Adam is in the Top Three thanks in part to everybody here! It’s amazing and fantastic not only to see him reach such a pinnacle, but also to see the mainstream press’ reaction (he’s on the cover of Entertainment Weekly solo!). His family and friends are so rightfully proud of his success and it’s going to be so exciting to see what song Adam picks for himself and what the “Judge’s pick” is going to be next week. I congratulate all three finalists, they each have found a formula to propel them from 100,000+ contestants to 3 and I think that deserves admiration.

Now before people get started on the EW cover, from an industry standpoint please remember that just like American Idol, the goal of magazines and newspapers is to… sell copies. I think everyone recognizes that controversy sells. There are two ways to deal with this. One is to get wrapped up in controversy (which is what the media wants) and the other is to ignore it and focus on the goal, which is to see Adam become the next American Idol. You’ve all so articulately discussed your passion for Adam and his talent without regard to any other issue and I’d encourage you to continue on that positive track.

As an update, there have been 75 amazing replies to the Adam’s Star Power Poll, and 100 would be a great round number to post the results, so I think it’s good to extend the Poll until tomorrow (Friday) at 10am Eastern/7am Pacific. If you’d please take a moment and answer whatever questions you like it would be really interesting and I’ll post the results tomorrow.

Back in blog post 28 (and I have these in a Word document to search, I wouldn’t expect anyone to remember), I mentioned, “…Adam strikes me as a solo artist (unlike some of the others who may be more successful fronting bands). One advantage to being a solo artist is you don’t have to split the money with other band mates. As a side story, Lynn Harless, Justin Timberlake’s Mom, wanted to create a girl’s version of NSYNC, it was called INNOSENSE and Britney Spears was intended to be part of the group. Nikki DeLoach, who was also in The New Mickey Mouse Club (with Britney and Justin), was also a member. At the last moment it was decided that Britney would be a solo artist, which turned out to be the best possible thing for her career. Unfortunately, due to a lot of business circumstances and complications, INNOSENSE never really got off the ground. So from an industry, financial, and artistic standpoint, having Adam as a solo performer (which I think we’ve all seen he’s more than capable of being) would definitely be the way to go.” It would be a huge surprise to see Adam not broken as a solo artist.

Adam will be returning to his hometown and the schedule is being updated in this thread. I imagine everything was planned out but of course couldn’t be released until after the results show. In Adam’s recent “confessional” he mentioned the small studio audience, “But when you stop and realize the scope of American Idol and how big it really is, that there are people all over the world watching it… it kinda, kinda freaks me out a little bit (laughing).” Get ready Adam :)

With respect to a duet with Allison, I think that was an off the cuff remark and I don’t recall Simon mentioning it (and his is the voice that counts). These types of synergies often are business as well as artistic decisions, so anything is possible, but I’d imagine it more likely that Adam would guest on Allison’s CD rather than the other way around (that also will depend on which label signs Allison). With respect to Allison’s future it’s anybody’s guess, but don’t ignore the remarkable surge in the US Hispanic market (in major markets from Miami to Los Angeles, Spanish language radio stations are number one in their markets); there’s a terrific and growing audience that I imagine will be very supportive.

Back on April 21, Herb’s excellent American Idol Now blog asked me to talk about the finalists, and regarding Allison I mentioned, “Allison Iraheta has a tremendous instrument and excellent market appeal. I think if she continues to build on her personality to augment her recognition, in addition to a recording career she’d be a natural for a “Disney path” (that’s the Miley, Zac, Vanessa, etc path… having a career making role that fast-tracks her). She also has the benefit of time; as such a young Artist she can wait to make choices more easily than older finalists. But I think several of her studio tracks are already releasable, so she may strike lightning; her challenge will be the right team around her.”

There are many great threads about voting, I made a few points last week: The GoPhone is an AT&T product (which means it’s great for AI voting), it’s a disposable (prepaid) mobile phone. This link is to the official American Idol / AT&T GoPhone website. Text voting only works with AT&T, no other carrier. Moderator BrownEyedMaria in answer to a question about “When does a vote count” replied: “Your vote is counted as soon as the recorded message answers.  You do not have to listen to the entire recording.” In answer to a question about “power voting” and group texting, a Moderator replied: “The term ‘power voting’ has been used for a few different things.  Most often it means using a computer to submit your votes in rapid succession.  Idol has stated that their software can detect these and filter them out.  So it sounds like a waste of time. As for the 10-at-a-time text votes, we have never heard anything that says those are a problem.”

With respect to getting people to vote, all the suggestions here are great! Of course email talkshow hosts, radio stations, friends and family, use social networking, have a house party, be creative… I loved the post of the young lady who got 600 bottles of black nail polish and gave them out.

Every finalist has a fan base, and that fan base has the absolute right to participate in any way they see fit. So I wouldn’t generalize and don’t have any comment about other finalists’ fans other than to say with 64 million votes cast all the finalists have proven to have tremendous popularity. I don’t mean to keep over emphasizing “accentuate the positive,” but I think it’s much more productive to focus on how to make Adam win rather than how/why others might win or lose. zformation, I think the comment, “Here is my theory: Danny voters are just that. Danny Voters. From what I have seen they only like danny, only vote for danny, only have eyes for danny” is correct, and Adam voters need to be as focused and determined as they’ve proven to be and everyone should read your “Comprehensive Voter Guide” thread (I’ve also put a link to it on my profile homepage).

Welcome to people posting in this thread for the first time, and thank you so much for the continuing amazing discussion. I really appreciate your kindness about continuing after the season, and I’m sure we’ll find a way to do that. But first, let’s keep rocking the vote, being positive and creative to see Adam’s American Idol journey continue!

Best, Michael

Posted in: Industry Perspective by nymichael / Tags: Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, American Idol, AT&T, entertainment weekly, GoPhone