Adam Lambert has left his record label after a dispute — what kind of music did they want him to record? Also in today’s Roundup, Angie Miller is previewing one of her new songs. Candice Glover sang the National Anthem this week at the MLB All-Star Game. And Lee DeWyze has released an acoustic version of a song off his upcoming album that fans can download for free.
Adam Lambert Departs Record Label
He may be joining Glee next season, but the season 8 runner-up is having a more tumultuous time when it comes to his music career. He has just walked away from his contract with RCA. Why would he do that when his most recent album for them debuted at #1 (and he became the first openly gay male artist to do so)? Well, they wanted him to record an ’80s covers album.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the story of this album theme last week, saying that because the label wasn’t completely on board with Adam’s sophomore release Trespassing, by releasing one with all covers, they would be more supportive, especially since they’d have bigger input into what songs were included. At the time, neither artist nor label were saying anything beyond vague comments.
But now Adam Lambert is coming forward and revealing that he has left RCA over this very issue, saying he and and his label couldn’t come to an agreement over the direction of the album. “At this point, we are indeed having the oft-cited ‘creative differences’ as to what my next project will be,” he told THR. “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.” Regardless of him walking away or not, the idea of doing an ’80s covers album doesn’t come completely out of left field, considering his signature song from Idol is Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” and he’s performed with Queen many times, to name just a couple examples.
But this doesn’t mean we won’t be hearing new music from Adam. He went on to say, “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. My passion for the music & respect for the fans will always come first. I am excited to find a new label who shares this vision.”
When news first broke, Glamberts everywhere made their voices heard online, and the consensus seems to be that he did the right thing by rejecting a covers album. We only have to look at season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken as an example: when Clay released an album of mostly covers (it was his second release, not including his Christmas record), his career was never able to gain momentum afterwards, even when he went back to original music.
Preview New Angie Miller Song “Put It On Me”
Season 12 third-place finisher Angie Miller wasted no time after Idol went off the air in May to release her debut single “You Set Me Free.” And it looks like she’s getting ready to release another song, because she is letting fans hear a preview of “Put It On Me,” a tune that is accessible and catchy, and will surely appeal to both Christian and non-Christian music listeners alike. This is perfect timing to tease the song, as she and her fellow season 12 finalists are about to head out on the road for the American Idol Live! Tour, which kicks off on Friday, July 19 in Kent, WA.
Candice Glover Sings the National Anthem
Speaking of season 12, this year’s winner was at Tuesday night’s Major League All-Star baseball game, held at New York’s Citi Field, to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Take a look at her singing the National Anthem below — her voice is exceptional as always:
Listen to Acoustic Version of Lee DeWyze’s “Fight”
Finally, Lee DeWyze is preparing for his sophomore album Frames to drop on August 20, though it’s his first for Vanguard Records. Yahoo is featuring a video of Lee performing an acoustic version of his song “Fight,” which is one of the tracks off the new record. (Listening to this song, it sounds like one that would fit in well on Phillip Phillips’ album, and also suits Lee’s husky and growly voice.) Lee has begun a six-city solo tour for the latter half of July, and will be opening for Serena Ryder’s tour in August.
If you enjoyed this song, you can download the acoustic version for free here.
(Image courtesy of WENN)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
