JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum idol song submissions

I guess wishing on a star is the song?
The website has Jordan rehearsing it.
Is this correct? I'm asking.
It says to hear Blake. But, I can't get his.

They also have the info on the 20 writers.

I'm going to go read those now. Just wanted to share what I know-which I guess isn't much!

Monica

Monica

Now that we know who won the contest, where did you read about Jordon rehearsing the song? I think your referring to "One Night" or "I saw Stars". My wife, Kelley Hill wrote "One Night" so I am a little curious now what was in print somewhere.

Thanks,

Lewis Hill

Looking on from the other side of the big pond...the "rules" were very vague from the start..."come all ye faithfull and enter"...They used the mentality of the show..ie" just make a phone call" we need your vote!!...and transposed that scenario into musical form.."just send in your rough demo,we can spot a great tune"..but enclose $10 greenbacks...now we know in reality what we ALWAYS suspected..What they really meant was...but was never put in print was this....OK all you pro-singwriters out there..get burning the midnight oil..write a song for AI.. on the theme of the "journey" from obscurity to stardom...ballads much preffered..make em weep...by the way,$10K up for grabs for each song chosen,(that will go a long way in helping production costs)" Aren't we at AI a caring bunch"...oh and by the way..even if it is not picked as the winner...you will have a cheque for $10k.(all paid for.. by our amatuer entrants) we really do love our viewers....and your song will be getting "showcased"..on the shoulder's of the mighty AI...So there you go thats my take on it..so if ol slippery Simon pulls this one on the Songwriters over here in the UK...AT LEAST WE KNOW THE GROUND RULES....having had a look at the "bio's" of the 20 songwriters chosen...incidentally! Good Luck to them all..hope to join you sometime...but they aint exactly starving..and i would suspect, they have had a sip or two at the "BIG TROUGH"..or rubbed shoulders with people who definately have.but you know folks, it really is "dog eat dog" in this business,you just gotta keep writing away,and keep your high balls low...don't look back..look forward...Terry Moore

Actually Terry, the fact that the song "One night" was chosen to be in the top 20 kind of blows your theory. That song was a simple piano/vocal sung imperfectly with no second verse and it was selected. So at least one song was selected in what we thought was the spirit of the competition and they did attempt to look beyond the production and see the "soul" of the song. Since Kelly's friends and now, her husband is here to testify as to Kelly's "connection" to AI, we can just ask: Lewis, did Kelly have any kind of inside track to the contest selection process?

I watched AI last night and clearly the winning song (This is my now) has been selected. The writers were present in the audience. Jordan sang it beautifully and it even choked her up. She barely got the last line in through the tears. Blake's version was weak and it spelled the end of the line for him- he clearly was not comfortable with it.

Jordan needs songs for her album and "One night" would be perfect but it still needs a strong second verse. Actually, I am quite encouraged by the possibilites for songwriters AI has created. I would love to be in Kelly's shoes right now because at this point she does have an inside track to getting the song cut and wouldn't Jordan Sparks sound great singing "One night"- it's a perfect match!

Kelley and I were blown away that we were picked out of the high production values of most the other songs. We didn't have time and no dough. Kelley is not in any way connected in the music business. She plays piano at our church, writes songs for weddings and funerals and our worship service, sings her uplifting songs at womens conferences and retreats. She mostly gets paid nothing. I think she makes about $1000 a year off her music; yet she plucks away on the piano most nights like all of you do.
The big question for an outsider like Kelley is "WHAT IN THE HECK DO WE DO NOW!!!!". WHo do we call?
Any ideas of what you all would do if you were in Kelley's shoes would be appreciated.

Thanks

This is going to be a lot like trying to talk to Miss American the day after she wins so you might have to wait a few weeks; but do all you can to contact AI and Jordan's managers because she will need songs for her first album.

Maybe Brian can give you some specific strategies but you have to persue it. Also, think about spending a little more money getting the song redone and be sure your second verse and any modifications are finished before you pitch it. Then you can look for the best publishers you can find because they may take 50% but they may get you a cut. But just talk to the AI folks first- you are probably going to lose your publishing anyway if you deal with them.

