American Idol 2006--Live Thread (Part III)

Fox ^ | 5-8-06

[silent_jonny]

always for Tammy

[AmusedBystander]

$1 mil - taxes= $500,000

Well first of all, taxes are calculated on the net income and not the gross. Second, the gross is usually much greater than $1 million. Third, the artist's agent fees are usually paid out of the artist's cut of income. But in this case, think of it as Taylor's salary for all those weeks of work while Simon and the gang get 10x that for sitting and spouting their nonsense and Fox gets the revenue from all those commercial breaks we had to endure to see who got canned.

[grania]

Don't act like it's impossible that Taylor is really a jerk or a prima donna or whatever.

My reaction was that (MA State) Senator Warner was totally lacking in tact to say that instead of something positive and gracious about the other contestants instead of giving a lame excuse about why Ayla was voted off this fantasy island.

Personally, I would've rather seen Ayla last longer than Katherine. She just didn't have the base that Katherine did, and at that time there were too many girls with similar backgrounds for them all to last.

[andyssister]

What an eye-opener!!

I always thought bands got some money up front that wasn't recoupable. Tough business!

[silent_jonny]

smooch!

blush! :)

[Wolfstar]

SirLinks, I'm glad you found the info about recording contracts. It was Courtney Love's letter I was going to find for you later after work. Thanks for doing the digging.

In particular, I want to call your attention to this from the info you posted: "A manager typically gets 20%, for example." The AI contract is considered one of the worst in the industry for the artist, because the AI -- actually BMG mgmt takes around 50%. I've seen articles that say BMG even gets the copyrights to the names of anyone they sign.

This is why Clay Aiken and later Kelly Clarkson left BMG as soon as they legally could and went with The Firm. It was only after Kelly signed with The Firm in January 2005 that her career started to take off. Kelly toured almost non-stop from late 2004 when Breakaway was released until late last year.

Recording artists these days do not make their real money from selling records, but from touring and by being "co-writers" on their songs (whether or not they really write them). Used to be most songs were written by one lyricist and one who did the music. These days it's not uncommon for a bunch of people to have credit as songwriters on a song.

The artist gets all the profits from tours and a share of the profits from publishing the music. If they are big enough, they can turn their names into a brand to do product endorsements and such. The AI contract essentially robs the contestants of their own names.

Clay Aiken has not released a non-Christmas CD since 2003, yet he makes good money touring.

Kelly Clarkson was among the top grossers in the industry last year because of her touring. She made somewhere around $39 million gross, and with sharp financial advisers, will get to keep much of that amount. She also co-wrote around six or seven of the songs on Breakaway. When they became huge hits, she signed a deal as co-publisher for her music with the world's biggest music publisher. She's done songs for movie soundtracks, and also had done endorsements.

Any singer (even the biggest stars) these days who relies solely on their recording contract for income will not do well financially.

[Wyatt's Torch]

The labels keep prices at $15+ for CD's when the fully allocated costs are miniscule. Then they sit around and wonder why people are downloading music for free (or nearly free - i.e. Russian sites). No wonder they are mad as their lost revenue is substantially more than the artist. The sad thing is, the labels are invoking the plight of the artists as the reason why you shouldn't use the Kaaza's of the world.

Interesting note about Prince and the music labels I got off his Wikipedia page today:

Behind the name change In 1994, during negotiations regarding the release of album The Gold Experience, a battle between Warner Bros. and ensued, struggling over the artistic and financial control of output. During that time, appeared in public only with the word "SLAVE" written on his cheek. explained his name change as follows:

The first step I have taken towards the ultimate goal of emancipation from the chains that bind me to Warner Brothers was to change my name from Prince to . Prince is the name that my Mother gave me at birth. Warner Bros. took the name, trademarked it, and used it as the main marketing tool to promote all of the music that I wrote. The company owns the name Prince and all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros.... I was born Prince and did not want to adopt another conventional name. The only acceptable replacement for my name, and my identity, was , a symbol with no pronunciation, that is a representation of me and what my music is about. This symbol is present in my work over the years; it is a concept that has evolved from my frustration; it is who I am. It is my name.

[andyssister]

While grocery shopping tonight, I saw "American Idol" toothpaste.

Made by Oragel.

Pump dispenser.

How bizarre is that??

[CajunConservative]

I have read where Taylor actually copyrighted and trademarked his name prior to doing AI. He does have a degree in business, marketing and communications so he would have some idea about the business side of things. I also read where he didn't relinquish his website either. On the main AI site taylorhicks was bleeped when you typed it as one word. None of the other contestants names were censored out.

[Wyatt's Torch]

One more thing about Prince, he is the quintessential "artist". Love him or hate him he writes all his songs, plays the vast majority of instrument on the records, produces his own stuff in his own studio. He has just about complete control. His musical range goes from funk, to pop, to jazz to blues. For those, like me, who love Taylor for being their own artist, Prince is exactly the same kind. Take a look at his bio and I think you'll be amazed at what an incredible artist he truly is.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Final thing I swear....I bought his new record that he performed on AI and it is dang good. Musical styles go from pop/funk to Latin to Carribean. Great, gerat stuff.

