All the acts that lost major label deals in 2007

Samantha Sat, Apr 5, 2008 at 03:35 PM EST

JC CHASEZ ROCKS!!! I LOVE HOW HE DOES HIS MUSIC AND RECORDS IT ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD!!!! GREAT JOB JC, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOUR NEW ALBUM COMES OUT!!!! I'M ALSO AN AUDIO ENGINEER, AND ITS HARD TO BECOME WHO YOU WANT TO BE. IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE TOP, THEN BY ALL MEANS, BE ON THE TOP. BUT THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF HARD WORK AND SCHOOL PUT INTO IT!!!! I'M NOW A LIVE SOUND ENGINEER / MIX MY OWN MUSIC ON PROTOOLS - MY OWN KEYBOARD - PLUS I SING / PRODUCING IS REALLY HARD (ESPECIALLY THAT), AND PLUS I GOT THIS NEW JOB BEING A DJ. I WILL ADMIT THAT *NSYNC AND JC CHASEZ HAD A BIG PART IN THIS. I WANTED TO FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND I PUSHED MYSELF TO BE LIKE THEM (THE BUSINESS WISE). AND HERE I AM. I'[M AN AUDIO ENGINEER / DJ WORKING ON MY OWN MUSIC!!!!!

--SAMANTHA HEDMAN
--2006 CONSERVATORY OF RECORDING ARTS & SCIENCES GRADUATE.

Sat, Jan 19, 2008 at 07:35 PM EST

Actually, Capitol merged with another company and they weren't going to allow Alexz to work with the same producers that she was with. Therefore she kind of left and kind of got dropped.... but she is supposedly signed to a major label now, which one I'm not sure.

Devin Sat, Jan 19, 2008 at 10:48 AM EST

Alexz didn't "loose" her deal. She left capitol.

j Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 05:32 PM EST

"JC's still hoping and praying for an *Nsync reunion"

Um, the man himself has said a reunion is probably never going to happen, good try though

Jools Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 09:53 PM EST

I'm wondering what the problem is even if NSYNC and Bo Bice fansites posted this link. Obviously they have a lot of loyal fans. Prejudice against previous exposure that is seen as 'uncool' only serves to limit a music lover's experience.
And yes, I have listened to both JC Chasez and Bo Bice. Whether I'm now a fan or not is irrelevant - I'll give pretty much anything a listen before I judge.

TM Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 06:45 PM EST

I see that this link have been posted on the *Nsync and Bo Bice fan boards. Bo's new album sucks almost as much as his first one, and JC's still hoping and praying for an *Nsync reunion. Give it up, losers.

what what Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 04:07 PM EST

please get it right - there just is a shift in the music biz - you should really clarify who got dropped and whos contract ran out. here are just few.

white stripes - have a brand new deal that started in 2007. actually i think they signed in 2006

the clipse left jive records and signed a new deal with columbia/rick rubin

DMX contract ran out at Columbia

Christina milian that was in 2006 from def jam

Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Just an fyi the Blood Brothers broke up and What About Frank changed their name like a year ago to the Parlor Mob

stacey Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

MOST OF THE ARTISTS TODAY ARE GOING TO OFFER DIRECT TO THE PUBLIC RECORD SALES. THEY ARE DUMPING THEIR LABELS, THE LABELS ARE NOT DUMPING THEM.

trisha Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 02:10 AM EST

i went totally wang style all over JC!! I'm a man!!

Stewie Gots Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 07:12 PM EST

Airbourne - have signed to Roadrunner
Brendan James - has signed to Decca
DMX - has signed with BoDog Music
IMA Robot - have signed with Pulse Recordings
Jewel - has signed with Valory Music
P.O.D. - have signed with Columbia
Radiohead - have signed with ATO
White Stripes - have signed with WB

harvey Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 01:51 PM EST

The reason people think that JC left Jive rather than got dropped was because he took his album that Jive *paid* to produce with him upon leaving. And maybe that means nothing, but a record company that allows an album with producers who receive half a million per song (Timbaland, Danja) to leave uncontested would be an incredibly stupid record company. Not that Jive isn't known for making terrible decisions, but still.

