LOS ANGELES - You havent missed your chance to compete on
American Idol this year. The hit Fox show is adding a songwriting
contest to give the winning singer a winning first single.
The contest, which has been in the works since last year and was to
be kicked off on Wednesdays show, is online. Aspiring songwriters
can submit their work to be judged by American Idol creator Simon
Fuller and his 19 Entertainment company.
The 20 songs Fuller and his staff pick can be heard and voted on
online. The top vote-getter will be performed on the shows season
finale by the two finalists and recorded by the winning
singer.
The songwriter will receive a music publishing deal and cash
advance on royalties, 19 Entertainment said.
Having an undiscovered songwriter create the winners single
seemed like a natural next step for our show, Fuller said in a
statement Wednesday. Not only do the fans pick their American
Idol, but also his or her first single.
n the past five seasons, the show has called on industry
professionals to create original songs for the finalists, with the
winner or even the runner-up consistently scoring best-selling
records with the tunes.
But the songs, such as last seasons Do I Make You Proud, sung by
winner Taylor Hicks, have been criticized as forgettable or
worse.
Fuller has said hed like numbers that were better matches for the
singers.
The contest is open to those who are at least 18 and dont have an
exclusive publishing deal. Songs can be uploaded online through
April 17, with voting set for May 2-8. The winning number will be
announced May 22, the first day of the two-day season finale.
Applicable to the US
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