After five emotionally draining months, American Idol’s sixth season is over. (WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE?) And yet, in some ways, the real competition starts now. Over the next few months, BMG’s Clive Davis and the folks at 19 Entertainment will be deciding which of the current crop of contestants they’ll be signing to record deals. (Last year, they signed winner Taylor Hicks, runner-up Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, and Kellie Pickler, while foolishly passing on Elliott Yamin, who’s scoring some pretty impressive numbers with his self-titled indie release; it’s No. 20 on Billboard’s album chart this week.
Barring some unforeseen revelations about a secret, felony-filled past, this year’s top 2 — Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis — ought to land under Clive’s wing, and I’d be shocked if popular third-place finisher (and Simon’s personal favorite) Melinda Doolittle doesn’t get a BMG deal herself. But after those three, the future looks fuzzier. Based on the startling lack of screentime during the Idol finale for popular contestants like LaKisha Jones (pictured), Chris Richardson, Phil Stacey, and Gina Glocksen, I’m going to go out on a limb and bet that Clive & Co. pass on the remaining nine finalists — although even as I write this, I’m overcome with a horrible, sinking fear that they’ll try to score a few quick bucks off the Sanjaya phenomenon, despite the fact that there’s nothing left of that lemon but a few strips of rind.
Still, I think it’d be a mistake to pass on LaKisha. True, her songchoices throughout the season proved that she’s got a fairly limitedmusical imagination, but if she’s put in the studio with the right teamof writers and producers, I still think she could be a winner on thecharts. There’s something authentic about Kiki — a warm, funny vibethat’s been evident in her post-Idol interviews but never seemed to come through (or got left on the editing-room floor) during her Idolrun. Is it so wrong that I have a vision of her debut CD kicking offwith a revamped version of Another Bad Creation’s "Iesha"?("LaKiiiiiisha, you are the girl that I never had. But I want to get toknow you better…")
Keeping in mind that sometimes, even Americacan let a chart-topper slip through their fingers (season 5’seighth-place finisher Bucky Covington is now signed to Disney’s LyricStreet label and is doing nicely on the country scene), I’d also diginto the semifinal vaults and pick up Sabrina Sloan. C’mon, she’sgorgeous, she’s talented, and (as she proved on an episode of Idolaty)she’s even willing to sing in a cubicle if that’s what the publicdemands. Okay, so clearly I’m biased, but if you were Clive Davis,which season 6 contestants (other than Jordin and Blake) would you signto a deal, and why?
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Ugh.. none of them. We have enough mediocre “talents” from the previous seasons. Make this show go away!
LaKisha should totally get a deal & Rodney Jerkins could produce some banging songs for her – R.Kelly could do a good job with her also…
I would sign Melinda without question, possibly Lakisha, Phil, and Gina…the rest are a mess…and deserve to be left that way…
Melinda could (probably will) land on BMG’s Sony/Provident arm in Nashville. Gina deserves a contract. I agree about Sabrina, too. Also, Stephanie has the talent but needs to work a bit more before she’s ready. I think Phil could make it in a Clay Aiken vein but with better songs. And I’m still mad Rudy got dumped in the top 24. The guy can sing!
Hey if you’re wondering what to do with the rest of your life, Canadian Idol starts the first week of June. If you can pick up CTV in Canada, your summer is filled
Stephanie Edwards before Sabrina Sloan, Slezak. Granted, I don’t wish either of them to do poorly, but I never got why you liked Sloan so much. I hate to parrot Randy, but girl was pitchy. Stephanie, however, sounded like Beyonce, who is still doing well right now. The trick would be figuring out how to tap into the market without making her mere imitation.
I’m not going to mention The Wronged One because I’m hoping there’s already a battle over her among the labels. So moving on, I think KiKi needs to release a gospel album. I just feel she’d be most comfortable in that field. I would also stick Phil in contemporary Christian with a slight country vibe–same vein as “Imagine,” which was huge a while ago.
To sign: Mindy Doo, Nosphilatu, Chris R. (let’s make some teen girl money!), LaKisha (disco/house diva), Gina.
I just don’t see it in the cards for everyone else.
Girl needs a makeover. She looks like she is about to explode out of the dress.
Ps. A lot of previous Idols have also done well on Broadway, which unlike Simon, I don’t consider “lower” than pop music (but admittedly not what AI’s looking for.) Any contestants from this season you think may cross over there?
