James Durbin releases new album, hopes to reach broad audience
James Durbin was one of seaon ten’s most memorable contestants. His metal predilections were in full display. He loved being on stage. He had a good voice, and a wail that some folks hated but regardless, he did get better as the show went along. He proved mild Tourette Syndrome weren’t an obstacle. And he showed refreshing honesty on stage and in interviews.
In the end, Durbin took full advantage of his time on “Idol,” educating the world about Judas Priest and quickly nabbing a record deal.
His first record “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster” came out last week and will sell an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 copies, according to HitsDailyDouble.com.
I spoke with him before the album came out. Some work was done before the tour began but he squeezed any free moment he could to refine it. “We were able to reach out to people to get songs written,” he said. “Even if it wasn’t written by me, I was looking for something I could connect iwth on a different level.” Topics at hand: “Life. Loss. Love. Being picked on and bullied every year in school from elementary to high school.”
It’s the hard-rock album with cuts like ‘Higher Than Heaven” and “Deeper.” At the same time, he did throw in a wider variety of songs since he was coming off “Idol.”
“You’re singing to a very very wide variety of people who listen to a wide variety of styles,” he said. “That’s the greatest part of the show: to connect with people you never get a chance to hear metal. And the show was able to showcase hip hop, gospel, country and R&B. They are now aware of what metal is. Or at least some idea, little footnotes of what it is.”
The speed of putting it together precluded getting any big guest acts except guitarist Mick Mars of Motley Crue, who joined in on “Outcast.” “I know everything that Mick Mars ever plays on,” Durbin raved. “It’s the Mick lick!”
He tried hard not to copy others. “At first, I wanted to do something like Black Sabbath, a ‘Neon Knights’ feel. Then I realized you can’t recreate that. It can’t be done again. I want to create my own destiny.”
Knowing that CD sales won’t ultimately pay the bills so he is aware that concert touring and “merch” will make up the difference. He even designs his own T-shirts. And his album is not only on sale through today on Amazon for download at a mere $6.99 but merch is 30 percent off on durbinrock.com.
One thing very hard rock he has never done in concert: stage dive. But he would have to gauge the crowd. If it’s mostly teen girls and older ladies, that wouldn’t be a good idea, he said.
As for touring, he is shooting for late January, early February. He isn’t sure who he will open for but should know relatively soon.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
104 comments Add your comment
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
Good for James, although I question the cover pic.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
He’s a talented young man. I just wish he was a smarter young man.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
Re JT’s statement: American Idol 10 times better than X Factor, even with the three clowns coming back.
Isn’t it nice that Simon helped us to appreciate AI and its so-so judges even more than we already did?
Mercedes S.
November 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
Great – needed some stockin-stuffers for teens… cover makes James look like one of the primates from the Planet of the Apes last summer…. and not the smart one.
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
I thought the whole emo look was dead, James proves me wrong. I would have guessed that he writes bad poetry too, but he didn’t even write any songs for his album.
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
Not one of my favorites (thought he was highly overrated) but I wish him well.
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
4:04 pm
But, then again, I thought most of the Top 10 were highly overrated.)
James Durbin releases new album, hopes to reach broad audience | Gay Atlanta Celebrity, Film, Movie & TV News - ATLANTAboy.com
November 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
[...] more James Durbin releases new album, hopes to reach broad audience at Radio & TV Talk… You Might Also Like…Candi Staton releases “Who’s [...]
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
How do they stack up? Here is JTesla’s singing duel X-Factor vs. Idol:
Naima Adedapo vs. Stacy Francis: This is a draw, these two would have done better on the other show. Stacy would have done better in a pure singing competition, while the ‘full package’ aspect of Naima would have done better on X-Factor
Pia Toscano vs. Lakoda Rayne: No challenge, Pia. Pia could out sing all three, better looking than all three. Lakoda Rayne would have to struggle to be Pia’s background singers.
Paul McDonald vs. LeRoy Bell: I have to give this one to LeRoy, just by a chin hair.
Now for speculation:
Stefano Langone vs. Marcus Canty: I already forgot Stefano, two weeks from now I’ll have forgotten Marcus.
Casey Abrams vs. Chris Rene: I have to go with Casey on this one, but mostly based on versatility. At least Chris doesn’t make goofy faces.
Jacob Lusk vs. Astro: Astro, no wait, it’s a singing competition, so regrettably I have to go with Jacob.
James Durbin vs. Josh Krajcik: Josh wins this one, he’s more seasoned, and more talented.
