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.
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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!!!
Did Johns, Castro, Smithson, et al get contracts with other record labels? Anything on the way from any of them?
As far as flash in the pan singers go, (Heidi Montag, you know who you are) she’s got a great voice. Maybe with the right producer and label she could go farther.
Jason Castro complained on TV that learning two 1.5 minute songs was too much for him and he couldn’t take it if they asked for a third. He essentially asked to be booted from the show. Why would 19 (or anyone) give someone with such an unprofessional attitude like his a record contract? There is a guy on Top 40 radio right now with a song that sounds like Jason’s style (Somewhere Over the Rainbow style) right now, but I don’t know his name. So it’s not lack of marketability that kept Jason from getting a contract. It was lack of reliability and professionalism.
KLC got her contract because she’s gorgeous, tall with a great figure. She sings alright, but is nothing special. Country music used to be about heart, now it’s about T&A and legs.
Carly’s mother said she did get signed but that it was a secret. That was awhile ago and I haven’t heard anything else. Other than David Cook, she’s the only one I’d fork over money to see in concert.
I’m not crazy about the song but she does have a good voice. I hope she finds a good song soon. I would like to see her make it in country.
Well, let’s see–we’ve got Carrie Underwood, and…well, Kellie Pickler, who is not as bad as…okay, yes, she is, and…um…KLC? Kind of an ironic-named song (and this is incredibly bland). I want Johns and Smithson’s CDs to come out (and I’ve already pre-ordered Cook’s). I am not downloading Archie’s, but my niece is, and I am sure she’ll love it.
Good luck, Kristy. I hope you end up on someone’s tour, b/c you do seem like a nice person, but I can’t see a long-lasting career.
I’m sure 19 thought Michael Johns was too old and too bluesy to be easily marketable. They told him they’d let him be a free agent because he’s 30. That is some kind of sad that the music industry of today thinks 30 is too old. No wonder people don’t buy many records anymore.
I would spend money to see MJ, if he does the right songs for his voice. He’s a real sweetheart in person and is very easy on the eyes! I’m looking forward to his originals.
I love Why Wait. Why tear down Kristy when it would be nice for all of them to get record deals. Why Wait is a great song – you may be eating your words Michael. Go Kristy! A slow and steady climb – keep going to the top!
Randy Jackson said he would sign KLC. He saw the $$$ and knows looks sells records in country today. Talent does too, but she definitely looks better than she sings.
Michael just doesn’t know country. This kid has a perfect country sound, pure and twangy. She’s much better than KP and she’s gorgeous. We know you never liked her, MIchael, but really, give credit where it’s due.
Kristy Lee Cook is great!!! people are so insecure get over it!!! she made it and people who did not are so jealous and that includes Michael!!!
KLC will always get my vote!!! David Archuleta is a loser.
Hahahaha!! OMG. The screeching halt, the way she snarls “Jason”. It’s all so hilarious! Thank you, thank you, KLC, for making me laugh today.
I love the bizarre whiners claiming Michael doesn’t know country. Folks, I know country, and she’s scraping the bottom of the barrel. That’s why she got an album deal – 19 knew that there are some suckers in the country fans that think a twang is all it takes.
Funny thing is, I don’t necessarily think Michael Johns, Carly or Jason did anything that warranted getting signed. But neither did KLC.
Well, Slezak, at least you admit that the poll is bitchy! Kristy was the only country singer in the group and there’s mad money to be made in that genre… of course she would get a record deal.
I’m still waiting for a Carly Smithson album.
Now, give Kristy a break, change the name to MUTT, and
have Shania sing it and everyone would be raving about this song……