David Archuleta's liner notes break the word count bank
Oct 31, 2008, 08:53 AM | by Shirley Halperin
Categories: 'American Idol', Merchandising, Music
David Archuleta's self-titled debut album (out Nov. 11) is
starting to make the press rounds, but without giving too much away
(that's what critic Chris Willman is for; look for his review in
next week's EW), we'd like to preview the American Idol runner-up's
extensive liner notes, which clock in at just over 3,500 words (2,000
of which are his Thank You's) and include 6 lol's, 8 haha's, and 16
exclamation points. Some highlights:
Props to the fam:
Dad: Thanks for putting up with me
for so long, never giving up, and keeping your cool. You always
believed in me even during the times I didn't, and you always try to
lead me in the right direction. You've dedicated a lot of your time and
I appreciate that. So thanks for all of your help.
Mom: You raised me to be who I am and have taught me so many things. When things get frustrating, you're there to try and lighten things up. I've looked up to you for being very understanding, and trying to keep things peaceful. Even though I'm pretty sure I get my communication skills from you and we're both bad with words (haha), you're sensitive to people's emotions. Thanks for letting me do this.
More snippets from Archuleta's liner-tome after the jump.
BFFs:
Thanks
for the advice you guys gave, and for your opinions on pictures and
songs for the albums (lol)... Jessie, you didn't let me stay a hermit,
and I'm glad for that (haha). Thanks for making me laugh all the time.
Fish, for being so amazingly cool. Your obsession with taking pictures
actually helped a lot with what was to come and you helped me get over
my fear of cameras (lol).
Musicians/Influences:
I'd also like to thank some of
the artists who have inspired me to love music. Thank you Tamyra Gray
and Kelly Clarkson for showing me how a performance can really move
you. Thanks to Natalie Cole for being one of my biggest influences
musically. Stevie Wonder for showing the creative and soulful side.
Natasha Bedingfield for showing you can be yourself, and not be
limited. Eva Cassidy for showing me that music can change lives for
the better. Thank you to my recent influences Jason Mraz, John Mayer
and Sara Bareilles for helping remind me the artistic expressive side
and letting me have a good time listening too.
Shout-out to the UT:
Thank you to all of my neighbors
and members from church who have shown their love and support every
step of the way... It has meant the world to me to see the support from
Utah, and I hope I make everyone there proud :) Go Murray, Utah!
All hail vocal coach Dean Kaelin:
It's meant a lot to
me that you were so willing to help out and would take time out of your
busy schedule to do it whenever I was feeling worn out (haha). You
helped me stay in my small space and keep my vowels narrow even though
I still forget now and then. All those calls have done so much! Thanks
for sticking with me and helping me get through those rough years when
I had all those issues (lol).
American Idol and Fox:
Thanks for helping make this
dream come true... It's amazing how many people were a part of that
experience and each one of you made it an amazing memory for me...
Thank you Wendy Wilhite! You were so understanding to the pressure and
intense schedule, and being able to talk every day helped me get
through the crazy schedule each week. Thanks for helping me get through
my schoolwork and letters (haha). You made it so much fun... Thanks Jill Hudson, Alex Gillespie, Jennifer Sprague and Dru
Libby for getting me through the PR things smoothly while having a good
time! haha
"My 'family' for the last year (haha)":
Cook, Syesha,
Jason, Brooke, Carly, Kristy, Michael Johns, Ramiele and Chikezie: You
have all been so inspiring to be around, and I look up to you guys a
ton. You've been like my big brothers and sisters and I've had so much
fun. I hope we'll still be able to keep in touch, and I look forward to
watching you all grow in your careers. I really feel like you guys were
there looking out for me and helped me get through some of the
difficult moments, even if you didn't realize it since I was always
kinda in the background spacing out or whatever (lol). But thanks.
Not to harsh on Archie, but we're barely skimming the surface here.
He goes on (and on...and on...) to mention executives at 19
Entertainment, Jive Records, songwriters and producers who worked on
the album — among them, new Idol judge Kara Dioguardi, Diane
Warren, David Hodges and Robbie Neville (strangely absent is JC Chasez,
with whom Archuleta co-wrote the track "Don't Let Go") — as well as his
beloved Abuelita (grandma, whom he addresses in Spanish), members of
his management team, the Idol tour crew, and finally, the fans.
Okay, so maybe he's a little green, but how about being more green? Think of all the trees that had to give their lives for his CD packaging. Of course, as many of us know, a post-Idol recording contract by no means guarantees you'll have a follow-up, so maybe Archie just had to take the opportunity to get it all out. But if this isn't an argument for transitioning to digital delivery, I don't know what is. Who's with me?
More on American Idol and David Archuleta:
David Archuleta signs with Azoff Management
David Archuleta vs. David Cook
Can David Archuleta go it alone?
David Archuleta's father banned from American Idol
Chris Sligh: Is David Archuleta over-praised?
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