Haley Reinhart vs. Drew: Haley, she turned it up late in the season and made herself a contender.
Lauren Alaina vs. Rachel Crow: Lauren, but not by much.
Scotty McCreery vs. Melanie Amaro: Melanie wins. She’s simply more talented.
Idol 5, X-Factor 3 with two draws. Idol 2011 wins (for now).
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
4:26 pm
I should point out, those are the top 10, in order for Idol.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
4:29 pm
Nicely done! I agree with all of your picks…even the non-picks!
Mercedes S.
November 28th, 2011
4:31 pm
JT, there were actually four girls in Lakoda Rayne
Nova
November 28th, 2011
4:41 pm
I think the CD cover is AWESOME! I really don’t understand the negative comments on that or the comment about wishing he was smarter. I think he should have won American Idol, whether you’re a rock/metal fan or not, he was consistently good and had great ideas. James, the whole CD is AWESOME, but my favorites are May, Everything Burns, All I Want and Screaming. Well, actually, I like them all. So happy for you! Keep on singing!
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
4:43 pm
Oops, now that proves a point. I’m not sure what point that is, but it proves it. Let’s see there was the brunette, the cute blonde and the not so cute blonde and then the blonde that I mixed up with either the cute one or the not so cute one depending on her hair style.
Thanks Mercedes, I got my math figured out now.
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
4:49 pm
Now there area names actually being bandied about re: judge/mentor change.
Is the “X Factor” judge’s panel prepping for a swap?
Reports out of London over the weekend have it that Simon Cowell is pondering a switch of Kelly Rowland — the former Destiny’s Child member who broke into the music business with Beyoncé Knowles — for Nicole Scherzinger.
Rowland appears as a judge on the British version of “X Factor” and the swap — if it happens — would bring her to the US show next season and send Scherzinger to the British show next fall.
“Simon thinks she’ll be amazing on the US show,” a source told Now, a British weekly.
“Nicole’s had a mixed reaction in the US, so there’s talk of a job swap.”
A spokeman for “X Factor” said that no decisions of cast changes will be made until the show ends next month.
But privately, at least, Cowell has indicated that the show needs some adjustments after the first season, where the ratings have been very good but not blockbuster.
Rowland began on the London TV show only this year, taking over for another “X Factor” judge, singer Cheryl Cole.
Cole had been moved over to the American version last summer, but was let go after two shows when Cowell decided she was not right for the show. Cole was replaced with Scherzinger.
Cowell is famous for shaking up the casts of his shows, which include “America’s Got Talent” and several international spin-offs.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/new_glam_judge_factor_QXlUghMEOoCma6m8AxJgyI#ixzz1f2U6SsYo
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
4:50 pm
The best part of the article is the part that says “the show ends next month.”
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Rickster, that is the best part.
Since they are insisting on doing a second season I would like to see Kelly Rowland. Granted the only reason I feel that way is because I think she is easier on the eyes than Nicole. Except when Kelly parts her hair down the middle. Not the best look for her, unless she is trying out for a part in Charlie’s Angel Reboot 4.0.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
LOL!
I will not be surprised if LA leaves the show citing business obligations or some such nonsense. And if the anti-Seacrest isn’t gone within minutes of the end of this season, I’ll be very surprised. NOBODY likes him!
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
5:10 pm
My ideal mentor/judges panel:
Simon (it’s his show.)
Paula ( who knows what she’ll say next?)
Harry Connick Jr (Loved him as a mentor)
Katy Perry (Loved her “not a Lifetime movie” comment as a guest judge on AI.)
Judges’ Rules:
1. One minute to critique. (After that, your mic is shut off.)
2. No criticizing another judge. (Do that, and your mic is shut off.)
3. No self-promotion. (Do that, and your mic is shut off.)
It’s quitting time, folks. I’m outta here.
Seth T.
November 28th, 2011
6:10 pm
The GOOD: X-Factor has another double elimination this week (unless they pull another stunt)
The BAD: Drew is slipping in the popularity polls around the net. (Maybe she will need to create another dress design or ensemble for her young Facebook/Twitter fan base.)
Hip-hop & rap fans are jumping on all voting mediums, and don’t really care about a “singing competition”, but support what they see as fun and lively. The X-Factor is looking for an International Star – and not really for the best singer. (However, if Simon loses one of his girls, his after-performance comments toward the rappers or Marcus won’t be so sweet)
The UGLY : The show has wasted a lot of broadcasting time on bogus acts starting with the top 17, that have turned-off a number of people that I know — that started watching, but now only watch the elimination show, if that.
