He avoided elimination all through his American Idol run, but Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze has reached the end of the road at RCA Records.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week, newly appointed RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze is no longer on the label. Under Sony Music CEO Doug Morris, who took the reigns in July, RCA has absorbed the rosters of Jive, Arista and J Records, all labels which have seen their share of Idols signings, both winners and runners up.

DeWyze continues to be managed by 19’s management arm and recently told THR that he was working on new music.

Season 9 was the last of a nine-year partnership between Idol, 19 Recordings and Sony Music, which had an exclusive license on the show’s music releases. DeWyze’s option officially expired in September. His debut album, 2010’s Live It Up, sold just over 168,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Other Idol winners who remain on the RCA roster include season 8’s Kris Allen, season 7’s David Cook, Season 6’s Jordin Sparks as well as Idol’s biggest successes, season 4’s Carrie Underwood and the first ever Idol, Kelly Clarkson.

When asked about Idol’s inconsistent sales performance, RCA’s Edge offered an explanation: “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R. The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don't have the right songs, it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we've seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat. And we've seen them have great records, like Kelly Clarkson, starting with ‘Since U Been Gone.’ Or on the X Factor side, Leona Lewis, where ‘Bleeding Love’ gave her a double-platinum debut album; if she didn't have those songs, her notoriety would have probably gone away. Those where the A&R wasn't the best, or they weren't willing to be A&R’d, they didn't last.”

A rep for DeWyze tells THR he's "in a good place right now" and notes that he has several exciting projects in the pipeline, one of which no doubt includes his upcoming wedding to model and actress Jonna Walsh.

I haven't watched American Idol since the night they kicked Melinda DooLittle (the obvious winner) off the show. I was so mad. After that it was a wrap, I was done.

I've come to learn about some future people like Adam Lambert and the boy that looks like Eddie Munster since they were sort of inescapable but besides that when people talk about anything past Season 6 I have no clue what the hell they're discussing.

When I watched AI it was Paula, Randy, & Simon...not Simon, Ellen, Randy, or Randy, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and whatever other ridiculous combo they came up with.

I never even heard of him.

kitbradley said:

I never even heard of him.

Same here in fact,I've never watched a single episode of American Idol.

getxxxx said:

He avoided elimination all through his American Idol run, but Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze has reached the end of the road at RCA Records.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week, newly appointed RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze is no longer on the label. Under Sony Music CEO Doug Morris, who took the reigns in July, RCA has absorbed the rosters of Jive, Arista and J Records, all labels which have seen their share of Idols signings, both winners and runners up.

DeWyze continues to be managed by 19’s management arm and recently told THR that he was working on new music.

Season 9 was the last of a nine-year partnership between Idol, 19 Recordings and Sony Music, which had an exclusive license on the show’s music releases. DeWyze’s option officially expired in September. His debut album, 2010’s Live It Up, sold just over 168,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Other Idol winners who remain on the RCA roster include season 8’s Kris Allen, season 7’s David Cook, Season 6’s Jordin Sparks as well as Idol’s biggest successes, season 4’s Carrie Underwood and the first ever Idol, Kelly Clarkson.

When asked about Idol’s inconsistent sales performance, RCA’s Edge offered an explanation: “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R. The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don't have the right songs, it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we've seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat. And we've seen them have great records, like Kelly Clarkson, starting with ‘Since U Been Gone.’ Or on the X Factor side, Leona Lewis, where ‘Bleeding Love’ gave her a double-platinum debut album; if she didn't have those songs, her notoriety would have probably gone away. Those where the A&R wasn't the best, or they weren't willing to be A&R’d, they didn't last.”

A rep for DeWyze tells THR he's "in a good place right now" and notes that he has several exciting projects in the pipeline, one of which no doubt includes his upcoming wedding to model and actress Jonna Walsh.

why are we shocked? i mean this is how it goes, the show is not there to build a career around, unless you are Kelly or Carrie, the show is there to get one brieft spurt of sales action and then move on. Sure some good singers have come through, but as Richard Marx said YEARS ago, the show is bad bad karoake set to horrible backing tracks, why should i care how someone sings an old motown song that they dont even know? if you want a career in music get in the clubs and build your way up, write, etc...if you want a quick grab at a MOMENT then go on american idol. It CASE CLOSED this show has run its course, the last 3-4 or more people have said consistently, "i didnt even know who won" time to cancel the show.

As is the fate with most American Idols...

lastdecember said:

getxxxx said:

He avoided elimination all through his American Idol run, but Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze has reached the end of the road at RCA Records.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week, newly appointed RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze is no longer on the label. Under Sony Music CEO Doug Morris, who took the reigns in July, RCA has absorbed the rosters of Jive, Arista and J Records, all labels which have seen their share of Idols signings, both winners and runners up.

DeWyze continues to be managed by 19’s management arm and recently told THR that he was working on new music.

