You probably remember American Idol contestant Josiah Leming from last season. He was the kid who lived in out of his car, sang like band Keen, and cried a whole bunch. I was particularly shocked when he did not make it through to the top 24 on season 7 of American Idol.
Since American Idol passed on Josiah, Warner Bros. signed him earlier this year. Someone smart was bound to snatch him up. But there is trouble for Leming. Simon Fuller’s company 19 Entertainment is threatening to block the release of Leming’s debut album set to drop January 2009. All contestants trying out for the show must sign a strict contract that says you must record with an Idol-approved label, Sony/BMG, and gives Fuller’s company exclusive right of refusal for management and merchandising. So basically American Idol is taking the credit for giving him air time and without that he would be nothing.
“Josiah was the only Idol contestant ever to get a record deal who didn’t make the top 24, and one of only four contestants to get a deal this year,” a rep for the 19-year-old said. “He has personal reasons for getting his music out, threat or not.”
Josiah’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and so he is determined to get his music out while she is still alive.
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