Your Right Samuel...This song of Kelly's slipped under my radar screen...oh well kudos to them at least ,for picking one non-pro songwriter out of the 1000's of entries..What does Kelly do now?
with her song...Well we don't know the back -up or the circumstances regarding the "also rans"..is it, here is your cheque for 10k thanks a lot..or is their some sort of "holding" period for the other songs where AI or their associates,perhaps try to find an artist or a label,or a publisher for them...or are they legally tied in some way to AI,for a duration where they are in limbo...or have the writers gave up any legal ownership for any given period..or on the other hand has AI..promised to find a deal for the other songs...i don't know i never entered, iam in the UK..and i don't know the fine print on the original entry form submission...But for talking's sake lets just assume for a second, that Kelly recieves her cheque and a thank you from AI..and her song is now released from any contract
or whatever... right away it is not a bad "calling card" for any songwriter..if you are looking for a deal off a publisher/producer...even better if they have a "name" singer in mind...better still if they get in touch with you...but if AI.are not going to release an album of the final 20 songs..that could be an opportunity missed..i dunno..there are a lot of variations in this scenario..but the bottom line in Kelly's case anyway..to get full value of her winning prize money...you would want this song taken on by someone..and taken to it's limit recording wise,to give it a shot,with it's full potential...and for Kelly not to spend her winnings on it...to attain that..find someone who has faith in the song...even then it is a one-roll shot,because the other 18 finalists are perhaps thinking the same thing...What sways me to think AI,will just be concentrating on the winning song is they definately will not be spending cash on upgrading any other recordings...most of them do not need it anyway...and all the hype surrounding the winner and the song, and future album,s etc etc...perhaps iam wrong .but mybe some of the losing finalist songs might make their way on to the winner's first album...that could be a possibility...all depends who-knows-who....in that case in all probability Kelly would be left to her own devices...which might not be a bad thing...it is really a pity you know...it must feel like having 5 numbers on the lottery,and the 6th one next door...if only!..because really,in reality any song could have been picked...not one really stood out from the crowd,and perhaps if Kelly's was better produced it might have been higher up the "pecking order"...BUT..would it have been chosen...well that is a different thing altogether...i rest my case m'lud..
Terry Moore

The link is no longer there of Jordan singing the song.
I didn't read-i watched it.

Terry, I don't think the runners up got any money. Wasn't that the buzz a week or so after the contest opened? The first impression was that AI was going to shell out $200,000 in prize money but we were later told that only the winner would receive $10,000.

Samuel,i wasn't aware of that..i'm sure it was mentioned at the start of the competiton 10k to each of the 20 finalists...if that is the case only the winner gets $10k..that is scandalous...obviously they have moved the goalposts ....were they making the rules up as they went along...or most likely the figures they had in mind..did not materialise ,not enough amatuers entered....oh well, that makes it all the more obvious..
This was definately a SCAM......the amatuers were hung out to dry big -time...the loaves&fishes didn't add up this time..
Terry Moore

Hi Monica,
Could you tell me what the website was?
Thanks.
Lewis

Gang,

Each finalist got 10K according to what many posted here. Why was that misinformation out there? Anyone know how that started? And if they didn't pay the final 20 anything other than the winner, then does that mean the final 19 get their publishing back and move on with life? They allowed amateurs to have a shot at this, as they promised. The final 20 were mostly unknown, indie writers and artists with no serious credits or success. I've had people with equal or more impressive credits perform already on some of these Roadtrip shows this year than most of the top 20. So this is clearly not an insiders game with only pre chosen "pros" being picked. If you've ever made one penny at a gig or by selling a song or CD, YOU ARE A PRO!!! So please, enough with the histrionics and conspiracy theories. We've got several really deserving folks who got their biggest career boost to date so let's celebrate that!

Getting a few opening gigs, placing a few songs that weren't monster hits, placing some songs on TV or in a movie are all low level successes that people have when they are talented and they are trying to get their music out there. If you've never had any CD sales, never had a paid gig, never had a song played on the radio or anywhere else, nor anyone willing to pay a dime to support your music, then you need to work harder, write better songs, make better recordings and find a way to connect to at least 1 fan in the world willing to support your music. If you can't do that, why whine about not making the Top 20 out of 25,000 songs submitted for the biggest prize ever given out for a song contest? And if you HAVE had those things happen, then you're just as "pro" as any of these folks.