Mercedes S.
November 28th, 2011
6:10 pm
I second Rickster’s motion.
Oh – we don’t have a say?
No more X-Fix season for me, then.
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
6:37 pm
Is X-Factor going to be another 2 hours?
Seth T.
November 28th, 2011
7:17 pm
I believe it’s on from 7:00 Central to 8:30 on Wednesday — then the 1 hour elimination show at 7:00 Thursday.
Most say that the Paula-Simon reunite – has not been a big deal, ?? thoughts?
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
7:37 pm
For me it has neither detracted from the show, nor has it been a great boon. The show is being dragged down by a tired format, boring host, two lackluster judges, and questionable talent choices. I thought the Simon-Paula thing would add to the tired format, but I’m just really indifferent towards the two of them being together. I guess it just works, which is a good thing at this point.
Seth T.
November 28th, 2011
8:07 pm
Yes, I agree that the host and letting talent like Jazzlyn and some others get pushed-out for make-shift groups because of setting-up the categories like they did – really hurt the show’s potential.
I see where Xavier Colon (The Voice winner) will play the role of Ray Charles – in a future “Playboy Club” episode. Colbie Calliat will play Leslie Gore.
A lot of talent shows and record labels trying to make new stars right now, as the UK X-Factor has their current top 5 and former winners they are trying to sell – –
but not much action from the other “Voice” top 8 that I have seen. Their Mentors were spouting that they would all be superstars, but went back to their own business and kinda forget about them right after.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
9:01 pm
I thought Playboy Club was canceled.
Deirdre
November 28th, 2011
9:07 pm
The theme for this week’s XF is Michael Jackson songs. I wonder how Astro will worm his way out of that.
Mercedes S.
November 28th, 2011
9:09 pm
Ditto re “Playboy Club”.
karen
November 28th, 2011
10:11 pm
Oops, I thought this blog was about James and his new album. Silly me. Anyway i love the album.
Kayla
November 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
I was pleasantly surprised when I heard James’ CD – actually I absolutely love it. There are a few tracks I’m not as excited about, but a few that I can’t get enough of, like Higher Than Heaven and May and Love In Ruins. And to be honest…I can’t believe I’m even saying this…but this is my favorite CD from an Idol ever.
JTesla
November 28th, 2011
10:26 pm
Karen: “Oops”? Why are you saying “Oops”? Did you unexpectedly rip one? We’re not in the same room, so you can pass a little gas without saying oops.
WB
November 28th, 2011
10:33 pm
Loved James on AI and love him still! MOABD is awesome! I have several favorites off the album May will bring tears to your eyes and James sings it with amazing vocals, Love In Ruins is a very catchy and on the harder rock side as is Higher than Heaven and Screaming ,2 more amazing songs! This album begs to be blasted from your car windows! Way to go James!
Seth T.
November 28th, 2011
11:06 pm
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/x-factor-james-durbin-chris-rene-astro-265071
That’s true, thread on James Durbin – if the link works, here’s some of his comments about X-Factor.
Seth T.
November 28th, 2011
11:34 pm
Now that I commented on The Voice, I see Dia Frampton has a new video out and an album forthcoming.
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-voice/watch-the-voice-runner-up-dia-42756.aspx
Javier Colon to do some songs with Natasha Beddingfield – some news on the link above? Dough no what blog I seen the news on Javier’s offer to do a Ray Charles song, on The Playboy Club, tried to back-track and can’t find it now.
I also thought the show was now cancelled, but also heard (only speculation) that they were possibly going to put together some additional episodes that would be available on-line only. My understanding was that they cancelled the show due to a large number of complaints about the theme of the show.
Matt
November 29th, 2011
2:46 am
I’m with Kayla, this is the best Idol album I’ve ever heard. There are 5 rocking songs: Outcast, Stand Up, Higher than Heaven, Screaming, and Deeper, and one song, May, that nearly made this adult man cry. I never expected anything this good to come out of the Idol franchise. There is one Daughtry-like song, Love Me Bad, that sounds like radio-friendly cheese, but rest of the album has reallly grown on me.
Highlander
November 29th, 2011
7:32 am
“I’m with Kayla, this is the best Idol album I’ve ever heard.” – Matt, 2:46am
You two just don’t get out much, do ya?
