7.13.13 Adam leaves RCA over creative differences
Jul 13, 2013 0:37:11 GMT -5
Post by Q3 on Jul 13, 2013 0:37:11 GMT -5
Do not mess with the man with the duck lips!
Just felt like the right banner for the news.ADAM PARTS WITH RCA RECORDS!!
REFUSES TO RECORD ALBUM OF 80's COVERS
7.13.13 by Q3
The news broke last night. Adam and RCA have parted ways.
Here is the text of a letter Adam sent to Shirley Halperin of The Hollywood Reporter confirming his exit....
Dear Shirley,
Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, my musical career. After reading your article on July 8th, and seeing the very impassioned responses, I thought it would be good to write and let you know what is actually happening with my next album.
I've had an amazing few years working with the team at RCA; I admire all of them a great deal, and truly appreciate the energy & enthusiasm that went into making both "Trespassing" & "For Your Entertainment" successes.
That said, at this point, we are indeed having the oft-cited "creative differences" as to what my next project will be. Your article was correct, the label is "pushing for an (80's) covers album," and feels that this is the only kind of release they are prepared to support. While there are lots of great songs from that decade, my heart is simply not in doing a covers album.
Over the past four years, I have been truly fortunate to work with an amazing roster of producers, writers and engineers. Thanks to them, I have grown as both a songwriter and a vocalist. Artistically & professionally, I think it is essential that I continue with this evolution. I am already deep into writing new material with some very talented colleagues for a brand new album, and I can't tell you how excited I am to share this new sound & direction. This music is where my heart is, and I believe that is what my fans want to hear. So after careful consideration, I have made the decision to respectfully part ways with RCA. My passion for the music & respect for the fans will always come first. I am excited to find a new label team who shares this vision.
Yours,
Adam
Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, my musical career. After reading your article on July 8th, and seeing the very impassioned responses, I thought it would be good to write and let you know what is actually happening with my next album.
I've had an amazing few years working with the team at RCA; I admire all of them a great deal, and truly appreciate the energy & enthusiasm that went into making both "Trespassing" & "For Your Entertainment" successes.
That said, at this point, we are indeed having the oft-cited "creative differences" as to what my next project will be. Your article was correct, the label is "pushing for an (80's) covers album," and feels that this is the only kind of release they are prepared to support. While there are lots of great songs from that decade, my heart is simply not in doing a covers album.
Over the past four years, I have been truly fortunate to work with an amazing roster of producers, writers and engineers. Thanks to them, I have grown as both a songwriter and a vocalist. Artistically & professionally, I think it is essential that I continue with this evolution. I am already deep into writing new material with some very talented colleagues for a brand new album, and I can't tell you how excited I am to share this new sound & direction. This music is where my heart is, and I believe that is what my fans want to hear. So after careful consideration, I have made the decision to respectfully part ways with RCA. My passion for the music & respect for the fans will always come first. I am excited to find a new label team who shares this vision.
Yours,
Adam
And then let me apologize to Shirley Halperin for doubting her original story, but at least the part about Adam being into the concept because he covered "Shout" and did 80's covers on Idol was wrong.
***
Since Adam signed with RCA, fans have not been happy with how the label has promoted Adam and with some of the label's choices -- most particularly this strange single selections and promotional strategy for Trespassing. I do not need to repeat a list of big misses orchestrated by RCA but to illustrate, RCA released a lame single as the lead single for Trespassing BTIKM, and chose to release it to radio during the holiday radio chart freeze period. [December 20, 2011] They could not push it to radio because they charts are froze at the end of the year. They couldn't promote online very well because the video was not released until February 3, 2012. IMO it was a weak song choice but a deadly, not sensible promotional plan.
I am happy that Adam chose NOT to record an album of 80's cover songs. It may have been a way for RCA to make a quick buck but the end of Adam's recording career. It was such a stupid idea, the I did not believe RCA could seriously do it.
I am also so pleased that fans may have played a part in supporting Adam's decision.
***
After Shirley's rumor article was printed, the fan response was a loud, almost unanimous NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It was the start of a wild news cycle:
Adam Lambert's Next Album: All '80s Covers? 1:30 PM PDT 7/8/2013 by Shirley Halperin THR
Glee Announcement Ryan Murphy @mrrpmurphy tweets "I am thrilled to announce that the super talented Adam Lambert is joining the cast of Glee this fall." 6:26 PM - 10 Jul 13
Adam Lambert Walks Away from RCA (Exclusive) 6:30 PM PDT 7/12/2013 by Shirley Halperin THR
When this week's news cycle concluded, fans created some theories that this was a PR plan to sequence the announcement. I agree that it looks like a messaging plan. Tip to build buzz on Monday, big good news story mid-week, negative news late on Friday night. The resulting message is....
Label has brain-dead idea, fans hate it.
Adam has great big opportunity, fans love it.
Adam has creative differences with RCA and fans love that he decided to leave.
But all things may not be as they appear.