Congrats to Kelly Corsino and Kelly Hill, both of whom have communicated here with folks during this process! We are VERY happy about your success and we know that you'll continue to build upon it.

Even winning 10K after 5, 10, 15, 20 or more years of working at it hardly represents the big time (and now according to Stuart, the finalists got nothing???) But even if they had won 10K, divide that money by the number of years and it doesn't add up to minimum wage. That's what people are really missing here. No one on that list of Top 20 have made as much off of their music (based on what I read) as any run of the mill bank manager or warehouse supervisor. So let's celebrate the fact that at least there are 20 more songwriters or songwriter teams who may be able to last long enough to keep moving forward in their career. If you didn't get picked, learn from what they did and try again and again and again. Persistence and hard, continual work and improvement is the only thing that will eventually lead to success. Complaining and whining never does.

Brian

(PS: I realize not everyone on this post has whined.. those who have know who they are).

If all 20 finalist got $10K then that sure puts to rest that AI was in it for the intrance fees 'cause that would just barely cover the $200K paid out.

nobody got $10 K as a finalist, except the winner.

oh well,as they say over in my neck of the woods.."it will all come out in the washing"...Good Luck to all the Songwriters..winners and losers...The beauty of these boards is the diversion of opinion...debate is healthy..at the end of the day we are all wee tiny cogs in this big musical wheel...on a personal note ,music has given me a very good life..i have been blessed,not only in the fact i have made a good living off it's back with my little bit of talent for years,sold loads of CD'S..had publishing deals..some good some bad...met some great musicians along the way..a lot of them not with us to-day,some for reasons which were natural,but for a lot of them they left before their time..thru booze or drugs or a combo of both...funny, most of the most talented, were the most fragile nature wise...it can be a very ill-divided world at times...but as the old saying goes"whats for you---won't go past you",we all make our own path along life's highway...dabbled in recording,passed it on to my son..he has now forgotten more than i ever knew,such is the pace of modern technology...my old 8 track lies in the corner gathering dust...but that was the foundation of his pro-tool set up,and all the fancy computers that go with it...even he was saying the other day he will need to up-date ..where does it all end,but instead of buying a new desk..you just download the latest software...better him than me...So without music in my life...none of this would have happened...but what gives me the greatest buzz of all,is hearing someone singing one of my songs...my veteran guitarist (who does one gig a week with me on a Sunday night) turned to me and said..that is the highest compliment you can get in this business
Someone coming on stage and singing your song..He is right!!
Terry Moore..

I guess, like Brian said,if you make any money from your music,you are a pro.I have made thousands of dollars selling CD, receiving airplay royalties and TV royalties.But I have spent tens of thousands in recordings,demos and promotion.So my bottom line is in the red big time.I don't regret spending this money,I believe in my ability to write songs,I just have to get my songs to the right persons,which is hard but not impossible,I hope.Many people spend big dollars on their hobbies which has no hope of returning anything to them,if it makes them happy,go for it.So far my music has cost me a lot, but I am happy and frustrated at the same time.I get satisfacation from producing something from nothing,creating is something not everyone can do. Many people can't even write a good letter,let alone a song. When my time comes to depart this world,I will know that at least I tried,succeed or fail,I tried.

Well I figure I have spent about 30k in the last few years.
I think I have earned about $50 from my music.
I don't know if that makes me an amateur or a dumbass.

But I have had fun by golly.

And met some really nice people.

Me with Billvis. (Mornin', Bill. Nice photo, there.) Though my dollar figures are lower on both sides, I think. But I don't consider it "making money" so much as "getting partially reimbursed."

The Artist Formerly Known as Moonless Joe

Now Bill,don't be too hard on yourself.I've spent a lot more than that but I've earned back a fair chunk of it but not enough to break even.But if I was a hunter or a fisherman I probably would have spent more than that over the years,with little to show for it other than some fish and meat,if I was lucky.Those people that go on expensive vacations,they spend as much or more per year than I do,what do they have to show for it,a good tan? Maybe what I am doing will be appreciated after I'm gone, much like the big name painters that made little or nothing for their art,now people pay millions for their paintings.Supply and demand.Do what you love doing and spend what you can afford.No sense dying with lots of money in the bank for others to fight over and waste.