I agree with you completely. It's a stupid marketing strategy done only to make a quick buck off what the AI/19 Management people must have thought were two entirely different fan bases. That's wrong. It's all one fan base -- the people who watch AI and are willing to support the winner and runner-up.
I know Netizen and perhaps some other Carrie fans here think I've been ragging on her because I don't like her. That's not it at all. I'm not a music industry professional, and yet I could see this coming a mile away for both Carrie and Bo.
It's wonderful that Carrie has her first #1 song, and she will probably be #1 on the all-important Hot 100 chart when it updates tomorrow (if her weak airplay numbers don't pull her down). But that's not the point. The point is that AI/19 Management and the supposedly brilliant Clive Davis should not be saddling these new artists with crappy material that further weakens their's and AI's credibility.
That's why I included that harsh commentary from the Pulse Music Board -- to show folks here what AI contestants like Carrie and Bo are really up against.
Bo was on The View today, where he repeated that he was glad he finished 2nd. He said he's very appreciative of the fans who voted for him, and for the opportunity he has now. But he considers himself a songwriter. He was concerned that winning AI might have hurt his credibility badly in the industry. He really wants a chance to do his own stuff, and if it hits, good. If it doesn't, at least he's had the opportunity to put it out there.
Word is that the Nashville types are eager to support Carrie. In my opinion, they need fresh blood in country music that might appeal to a younger, broader audience. So I repeat, if she gets good material and pours her heart and soul into it, she's got a good shot at succeeding.
I hope she does. Why should there be only one way for someone to succeed in show business?
Preach it!
Minimal risk equals minimal gain. If Davis and the rest of the AI crew had the guts to allow Carrie and Bo to choose the songs for their singles--or even better: if they had allowed the AI fans to vote on which songs they should release--then there would be greater enthusiasm right now.
Contrary to what Simon Cowell said ("America got it right!"), AI must not have any faith in their finalists.