I thought James was a good performer and a good singer, although he was over-the-top sometimes. But the cover pic kinda makes him look like the biggest poser. Well, next to Adam, that is!
Highlander
November 29th, 2011
7:41 am
Check this out —- Simon commenting on Astro-tudes behavior:
“It was uncomfortable,” says Cowell during an interview aired on the Pepsi Live pre-show. “It’s one thing refusing to dance, it’s another to say, ‘I’m just not gonna sing.’ If he hadn’t sung, of course I would’ve kicked him off. I’m trying to help him.”
WOW!!! Uh, Simon, …the kid hasn’t SUNG a friggin note yet!!!!!
Highlander
November 29th, 2011
7:50 am
Whoops! Forgot to say that quote was lifted from the HollywoodReporter.com site, too.
Deirdre
November 29th, 2011
7:59 am
Morning!
Oops, I thought this blog was about James and his new album. Didn’t we mention James earlier?
DanJ
November 29th, 2011
8:30 am
I’m glad to see James release a CD, I hope it does well for him!
As for the XFactor changes I’d like to see Clive Davis replace LA Reid. While he’s old, well into his 70’s he is a legend and he would have been great if he had the girls this year. I’d bet the farm Simone and Thia would have never made the cut. And honestly Simon is not even in his league. I believe he and Whitney were mentors on one of the British talent shows once. Not sure which.
I also like to see a female host replace Steve Jones and while Kelly Rowland would be a good choice to replace Nicole IF Simon wants to boost ratings bring in Maraih.
Rickster
November 29th, 2011
8:46 am
Oh…. please no….. not Mariah! Please not Mariah.
Deirdre
November 29th, 2011
8:59 am
No Mariah! The woman is a walking ego who thinks she’s still 21.
What about Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood?(no that they’d ever do it) Both girls have experienced the pitfalls of the genre and successfully transitioned into the recording business. Who better?
DanJ
November 29th, 2011
9:03 am
Well Rickster Idol has JLo, The Voice has Christina…Why not bring in a bigger diva in Mariah? I’m not saying I agree with it but if I’m the producer of the show I’d have to consider it. Same with Madonna or any other larger than life star.
Matt
November 29th, 2011
9:43 am
Highlander, tell me what Idol has put out a good CD, I would love to hear your answer? And please don’t tell me David Cook, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, or Daughtry because I will LMAO because that’s all manufactured pop. ldol is a joke and the 90% of the country that doesn’t watch the show knows it. Relative to that, I think James’ CD, not judging it by its cover, is not bad, although unfortunately for James nobody is going to buy it. BTW, your 2:46am is 11:46pm to me (West Coast) so I don’t get the relevance of your comment.
Rodney Ho
November 29th, 2011
9:46 am
No surprise given the schedule but “X Factor” is doing another double elimination this week from 7 to 5. Who will likely go home? I’d say Astro has a major target on his back.
DanJ
November 29th, 2011
9:52 am
Rodney I say Astro and Marcus go! Although Rachel could take the place of one of the boys.
Sam-A
November 29th, 2011
10:05 am
Matt: Now we’re the one’s laffing our butts off! Kelly “manufactured pop”. Obviously you’re not very familiar with her albums. The girl can rock with the best of them. She has a huge, fabulous voice. Simon was right a few years ago stating she can hold her own with those considered “the best”, ie Whitney, Mariah, et al. Her songs are varied and cover everything from rock to ballad to “lite” country, to a bit of pop. She’s fabulous, and most of the regulars here will defend her mightily.
Mercedes S.
November 29th, 2011
10:09 am
Matt, go ahead and LYAO, but several Idols have put out great CDs… Adam’s among the best. Have you even listened to any of them??
And good morning to all – we’re expecting SNOW in Atlanta later today…
Matt
November 29th, 2011
10:27 am
Yes, I’ve heard them, and you’re all drinking the Idol kool-aid, there’s a big world out there besides Idol music. And the fans of Kelly, Adam, etc, all say the same thing, “They’re the greatest thing since sliced bread”, which is why people laugh at Idol fans. I’m not even saying James is great, because half his CD is to please his Idol fans, I’m just saying there is actually some good songs on there.
Rickster
November 29th, 2011
10:38 am
And a happy early birthday to Clay Aiken who turns 33 tomorrow.
DanJ
November 29th, 2011
10:42 am
Matt with all due respect a good CD or song is determined by number of sales and the ears of the listener. In that regard, Kelly, Carrie, Chris D etc have all done well. If you want to compare Adam to James I prefer James. The problem with James is that at time he lacked vocal control. Adam while he had a good voice his whole act seemed fake to me. James came across to me as a more natural rocker.
