15-Year-Old Austin Mahone in the recording studio - 2012
Well, you can’t say we didn’t see this one coming.
Teen singing sensation and YouTube star Austin Mahone is getting ready to take the world by storm and it seems things are already in motion to make that happen.
A couple of weeks ago, Austin tweeted to his almost 650k followers that he had hired a management company to help him with his career.
Austin Mahone in his Bruno Mars cover music video - 2012
These types of career managers can help mold everything from image, dress, style, song selections, shows and performance scheduling, book and magazine deals, and just about every aspect of promotion and booking – as well as helping to find a record label to represent and produce an album.
But the big news came last week when Austin let the world now he was moving to Miami Florida!
That’s a huge step for Mahone and signals that a record deal is not far off. And to make life even better for Austin, he just got his braces off last week and that paves the way for more magazine photos and a big league promotional push.
Not that his braces held him back, but with them removed it is now clear sailing into a record deal.
One music industry insider says,
“Everything is now falling into place for Austin Mahone. The management team, his move to Miami Florida, his age, his looks, and his growing fan base is something that the industry could only turn a blind eye to for so long. The next step is a record deal, song selection, original composition and a debut album. Mahone is a complete package now.”
Indeed, Austin has already started to score some big gigs and later this month will be performing at the Philly Springle Ball 2012 concert – a venue usually reserved for veteran musicians.
All you have to do is view Austin's YouTube channel to see why he has become as popular as he has with his fans.
It looks like Justin Bieber is pulling out all the stops for his upcoming new album “Believe”.
It has already been announced that teen pop star Cody Simpson will appear on one of Bieber’s new tracks, and now there is growing evidence that “One Direction” will also collaborate on a song.
Bieber was in the studio working on his “Believe” album Wednesday night when the boys from One Direction showed up and stayed for quite a long time.
"In the studio with our boy @justinbieber last night, it's gona sound great!"
Liam Payne confirmed the studio session by tweeiting:
"Got a first listen to Justin Bieber's new album yesterday wowww big songs!!! It's gunna be a smash”.
One Direction has been taking the world by storm and are quickly starting to cannibalize Bieber’s fan base say insiders.
“It makes since for Justin to do a duet with One Direction. There is enough great music out there and enough fans. Today’s electronic editing allows musicians to share tracks over an iPhone and then meet in a studio for a final take that is mixed down later for the final release. In the music business everybody tries to help everybody else out and the benefits go both ways for Bieber and One Direction. They share very similar fan bases and age groups. It makes perfect sense.”
Just as Justin had some amazing collaborations on his Christmas album we should expect this with “Believe”.
In fact, Bieber’s mentor Usher Raymond was also seen in the studio with the Bieb’s this week prompting JB to later tweet:
"Me and @usherraymondiv gotta have a duet on every album."
We also know Will.I.am from the “Black Eyed Peas” will be appearing on the “Believe” album and also co-produced one of the albums tracks specifically for Justin.
One Direction
Other names and collaborations to look for on the upcoming album are Timbaland, Drake, Pharrell, Lil Wayne, Ke$ha and Kanye West.
With the exception of Kanye we’re down to hear all the new music!
Bieber’s latest single “Boyfriend” has already sold more than 600,000 downloads on iTunes and is currently number two on the Billboard Top 200 charts – a first for the singer.
He is also working on a script for an upcoming movie with Mark Wahlberg and just appeared on Ashton Kutcher's revamped “Punk’d” television show on MTV heading off the season punking Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and Sean Kingston.
We suspect that between the music, movies, TV shows, endorsements, merchandize, music producing, and real estate investments that the kids probably going to do all right.
17-year-old Season 10 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery has given one of his best interviews to date when he sat down with the Wall Street Journal.
Scotty talks about his new album “Clear as Day” and his thoughts on not being just another country singer.
Scotty says,
“It’s got a good mixture of songs. I remember sitting down with my producer and saying I don’t want this to be one of those poppy country albums. I want it to be current and up to date.”
Most of the songs on Scotty’s album are original songs and several have a gospel influence.
McCreery also announced that after his summer tour and record deal with Mercury that he has decided to return to his home town of Garner and rejoin his friends in high school to finish out his education.
Even though he had security tag along with him to school Scotty says things slowly returned to normal.
McCreery’s album “Clear as Day” is available now at Amazon.com and on iTunes.
Even though Scotty has decided to return school you can still stay up to date with his career at his official web site at Scottymccreery-official.com
Sales reports indicate that “Clear as Day” has already sold over 200,000 copies which make Scotty the first Idol winner to achieve these sales levels since Ruben Studdard in 2003, and it puts him just ahead of Adam Lambert’s debut album first week sales.
Wow, what a cool guy.
Scotty seems to be very level headed and has set his expectations accordingly.
13-year-old British singer and up and coming musical artist Ronan Parke took some time yesterday to answer questions sent to him by his fans via Twitter.
For those of us in the United States it is a rare glimpse into the “Britain’s Got Talent” runner-up as most of his videos are blocked in the U.S. by Sony Music.
