Archive for September, 2006

Pickler Signs with 19 Recordings/BNA Records

NASHVILLE, TN " Season Five American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler has signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Records. BNA is a label under the SONY BMG Music Entertainment umbrella in Nashville, TN. The 20-year-old native of Albemarle, North Carolina, was an instant fan favorite with her quick, down-home wit and personality. Singing since before she could talk,? Kellie will have a single at country radio in September with her debut album coming on November 14. Currently on the American Idols Live! Tour 2006, Pickler will record the album in between tour dates. Kellie enthused, Ive always dreamed of getting a record deal so now my dream has come true! Im really excited about making my first album and giving something back to the fans who supported me on American Idol.? On Pickler joining the label, SONY BMG Chairman Joe Galante said, We are very excited to have signed Kellie. The recognition she received from Idol is a huge advantage in launching a new artist and her sense of humor and humility are endearing. Its not very often when someone with that personality and talent comes along and she will bring instant attention to her music and our format.? SONY BMG in Nashville includes its four country label operations " RCA, Columbia, BNA and Arista Nashville " and Provident Music Group, one of the worlds leading Christian music companies. SONY BMGs Nashville operations are a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America. 19 Entertainment The 19 Group of Companies was founded by Simon Fuller in 1985 and to date has been involved in the creation of 113 Number 1 singles and 87 Number 1 albums with an impressive tally of 298 Top 40 albums and 467 Top 40 singles. Fuller created and managed the Spice Girls, who became a global phenomenon under his guidance, selling over 38 million albums. In 1998, Fullers 19 launched S Club 7, which has sold over 10 million CDs worldwide, while its four television series were sold to over 100 countries around the world. In 2001, Simon Fullers 19TV created and produced the television phenomenon Pop Idol? and in 2002, AMERICAN IDOL. Pop Idol? launched the singing careers of Will Young and Gareth Gates in the UK, while AMERICAN IDOL did the same for Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Tamyra Gray, Fantasia, Diana Degarmo, Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood in the United States. PRESS RELEASE

American Idols Enjoy Success

If youve been wondering whether some of your favorite Idols have found the success theyve tried so hard to achieve, wonder no more. Here is just a sampling of some of the former Idol contestants whove found themselves enjoying their time on the charts (as of 8/31/06): Taylor Hicks: * Do I Make You Proud: #2 Single Sales Katharine McPhee: * Somewhere Over the Rainbow: #3 Single Sales Season 5 Finalists: * Encores CD: #13 Soundtrack Carrie Underwood: * Some Hearts CD: #38 Top 200, #5 Country * Before He Cheats: #25 Country Kelly Clarkson: * Because of You: #6 Adult Contemporary * Walk Away: #11 Adult Top 40

Memphis Auditions Were Huge

Breaking all kinds of records, more than 16,000 showed up on Sunday, September 3rd, for American Idol Season 6 auditions. Though auditions had already been held in both Birmingham and San Antonio, auditioners swarmed into Memphis from all over the south and midwest. Next up on the audition circuit is Minneapolis on Friday, September 8th and Seattle on Tuesday, September 19th. Check out a preview gallery of photos from the Memphis auditions!

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