I like the CD cover. I think it’s something out of the Lost Boys or someone who just took a helmet off after riding a Harley. Fitting for James IMO!Hope he does well and I think he will.
Matt
November 29th, 2011
11:09 am
DanJ, I respect whatever pleases a person’s ear, but don’t believe CD sales determine good music, that’s been pretty obvious since the late 90’s. In fact I would go so far as to say the best artists out there are never heard. My main problem is that reality shows like Idol are trying to shape our listening and consuming habits to make money, they are big marketing tools. Simon Cowell is know n in the UK as the man who killed good music. Idols that actually have some talent are forced to put out terrible music that fits to some financial equation – and mostly Idols have some tv fame but no money and that’s sad. The music industry is in bad shape right now, financially and artistically and I think reality shows are not helping.
DanJ
November 29th, 2011
11:42 am
Matt, I agree and disagree with you! I say that because singing based reality shows are a double edged sword. It gives the Crystal Bowesox’s and James Durbin’s of the world a platform to perform. But it also forces them to conform to a particular format.
Often THEIR music and their identity is lost in the produced music they make. Bo Bice is another one who comes to mind. The CD’s released at least from Crystal and Bo lost something. Crystal’s CD even failed to have Up To The Mountain on it. Bo was a southern rock guy yet his CD had songs that had cross-over potential but lacked the southern rock feel. The problem is they lost their fan base trying to gain a bigger audience.
Any singer had better know who they are and fight to make the record they want their name attached to. Especially those who compete in these shows because fans EXPECT the CD to reflect what they see on the show.
Deirdre
November 29th, 2011
11:50 am
Matt…let’s not over-estimate the power of reality shows. Their purpose is to make money and most do to some extent, Idol being tha absolute pinnacle of money-making prowess in this country. In most years, Idol has a balance of singers. Broadway, pop, country and R&B are fairly well represented.
Idol’s main problem is its voting procedure which allows those with nothing better to do than vote half a million times for their favorite. This gets us winners like Scotty who has a good voice and is a nice guy but is limited to what he is capable of singing. The fact that 2 teenagers who sing country music came in first and second last year tells us a lot about who is doing most of the voting.
Another problem is the inconsistency of the talent from season to season. Some seasons we have at least 2 people who should win. Underwood/Bice for example. Studdard/Aiken. And other seasons we just have to hope the best of a not so good bunch gets to the top of the heap.
All that being said, Idol is not really about the individual singers but about the competition. Young, innocent, relatively inexperienced people vying for the attention of the public. Idol only has 2 winners who have hit the “big time”, Kelly and Carrie but that has more to do with their individual work ethic and general popularity.
JTesla
November 29th, 2011
12:41 pm
Matt: “Simon Cowell is know n in the UK as the man who killed good music. Idols that actually have some talent are forced to put out terrible music that fits to some financial equation”
“Good music” as defined by being non-terrible music that doesn’t fit some financial equation mostly died decades ago. Neither Idol, nor Simon had anything to do with it. Current events often act as blinders to what went on before. Idol is one current aspect of the ‘musical financial equation’, but it by no means started the trend.
RxDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
Seth, Drew slipping in her popularity is definitely not a bad. If I was in charge she would of been gone 2-3 episodes ago. Bleh
I always said James Durban would have the best career out of his AI class. And I still stand by that.
RxDawg
November 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
“but don’t believe CD sales determine good music”
I one billion % agree with that statement.
I’ll point to exhibit A —–> Taylor Swift
Deirdre
November 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
“good music” is in the ear of the listener.
Rickster
November 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
You’re right, Matt. There’s a big ol’ world out there and we need to stop drinking the Idol kool-aid and get a life!
Thanks for turning my life around.
I’m so pumped up… I’m going to sign off now and go home to the lovely Mrs. Rickster and our (not-so) little girl.
Seth T.
November 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
There are so many different readily available genres, and sub-genres, of music – from classical to punk-rock, dirty word rap, clean pop-rap/hip-hop, etc. that it’s like 101 flavors of Ice Cream. Some people like only one flavor, while others like several.
When we play gigs, we shoot for what “moves” or holds the crowd, or gets dancers onto the dance floor. This will go from Kelly to Taylor to current Hot Country to the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry to yes- Lady GaGa, to Cee Lo to Colbie, to old Jerry Lee Lewis & Elvis songs. With the right young female singers, we can cover Martina McBride and Adele – but better left alone without the right vocalists.
