Sabrina Sloan non Idol finalist gets deal era

[jdanton2]

Sabrina was one of my favorites of season 6 and i was disapointed she did not make the final 12 . she however ended up with Universal Motown and is doing a CD with Sundance Head another one who missed the final 12 who also got a deal with Universal Motown . not really a fan of his so it will be intresting how it sounds. Sabrina will also then record and release her own solo album afterwards .


www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20048906,00.html



EW.com Exclusive
Sloan Rangers
Ex-Idols score major-label duets deal: Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head are recording a disc for Universal Motown



By Michael Slezak
American Idol's Sabrina Sloan has signed a recording contract with Universal Motown, and her first project will be a CD of duets with fellow season 6 semifinalist Sundance Head, the singer confirmed in an exclusive interview with EW.com. ''The feel will be soulful songs with a contemporary twist — kind of Al Green meets OutKast,'' said Sloan, noting that she and Head will hit the studio in August, with the hopes of making a late November release date.

Jolene Cherry, senior VP of A&R at Universal Motown, said the album will be produced by Peter Collins (Bon Jovi, Rush) and include a mix of new and classic material. ''I usually am not so much in sync with things that are on American Idol,'' Cherry noted, ''but both [Sloan and Head] really caught my attention. I was really impressed by the quality of their vocals.''

Sloan, the last female semifinalist voted off Idol before the season 6 finals began, said that an executive from Universal Motown tracked her down via a member of her mother's Arizona church congregation in the days after her ouster.

And despite some initial reservations about the duets concept, Sloan said she hopes the combined power of hers and Head's fan bases will help them get noticed in a music scene increasingly crowded with Idol alumni. ''We had a fear of having a whole From Justin to Kelly thing. We didn't want to make anything cheeseball,'' Sloan explained. ''But Jolene and the [people at the] label said, 'It cannot be that.' We're putting it out at the same time as [season 6 winner and runner-up] Jordin [Sparks] and Blake [Lewis]. It's got to be killer.''

Still, Sloan added, in the long-term, both she and Head consider themselves solo artists. ''It's not going to be a long-term [partnership], like Peaches & Herb,'' she said with a laugh.

Aside from Mario Vazquez, who chose to drop out of Idol just prior to the season 4 finals, and novelty act William Hung, Sloan and Head appear to be the first Idol contestants to score major label deals without reaching the top 12.

Click here to check out Sabrina Sloan's April 2007 performance of ''Amazing Grace'' — in a cubicle! — on EW.com's Idolatry.


Posted Jul 30, 2007

[jdanton2]

another article with an interview with Sabrina.

www.ocregister.com/entertainment/album-sloan-universal-1796274-night-american


Thursday, August 2, 2007
'American Idol' contestant Sabrina Sloan signs record deal
First album will be a collection of duets with fellow contestant Sundance Head.
By PETER LARSEN
The Orange County Register

Sabrina Sloan made the final 16 on "American Idol" this year before she was eliminated – sooner than the judges and many fans had expected.

But there's nothing like a major-label record contract to ease the sting of that defeat.

Sloan, a 1997 graduate of Mission Viejo High School, signed a two-album deal with Universal Records Motown, her publicist announced Thursday, with the first album slated for release this fall.

She'll debut with a collection of duets with fellow "American Idol" contestant Sundance Head – eliminated the same night she was, and like her, a singer who initially looked like he'd go deeper into the competition than he ultimately did.

The album will be produced by Peter Collins, whose credits include Bon Jovi and Rush, and will include both new songs and covers of classic tunes.

After that album is finished Sloan will start work on a solo album.

"I can't wait to get into the studio," Sloan said in the press release issued to announce the deal. "Sundance is an amazing talent and it's funny that both of us joked about working together when we left the show on the same night.

"And now here we are, both signing on with Universal Records. We are thrilled!"

[JayBoozer]

Ewwww I hate Sundance... just do your own album!

