AI: A hunting ground for talent scouts

By this time next week we would already know who between David Archuleta and David Cook was named the seventh American Idol (AI). Winner or not though, the show is truly the best stepping stone to stardom. There are no losers in the competition. Whoever lands in the finals already gets a strong kickstart. How he fares is all up to him. Genuine talent will always come out and in some cases, a “loser” like Chris Daughtry will emerge an even bigger star than some winners.

I’m very sure that if the success of the show continues, most of the biggest stars in the US would be AI graduates. American Idol is now that happy hunting ground for talent scouts. And why would they not gobble up the finalists of the show? Those kids come with well-thought-out packaging, excellent training from the experts and that all-important TV and tour exposure. A little push upwards is all that they need and that is what they are getting. Take a look at this list of releases from winners and non-winners who also got label deals and you will surely agree.

Jordin Sparks by Jordin Sparks, the American Idol of the sixth season 2007. This is an excellent case of not choosing the best singer but the star. Young, pretty and with a sweet personality, Jordin was the most likable among the finalists. There were better singers in her batch but one cannot help but root for a girl who smiled often and was always nice. And if we are to go by what is happening to her debut album, then the voters did right.

Jordin had a big hit with her first single Tattoo and did even better with No Air, a duet with hip-hop heartthrob Chris Brown. Other good bets are Shy Boy and Just for the Record. And to remind the listener that she is an American Idol, included as a bonus track is This is My Now. This was the winning entry in the AI songwriting contest. The last two finalists get to sing the song. Jordin won and it became hers.

Audio Daydream by Blake Lewis. He was runner-up to Jordin and it was really no contest. Blake is a beat boxer and while quite talented, not everybody is familiar with beat boxing, let alone enjoy listening to it. But Blake still got to make his CD and it is indeed what the title says, a true audio daydream. Blake has bits of rock, hip-hop and beat boxing in Break Anotha, pop, Surrender, I Got You even some ballads, How Many Words, End of the World, which he does quite well, plus Gots to Get Her, a novelty take on the oldie Puttin’ On the Ritz.

Also doing very well these days are the following: Mandisa, who was thought to be a shoo-in for the title among the Fifth Season batch, is now an established artist for Christian songs. This is her niche and her album True Beauty is an apt showcase for her powerful vocals and expressive range. Best song is Only the World, which local diva-wannabes should check out.

Paris Bennett, that tiny girl with the sweet voice who reminded me of Diana Ross from Season Five has also released her own CD Princess P. I’m surprised though that she chose to do hip-hop and R&B instead of power ballads. But the album comes across as cute, which Paris is, more so when she is rapping with fellow finalist Kevin Covais, who was dubbed Chicken Little.

Kellie Pickler, the dumb blonde from AI, is anything but dumb in her CD titled Small Town Girl. She mixes rock and country like AI Carrie Underwood but her style has a funny, sexy vibe that is quite appealing. Check out her titles Red High Heels, Wild Ponies, My Angel, Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind and others.

Another finalist who has taken the country route is Bucky Covington. But I do not think we will ever see his CD out here because it is pure Nashville stuff and Filipinos are not big fans of country music. But he is another proof that also-rans on AI, also get their crack at the big time.

Take note that Mandisa, Kellie, Paris and Bucky are all from Idol Season Five, which must be the best batch ever. It also had winner Taylor Hicks, Katharine Mcphee, Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry, plus Ace Young who is set to come up with his own album soon.