It’s harder to cover some of Kelly Clarkson’s material than it is to cover Taylor Swift material – because some of the better Kelly material is more difficult for a vocalist to come near the range and dynamics of the song.
I think James Durbin has enough twitter and Facebook followers from AI, that he will have a degree of success on his release, especially when priced-down to $6.99. Individual downloads are a big plus , so album sales are not as important as they used to be. Ticket prices at a concert are also an indication of the level of success he is at.
Seth T.
November 29th, 2011
5:28 pm
Copy from Deirdre’s post:::
“”"Idol’s main problem is its voting procedure which allows those with nothing better to do than vote half a million times for their favorite. This gets us winners like Scotty who has a good voice and is a nice guy but is limited to what he is capable of singing. The fact that 2 teenagers who sing country music came in first and second last year tells us a lot about who is doing most of the voting.”"”
Very well put – and X-Factor’s adding of Facebook & Twitter has made the “average” voters influence even less significant.
They did not even put a good individual country singer into the top 12, so that tells us something about what they are shooting for.
Simon was on Wendy Williams recently, he said that Lady GaGa exemplified “The X-Factor”, writes much of her own material, wild, confident and knows what she’s doing.
Mo Schreibman
November 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
If he sang and looked more like that Deanna Durbin then maybe he would make something more of himself even though she is from Canada of all places.
JTesla
November 29th, 2011
5:50 pm
“Simon was on Wendy Williams recently, he said that Lady GaGa exemplified ‘The X-Factor’, writes much of her own material, wild, confident and knows what she’s doing”
Yet no one currently on X-Factor appears to meet two or more of these criteria.
Mo Schreibman
November 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
The so called X Factor singing contest television program is instead one of those new reality television programs about guest panelists and there is not a Bill Cullen or Peggy Cass amongst them you can believe me hands down.
Seth T.
November 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
“”"Yet no one currently on X-Factor appears to meet two or more of these criteria.”"”
True so far, and they all need much more development and experience to be in the big International Star league. The 5 million recording/promo contract means they will have to do a lot of support work to try to “manufacture an image” for the winner.
There are also a lot of ways to designate how the 5 million will be spent. You can charge huge fees by your studio and promotional machine — which just might be partiallly owned by you and the other funding producers — and pay yourselves under a different entity name — while official and legal money is charged against the 5 million designated pot of money.
In other words, if you agree to produce a $5,000 local recording deal for Buffy B., you can charge her $2,100 in consultation and recording, mastering, distribution, booking and promo fees. And there is nothing illegal about that, no watchdog entity that I am aware of that can watch the pennies or intervene, or tell you what you can charge for your services to the second entity. It’s a free market.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
7:38 am
Morning!
I finally caught up with the last 2 episodes of The Walking Dead last night. Very good! One small request. Please do not post spoilers of scripted shows. I might have guessed how the last episode would end but, with the spoiler, I knew for sure. Kind of took away from the OMG moment. Posting song spoilers for Idol is all together different than posting a climax spoiler for a scripted show. Thanks.
Harriett
November 30th, 2011
8:05 am
Good morning. I have been MIA for awhile, first dealing with the death of my brother-in-law and being there for my sister, and then I am completely covered up with end-of-semester issues, etc. But, I have peeked in from time to time to see what the conversations have been like.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:06 am
Hubby is recovering from his cold just in time for XF tonight. I think the main reason I want to watch the show is the happiness I’ll feel when 2 more of these contestants are eliminated!
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
8:07 am
Good Morning!
AJC headlines from the rap establishment Astroboy is so eager to join:
“7 shot during filming of rap music video”
“Rapper Lil Boosie gets 8 years”
Can’t say I’m looking forward to X-Fix tonight. It’s become a show I record, so I can save time (a 2 hr show has 40 mins of commercials) breezing through it, just to have it done. No enjoyment factor left, except for hearing Josh and – brainfreeze – the kicked-off/returned girl sing.
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
8:08 am
Harriett, so sorry to read about your brother-in-law.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:08 am
Harriett, my sympathies again on the passing of your b-i-l. And I remember how semester ending business keeps you very busy. We know you haven’t deserted us.
