Why No Record Deal For Elliott Yamin?
The American Idol 5 finalists seem to be having great luck landing record deals with one blaring exception. Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, and Kellie Pickler have all signed deals, but third place finisher Elliott Yamin is still unsigned.
The fact that Elliott Yamin doesn’t yet have a deal makes us wonder if record industry executives have yet to learn what American Idol should be teaching them. For the most part, the record industry seems to stick with signing artists that have a certain look and fit a certain mold. While it definitely makes sense for record labels to pursue artists that fit a style that has a proven track record, it seems record labels are still prone to overlook the unique talent that has made American Idol such a runaway success.
If you look back at the American Idol contestants that have gone on to successful careers, most of them are quite different in both look and style from your typical pop artist. If the record industry didn’t wake up after the success of Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, then you would think that a grey haired soul singer winning American Idol 5 would have given them a clue. The American public is crying out for uniqueness, diversity, and quality in music, and Elliott Yamin fits the bill perfectly.
Given that Elliott Yamin reached the top three of American Idol 5 with a fraction of the screen time given other singers, it would seem to reason that record labels should be tripping over each other in a race to sign him. What Elliott’s success should be telling record executives is that here is a guy that they won’t have to spend a fortune marketing because he is going to put out a quality record that will sell itself. Hopefully, Elliott has a deal in the works and the announcement is just being delayed as all the contractural elements are worked out.
4 votes