[jdanton2]

this is the OC article with the interview with Sabrina.

www.ocregister.com/entertainment/kind-album-universal-1797234-stuff-really


Friday, August 3, 2007
'American Idol' contestant Sabrina Sloan talks about her recording deal
First album will be a collection of duets with fellow contestant Sundance Head.
By PETER LARSEN
The Orange County Register

Sabrina Sloan made the final 16 on "American Idol" this year before she was eliminated – sooner than the judges and many fans had expected.

But there's nothing like a major-label record contract to ease the sting of that defeat.

Sloan, a 1997 graduate of Mission Viejo High School, now has a freshly signed two-album deal with Universal Records Motown, with the first album slated for release in November.

She'll debut with a collection of duets with fellow "American Idol" contestant Sundance Head – eliminated the same night she was, and like her, a singer who initially looked like he'd go deeper into the competition than he ultimately did.

The album will be produced by Peter Collins, whose credits include Bon Jovi and Rush, and will include both new songs and covers of classic tunes. After that album is finished Sloan will start work on a solo album.

To find out how it all came together and how she's preparing for the recording session that starts in a week or so, we put in a call to Sabrina.

Q. When and how did you find out about the record contract?

A.Right after I got voted off in March, a couple of days after that, they sent an e-mail thru my mom. Somebody had found someone from my mom's church, something like that. She called me and forwarded me the e-mail – "Universal wants to talk to you!"

At that point, the glass was looking more half empty than half full – after just coming off the show – so I kind of thought, "Ah, it probably won't be anything." But I called and they set up a meeting. I went and met with Jolene (Cherry, a Universal executive) and she kind of told me her idea.

You walk in and see the records on the wall, you start to get really excited. But it was a long process of getting out of the "Idol" contract.

Q. What's it like to all of a sudden be on a major label? Part of Motown at that?

A.It's incredible. This isn't an indie label – you can have success either way – but there's nothing like the machine of Universal Motown to promote your CD. And the legends that have been there, the people who are on the label now, it's a dream come true.

Q. What's Sundance like? You guys get along?

A.Absolutely. He's a genuinely sweet, thoughtful guy. Both of us are married, he even has a little baby boy, so we're kind of on the same page of life. He cracks me up because he's from Texas, and coming out here to Hollywood is kind of a new thing for him. He's very endearing. Even on the show he was the guy who was crying when people got voted off.

Q. How were the songs picked for the duets album?

A.So far we've been able to submit some of our own stuff, and name what songs we like best, and what ones we don't think will work from the list. It's been a real group effort. We were really a part of the creative process.

Q. Can you name a few of the covers that might be on it?

A. It's still kind of up in the air. We have solidified the list we're picking from, but we're still not totally sure. It's a lot of soulful stuff, stuff people will definitely recognize. But some stuff is not things that were even duets before. There could be some Isley Brothers in there. That's probably the first one.

Q. What kind of solo album do want to make after this one?

A.I'm working on my music, and writing my music to prepare for that project. I want it to be very funky with a kind of hip-hop edge to it, but still sort of poppy. It might be along a Justin (Timberlake) kind of line.

Q. Being on "American Idol," I'm assuming it was worth it?

A.Oh, absolutely. I would have done it again in a heartbeat. I have no regrets, and I went in with my eyes wide open about what the show was, and what could happen.

You still get caught up in it, so to leave that early is disappointing. But I still feel like everyone is able to walk away with more opportunities than you'd have been able to have going in. So I feel really fortunate and really blessed to have had the exposure.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7787 or [e-mail]

[WotUNeed]

Sundance isn't exactly a thrilling partner, but good for Sabrina. Given the right material she could make a quality album.

[JamaicaFunk²]

i agree... good for sabrina.

she's the bomb. i love her.

but she'll probably end up the same route as tamyra; an underground, underappreciated talent.

[blurple]

Sabrina's actually the one I loved the most among the S6 "divas". So, good for her! I hope the album is good. :)

[₫anny Jerz ♔]

Sabrina was my favorite last season so I'm happy for her.

[Pulse]

Why are they doing a duets album? ??? No one even associated them together before.

