I feel the need to blog about this because it's something that's really been bugging me. I'm so tired of reading about how some Idol winners are successful and some 'bombed'. I read today something to the effect of 'can a male Idol winner actually succeed?' Which is obviously a reference to Ruben and Taylor's utter failure as artists. I AM NOT just writing this because Ruben and Taylor are from my hometown, I'm writing this because it seems that people have got the wrong idea of what winning American Idol really means.
The winner of American Idol gets some good stuff: They get a 1,000,000 recording contract with 19. They get to carry the banner of reigning Idol for one year and also get to wear the title of Idol winner for the rest of their lives. They gain a tremendous amount of notoriety and fame. But that's about it folks! Beyond that it's still a big question mark!
Winning American Idol is a catalyst but it doesn't ensure tremendous success. There are many factors that come into play. In America to be deemed 'successful' in the music business you have to fit into a certain genre and mold and make waves on the Billboard charts. But what if your music doesn't neatly fit into a mainstream genre?
Here's a brief rundown of the winners and how they have fared:
Kelly Clarkson - she's a mainstream pop music wet dream and has gone from Idol to achieve international fame and the record sales to back it up.
Ruben Studdard - his roots were in R & B and Christian music. He's recorded albums in both of these genres. He's been on Broadway. Here at home, he used his fame and his own money to start a music foundation for under-privileged children in the Birmingham area. He has a huge legion of fans. He's not mainstream but how can you say that's he's not been successful? Before Idol he was playing local joints in Birmingham with his former band 'Just a Few Cats'. Nobody knew his name. Has he achieved success since Idol? You betcha!
Fantasia Barrino - what better story of success could you possibly write? A poor, teenage Mother who was functionally illiterate and living in poverty won American Idol, has recorded several R & B albums, wrote a book, recorded a Lifetime movie and appeared on Broadway. Is she mainstream? No. Has she achieved success? Definitely!
Carrie Underwood - she's been tremendously successful across several genres. Although her main genre is country, Jesus Takes the Wheel crossed over into Christian and Before He Cheats crossed over into pop. Everything she touches turns to gold platinum!
Taylor Hicks - his album played in the adult contemporary genre but Taylor is really more of a blues singer. He didn't quite fit anywhere on Billboards fabulous charts. He has lent his name and his fame to so many good causes here at home and when I heard him sing the National Anthem at Talladega a few weeks ago it was absolutely perfect and flawless. Taylor has a huge fan base called the Soul Patrol and they are loyal and dedicated to him. Taylor has recently joined the cast of Grease on Broadway as the Teen Angel. Before Idol Taylor lived in a little apartment just a couple of miles from where I live. He worked at some everyday job and played joints at night with his band. Nobody knew his name. Is he successful now compared to then? Absolutely.
Jordin Sparks - she's still just out of the gates but has had a couple of her songs played on mainstream pop radio which by some standards makes her successful. It's really too soon to tell how she will fare in the long run. But I say again, before Idol she was a teenager going to high school and working in a mall. Is she successful now? Absolutely.
American Idol is nothing more than a glorified talent show judged by America. When someone wins it gives them advantages they didn't have before winning. It doesn't guarantee them worldwide success in the mainstream music world. Some hit it big where people think big is. But they all are successful compared to their pre-Idol careers. And if the winner doesn't achieve that media glorified success that DOESN'T mean that the wrong person won or anything like that. Many people on Idol who DIDN'T win have gone on to achieve great success. Idol is about opportunity and notoriety. That's what it lends to these hopeful artists. Where they go post-Idol depends upon many factors and also a little bit of luck. Making it in mainstream music is very difficult, Idol winner or not!
When I see guys who write down a few words, hang some chains around their necks, add a few drums and talk some trash and then get a recording contract when they can't even carry a tune in a bucket, that is when I think the word 'success' is used inappropriately, but not when referring to an American Idol winner.
You take any winner of American Idol and hand them a song and ask them to sing it acapella they will sing it, and they will sing it well because they have talent.
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