I see the light... Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM EST

I agree that it was a great move for Bo leave RCA and go out on his own. If his new CD, "See the Light," gets more exposure, I KNOW many Bo fans will be born. My husband, a pretty diverse and talented musician himself, was only luke warm on "The Real Thing," and was disappointed becasue he saw Bo's potential on American Idol. After hearing "See the Light," my husband was like, "Bo is BACK!!!" "See the Light" is a really great CD...For those who haven't heard it or who may be a little hesitant... I say check it out.

Rasha Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 01:08 AM EST

Kathy/KKat, have you listened to JC's first album? He's got the pipes and his writing skills are amazing. If you haven't listened to the entire thing, do so.

Shayne Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 11:39 PM EST

Jc has had a hard time but I think he has a hard time taking directions too. I hope he hasn't burned all of his bridges. He supposedly has several offers and he is mulling them over(Jayne said so and Shayme confirmed it so it must be true). He's been without a label for what 6 months. Lucky he has his nsync money to hold him over until he finishes mulling. Even then I wonder if he'll be successful. Probably not he's getting kind of old.

Who cares Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:55 PM EST

JC Chasez sucks and so do his fans at jjb, especially old Jayne. Shayme you suck too.

RobC Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:10 PM EST

Many of these acts would be smart to learn from Aimee Mann's experience when she was dropped. The music landscape is changing and there is so much potential.

RobC Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:08 PM EST

Many of these acts would be smart to learn from Aimee Mann's experience when she was dropped. The music landscape is changing and there is so much potential.

MeisMe Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 08:38 PM EST

Did you notice how even this great magazine put mutual decision in quotes? Total spin. Learn to read between the lines and not what you want to be true.

Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 08:11 PM EST

dude wtf are you talking about, he said he left Jive on THIS website
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20057685_20057687_20055434,00.html

MeisMe Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 06:32 PM EST

"He is a talented guy but he got DROPPED because he wasn't marketable."

False,he left Jive.

That has never been stated as fact. Just a "source" from a crazy JC fan. That source coughJC'sDadcough would spin being DROPPED in the best possible light now wouldn't he? Don't believe everything your great and powerful Jayne says.

Sharlin Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 05:47 PM EST

I love *NSYNC... but JC Chasez just made crappy music. He is a pure pop artist. If he goes to people like Dallas Austin, he'll release the crap like he has with Blowin me up and Some Girls. He needs to hook up with Max Martin and Viet Rien again. That is his strength, not some modern rock wannabe with R&B.

Sharlin Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

I love *NSYNC... but JC Chasez just made crappy music. He is a pure pop artist. If he goes to people like Dallas Austin, he'll release the crap like he has with Blowin me up and Some Girls. He needs to hook up with Max Martin and Viet Rien again. That is his strength, not some modern rock wannabe with R&B.

Q Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 05:19 PM EST

Kevin Devine has a lot of talent. He's not going anywhere anytime soon, regardless of whether or not he gets another major label deal.

Lisa Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 05:10 PM EST

Jewel is the first artist signed to new Nashville label Valory Music. Her new music will be out sometime in the next few months.

rockgolf Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 04:33 PM EST

They may have lost their American distributors, but Hedley & Skye Sweetnam have both released new albums in their native Canada in the past two months. The Hedley album is doing well. Skye, not so much.

Raven_Moon Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 04:27 PM EST

I love the Dandy Warhols. They're amazing. I'm sure they, Jewel, The Donnas will be all right, though. Also, didn't Paul McCartney leave for the Starbucks label? I think I heard that somewhere.