[andyssister]

I love Prince for all the reasons you mentioned. Plus, he wrote "Nothing Compares 2 U".

'Nuff said.

[andyssister]

I have read where Taylor actually copyrighted and trademarked his name prior to doing AI.

I've read the same thing.

Makes you wonder about contract negotiations between Taylor and 19E. Could get dicey!

I also wonder what kind of waiver the hopefuls must sign before even trying out.

[Apple Blossom]

There's no question he's a very talented musician. Being a perfectionist explains why he plays most of the instruments and records the music himself. I know he has accomplished much as well as helped others break into the business, or wrote a song for them to record.

I just have a problem with the lack of manners. Not showing until the last minute for a live TV show doesn't show much respect for the people who asked you to be there or much gratitude for the opportunity. Not wanting to meet with or work with the Idols, many of whom look up to him and think he's exceptionally talented is disappointing. Finally, not even shaking Ryan's hand... he's the host FGS! A little humility never hurt anyone.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Thanks for mentioning his writing for other singers. He wrote Manic Monday for The Bangles. He has written songs performed by Celine Deion, Joe Cocker, Paula Abdul, Kenny Rogers, The Time, Alicia Keys, Stevie Nicks, and Chaka Kahn. Amazing.

[Wyatt's Torch]

He's also known to be painfully shy off the stage. I guess my point is that AI had to know this going in and shouldn't have been surprised by his actions.

That being sid, any artist who is on the show should be required to interact with the contestants. Otherwise it's just a free commercial to 30 million people.

[Jessica24]

I saw this post on Vote for the Worst about Katharine and about died.

"At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see this as the tracklist to her first CD:

1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
2. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (jazz version)
3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (disco version)
4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (heavy metal version)
5. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (country version)
6. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (techno version)
7. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (classical version)
8. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (hip-hop version)
9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (reggae version)
10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (bagpipe version)
11. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (medieval folk version)"

They're not pleased that Kat gets to release "Over the Rainbow" as her A-side single instead of the craptastic "My Destiny." Neither am I, but her sales were tanking, so I guess the powers that be got desperate.

[Sue Perkick]

Aw, no bluegrass? ;)

[SirLinksalot]

This is what I got from the Gray Charles website. It's looking to me like winning SURVIVOR and even being Joe Millionaire gives you the better deal...

---

On the contract question:

All the contestants that make the top 24 are signed to a management contract that pays them union scale rates for appearing on the show, and gives 19 Entertainment right of 1st refusal on future services & recording contracts until 180 days after their last performance on the show (if the contracts are standard AFTRA contracts), or in case of records, 30 days after the winner’s CD comes out.

If you make the final 12, you get another contract that gets you paid $10,000 for the track on the CD, paid the same travelling rate for the concert series plus transportation, perdiem and expenses. Recording & movie contracts outside that agreement (like Taylor & Kat’s single, future CD’s, etc.) are under the J Records deal that 19 Entertainment negotiated as part of the original Americal Idol deal between the Simons, and amended when they settled the lawsuit, I imagine.

Taylor’s $1,000,000 recording deal is mostly hype - in fact, Taylor did say he got “…a little money..” for winning, but he and the other Idols are under a $5 million dollar penalty if they reveal any of their contract details to anyone other than involved parties (lawyers, etc.). That’s fairly standard in today’s entertainment business.

As for how much Taylor stands to make on his current releases?
I would be amazed if he got 18-20 cents on the dollar.
I’d bet the CD single and the Idol track are one time payments, with no royalties for performance. His 1st CD will probably make him $200,000 or so, with the 2nd CD always being a bellweather for future income due to more creative influence and perhaps more songs written by Taylor. Remember - Billy Joel had such a sucky contract that, for example, he’s only made about $5,000 for ‘Piano Man’.

But Taylor is no rookie - and I believe he’s already shown them he won’t be a cyborg. He has folks helping advise him from down here (don’t ask how I know) and they are top-notch entertainment counsel.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

I fell asleep after 3.5 hr of voting and got thru about 6 times at most.

I am on the West Coast, and I guesstimate that I got through for Taylor on the final night about 100 times. I had trouble getting through at all in the first hour, so I took a break to feed my cats and then came back. I continued to get some busy signals then but got through more often than not.

[SirLinksalot]

STRICTLY FOR TAYLOR HICKS FANS ONLY...

My only regret is we never got to hear Taylor sing his awesome bluesy version of GEORGIA ON MY MIND in the show ( here's hoping he includes it in his next album ).

Here is a video montage tribute to Taylor Hicks on American Idol with his version of Georgia as background...

http://gofish.com/userVideoPlayer.gfp?gfid=30-1034096