit with what she does so well on Idol. I'm happy that she's getting this chance to go straight to the people with a variety of songs rather than trying to get DJs to play whatever she had before.

Carly's my favorite this season. I think she recorded her album when she was too young and didn't really know who she was. Although, I must say it is amusing that she recorded "Just Miss the Train" before Kelly Clarkson.