Season 9 was the last of a nine-year partnership between Idol, 19 Recordings and Sony Music, which had an exclusive license on the show’s music releases. DeWyze’s option officially expired in September. His debut album, 2010’s Live It Up, sold just over 168,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Other Idol winners who remain on the RCA roster include season 8’s Kris Allen, season 7’s David Cook, Season 6’s Jordin Sparks as well as Idol’s biggest successes, season 4’s Carrie Underwood and the first ever Idol, Kelly Clarkson.

When asked about Idol’s inconsistent sales performance, RCA’s Edge offered an explanation: “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R. The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don't have the right songs, it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we've seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat. And we've seen them have great records, like Kelly Clarkson, starting with ‘Since U Been Gone.’ Or on the X Factor side, Leona Lewis, where ‘Bleeding Love’ gave her a double-platinum debut album; if she didn't have those songs, her notoriety would have probably gone away. Those where the A&R wasn't the best, or they weren't willing to be A&R’d, they didn't last.”

A rep for DeWyze tells THR he's "in a good place right now" and notes that he has several exciting projects in the pipeline, one of which no doubt includes his upcoming wedding to model and actress Jonna Walsh.

why are we shocked? i mean this is how it goes, the show is not there to build a career around, unless you are Kelly or Carrie, the show is there to get one brieft spurt of sales action and then move on. Sure some good singers have come through, but as Richard Marx said YEARS ago, the show is bad bad karoake set to horrible backing tracks, why should i care how someone sings an old motown song that they dont even know? if you want a career in music get in the clubs and build your way up, write, etc...if you want a quick grab at a MOMENT then go on american idol. It CASE CLOSED this show has run its course, the last 3-4 or more people have said consistently, "i didnt even know who won" time to cancel the show.

I agree with just about everything that you said except for the bolded part. I don't know, maybe the ratings are slipping, but doesn't the show still draw huge audiences? It is certainly not something that I watch but if there are still many millions of people that do Fox would be foolish to cancel it.

I just had a look at the ratings on Wikipedia. Who knows if they are accurate but 20 million viewers seems to be the low (aside from the first season). If those numbers are correct it does seem odd that less than 1% of the people that watch the show bothered to buy the most recent winners album. If just 5% of those twenty million people bought it that would be enough to make it a platinum album. I guess the question is why are so few viewers actually buying the cd's?

I'd like to say that I care, but I don't even know who Lee De Wyze is.

Who??? 'cricketschirping'

Damn, I never saw him or heard of him but i'm not surprised. There's really only 2 big stars from that show and that's Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert. Everyone else has struggled quite a bit I think? That'swhat happens when you let someone with no star quality win the show.

lastdecember said:

why are we shocked? i mean this is how it goes, the show is not there to build a career around

And you can stop there because that is the truth. Its about good reality television to them, not good music. I was explaining this to a female singer friend of mine and I could hear the doubt in her voice as I told her.

People with dreams of fame don't want to believe this. These are the same people who believe a big time producer is going to walk into a bar and discover them. Planning and taking an active role in your career goes much further than any show will take you. All contests on television are rigged. There is no guesswork because the network won't allow it. People want to believe their dreams will come true, so they want to believe that these shows are a pathway to a successful career. It might work out if you are young and pretty enough or if people happen to like you enough but otherwise its unlikely because karoake is not the road to a real career. People who just want to be famous will do whatever to do so - be it singing or whatever. They just want people to know who they are. People who want to be heard because they have something to say or a messae through music to share with the world would do best to avoid these shows because most of the time, those singers still end up singing karoake - other peoples' songs - throughout their career.

[Edited 10/8/11 9:40am]

He just gave y'all the game right there. What he means by that is IF YOU AREN'T WILLING TO DO EVERYTHING WE TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW WE TELL YOU, YOU AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT WITH US. Fuck your skills, fuck your songs, fuck everything you ever wanted to express. Fuck who you THINK you are. Be who we want you to be and you can have a career through us for a little while. Otherwise, you are getting dropped.

getxxxx said:

When asked about Idol’s inconsistent sales performance, RCA’s Edge offered an explanation: “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R. The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don't have the right songs, it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we've seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat. And we've seen them have great records, like Kelly Clarkson, starting with ‘Since U Been Gone.’ Or on the X Factor side, Leona Lewis, where ‘Bleeding Love’ gave her a double-platinum debut album; if she didn't have those songs, her notoriety would have probably gone away. Those where the A&R wasn't the best, or they weren't willing to be A&R’d, they didn't last.”

BlaqueKnight said:

He just gave y'all the game right there. What he means by that is IF YOU AREN'T WILLING TO DO EVERYTHING WE TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW WE TELL YOU, YOU AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT WITH US. Fuck your skills, fuck your songs, fuck everything you ever wanted to express. Fuck who you THINK you are. Be who we want you to be and you can have a career through us for a little while. Otherwise, you are getting dropped.

getxxxx said:

When asked about Idol’s inconsistent sales performance, RCA’s Edge offered an explanation: “The best Idol results come from doing great A&R. The TV platform provides amazing coverage, but if you don't have the right songs, it doesn't really mean a whole hell of a lot, because we've seen American Idol winners come and go in a heartbeat. And we've seen them have great records, like Kelly Clarkson, starting with ‘Since U Been Gone.’ Or on the X Factor side, Leona Lewis, where ‘Bleeding Love’ gave her a double-platinum debut album; if she didn't have those songs, her notoriety would have probably gone away. Those where the A&R wasn't the best, or they weren't willing to be A&R’d, they didn't last.”

