This just in from The Department of I’m Totally Failing to Pay Attention to the Country Music Scene: After 12 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook’s debut single, "Fifteen Minutes of Shame," has crept its way up to No. 28. What’s more, in September, Cook released a CD, Why Wait, which debuted at No. 8 on the Top Country Albums chart, then quickly fell out of the top 50.
I know I was tough on Kristy Lee throughout Idol‘s seventh season, but for the love of Paula’s wayward weaves, how is it that 19 Entertainment signed her to a deal, while leaving superior talents like Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and Brooke White with a big collective plate of nothing?
One listen to "Fifteen Minutes of Shame" (embedded after the jump) and you’ll feel fresh outrage over this indignity. Kristy Lee’s vocal gives the track the personality of a soggy bowl of store-brand corn flakes, and the spoken-word interlude in which KL reveals the name of her do-wrong boyfriend (jump ahead to the 2:10 mark to hear it) is the musical equivalent of adding a dollop of hot processed cheese to said cereal bowl. It’s gross. And it inspired the following (admittedly bitchy) poll question:
After the jump, listen to "15 Minutes of Shame," flash back to the Idolatry farewell episode that followed KL’s elimination from America’s most popular singing contest, and then post your feelings about Miss Cook’s major-label prospects in the absence of equal opportunity for most of her season 7 cohorts. Me? I’m headin’ over to Aloha Mischeaux’s MySpace page. Oh it’s like that y’all.
hmm.. it’s actually better than i thought…
let’s just hope, that that weird screaming irish chick never releases a cd.. 
You know us Country Music fans will listen to anything, how else do you explain the success of Taylor Swift?
She got a contract because she was one of the plants that people were complaining about beforehand. Yes Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were also plants (I don’t think Jason was) but they are not she’s pretty, thin and blonde. They were looking for another Carrie Underwood and would have settled for another Kellie Pickler. And they did not want to take away David Cook’s chances by signing Michael for rock. Neither Carly or Jason fit with what’s actually on pop radio right now though Jason would have gotten some airplay on college stations.
Slezak, don’t know about KLC, but you are on FIRE!!
Made me laugh so hard.
What a horrible double-meaning song title.
I really should proofread. I meant to say “pretty, thin and blonde and they are not.”
As far as Carly, she also didn’t get a contract for the same reason Gina Glockson did not. There really are not any Ann Wilson-type female rockers hitting the top 40 pop radio (other than perhaps Amy Lee of Evanescence).
That’s because Entertainment 19 assumes that country music listeners are suckers…er, I mean, devoted fans who will embrace any and all newcomers. ESPECIALLY when said newbie sang “Proud
To Be An American” and whatever else “I heart the USA” songs she could pull out. Hey, E19…we need at least a modicum of talent, too. That said, I’m anxiously awaiting a cd from Brooke White. And agree that music from her, Michael, Carly or Jason would clearly outshine that of KLC.
To Snsetblaze….::::sigh:::: I loved Gina Glocksen! Especially her “I’ll Stand By You”. Off to youtube to watch it.
You shouldn’t be writing anything anywhere that takes intelligence. You abviously know little about music. Kristy has a great voice, and the song is a good one to listen to. It’s to bad some people have to try to belittle others because of their own insecurities. The album has some good tunes as well. Poor timing, and marketing by Arista. Good luck Kristy. I apologize for those who like to jump on the slam Kristy band wagon. You would thik they would find something better to do. You sing fabulous
It wasn’t that bad. She sang on tune, and has a nice tone to her voice. It certainly sounded better than anything that she sang on AI. That said, I completely agree that if KLC has a record deal, there are others from season 7 who deserve one, too. Not that I would buy CDs from most of them.
I couldn’t agree more. How could 19 ignore the other, more talented people. But loved your update, and it made me look forward to new episodes of Idolatry. which i sometimes enjoyed more than the show itself. (especially the one with MJ)
in her defense she sounds much better when you can see her.
Yes, I agree with you Slezak 110%!! I believe KLC had a contract before she was booted off the show.
Why did Kristy Lee get a record contract from 19 while Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and Brooke White didn’t? Because Idol finalists who go country tend to do well: Josh Gracin, Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington are succesful in the country music world and of course Carrie Underwood is one of the most successful Idol winners. Simple as that.
I love the KLC is doing well! Just goes to show what idiotic morons all you haters are, especially the clueless asinine Michael Sleestack!!! Fools! Kristy Lee is doing very well!!!