MJ from MJsBigBlog posted this:
ETA: Also, agree this whole deal–from Shirley dropping the “gossip” earlier this week, to the Glee announcement, and now the letter to Shirley revealing the slit with RCA–it appears to be well orchestrated by Adam’s people. Whoever is in charge of Adam’s PR deserves a major raise.
UPDATE: Shirley Halperin responds to my ETA above:
UPDATE: Shirley Halperin responds to my ETA above:
There was no orchestration, MJ. I had the tip, asked Adam directly at the Live Proud event, he wouldn’t comment. Same with his rep and the label. Feeling confident in my sources, I printed the story, the reaction came flooding in and it precipitated a decision of whether to move forward with a third album, or not. Both sides would have to agree on a creative direction in order to move ahead with the recording contract. That’s the god’s honest truth. Just good, old-fashioned journalism.
I know that the standard Idol contract requires both the artist and the Sony label to agree on the material/creative direction.
I am fairly confident that this was a very recent decision.
But I think this was orchestrated and Shirley was not part of the plan -- just the reporter who got the tip and the big scoop confirmation.
***
What does this mean for Adam?
Adam can sign a recording contact with a different label or be an independent recording artist and sign a distribution deal with no restrictions or interference from 19 Entertainment (CORE Media) since that contract ended or from Sony.
RCA owns the recording masters to FYE and Trespassing, and still pays Adam royalties and licensing revenue share.
Adam owns the songs and portions of songs he wrote and gets royalties for them.
Adam can still perform the music from FYE and Trespassing.
RCA has no rights to any future work of Adam's.
Shoshanna's PR firm is almost certainly going to continue to work for Adam since they have a direct relationship.
AdamOfficial.com contains material owned by copywrited by Sony. I think Adam's management company owns the URL, but I an not sure what happens to this site.
RCA/Sony was not involved in the fan club or merchandising. So these areas are unaffected.
What does this mean for me? Since Adam will not be doing an 80's cover album, I do not have to buy drinks for everyone at ATop. Pffew! Thank you Adam.
***
Here is Shirley's article:
Adam Lambert Walks Away from RCA (Exclusive)
6:30 PM PDT 7/12/2013 by Shirley Halperin
The "American Idol" season eight runner-up says no to an all-covers album, which the Sony-owned label was pushing for.
Adam Lambert publicity 2012 P
Monday's news -- as reported by The Hollywood Reporter -- that American Idol season eight runner-up Adam Lambert was being asked by his label, RCA Records, to consider recording an all covers album elicited an impassioned response from the legions of Glamberts worldwide. And it wasn't a positive one.
In what was a loud and fairly unanimous outcry, the rocker's fans took to social media, this site and popular American Idol debate destination MJs Big Blog to voice their distaste for the idea. The consensus for the most part being: that Lambert is an artist with his own musical vision who should be allowed to explore it to the fullest.
Now, THR can report, Lambert will be doing just that. The singer is walking away from his RCA contract after two full length albums, 2012's Trespassing and 2009's For Your Entertainment, along with several EPs and a live collection -- all issued by the Sony Music label.
Lambert revealed the news in a letter to THR, which follows in its entirety below. In it, Lambert notes "the oft-cited 'creative differences'" as they related to his next project, stating: "my heart is simply not in doing a covers album." To the contrary, Lambert adds that he's "deep into writing new material with some very talented colleagues," which will surely delight his audience of diehards.
The "evolution" continues, he says. "This music is where my heart is." But it won't be at RCA, where a typical American Idol recording contract stipulates that the artist and the label be on the same page creatively.
Read Lambert's letter below:
Dear Shirley,
Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, my musical career. After reading your article on July 8th, and seeing the very impassioned responses, I thought it would be good to write and let you know what is actually happening with my next album.
I've had an amazing few years working with the team at RCA; I admire all of them a great deal, and truly appreciate the energy & enthusiasm that went into making both "Trespassing" & "For Your Entertainment" successes.
That said, at this point, we are indeed having the oft-cited "creative differences" as to what my next project will be. Your article was correct, the label is "pushing for an (80's) covers album," and feels that this is the only kind of release they are prepared to support. While there are lots of great songs from that decade, my heart is simply not in doing a covers album.
Over the past four years, I have been truly fortunate to work with an amazing roster of producers, writers and engineers. Thanks to them, I have grown as both a songwriter and a vocalist. Artistically & professionally, I think it is essential that I continue with this evolution. I am already deep into writing new material with some very talented colleagues for a brand new album, and I can't tell you how excited I am to share this new sound & direction. This music is where my heart is, and I believe that is what my fans want to hear. So after careful consideration, I have made the decision to respectfully part ways with RCA. My passion for the music & respect for the fans will always come first. I am excited to find a new label team who shares this vision.
Yours,
Adam
Looking ahead to a just-announced role on season five of Glee, it's clear Lambert, who found his voice in musical theater, has his sights set beyond just a recording career.
So there you have it. What say you now, Glamnation?
Link: www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/adam-lambert-parts-ways-rca-584714
*****
Arts & Entertainment Music
Q&A: Adam Lambert Sees a Future When They ‘Get Over It’
The out singer says entertainment and media has already made a difference in whether LGBT youth are accepted when they come out.