Like all X-Factor type shows if your good you will find...get a career in music ....people know you but if they don't like you or are willing to pay for your music your dead in the water....simple, it's the song stupid.....why these idol guys and girls don't get it?

BlaqueKnight said:

lastdecember said:

why are we shocked? i mean this is how it goes, the show is not there to build a career around

And you can stop there because that is the truth. Its about good reality television to them, not good music. I was explaining this to a female singer friend of mine and I could hear the doubt in her voice as I told her.

People with dreams of fame don't want to believe this. These are the same people who believe a big time producer is going to walk into a bar and discover them. Planning and taking an active role in your career goes much further than any show will take you. All contests on television are rigged. There is no guesswork because the network won't allow it. People want to believe their dreams will come true, so they want to believe that these shows are a pathway to a successful career. It might work out if you are young and pretty enough or if people happen to like you enough but otherwise its unlikely because karoake is not the road to a real career. People who just want to be famous will do whatever to do so - be it singing or whatever. They just want people to know who they are. People who want to be heard because they have something to say or a messae through music to share with the world would do best to avoid these shows because most of the time, those singers still end up singing karoake - other peoples' songs - throughout their career.

[Edited 10/8/11 9:40am]

That's why most music talent show contestants with the obvious exceptions of Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Susan Boyle and Carrie Underwood would never get to be famous for so long. Here today and gone today. Where's Ruben Studdard now? Where's Taylor Hicks? Hell where's Prince Poppycock?

[Edited 10/8/11 13:29pm]

Timmy84 said:

BlaqueKnight said:

And you can stop there because that is the truth. Its about good reality television to them, not good music. I was explaining this to a female singer friend of mine and I could hear the doubt in her voice as I told her.

People with dreams of fame don't want to believe this. These are the same people who believe a big time producer is going to walk into a bar and discover them. Planning and taking an active role in your career goes much further than any show will take you. All contests on television are rigged. There is no guesswork because the network won't allow it. People want to believe their dreams will come true, so they want to believe that these shows are a pathway to a successful career. It might work out if you are young and pretty enough or if people happen to like you enough but otherwise its unlikely because karoake is not the road to a real career. People who just want to be famous will do whatever to do so - be it singing or whatever. They just want people to know who they are. People who want to be heard because they have something to say or a messae through music to share with the world would do best to avoid these shows because most of the time, those singers still end up singing karoake - other peoples' songs - throughout their career.

[Edited 10/8/11 9:40am]

That's why most music talent show contestants with the obvious exceptions of Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Susan Boyle and Carrie Underwood would never get to be famous for so long. Here today and gone today. Where's Ruben Studdard now? Where's Taylor Hicks? Hell where's Prince Poppycock?

[Edited 10/8/11 13:29pm]

Exactly! No one is growing talent, its right in the shows name IDOL, to be an IDOL of any kind that doesnt last, its fleeting here today and gone tomorrow, and they are giving someone a shot at being here today and gone tomorrow, so when i hear someone is dropped or whatever, thats the nature of the show, they cant keep someone on a label for 10 records if they are selling 100,000 copies! this isnt the 70's or 80's where u could actually lose money on an artist because they became the next Prince or Rem or elton john. Now you have to be PRINCE (the purple rain one) right out the box or NEXT. Im glad Richard Marx said what he said about this show, it is bad karoake set to bad backing tracks, thats not saying folks cant sing that have been on there, shit i love Katharine Mcphee and now thats she FREE of that "show" and on Verve records, the artist is coming out.

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

That's why most music talent show contestants with the obvious exceptions of Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Susan Boyle and Carrie Underwood would never get to be famous for so long. Here today and gone today. Where's Ruben Studdard now? Where's Taylor Hicks? Hell where's Prince Poppycock?

[Edited 10/8/11 13:29pm]

Exactly! No one is growing talent, its right in the shows name IDOL, to be an IDOL of any kind that doesnt last, its fleeting here today and gone tomorrow, and they are giving someone a shot at being here today and gone tomorrow, so when i hear someone is dropped or whatever, thats the nature of the show, they cant keep someone on a label for 10 records if they are selling 100,000 copies! this isnt the 70's or 80's where u could actually lose money on an artist because they became the next Prince or Rem or elton john. Now you have to be PRINCE (the purple rain one) right out the box or NEXT. Im glad Richard Marx said what he said about this show, it is bad karoake set to bad backing tracks, thats not saying folks cant sing that have been on there, shit i love Katharine Mcphee and now thats she FREE of that "show" and on Verve records, the artist is coming out.

It actually humors me how some of the contestants are that foolish to think they'll be made into a superstar. One "Idol" contestant barely went gold and he spent months promoting it to no avail. I see more "Idol" contestants being dropped from labels as time goes on.