Josiah Leming, Former American Idol Contestant - Reaching for the Star of Music

When Tennessee born Josiah Leming first appeared on American Idol last season, many of those who viewed the show immediately picked him as a favorite. Boyish good looks and a very talented voice, people rooted and cheered for him every week. When he was dropped as a contestant, I thought it was a wrong move by American Idol and history is proving that correct.

Currently, an article in The New York Post published October 30, states that 19 Entertainment's Simon Fuller, executive producer of American Idol, may sue to block Leming from releasing his album. When Leming signed the contract, it apparently blocked him from doing anything without giving them first right of refusal, or even worse, not allow him to do anything else with his music. However, it is my opinion that once he was dropped as a contestant, any contract with American Idol or its affiliates became "null and void". If they had developed the view that he was not ready for prime time, he was no longer bound to the show.

Instead, I believe they fully expected Leming to make another shot at being on American Idol and this time, would be in the top list of contestants selected. If this had happened, they could say Josiah Leming had risen from the ashes of defeat and made it to the top - all through the auspices of American Idol. They would get the credit and Leming might still have never gotten a contract for an album.

From my view from the armchair in my living room, this young man has every right to pursue his dream. Living in a car for months while trying to find a way to make money off his music and to take care of his mother, who is suffering from terminal cancer, American Idol may have appeared as a golden stairway to the top. Instead, they let him fall flat on his face because of all the circumstances surrounding Leming and it made for a TV moment for the show. The fact that 19 Entertainment may try to keep Leming from releasing his album is creating a huge black eye for American Idol and appears as bad publicity relations for the show.

Josiah Leming signed a publishing and recording contract with Warner Bros in June 2008 and recently cut his first album (and, I hope, the first of many) that is due out early 2009. A sample of five songs is also available on iTunes or a CD can be ordered from his website at http://www.myspace.com/josiahleming.

According to a representative for Josiah Leming, he was the only person to have gotten a contract without making it to the top as one of the 24 men and women who were selected to go on American Idol as a contestant. He was also the only one this year out of a total of four who did get a contract with anyone. I am positive that Warner Bros is familiar with the terms of the contract that contestants sign to join American Idol. I also believe that they know the contract to be worthless and they could sign Leming for a record album. If they did not believe this young singer had a chance at making it in the music world, they would not have signed him in the first place.

In the meantime, it is my opinion that Josiah Leming has the right to make his way in the world of music the best he can. He continues to have my vote and I wish him the best. I expect this new up and coming songwriter and singer will become one of the greatest and most popular singers in the U.S., if not the world. I am sure his mother is proud of him. Just as I am.

Sources:

Josiah Leming MySpace

Josiah Leming Completes His Debut Album for Warner Bros. Records -- Due Early 2009

NO 'IDOL' THREAT OVER ALBUM