Rodney Ho
November 30th, 2011
8:11 am
Good news: the seven acts tonight on “X Factor” are going to be stretched out to a mere 90 minutes. Remember when “Idol” used to do seven acts in one hour? Those were the days…
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:12 am
Mercedes, happily, XF is only one and a half hours tonight so that would be only about 35 minutes of commercials, right?
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:14 am
Rodney, those days are long gone on Idol and I don’t blame Idol as much as I do the Fox network. I think they’re stretching the biggest money-maker in gigantic proportions.
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
8:33 am
Post at 8:12 – sounds about right, D.!
Harriett
November 30th, 2011
8:45 am
Thanks, D and Mercedes.
By the way, did you do a review of J Edgar a couple of weeks ago, Mercedes? I took my sister to see it on Sunday and was bored about halfway through. Some people actually left before it was over. I thought it was terribly slow in places and was actually glad when it was over. But, having said that, I dearly loved Armie Hammer and Leo.
DanJ
November 30th, 2011
8:54 am
Does anyone know if those contestants who made it to boot camp but failed to make it to the top 16 are locked into a non-compete contract? In other words could Jazzlyn, Caitlyn, Brennen or Tim try out for Idol or The Voice this year? Just curious because it would be interesting to see then on another show.
Sam-A
November 30th, 2011
9:18 am
this is for Deirdre and anyone else who may love Sir Paul and Doris Day – beautiful interview between two beautiful and wonderful people. Who knew – having loved both most of my life, I never knew they were friends!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8733533/Doris-Day-and-Paul-McCartney-in-conversation.html
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
9:36 am
Thanks Sam. I had such a girl crush on Doris Day as a child and then I had a regular crush on Sir Paul. How nice to see this!
Rickster
November 30th, 2011
9:46 am
The only things about XF I’m looking forward to are:
1. Melanie’s performance
2. Josh’s performance
3. Astro getting booted tomorrow.
Sad that a show with such promise has failed so miserably to deliver.
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
10:02 am
Harriett, I enjoyed “J. Edgar” greatly, because it gave such a different picture of the man most people have seen as a bully and a creep, blackmailing all those people over all those years. Both Leo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer gave wonderful performances and Naomi Watts was unrecognizable!
Slow and tedious are words I’d use about Martic Scorsese’s much-lauded “Hugo”. And it’s just not me, “normal” moviegoers like friends my age and my favorite niece in Iowa (who took her kids, thinking it was a kids’ movie) were bored silly.
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
10:06 am
Sam-A, thanks for link! I collected Doris Day movie star pics as a child! Did you know that when Charles Manson went to Roman Polanski’s home with his murderous gang he picked that house because he thought Doris Day’s son Terry lived there?
Sam-A
November 30th, 2011
10:12 am
I did know that – scary. I have loved DD since I was about 4 and saw her in a movie (do NOT ask me which one!). When we were kids, we played “movie stars” and I was always DD. Bought all the movie mags (precursers of “People” et al) with her pics on the cover and read everything I could about her. My Grandmother used to take me to the beauty parlor with her and I’d take the latest mag and ask for that haircut – wanted so to be just like her. That she ended up being a tremendous animal lover and savior of animals is just an added bonus.
About 15 years ago I wrote a letter to her telling her how much I’ve always admired her, and sent it to her hotel in Carmel – a few weeks later got a little card with red DD at the top, saying how much she’d enjoyed my letter and thanking me for thinking of her. A true STAR!
Rickster
November 30th, 2011
10:26 am
If Simon was wanting the new GaGa… he shouldn’t have sent home that one girl with the tattoos whose fall-back career was to be an auto mechanic.
DanJ
November 30th, 2011
11:37 am
My predictions for tonight’s Michael Jackson theme show. I am picking the obvious songs, I hope I’m wrong and they shake things up.
1) Chris Rene: Will probably rearrange Bad. “I used to be bad….”
2) Astro: Will rap while Thriller probably plays in the background!
3) Melanie: Will probably sing a Mariah version of I’ll Be There.
4) Marcus: Will probably sing Billie Jean
5) Josh: Tough to pick but my guess is Ben or Dirty Diana
6) Drew: Will probably sing Got to Be There. Can she sing it any slower than the original?
7) Rachel: Black or White is probably the song Simon wants her to sing. I think she’ll sing Human Nature.
Debbie
November 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Why bother to comment with the negativity? Just to spread some doom & gloom? James’ album is legendary. As more people hear it, his sales will probably surprise many. No, the first week’s sales will not be that high, as many people who will enjoy it have never seen Idol. When James tours next year, excitement will build, and his fan-base will broaden. Then, watch his record sales climb.
