Idol Update, Part 2: "Daughtry" Sales, Katharine's Changes, the BMAs & the Final Word on Kelly vs. Clay
Daughtry did themselves proud this week by selling 304,000 copies of their self-titled debut—good enough for #2 on the Billboard Chart (As predicted, Jay-Z debuted at #1 with sales of 680,000.). Tomorrow, we’ll see if “It’s Not Over” makes the singles chart…
Speaking of debut CDs, you’ll have to wait a little longer to hear Katharine McPhee’s, if she has her way. Katharine told VH1 that she has been extremely vocal about pushing her release date to 2007, so she won’t be rushed. Among the contributors to her CD are Babyface, Chad Hughes of the Neptunes, Kara DioGuardi (who has written songs for Kelly Clarkson and Hilary Duff) and Timbaland’s production partner Nate Hills. Katharine says the CD is a combination of Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand and the Pussycat Dolls.
One song you won’t find on the CD is “Over the Rainbow.” Katharine told producers she didn’t want the song on the album, because it didn’t go with the other songs. She also promises there won’t be any songs about her personal issues. And she tells VH1 that if the record thing doesn’t work out, then she’ll try “the movie thing,” and if that doesn’t work, she’ll “just get knocked up and be a happy married woman.”
In my opinion, the problem with Katharine is that no one is sure what genre to put her in, so I applaud her trying to get that worked out before the CD is released. But I think she’s making a mistake not capitalizing on “Idol” now, especially during the holiday shopping season. The show could give her a boost when it returns, but will fans have moved on by then? Just ask Justin Guarini about the impact a release delay had on him…
Finally, “Billboard” released its finalists for the 2006 Billboard Music Awards and Carrie Underwood is a finalist in three country categories: Artist of the Year, Female Country Artist of the Year, and Country Album of the Year. Plus, she’s nominated for Album of the Year. However, since the winners are determined by actual performance on the Billboard charts, I think her only award shot is Female Artist, since she’s up against two sales juggernauts in the other categories—Rascal Flatts and “High School Musical.” Carrie is scheduled to make an appearance, so that helps her chances. Remember that Chris and Katharine will appear as well. The “Billboard Music Awards” airs Monday, December 4th at 8 p.m. on FOX…
And while Blogger is allowing me to post pictures, please permit me to put in one final word about Kelly vs. Clay, courtesy of RT, my second favorite Canadian:
'Nuff said...