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Linda Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 02:26 PM EST

My guess would be someone at the Bo Bice fanclub posted this link, hence all of the comments.

I hate to see the Dandy's lose their contract. Someone pick them up, please!

Slicks Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

Annie Lennox

Jordan Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

I know that Stacie Orrico was dropped due to consolodation. She's currently (last I heard) doing mission work in Africa. There are some really good bands up there that I'm quite surprised about.

Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:59 AM EST

"He is a talented guy but he got DROPPED because he wasn't marketable."

False,he left Jive.

dave-o Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:41 AM EST

does this mean jewel is following her intuition?

Raneman Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:05 AM EST

I actually really liked "Somebody's Miracle". I think Liz was dropped because she couldn't sell any records. She wasn't designed for big labels. I wonder why Auf Der Maur was dropped. She wasn't a huge hit, but "Followed the waves" got some decent play on rock radio.

Raneman Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 10:05 AM EST

I actually really liked "Somebody's Miracle". I think Liz was dropped because she couldn't sell any records. She wasn't designed for big labels. I wonder why Auf Der Maur was dropped. She wasn't a huge hit, but "Followed the waves" got some decent play on rock radio.

GingerCat Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 09:03 AM EST

Ari Hest is a really good singer-songwriter and will be fine. He's got a small following and can make a living actually playing music.
Liz Phair deserved to lose her deal. Her last CD (Somebody's Miracle) was pretty bad, and she seems to have lost her identity as an artist. Hope she gets it together and gets a new deal.

Kathy Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 09:00 AM EST

I think the future of music has been in a state of change for the last couple of years. A lot of musicians are going Indy. It is the best thing for them and their music. Bo Bice is a great example of that. I think that it takes guts to truley go out and do your own thing and when an artist does that, we start to get real music that is high on the authinticity scale. "See the Light" is really good and I think that more artists just need to step out of the box and get away form the big lables that want to turn out the pablem that we hear on pop radio.

Elizabeth Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 08:42 AM EST

Harsh to say no one cares about Bo Bice. Sounds to me like there are lots of very caring fans posting here. He may not have the sound everyone likes, but looks like those who do REALLY DO! Maybe I should take a listen...

Celimene Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 04:58 AM EST

As people said, the big names on the list will be fine - Radiohead, McCartney, White Stripes, NIN. I really hope to hear stuff from Fischerspooner, Mooney Suzuki, Dandy Warhols and yes, even those cute little retro Redwalls in the future on independent labels that don't try to fit these gems into neat little corporate categories.

Cathy Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 10:30 PM EST

I don't think EW has become an advertisement board. People are free to express their opinion about any artist listed ....including Bo Bice.

Megan Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 10:23 PM EST

When did the EW comment boards become infested with advertisements? A. No one cares about Bo Bice B. Try to make it sound more natural next time.

Rebekah Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 08:36 PM EST

JC Chasez needs a record deal. He has two new songs on his myspace page and they are both great. Two people were the heart of *NSync. One is considered one of the best music artists there is. JC could be that good too.

MeisMe Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 08:08 PM EST

You're being invaded by the JC fanatics at the JJB. He is a talented guy but he got DROPPED because he wasn't marketable.

SLD Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 08:07 PM EST

Bo Bice started up his own label, SugarMoney/StratArt. He also has his own recording studio where he can market and distribute his true musical talents in his own style.
His debut CD is See The Light. It's a mix of Southern Rock, Blues, Rock and Country. There's a little of something for every music lover and it's one terrific CD. There is not a bad song on it.
I think leaving RCA was the best thing for Bo because now he can record his music and not some fabricated pop music to line someone else's pockets. Check out his new CD exclusively sold at WalMart or download it from the Internet and see for yourself just how good it is.

fdaf Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 08:03 PM EST

OK JC is brilliant all of u who said hes horrible are so wrong...hes got some serious talent but none one would no it b.c everyone is too shoved up justin and britney's ass

sm44 Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 07:50 PM EST

For Bo Bice, leaving RCA was the best thing that could ever have happened.
He now has the artistic freedom that he needs to showcase the music he was born to create. Check out his new cd See The Light and you'll hear the real Bo.