Company spokesmen have not made it clear yet as to why U.S. fans can’t watch most of Ronan’s YouTube or music videos but some do seem to sneak through.
The journey to stardom has already started for young crossover phenomenon Jackie Evancho.
Like they say in Hollywood, “You’re not a true celebrity until somebody makes a doll or action figure of you.”
Now, Jackie can lay claim to that very title as it has been announced that she will be releasing a new product line of dolls, merchandise, and other toys later this year.
The first item that will appear in stores will be a special collector’s edition singing Holiday doll that will play a snippet of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
The first doll will be positioned for release along with Evancho’s recently announced Christmas album due in December 2011.
Next spring there will be more dolls and other product placements – all created by the toy company “The Bridge Direct”.
The official statement is,
This fall, The Bridge Direct will be launching a line of collectible dolls, play sets, and accessories based on singer Jackie Evancho, the “little girl with the big voice” who stunned crowds on the 2010 season of America’s Got Talent.”
The Bridge Direct is no stranger to youth toy marketing and has already developed toy brands for Sponge Bob Square Pants, Miley Cyrus’s “Hannah Montana”, The Lord of The Rings, Care Bears, Britney Spears, and Cabbage Patch Kids.
Hannah Montana
They have also created a successful line of action figures for pop singing sensation Justin Bieber that sing and talk, and come complete with various clothing items like watches, shoes, backpacks, and sunglasses.
And these toys and action figures are more than just dolls.
They come complete with a stage, microphone, music CD, various clothing selections, furniture, activity books, and musical instruments.
Most range from $12-$30 and the idea is the age old marketing tactic of “Collect them all!” with each action set sporting different clothing, furniture, gadgets, and musical selections.
Justin Bieber Figure
The Bridge specializes in not only talking and singing dolls but also stickers, wristbands, activity books, pins, patches, key chains, outdoor toys, party goods, costume jewelry, Christmas ornaments, play sets, microphones, dance items, karaoke, kids electronics, sunglasses, pillows, and clothing accessories.
Expect a large selection of merchandise for Jackie.
The Bridge has a knack for integrating various products along a brand – meaning they will launch an entire set of different toys, clothing, and personal items for a particular brand or artist.
Look for Jackie Evancho items to start rolling out later this year and timed to her Christmas album release.
And if Jackie can pull off a Grammy Award win this season then expect the pace of merchandise to accelerate.
Good news for fans of our favorite little crossover singer Jackie Evancho!
Jackie confirmed today that she will be releasing a Christmas Album this December.
This won’t be the first Holiday album for Evancho either.
Last year she released “O Holy Night” and sold 240,000 units within the first ten days and it later went on to become her first platinum selling CD-DVD.
Details are thin but we do know she will be working with producer Rob Mounsey who has also produced some of her stage shows.
Watch Jackie Evancho Sing “O Holy Night”
Jackie took to her Facebook page today to announce,
“Yes the rumors are true. I am releasing a Christmas cd this year. So excited for you to hear it and I hope that you are liking my Dream with Me cd :)”
And yes, we ARE enjoying your “Dream with Me CD”. The album has already gone gold and will soon be verified as platinum.
American Idol winner Scotty McCreery has finally released his music video for his first single “I Love You This Big”.
McCreery, who walked away with the Idol top prize this year, is currently on the road with his fellow contestants with the “American Idol Live Tour 2011” and from what we hear is bringing down the house.
His first single is now #1 on iTunes and on the Billboards 100 Hot Ten list.
Watch Scotty McCreery “I Love You This Big” Music Video
“I Love You This Big” will also be featured on his first album due out later this year.
Scotty told reporters,
“I’m really excited to let people hear what we’ve been working on and putting so much effort and energy and time into. It’s something that I’m really proud of. I can’t wait for them to hear it! Hopefully they’ll feel what I was feeling in the studio.”
I got to say, after watching this video he seems so natural, like he has been in the country music business for years.
Scotty has also just opened a new official web site at “ScottyMccreery-Official” where you can pre-order his album, see his latest blog posts and photos, and read about his experience this summer while on tour with the rest of the American Idol contestants.
The summer concert tour runs through September and then you can expect to see him in the studio fulltime finishing up his album says his manager.
He also has plans to make the rounds on late night television visiting with Jay Leno and David Letterman as well as daytime stops with Ellen and The View to help promote his new project.
Way to go Scotty – you made Garner North Carolina proud!
What do you think? Will you buy his album when it comes out?
Move over Justin Bieber – there’s a new kid on the block.
13-Year-Old Greyson Chance stormed the world after being discovered on YouTube playing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” and has quickly turned into a rising star.
Of course the inevitable comparisons to Bieber are to be expected, but Greyson is a lot more “rock” with a little pop, where Bieber is nothing but “pop” and very little rock.
As it turns out, Ellen DeGeneres took young Greyson under her wing and is producing his album and managing his career after creating her “eleveneleven” record company and signing Greyson as her first artist.
Now, after his two hit singles “Waiting Outside The Lines” and “Unfriend You”, he is preparing his first full length album due this August.