[rvd]

Let Sundance die then put Stephanie in.

But it's Universal Mowtown, look what they did to Camile Velasco.

[SAY IT RIGHT]

Who thought a duets album from 2 idol rejects would be a hit?

I like Sabrina but this duets crap is a bad idea.

[sdot23]

boutitboutit said:

I like Sabrina but this duets crap is a bad idea.

[jdanton2]

it looks like the duet album wont be out till next year.


www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272616682.shtml




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Sabrina Sloan: Moving Beyond American Idol
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By Shirley Kennedy
Oct 17, 2007


In one of the biggest travesties in American Idol history, Sabrina Sloan did not make the top 12 this year. Don’t cry for her; you’ll be hearing a lot from her in the very near future. As irony would have it, though Sabrina failed to make top 12, she has recently inked a deal with Universal Motown and is moving forward with her debut CD. This signing fulfills a life-long dream for Sabrina.

Sabrina Sloan: Moving Beyond American Idol (Image: Courtesy of MLC PR)

Sabrina has been singing since she was three years old. “I remember mom had a tape recorder with a little microphone. I have tapes of me on there singing ‘Ebony and Ivory.’ At Chuck E. Cheese, I got up on the table and sang ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie. I just love singing. I [have] loved music since I was really young.” Sabrina’s love is revealed in her performances. During her run on American Idol, she garnered compliments from her work, even from acerbic judge Simon Cowell. The night that Sabrina performed “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You,” Simon declared her performance “the best of the night.” Sabrina was very appreciative of Simon’s comments.

“That was an amazing moment for me. . . . Simon is like the dad that you’re trying to impress the whole time, and no matter what everyone else says, you just want to hear a good word from him, especially for me. I had gotten a—the very first audition, going into Hollywood, he was a little bit harsh and said, ‘You’re going to have to come with the perfect song.’ He acted like he was unimpressed, so it was really important for me to impress him. . . . I shared a very nice, tender moment with him when he came over and hugged me and said, ‘You were great today.’ So, I was hoping that he would be kind when it got to the top 24, with everybody hearing the comments live. Yeah, to hear him say that was a really—it just really made me feel good. It really pumped me up.”

Sabrina did a great job on Idol, and many were perplexed when she failed to make top 12. Interestingly, of those who did make top 12, only the winner and runner-up have been signed to contracts, while both Sabrina and Sundance Head will be recording with a major label. This phenomenon is one of the more interesting aspects of American Idol. The voting public doesn’t always have the best idea of who will make good recording artists; they merely vote for the people they like. While personality and looks are important, record label executives know that it’s going to take more than that to have a successful recording career. While America failed to see Sabrina’s potential, Jolene Cherry, senior VP of A&R at Universal, clearly saw that potential.

Sabrina’s first project with Universal will be a collection of duets with Sundance Head. Jolene Cherry is credited with the concept. Sabrina shares, “She felt that the combination of our soulful voices would make for an amazing album.” Peter Collins, who has produced both Bon Jovi and Rush, will produce the duets project, which will feature both new music and remakes of standards. The collaboration of Sabrina and Sundance is not long term. “We’re not trying to be the new Peaches and Herb. It’s just kind of a fun thing to really showcase us in a way we weren’t able to or that we might have been able to if we had been able to stay on the show a longer period of time.” Because of that short stint on the show, many viewers remain unaware of Sundance’s talents. Sabrina shares that “He sang so much rock on the show, but he’s bluesy. He plays guitar, he’s got—I mean, an incredible range and soulful voice.”

As complimentary as Sabrina is of Sundance, she has many unrevealed talents herself. Sabrina plays piano and uses that instrument to write songs. “I played for about eight years at concerts and competitions. . . . I use that to write songs now. I definitely feel that I could have been much better than I am if I’d kept at it, but being able to read music, to really have a music theory background, is really important in helping me in my career.” In addition to using the piano to help write songs, Sabrina relies on her life experiences. “I write about love, I write about pain, and whatever I’m feeling. I’m working on kind of an inspirational song right now because I’ve been doing a lot of charity events, so I wanted to write something that was appropriate for that—that compliments people reaching out for each other.” Sabrina writes both lyrics and melodies, but her talents don’t end here.

