Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Josiah Leming On Wrong Side of American Idol

Josiah Leming captured America's hearts and minds last year when he told American Idol viewers about his story.

He lived out of his car traveling around and doing any gig he could find. Many times playing on a street corner for spare change. His Mom has been diagnosed with Cancer and the outlook isn't good.

Most everyone agrees that Josiah's song writing is much better than his singing. But a lot of American Idol viewers thought that his singing was much better than many who made the final 24 cut.

Sadly, Josiah Leming came in at #25 and did not go on.

But as fate would have it, his fortune seemed to change. He was one of only 4 contestants get get a recording deal.

Now here lies the problem. Josia Leming signed with another record label other than Simon Cowes. Josia was suppose to release a new album at the end of the year. His hope was that his Mother would be able to see her Son get a album.

This looked like it was going to happen. However Simon and his attorney's have stepped in and blocked the release of the Album.

You see, when you sign up to be a contestant on American Idol, you're basically signing away all your rights. If you go on to record an album, it must be with Simon's record label. Josiah went around that and found a company...or should I say a recording compnay found Josiah Leming!

This will all have to be played out in the Courts now. Hopefully a decision will come before things get worse for Josiah's Mother. If Simon really wants to play the part of the "bad boy", then he's certainly making his point here.

But of course, Josiah Leming did sign the agreement. That has to carry some weight and I woiuld be surprised if the Courts didn't uphold it. Common sense would lead you to believe that Simon would just take a share of what Josiah's album brought in. I'm sure an agreement could be reached as long as neither party got greedy.

But how often does that happen in the Entertainment World?