As a tease, Chance released the cover art for the highly anticipated album titled “Hold On ‘Til Night”.
Greyson Chance's New Album Cover
Greyson says it’s not just art and there is meaning to it saying,
“The album cover is not just about art – it’s mainly about words. Words mean everything in this world and can both help and hurt people. The words on the piano, and all over the cover, are happy words, positive words. I like to think of my music as a way to convey positive words to the entire world.”
Okay, maybe a little deep coming from the mind of a 13-year-old but we definitely get the idea.
Greyson credits Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson as his two main influences because they have amazing music and are (were) not afraid to be who they wanted to be regardless of who the world felt they should be.
In a tribute to Jackson’s two year anniversary since his tragic death, Chance covered one of his favorite Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5's song “I Wanna Be Where You Are.”
Watch Greyson Cover Michael Jackson
And if Greyson wasn’t busy enough, he is currently traveling around North America with his friend and tour mate Cody Simpson on their “Waiting 4 You” tour.
If you haven’t heard of Jackie Evancho you will soon.
Why?
Because Jackie just released her first feature length CD, “Dream With Me”, and it’s outselling every major artist on the pop music scene today.
Young Ms. Evancho is only 11-years-old and was born is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She has several brothers and sisters and says she fell in love with music after seeing “The Phantom of the Opera” on television.
After hearing her sing, her mother, Lisa, entered her into a local talent contest where she came in second place – Jackie was only eight years old.
After narrowly missing out on winning several more talent contests, her parents allowed the ten-year-old prodigy to audition for the television show “America’s Got Talent.”
Jackie seemed to blow away the competition and seemed to be on track to win, but unfortunately came in second place.
Her performances were so flawless that there were accusations that she had lip synced her songs and it was all a scam by producers.
But the cat was out of the bag and America had heard, and seen, what was to become one of the youngest artists to skyrocket to Platinum sales status in over thirty years.
After “America’s Got Talent”, Jackie immediately released her first single “O Holy Night.” This was her first national exposure and won her a spot singing for President Barak Obama in Washington D.C. during the annual Christmas tree lighting.
Watch Jackie Evancho sing O Holy Night in Washington D.C.
The reaction to her “O Holy Night” single was amazing, and immediately shot to the top of the Billboard music charts and became a best seller on Amazon. It was certified as Platinum in 2010.
After doing the rounds on the daytime and late night talk shows, she was approached by producer David Foster who worked with Jackie in the development of her first full length album “Dream With Me”.
Together, the two fashioned a collection of tracks, one which Jackie wrote herself, that combined both opera and crossover songs like “The Lord’s Prayer”, “When you Wish Upon a Star”, and “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan.
Watch Jackie Evancho and David Foster Interview
Jackie says,
“The title of my new album is ‘Dream With Me’ because it means I’m basically living the dream and there’s more to come.”
Jackie also plays violin and piano and has said she would like to collaborate with Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, and Andrea Bocelli.
Evancho's Sarasota Florida concert is currently being featured on most national PBS stations and showcases some of her best music and features several songs off her new album.
Theses PBS shows are the first time many viewers have seen Jackie and have caused quite an interest in the young singer.
She says she understands that in order to remain popular she has to do more than just sing opera songs, and realizes she will have to be a crossover singer in order to stay relevant.
On “Dream With Me” you will find her favorite opera pieces like “Nella Fantasia”, “Nessun Dorma”, “O Mio Babbino Caro”, and “Ombra Mai Fu”, along with incredible duets like “A Mother’s Prayer” with Susan Boyle and “Somewhere” featuring Barbra Streisand.
Watch Jackie Evancho sing Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” on PBS
Now you see why Jackie is going to be a star.
In fact, InfoStar has not really been able to find a bad review or other critical comment about her anywhere – and that says a lot in the world of the internet.
Composer Tim Janis says,
"Jackie's voice is so pure and natural, there's no flaw in it. People say 'I can hear her potential coming,' but no, it's here, it's now. She is truly an Angel and I can’t wait for the World to hear it and see it."
We agree.
And Jackie says the only thing she does to prepare for a big show is to “Say a prayer that God will be there on the stage with her and that He will sing along with her.”
Wow. Sniffle sniffle. Goose bumps…
So we set out to find the one performance piece that often separates the good from the bad in critical operatic singing – “Ave Marie”.
We figured if Evancho can pull off that tune with its massive complexity, then she really must be a true angel sent from Heaven.
Well - we found it. And it will make you cry.
So ladies and gentlemen, here is Jackie’s version of “Ave Maria” by Schubert accompanied by The Houston Chamber Choir and The Treble Choir of Houston.
Watch Jackie Evancho Sing Schubert’s “Ave Maria”
See. I told you.
I’ll say it again. Move over Lady Gaga - because I would love for my kids to learn, respect and look up to an artist like Jackie.
I know it won’t happen but I can dream can’t I?
If you only buy one CD this year... buy "Dream With Me."
You can sample each song and purchase Jackie’s new CD here at Amazon.
