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Country Label Picks Pickler
The term "also-ran" should be applied loosely with regard to American Idol.
On Monday Kellie Pickler became the fourth season-five finalist to sign a recording contract, inking a deal with Sony BMG's Nashville-based country label BNA Records and Idol producer Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited. Her first single should hit country radio stations sometime in September and her debut album will follow Nov. 14, the same release date that has been set for Katharine McPhee and Idol winner Taylor Hicks' freshman efforts.
This marks the first time Idol finalists have shared a release date.
"I've always dreamed of getting a record deal, so now my dream has come true!" Pickler said in a statement. "I'm really excited about making my first album and giving something back to the fans who supported me on American Idol."
At one point Simon Cowell had picked Pickler to be a top-three finalist, but while the avid Idol fans supported her through saucy renditions of Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," they booted her out of the top six in April after a lackluster performance of "Unchained Melody."
"We are very excited to have signed Kellie," Sony BMG Chairman Joe Galante said in a statement. "The recognition she received from Idol is a huge advantage in launching a new artist and her sense of humor and humility are endearing. It's not very often when someone with that personality and talent comes along and she will bring instant attention to her music and our format."
The perky North Carolinian whom Cowell once dubbed "a naughty minx" (creating much confusion in the process) joins McPhee, Chris Daughtry and Hicks on the 19 Recordings roster. Sony BMG Nashville is also home to season-four champ Carrie Underwood.
While some of Kellie's Pickler-isms, from her struggle with calamari to her mixed-metaphor response to Rod Stewart's praise ("You took a load off my chest"), have made her the butt of a few jokes, they have also charmed millions.
Those interested in what else Pickler has to say had their chance to hear more on Monday morning, when the 20-year-old singer took a brief break from the American Idols Live tour to fill one of the vacant hosting chairs on The View, where she proceeded to tell the three remaining full-timers that she and an old boyfriend have rekindled the flame.
But just in case Pickler isn't your favorite, there will still be a host of Idol offerings to choose from later this year at your friendly neighborhood music outlet. Clay Aiken's third album drops Sept. 19, Ruben Studdard's third effort is out Sept. 26, and Fantasia Barrino's second album hits shelves Oct. 17.
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