Seth T.
November 30th, 2011
3:13 pm
Rickster – That would have been 21 year-old Tora Woloshin – with the tat’s, platinum blond, glowing red lipstick,
She has actually released a song, which I think is her own personal project. And I don’t think that anyone under the top 12 has any type of binding contract with X-Factor, unless it is for a re-apperance quik-flash on the finale – but that is just a guess, as I haven’t seen one of their contracts.
If this link works, Tora’s song
http://tweetmysong.com/f245548.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
Debbie, I hope what you say is true but I’ve read soooo many statements just like yours about other Idols that I fear you might be in for a big disappointment.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
Re the contracts…Idol keeps all the top 12 or 13 or whatevernumber on contract straight through the tour which usually ends around mid-September so yes, I imagine that all the top whatever it was for XF are on some kind of temporary contract until the show decides to release them. Don’t know for sure but, if they run the show anything like Idol, then they probably are contracted to stick around until XF is through with them.
Rodney Ho
November 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
Ratings are down in the U.K. for Britain’s Got Talent minus Simon. So guess what? Simon is putting himself back on the panel. He can’t do that in the U.S., of course. Contractual issues with Fox. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2067992/Simon-Cowell-returns-Britains-Got-Talent–makes-Barbara-Windsor-judge-too.html?ITO=1490
Mercedes S.
November 30th, 2011
3:26 pm
“James album is legendary”… you probably have to do something more amazing than record an album to be an actual legend.
Simon Cowell will be among Barbara Walter’s “10 Most Fascinating People of 2011″.
Others: The Kardashians.
I abstain from comment.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
3:35 pm
Ms Walters appears to be scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
Rodney, Simon will be spreading himself kind of thin. Is he also going to return to the XF UK panel since it isn’t doing that well either? And what makes him think the ratings are about him? Idol’s ratings weren’t hurt by his leaving.
Sam-A
November 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
Seems Babs is easily “fascinated”! The K’s are the most tedious family I’ve ever seen. Only poor old Bruce is even slightly interesting. The rest are just a pack of imbecilic bimbos, famous for being famous and notorious.
Seth T.
November 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
Guess the link that was supposed to lead to Tora’s song, picks-up a lot of the aspiring hip-hop & rap acts, but not her song. Oh well…
A lot of the rap music has a very danceable, shake-it-loose, good beat – but many of the songs are only slight variations of the others – talk about “doing the same-o type of songs each week” they should discuss the non-singing rap selections as well.
They will also have a British Rapper as a guest on the show this week, Tinie Tempah, I think it is.
Simon said on the Wendy Williams show that Mariah Carey could take take part in the X-Factor “whenever she wanted to.”
JTesla
November 30th, 2011
3:57 pm
Barbara Walters scrapped bottom last year… this year she’s just catching the muck that is floating around down there. Simon stopped being fascinating 5 years ago, and there is only one fascinating aspect to the Kardashian’s. Unless they put Kim’s booty up on a rotating pedestal then they will miss it.
Legendary… LOL. That’s a good one.
Rodney Ho
November 30th, 2011
4:49 pm
Looks like not a lot of changes for season 11 of “Idol,” according to Nigel. http://www.starhq.com/2011/11/28/%E2%80%98idol%E2%80%99-producer-no-major-changes-for-new-season/
Sam-A
November 30th, 2011
4:54 pm
Sorry to hear that – Idol needs LOTS of changes, incl judges. And I’m not a real big fan of “diverse” “talent” – that’s why we’re stuck with the 13 year old ego on XF!
Safe trip home, everyone.
Rickster
November 30th, 2011
5:06 pm
I guess its about time for:
1. Someone to go unplug Mr. Roboto and perform a systems check before tonight’s show.
2. Me to go home!
Good night, everybody.
Seth T.
November 30th, 2011
5:10 pm
With Leroy and Lakoda out of the mix now, it will be interesting to see who that helps the most in this weeks voting.
JTesla
November 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
Idol “worked” so why change it. Of course maybe Nigel is looking at the “changes” known to us as non-changes that X-Factor made and chuckling.
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:05 pm
Time for XF!
Deirdre
November 30th, 2011
8:06 pm
Jackson bros very short next to the anti-Seacrest!
Rodney Ho
November 30th, 2011
8:07 pm
Oops. Sorry. I’m running behind tonight. Just posted a new blog entry for X Factor tonight!