I’d give Phil Stacey a go in the country venue. He’s got a smooth and powerful voice that could do wonders with the right songs. But the boy needs hair, and fast. Melinda and Blake need a contract, of course. I’m curious as to what a producer could do with Sanjaya. I never hated him, and even got to enjoy his performances. I think, with a little time and training, he could have a career in…well..something in entertainment.
I would sign Melinda, Blake, Phil and LaKisha.
It would be interesting to see what Phil could do without nerves and the right song choice. He was coming into his own in the final weeks and I definitely think he had the best voice of all the guys.
Melinda is the only one who should get a contract. Lakisha sings well enough (although she screams too much), but there’s nothing particularly original or special about her voice. Plus, she comes across as having a nasty attitude. I don’t know if she could learn to actually smile once in awhile.
But for the love of God, PLEASE don’t let Phil get a deal. If I have to suffer through seeing/hearing him on a regular basis again, I’m going off the deep end.
I will miss you Slezak! Until next January. Hopefully they’ll make changes next season. The 12 this season were very talented, but they got shafted by Nigel/Ken in my opinion.
Sabrina should’ve won Idol this season. I hope she gets signed.
So excited to hear the Elliott’s album is doing well! I was concerned that the best vocalist from last season wasn’t getting the love, but I guess the appearance on Idol last week really helped.
Predictions: Melinda will find a home, perhaps with a small label. Maybe Phil as well. But I’m concerned about anyone else’s chances, although I love me some Kiki.
Without question I’d pick Melinda Doolittle before anyone else — heck even before Blake Lewis but that’s just me.
I foresee great future in Stephanie Edwards, Phil Stacey, Gina Glocksen and of course, LaKisha Jones.
LaKisha should release a strictly jazz album because she proved she can sing the jazzy blues (“God Bless The Child”). Melinda should release an “old soul” album similar to Mavis Staples, Bettye LaVette and early Aretha. Gina Glocksen seems like a good pick for a folk/rock-singer/songwriter like Patty Larkin, Sheryl Crow, Joan Osborne. Phil Stacey can release r&b/country songs smiliar to that of Chris Isaak and Joe Henry. Stephanie Edwards can do modern r&b that should be more Angie Stone and Des’ree than Beyonce.
As for the others, they should release their own albums independently and not be dictated by music producers. I see great potential and individuality in Chris Sligh in that regard.
Give Gina a contract – are you *** kidding me? She’s never been more than a barroom singer – if that! totally unimpressive
I bought Blake’s MP3s. He has a really good pop voice. I think he will do well. I also bought Melinda’s MP3 … just okay Dawg. She might be better on Broadway. I will buy a Melinda CD if it’s gospel music.
Don’t be surprized to see Melinda signed to do something in gospel or r&b contemporary christian. Her heart is definately there.
Don’t be surprized to see Melinda signed to do something in gospel or r&b contemporary christian. Her heart is definately there.
I think Melinda is the only one I would sign. The rest are good, but not the sort people will remember in a couple of season’s time. But then again, I’m still waiting for the world to recognize the marketability of Vonzell Solomon, so what do I know?
What about Stephanie Edwards. She fizzled out too soon and in terms of vocal quality I still think she was better than Jordin Sparks. She sounded a lot better in the MP3 versions of her songs than she did live so I think she has the makings of a great recording star.
Please one final Idolatry episode Slezak!
Say what you will about Phil Stacey, but the boy can sing and probably will get a country deal of some sort.
Heck, he’s better than Covington.
I think Lakisha. Wow, what a beautiful and smooth singer. given the right songs she could bring the house down. Very class lady !
slezak: now that AI is over, you can tide yourself over with SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!!!!
We’re lucky Clive passed on Elliott – his CD is amazing. I’d love it if he passed on Melinda also so she can put out the same type of quality stuff. Best male voice that may get picked up Chris S. Best female after Melinda is Stephanie E.- she’s got it all
I work in casting in LA and have seen Sabrina audition a few times. She is flat out ASTOUNDING. Exceptional actress as well. No matter what, a bright future, so keep your eyes open. Extremely kind person as well.
I love Stephanie too, and hope but am not optimistic that someone will sign her. Based on how geeked on CRich the show seemed, I think they might snag him, too.