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Happy Memorial Day everyone! This is the day we remember and celebrate everyone that has given their lives for us, their fellow Americans! Thank you for your service, bravery and dedication!
As for the music industry, the article below discusses how "American Idol", one of the biggest ever talent contests, is changing its Advance Payment Structure to its finalists.
As the industry changes, we must all make adjustments to stay relevant and generate significant income. That is the challenge!
Aspiring artists must first understand that there is nothing free in this business or any other business for that matter. So when you sign a recording contract, best believe the advance (money) you receive when you sign will be recouped in some form or fashion. You as an artist, must understand how you get paid, how much you get paid and when you get paid. You must have basic knowledge of what is going on industry wise so that you will know how to move forward properly.
Album sales are down, but Single sales continue to thrive! That's something to keep in mind while creating new music. Understand that your 1st deal may not be your best deal, but it may allow you to get into the music business in major way.
When you do receive that 1st big check, budget out how you may live as long as possible on that money instead of spending it immediatley and being back in your original financial condition or worse. We've seen it a kazillion times!
Congratulations to Phillip Phillips from the great state of Georgia, but I believe Joshua Ledett is the true American Idol. I believe he is one of the best vocalists in the history of the show! So if the Advance Payment Structure is being adjusted, I would invest my money with Joshua. The article mentions that this year's finale was one of the lowest in history, well that's because Joshua wasn't in the finale. Not only does the payment structure need to be adjusted, but the voting process has to be adjusted because if you keep letting the American public supposedly vote for the winner, and the best singer doesn't win, the viewing numbers will continue to go down drastically!!!
Artists, always handle your business and know what's up!
One Love!
'Idol' moves
toward lower payouts for runners-up
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming in second on "American
Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers
guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.
Wednesday night's runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez,
doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little
as $30,000 in advances for recording singles, according to the "Idol"
contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.
The agreement appears to be the first time in
"Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up
an album deal that in previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least
$175,000, an Associated Press review of the Fox show's contracts reveals.
The analysis covers eight of "Idol's" 11 seasons
during which contracts filed for contestants under the age of 18 were
available. The contracts were reviewed by judges in accordance with a
California law that requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer's
earnings be set aside for their benefit once they reach adulthood.
The reduced royalty advance covers the period immediately
following the show. In addition to recording new music, the series' winners and
finalists are obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to
a Walt Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.
If Sanchez is given an album deal following the show, she
will receive the same $175,000 bonus that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing
second in the show's 10th season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option
to handle the albums and recordings of Idol contestants for several years after
they appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the runner-up
with a staggered "Development Period" that requires less music and
pays out less in advances.
Sanchez could be paid as little as $30,000 if she is asked
to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she records an "EP" of
between four and 10 songs.
Representatives for 19 Recordings Inc. and "American
Idol" producer FremantleMedia declined comment. They also have not
disclosed which recording deal would be offered to Sanchez.
"It makes sense. You can't continue to offer the same
sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging 25 to 30 million
(viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20 million," said
Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson, who teaches a course on
reality television. Wednesday's finale was the lowest-rated final show for
"Idol" in its history.
"These contracts don't pay off," he said,
contrasting the long list of "Idol" alumni who have been dropped by
record labels with those who have thriving careers. "It seems like the
successes that people like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had are the
flukes."
He noted that the recording industry has shifted toward
single song sales in recent years, and even established artists are struggling
to sell full albums. "I wouldn't be surprised, quite frankly, if this is
the direction they head with the winners," Dawson said.
Buyers purchased nearly 1.3 billion single songs last year
as opposed to 331 million albums, said Dave Bakula, Nielsen's senior vice
president of analytics for SoundScan. He noted that there have been some
successful "Idol" runners-up, but producers appear to be giving
themselves more flexibility with how they develop artists in different genres.
"Idol" winner Phillip Phillips will receive the
same $300,000 advance given to last year's winner, Scotty McCreery, upon
completion of his first album, according to the contracts. Finalists who placed
third and lower could receive deals to record singles, EPs or full albums, with
the lowest advance amounting to $24,000 if they complete their commitment to
record up to four single songs.
Higher advances are paid if 19 Recordings agrees to produce
more albums, with Phillips eligible to receive up to $800,000 for a six-album
deal.
The advances are paid and later deducted from the singer's
song royalties.
"As the music industry is changing, it makes sense for
'Idol' to change as well," Dawson said.
Despite the contract reductions, there are more
opportunities for recent "Idol" contestants to earn money than their
predecessors. Phillips will be paid $200,000 for his Disney attraction work and
Sanchez will rake in $50,000 for her appearances. Both are also set to get a
cut of merchandise profits.
