This is it y’all. Tonight is the last night we’ll see Blake perform on the American Idol stage. What a long strange trip it’s been from 
“Somewhere Only We Know” to the “This is My Now.” I’ve rewatched last night’s performances and what strikes me every time is Blake’s obvious joy at being on stage. When his eyes scan the audience and look into the balconies of cheering fans, my tear ducts go into overdrive. It doesn’t help when I see Chris R, Phil and Sligh cheering him on with such pride and passion on their faces.
I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t crazy about Blake’s audition, but he won me over week after week as he effortlessly oozed charisma, originality, style, charm and talent just by being himself. I looked forward to his performances every Tuesday, learning not to fret over his song choices or his ability to handle a particular genre or theme. I recognized him not only as a musician who understands himself as an artist, but also as a kick ass producer.
Will Blake Lewis win American Idol? I don’t know, but we’ll find out tonight. I do know this: Blake Lewis has won me as a fan and I‘m greedily anticipating an album of original music. Win or lose this competition, Blake’s future is so bright he better wear shades.
Yeah, I’d be shocked if Blake isn’t signed by 19. I just don’t see that happening. Whether that’s good or bad remains to be seen.
Thanks for the info, Star. I’ll be downloading that EP, too. :)
iTunes or the AI site? I can’t find it on iTunes, but it is on the AI site. I wish AI would’ve released one of his new songs, or one that wasn’t released before. Because I already have all his downloads that they had previously made available.
Clive signed Melinda already? How about Blake?
I was so happy watching Blake on that MTV interview he seemed so excited about his future, but as a runnerup shouldn’t he have a deal already? I am getting nervous here.
I really hope Blake is just confused on how this works.
I bought Blake’s EP too. I had all the songs already but you know we have to support our boy.
He looks HOT in the cover.
19E has the right to sign them but if they don’t want to, they should be free to sign with someone else like Elliott did. I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t want to sign with Blake but there probably hasn’t been any time to spare. They didn’t even talk about Jordin’s contract at this point so doubt it’s a big deal.
I just hope I hasn’t shot himself in the foot with his “I never watched the show”, “I want Jordin to win” stuff. Now I read he wanted to wear a “Vote Jordin” shirt and the producers didn’t allow it? I mean I don’t have a problem with these things myself but I can easily see how TPTB might find him to be too much of a risk. He may not understand what happens after the show and how 19 works, but from all these interviews he’s talking like an independant artist. No record label will allow him to have the level of artistic freedom he’s talking about.
Jordin is guaranteed a contract and probably signed last night. Blake saying he hopes he gets one makes me think he doesn’t even know whats happening.
My thoughts are that he just hasn’t had time to talk with anyone. They’ll be idiots if they don’t pick him up, because someone else will for sure and he will be successful.
I remember last year with Kat, there was a press release issued about her officially signing with RCA, and it wasn’t announced until almost a month after the finale. I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s going to happen. We may not hear about it immediately, but it will happen.
1. Every year, the runner up has been signed with Sony/BMG. Period. There’s no reason to believe this is changing now. If he says he hopes to be signed before the tour, then he’s signing with Sony/BMG (see point #2), unless he didn’t read his contract when he got into the top 12. That little detail is surely covered in the contract, so if he read it, he knows how it works.
I’m not expecting to know tomorrow. The winner’s press release comes out first, the runner up’s comes out later.
2. IF for some reason Clive does not pick up the option on him, he is not free to sign with anyone outside of the Sony/BMG group until August 23rd at midnight (3 months after the finale). Clive has 3 months to pick up the option on any of the top 12. If you don’t remember, Elliott, Bucky, Mandisa, and Paris did not announce deals until the fall or even winter because of this clause. They all signed outside of the Song/BMG family. Chris and Kellie signed within the Sony/BMG family and their press releases came after Taylor’s and Katharine’s, sometime in late June, early July. I believe Taylor’s and Katharine’s both came in early June.
All of the contestants are also managed by 19M until this time. Chris and Kellie stayed with 19M, Taylor and Katharine went elsewhere, I believe.
3. Also, until we get a press release about Melinda, I am not going to even begin to spread a rumor that she’s already been signed by Clive.
Yes, no need to fret over a record deal right now. I don’t think there’s ever been a year that they didn’t sign the runner-up, has there?
And then there’s this:
One of the series‘ executive producers, Cecile Frot-Coutaz of FremantleMedia North America Inc., said Tuesday she‘d be happy with either contestant as the new idol.
“These are some of the most commercial finalists we‘ve had since Carrie Underwood,” Frot-Coutaz said. “Either one will make a great winner for the show and the brand. They both have the potential to sell many records.”
http://www.onelocalnews.com/prescottherald/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=114235
Ryan mentioned the Melinda signing on his radio show.
I googled all the press releases from last year about the contestants who singed with 19R/SonyBMG. These are the dates the press releases were issued:
Taylor - June 1, 2006.
Katharine - June 6, 2006.
Chris - July 10, 2006
Kellie - July 18, 2006.
Yes, I’m sure he just means that he is in negotiations. I’m sure they started before the show even ended. I can’t wait to see which label he signs with. Taylor was J and Kat was RCA. I’m hoping for J for Blake. I think they’re a better fit. Actually, maybe even Jive/ Zomba. I think that’s the best fit, but I don’t know if they’d consider an AI contestant. Even Blake. 311 is on Jive/ Zomba. He might like that.
Melinda has been of the show for a week, and the shorter press tour has allowed for more negotiation time.
Also bought the Ep - which basically consisted of the singles I had already bought from AI with exception of This Love. Damn you AI!!
Don’t forget, if you have desposable income and a friend who is a Blake fan without it, then you can gift the Ep too.
He like G Love! I love G Love! And Jamiraquai and Citizan Cope and most things he throw out there. BT I’m hit or miss with though. It all still give me hope for album. Yay!
Completely OT, but…Last year I was at ACL Fest and I’d never seen Ben Harper, so I passed up the amazing Flaming Lips (who I’ve seen before) to catch him. I was so dissappointed. He had no stage presence. Then G Love came out and rapped on Steal My Kisses and pwned the stage. I liked him before that, but I’d never thought to see him live. I ended up leaving to catch the end of the Lips’ set - they had oompa loompas on stage and I missed that. I wanted to cry. I would have been so close to the stage too. Anyway, I caught G Love & Special Sauce later that night, and they were fabulous. Go see them if you haven’t. It’s a great show.
I heart G Love & Special Sauce, too, Erinn, but have never seen them live. I will look for them. If he gets to work with some of the peeps he mentioned, his album could be seriously off the hook!
Wow, I thought I was the only one who cried when I saw how awed Blake was by that huuuuge theatre full of people. You could just tell he was loving it. It was great how during She Will Be Loved he was reaching out to even the fans in the top balcony, and how the whole place was just so full of love for him. I wish so much success for him.
Hi Michelle! Yes, I’m so happy that he had that experience and that he has more to look forward to with the tour and his solo stuff. :)
Hi.
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