'Idol's' dating game
Season 5 singers set for Nov. 14 disc bows
More Articles:
Most Viewed:
The Lovely Bones(7581 views)ABC halts 'FlashForward'(2068 views)'It' is 3D's lost opportunity(1727 views)Fox unveils its midseason lineup(1492 views)Swiss OK Polanski move to chalet(1287 views)'Ninja,' 'Dogs' take on 'New Moon'(1212 views) |
Nov. 14 has been set as the release date for debut albums of "AI5" winner Taylor Hicks, runner-up Katharine McPhee and the newest signing in the 19 Recordings fold, Kellie Pickler. It is the first time "Idol" finalists have shared a release date for their debut albums.
The only one left out of the equation is Chris Daughtry, who has inked with 19 Recordings/RCA Records. His album, slated for the fourth quarter, has no firm release date.
The 19 Recordings label, distributed by Sony BMG, has the right to sign any of the 12 finalists. But after four seasons of signing at most the winner and runner-up of the singing competition, 19 inked four contestants from season five. Pickler signed with 19 Recordings/BNA Records last week; McPhee is on RCA; and Hicks is with Arista.
But before the pre-Thanksgiving rush of tyro Idols, there will be an onslaught of releases from "AI" vets. Clay Aiken's third album is due Sept. 19, Ruben Studdard's third CD bows Sept. 26 and Fantasia's soph effort is due Oct. 17.
Joining the fray is the contestant who famously dropped out, Mario Vazquez from "AI4." His album, pushed back from the summer, is pegged for a Sept. 12 release date.
The biggest seller of the "American Idol" clan, first-season winner Kelly Clarkson, will release her next disc early next year.
None of the new artists is competing in the same genre: Pickler leans toward contempo country; Hicks is a classic rock-soul singer; Daughtry is into modern hard rock; and McPhee has one foot in the musical theater.
