Haley reportedly splits with Interscope

[Himm2]

http://www.billboard.com/column/reality-...5352.story

"American Idol" season 10 finalist Haley Reinhart is the latest casualty of a major label deal cut short.

Interscope Records, the Universal Music Group label with exclusive rights to alumni of the Fox show, is not picking up the 22-year-old singer's option for future recordings, a source close to the situation tells The Hollywood Reporter. Neither a record company spokesman nor representatives from 19 Entertainment would confirm the news.

After coming in third on Idol in 2011, behind runner-up Lauren Alaina and winner Scotty McCreery, Reinhart released her debut album, "Listen Up!," in May 2012. It sold 20,000 units the first week, good for the No. 17 spot on the Billboard 200, but failed to pick up much momentum, moving a total of 59,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Compartively, albums by McCreery and Alaina, both on Mercury Nashville, far outpaced the bluesy singer's, though Reinhart, an Illinois native, did make "Idol" history as the first show alum to perform at Lollapalooza. More recently, she, along with season 10's Casey Abrams, performed at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall.

It seems as far as Interscope is concerned, Idols have a one-shot opportunity -- if a singer's album doesn't gain traction -- even in spite of positive reviews, as in Reinhart's case -- or a single doesn't take off (see: Pia Toscano), Universal, unlike its predecessor Sony Music, moves on quickly.

Still, several of Reinhart's fellow contestants with deals on smaller labels remain signed including James Durbin (Wind-Up Records), Abrams (Concord) and Naima Adedapo (Peak). Most recently, eighth place finalist Paul McDonald and his wife, "Twilight" actress Nikki Reed, released an EP via their own label Enzo and Ira Records

[Miguel]

The byline is "by Shirley Halperin, THR"

It's the same story as appeared in The Hollywood Reporter.

Billboard picking it up did extend the reach of the news. Many new tweets as a result.

[lovinghaleyr]

Everyone loves a winner...as the saying goes. Most people experience some sort of elation over the success of the person, team or thing they are following...in the end it is somewhat delusional that we as individual fans have some sort of stake or resulting benefit in the outcome. We experience vicariously with favorable mood swings when our chosen one wins and the corresponding let down when they are losing. Our love of Haley is not about winning and losing...it centers on who she really is and the talent she possesses!

Haley has incredible God-given talents coupled with inward and outward beauty. We all know what we have heard and seen from Haley, and we love it. We don't need confirmation from the masses or the "majority" that she is worthy of our affection. Does the level of our affection change because new fans come on board or fringe fans leave her? I will buy everything she records and look for every opportunity to see her perform regardless of how many followers she has, which I'm sure is also true of everyone in this room.

It is a different musical world these days...reality shows pumping out 20-30 new artists every year and that is just in this country; the explosion of internet based pathways to musical recognition; the concept of music is free if you can download it...all part of the "there are a million singers out there" as one radio host stated to Haley.

Haley will have wonderful opportunities come her way...she is the total package!

Buzz:I agree with you 100%;still Hoocked on Haley forever

[Haleylvr4evr]

I just wish Haley would tweet or post something so we could get the real story and know how she feels about all this.

[Tusk]

I just wish Haley would tweet or post something so we could get the real story and know how she feels about all this.

Sometimes it's just wise to move forward. In the world of twitter, there are so many ways to accidently burn a bridge or two, and at a much faster rate. Especially for an artist very early in her career who needs to be open to ANY opportunity...
(Even now I still encounter "Haley has a bad attitude/ungrateful" people...Like XF's Jenell Garcia for example...no need to feed that fire )

Better to thank for the opportunity and start talking forward opportunities IMO.

(Edit: Jenell could have really used Halien support. There were many Haliens ready to back her until she made her opinion on Haley known....that extra Halien support might have allowed her to go farther than 11th on XF)

[yanni5]

Looks like there's some good news today...

Devin Krueger‏@DevinJKrueger

@KEiTHPHELPS so now that Haley isn't with Interscope are you getting signed with another singer? Or what happens! I need to see you rock out

---

Keith Phelps‏@KEiTHPHELPS

@DevinJKrueger rest assured...I'm still w Haley

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Keith Phelps‏@KEiTHPHELPS

@DevinJKrueger can't really discuss all that, but I'm sure Haley and her team will keep u posted on all that

Could be my Halien glasses are on, but that last tweet from Keith makes me feel like they are energised to move forward

Looking forward to some extended Reinhart/Phelps jams in the future

Now that's encouraging!

---

Here's cartermatt's take on it:

Is it over? – According to the Los Angeles Times, Haley has parted ways with both 19 Recordings and Interscope Records after just one album in “Listen Up!”, which was released in May. The disc failed to move many copies despite Haley’s presence from the show, even if it did receive mostly positive reviews from music critics.
Really, the question that is easy to ask here is “what went wrong,” but the only clear answer here might be “nothing at all.” Haley had decent promotion for a third-place star, as she had live performances mixed in with even an acting spot on “90210.” Her lead single in “Free” was also a pretty good song, even though “Oh My!” with a tweak or two may have been a more commercial choice. The reality here is that Haley is more of a blues / jazz artists than a pop star, and it was always going to be hard for her to be commercially viable in that world. This is one of the few occasions where it may be better off for her to find an indie label that allows her to create more of the sort of music that suits her voice, and she could be very successful in that world for years to come. Just our two cents here.

[Babbs234]

Our love of Haley is not about winning and losing...it centers on who she really is and the talent she possesses!

Haley has incredible God-given talents coupled with inward and outward beauty. We all know what we have heard and seen from Haley, and we love it. We don't need confirmation from the masses or the "majority" that she is worthy of our affection. Does the level of our affection change because new fans come on board or fringe fans leave her? I will buy everything she records and look for every opportunity to see her perform regardless of how many followers she has, which I'm sure is also true of everyone in this room!

Haley will have wonderful opportunities come her way...she is the total package!

I totally agree with everything you said Buzz. Long Live Queen Haley!!

[jjames865]

This is from Patti's friend, who had lunch with Haley yesterday

Blogett Bird ‏@dromMomma

I was with Haley yesterday and she was in great spirits. Just keep her name out there! And show her ur love!

Blogett Bird ‏@dromMomma
Haley will always be a singer. That never changes. Her voice will continue. She will perform and we will support her.

‏@dromMomma

we chatted about many things. Not for me to share. She is so versatile that there,are many options she can choose...

If this is not reassuring I don't know what is. I look forward to a future with Haley in it. BTW: Ole is clearly in Haley's camp and has shown no signs of wavering.

[Jastal]

I really love how all the Haliens have rallied to show support for Haley. I feel the same way as all of you and am shaking off the black cloud that formed when this news was made public. Although shocked at the news and somewhat disappointed, I am extremely excited to for her future now that she is FREE (as so many others have expressed). So nothing has changed, accept her career now has a chance to move forward and I look forward to seeing the results. I am sad we will not see another LU video, as I love all the songs, but I still expect them to show up in the future on TV or movies. In the age of instant results and feedback it is hard to be patient and let Haley grow at her own pace...but I look forward to watching it happen!

[Outcast]

What do you guys think of Haley teaming up with Casey as duo or fronting a jazz band like Pink Martini instead of continuing solo? I think that actually might be better, not everyone has to be a solo artist.