Sabrina has played lead roles in regional theater, and she was cast in the original Broadway production of “Hairspray.” She later toured with the national touring company of that show. Sabrina is still interested in acting as part of her future work, and she has studied both voice and acting, which studies serve her well. With both comedy and drama for interests, Sabrina should have no trouble finding work in this arena. For now, however, her focus is on her music.

Graciously discussing how she would like her CD to sound, Sabrina shares that “I’ll have a couple of ballads. I love singers like Corinne Bailey Rae, but I also want something that people can put the top down to and play really loud in the park! . . . I’m trying to just work with the right people to make the best music I can.” Sabrina hopes to include some of her own original music on her debut CD. Music is no short-term goal for Sabrina. When asked where she sees herself in five years, Sabrina says, “In five years, I would love to be involved in a career like Beyoncé. Not really her style or her music, but just doing music, tours, making albums that I love, and having a little involvement in acting. Winning a Grammy!” Sabrina is an extremely down-to-earth, effervescent personality. One can only wonder why the American Idol audience failed to see that personality. Some, however, did see.

Sabrina is amazed when people stop her for autographs and photos. “People do still remember and come up to me, and I’m accumulating a fan base. I really didn’t even realize until I got off the show how big—you know, you forget how big American Idol is and how many people watch. So, it’s a great big huge blessing. . . . It still kind of blows my mind. It really does. It’s still crazy when people ask for autographs and to take pictures. I’m like, ‘Me? Are you sure?’” Part of Sabrina’s humility stems from her Christianity.

When questioned about her personal style on the show and her unwillingness to dress overtly sexy for votes, Sabrina shares that, “It definitely speaks to who I like to be as representing women . . . being able to stand as a woman of God and really honor Him and glorify Him in what I was doing. At the same time, it’s a popularity show, so there is that aspect of it where it’s kind of like ‘sex sells,’ you know, do something, and you might get more votes, but I have no regrets about how I looked on the show. I hope that people could see that I’m feminine, I’m a sexy woman, but I’m not going to throw all of my body out there in order to get people to vote. . . . [Being sexy] is more of a state of mind, a state of being, I think.” Several other Christians joined Sabrina in the top 24, another interesting phenomenon of this year’s installment. “It was all different denominations and degrees, but there was a strong faith in the contestants. Melinda [Doolittle] has an incredible faith. She’s an incredible woman. There were several of the contestants—even guys—that made it a really great environment.” Even though the environment was great, Sabrina’s faith was definitely put to the test.

“I went into the first audition saying if this is going to be damaging to me in any way or to my spiritual life, to my relations, then just don’t even let me make it past the first round. I tried it, and it was over, and I kept going and kept going. So, I really trusted that God was going to do something amazing, and honestly, with that said, when I got voted off, it was like, ‘Wait a second. What’s the plan?’ . . . [E]verything in my life has just proven that taking risks and then trusting God to handle the risks just paid off.” Taking risks is part of achieving goals and making dreams come true. If we don’t take the risk, we never realize our dreams or achieve our goals. Sabrina relied on her devout faith for strength to take those risks, and that faith paid off. We can all benefit from this lesson.

After being a fan of the show for several years, Sabrina Sloan summoned the courage to audition for American Idol to make her dreams of a recording career come true. She survived all of the judges’ cuts to make it onto the big stage as part of the top 24. Her stint on Idol was cut short by a lack of votes. Thankfully, Sabrina’s voice was not silenced by that lack of votes. Sabrina relied on her faith in God to carry her through that disappointment to realize her dream of a career as a recording artist. Armed with her faith, both inner and outer beauty, and talent, Sabrina will make her mark on the music industry. Be on the lookout for Sabrina’s duets CD with Sundance Head after the holidays, with her solo debut to follow. In spite of the disappointment stemming from her elimination on Idol, Sabrina Sloan is going to be just fine.