BY David Artavia
July 12 2013 6:00 AM ET
AT&T Executive Director of Diverse Marketing Laura Hernandez and Adam Lambert on the red carpet at The Trevor Project event.
Adam Lambert’s album, Trespassing, debuted last year at number one, a first for an openly gay man, and he credits the fans. But times are clearly changing. Gay.net spoke with the singer shortly after the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. “Finally,” he said, “we’re making steps.”
On July 3, AT&T’s Live Proud campaign and Lambert presented The Trevor Project a check for $50,000 in honor of the organization’s efforts in suicide prevention for LGBT youth. Lambert brought the house down with his band as the audience got on their feet for a great cause.
The Advocate spoke with Lambert just before his performance. We discussed the need for more out celebs like him, being a role model, and how the hold-outs who haven’t yet embraced equality will one day “get over it.”
The Advocate: Do you think it’s important to have more out celebrities, especially now?
Adam Lambert: I do, you know I would like to see more out celebrities, but I do know that it’s difficult in the entertainment industry to be out. It’s not always easy….
People have certain assumptions they make, especially for actors and actresses. I think the big challenge for a lot of them, is they want to be believable when they play this type of character, because unfortunately some people can’t see past orientations. But I think with things like this, with DOMA being overturned, and progress being made, and more visibility being out there, I think we can move to a time where it isn’t that big of an issue. It’s just a bit tricky right now.
You were actually among the rare ones to spring into fame already out.
I didn’t want to do it any other way. First of all, I can’t imagine keeping that secret. Not only would it have been a pain in the ass, but it’s just not who I am. I’m an open book, I wanted to be up front. Plus I was living my life for 10 years here in L.A. out and proud. So there was no way I was going to go back in the closet. That would have been ridiculous.
In the media, do you think it’s important to have gay characters or gay celebrities?
I think public opinion has shifted a lot because of what the media has been doing. TV and film have been writing a lot more gay characters in their storylines. I think that’s been helping the main public understand it a little bit and get over it.
What does The Trevor Project mean to you?
I love what they’re doing, how they’re reaching out to human people. I think with social media being such a powerful tool now, there are places in this country and around the world where gay men and women don’t have a voice and they don’t have a way of connecting with each other. Social media has changed that. For people like me, who have visibility and celebrity on my side, to be able to get a message out to them, I think is very powerful. To encourage them to be who they are and that they’re not alone.
You’re a role model for a lot of people. How would you define a role model?
There are different kinds of role models. There’s the exemplary person who is morally amazing and does everything right, then there’s the role model who says, “I’m flawed, I’m crazy and cooky, but I want people to be who they want to be.” That’s been my mission this whole time, to encourage people to be who they are. Don’t mimic me, I’m not your example. I’m only trying to get people to do what they want.
Your parents were so supportive, others’ parents unfortunately aren’t so supportive. What would you say to those parents?
I think a lot of older generation parents believe that the life of a LGBT person is going to be really hard and fraught with all this turmoil. Well, most of that turmoil comes from a family rejecting them, so the first step is a family embracing a person for who they are. And that’s not that hard. You look around major cities around the country, it’s not hard. There’s great community, great support system, and there’s a lot of gay kids out there. It’s not that difficult.
Yeah, that’s why a lot of gay people come to big cities.
I mean, I definitely feel for people who are in parts of the country where they’re the only one. Or think they’re the only one. That’s hard.
That’s why people like you are good for them.
Yeah, and that’s what Facebook is for, what Twitter is for. Connect with people. Reach out, and make friends.
Link: www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2013/07/12/qa-adam-lambert-sees-future-when-they-%E2%80%98get-over-it%E2%80%99
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Check out the ALH page for podcast of previous shows.
This is the only weekly Adam Lambert show in the world.
Energy Radio (UK) www.energymusicradio.co.uk/
Energy Music Radio @energy150778: The @adamlambert 1 hour long show starting 1st week of July on Energy Music Radio listen out for more details coming soon!!
Adamtopia News Thread
Adamtopia Daily News & Information thread is for discussing current news. Keep the news focused on Adam news. Please try to follow all the site guidelines. And most importantly, stay glittery and golden.
Birthday greetings may be posted on the first page of comments. After that, please post birthday greetings in the Member News Section or send a PM. Two members have been designated to post birthday greetings whenever they get here -- our Confectioner Extraordinaire (Reihmer) and our Humorist (soeulmate). Birthday thread: atop.proboards.com/board/10/birthday-greetings
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The Adamtopia guidelines are quite simple. To be a member of Adamtopia...
1. You must be an Adam fan.
2. You must be respectful of other members. Feel free to express your opinion, but be glitterier and golden.
3. Strive to be funny, entertaining or informative when you post. Avoid posting something that has already been posted.
4. Never question anyone's right to post, the appropriateness of a topic or define the proper way for an Adam fan or Adamtopia Member to behave.
Let the moderators do their job.
More rules will be added if the need arises but, if everyone follows these rules, we will not need a lot of rules.
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