Ballzack Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 07:06 PM EST

JC Chasez is actually writing on this blog it would appear. Dude, don't you have anything better to do with your time?

Anyway, I ddoubt radiohead and sir Mccartney are up all night worrying about this.

If they dohn't already have their shite worked out, well someone will pick up Fischerspooner, Liz Phair, Dandy Warhols, Moby, NIN, The Vines and Whitestripes.

Angie Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 06:34 PM EST

Jive Records is a terrible label.

BrandonK Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 06:30 PM EST

I wish JC Chasez would get an album out...I've been waiting a year and a half since I first heard "Yesterday", which I thought was great.

Nonono Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

JC is talented...actually listen to his first CD and you will hear it. Don't focus on the boyband past.

Janelle Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:42 PM EST

JC Chasez has some MAJOR pipes, and he is a fresh songwriter in a time where music has become mundane! I can't wait to hear his second album. Free at last from JIVE!

reid Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:28 PM EST

Jewel may have had her biggest hits more than a decade ago, but she is extremely talented and needs to record more....and please go back to your original folk style!

Jonathan F. Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:27 PM EST

"JC Chasez is such a talent, dare I say musical genius." Dear Lord, I hope that was sarcasm.

euh Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:08 PM EST

it's melissa auf der maur. with a 'u'. and some of these acts (like NIN) will indeed always have a future. but it's too bad young bands with lots of talent like shout out louds and the music got dropped. couldn't care less about paris hilton though. as far as i'm concerned, what she produces can't even be called music.

euh Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:08 PM EST

it's melissa auf der maur. with a 'u'. and some of these acts (like NIN) will indeed always have a future. but it's too bad young bands with lots of talent like shout out louds and the music got dropped. couldn't care less about paris hilton though. as far as i'm concerned, what she produces can't even be called music.

Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:02 PM EST

JC Chasez is horrible

Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 05:01 PM EST

"JC Chasez is such a talent, dare I say musical genius" no you don't say

Kathy/KKat Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 04:48 PM EST

Bo Bice formed his own independent record label and recorded his kick-ass album called "See The Light" in his own studio. It's available in Walmart stores and everywhere online... and it ROCKS! His music video "Witness" was #1 on VH1 for three weeks!

Heather Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

Bo Bice is lucky to have been dropped. I hated the album he put out post-Idol. And he just put out an album on his own label that's way above and beyond that first one. It's the Bo Bice that almost beat Carrie Underwood, not the "Clive wants me to be Nickelback" drivel that inhabited the first album.

Matt Brown Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

I really don't think Paul McCartney is up all night sweating about what his future holds now.

Rasha Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 04:21 PM EST

JC Chasez is such a talent, dare I say musical genius, it sucks that he's having such a hard time getting his solo career off the ground. As soon as his second album comes out, I'm buying as many copies as I can! Watch out for him, his time is coming.

Beth Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

And some fought tooth and nail to be released so they could work with a label that would actually do something for them...like JC Chasez and Kelis. Both were incredibly over looked by Jive, because all of Jive's focus was on the trainwreck that is Britney. Let's hope they are both on to bigger and much better things.

Ben S Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:43 PM EST

I agree with Jcarla, we need to know why each artist is sans label for this to be a useful list. And Nine Inch Nails will always have a future.

Snarf Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:37 PM EST

DMX and Paris Hilton lost their record deals? So bad things do happen to awful people! karma.

jcarla Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

It would be nice to know: a)why they are on the list (dropped vs consolidation) and b)did they sign with a new label?

drella66 Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:33 PM EST

I cant believe that liz phair, alkaline trio and trail of dead are on the list, the others i dont really care about