'American Idol's' Casey James to sign with Sony Nashville

“American Idol’s” Casey James is about to sign with Sony Nashville, Pop & Hiss has learned. The Season 9 heartthrob, who finished third behind winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox (and was often positioned as cougar bait, thanks to his shirtless audition in Denver last summer encouraged by judge Kara DioGuardi), joins “Idol” alums Carrie Underwood and Danny Gokey on its roster, though “no label designation” has been made yet, says a Sony insider. The news comes a week after "American Idol" signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group for future seasons of the series.

James first met with Sony Nashville back in June when he made a one-day trip to the Tennessee city during a brief post-"Idol" break. A month later, Sony Nashville's chairman and chief executive, Gary Overton, flew to New York for the “American Idol Live! Tour.” James, who performs four songs on the two-month trek (which hits L.A.’s Staples Center on Friday), including the Black Keys’ “I Got Mine,” clearly impressed the executive, who had also watched his weekly performances on "Idol." (It should be noted that Overton recently stepped in for Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante, who in April announced his departure after 40 years at the company.)

 The label has seen its share of "Idol" successes, including albums by Underwood, whose debut, “Some Hearts,” just passed the 7 million sales mark, Kellie Pickler and Gokey.  As Season 9 "Idol"  viewers undoubtedly know, James is a die-hard blues fan, though it’s unclear how much of that influence will make it onto his debut album, whether he’ll record it in Nashville (or whether Jack White is available).

-- Shirley Halperin

Photo: Casey James. Credit: Courtesy 'American Idol' / Fox

Comments

[Fiona]

Should I stop biting my nails now? Announce it already pleasseee

[Kelsey]

YAY!!!!! I can't wait for the OFFICIAL announcement to come out!!!! :) :)

[Petra]

Great news about Casey James! I always thought the guy was marketable and Idol made him more so (Of the Top 10, he was the only one making a decent living in music, as lead guitarist whose band got regular work).
Great guy, and I'll root for his success like signed Idols Crystal and Lee.
Now I root for Aaron and Siobhan - both whom may have success down the road greater than Lee, Crystal, or Casey.
Aaron has broken through. Version 2.0 of Aaron looks like a major act and real career is possible.
As for Siobhan..she is now a guilty pleasure. It's not just the singing and her approach to singing as a creative artist. The girl is Case A for Lythgoe's case Idol is "more than just the singing". The guilty pleasure is mainly in tracking Siobhan's interviews - they are so entertaining, unpredictable, dish good dirt on folks, has wicked good sense of humor often poking fun at herself....and Siobhan is half-deranged (in a good way). One of her recent ones had her talking about how wrong it is vampires get all the "sexy movies" and SHE wants to be involved in creating a sexy, hot line of Cyclops characters as a future project and how cool a body modification it would be if someone wanted to become a real cyclops by plastic surgery. Deranged!

[Nadia]

This is fantastic news, Casey is just to good too ignore. He's got loads of talent and although it is a cliché he has really got that whole package. He is also currently doing a fabulous job on tour, I will definitely be looking out for his album.

[chris]

So happy for him!! Can't wait for his album to be released.Congrats Casey!!

[Caroline]

This is wonderful news! I went to an AI Live show and saw first hand what an awesome performer Casey James is. He has real star quality! I hope we see the official Sony Nashville press release soon. I definitely can't wait to buy his music!

[Tina D.]

This is the news Casey James' fans have waited to read. I certainly hope that Gary Overton doesn't "sanitize" Casey's music for any album. Idol is over and I personally don't need to hear him play ballads that make him "vulnerable" so he appeals to Kara or any of the other AI judges he has endured. Though "Jealous Guy" would be a nice cover to hear again, I want the raw, real Casey; not a watered-down version. Hope Mr. Overton is wise enough to cut our genius - blues/country/rocker - blonde God loose and let him roll! Oh and if Jack's available, by all means...invite him over!
BTW: Anyone know where I can pre-order Casey's album?

[Hannah]

This is such good news for Casey! I'd like to see him go with Arista like Carrie Underwood. But I'm just so GLAD this guy got a deal...he is SO GOOD on the tour. I liked him on the show but Crystal was my favorite. After seeing them on tour, Casey is my new favorite! Love Crystal, but Casey is FANTASTIC in concert!

[Ri]

i've been jumping outta my skin waiting to hear this news. the guy is incredibly talented and so deserving. hooray!

[Rachel]

I absolutely love Casey James. His vocals are terrific, his guitar skills are off the charts and he is incredibly humble and sweet (met him after the show in PA). He was super-amazing on the tour! He so deserves this and so much more! I can't wait until he starts putting out his music...I will be buying it all!

[Pat]

Casey James is amazing on tour, he just brings everyone in the audience to their feet and into his music. I love everything he does, but want so much to hear professional recordings of the blues rock songs he did during the Idol Homecoming. Loved his version of Peter Green's "I Need You So Bad" and "Satisfied" and "Gravity" by John Mayer. Speaking of Mayer, those two could bring an awesome guitar duet on a tour with Casey opening for John. Cant wait for Casey to make a CD, and hope there are some sexy videos for single release in the near future!!!!

[Rick]

"viewers undoubtedly know, James is a die-hard blues fan"

He's is a blues FAN?? I thought he was a blues SINGER AND MUSICIAN!

"....though it’s unclear how much of that influence will make it onto his debut album."

So he sold his soul for the same old Nashville pop country. I was hoping he'd do more like "I Got Mine" that I saw him do at the concert. I thought he was a great blues rocker. What a shame.

[Mary]

Casey James is very deserving of a record deal. He is "the real deal" and has worked for years to get to where he is now. GO CASEY! I'll be so happy if this proves to be true. I went to the idol concert this year just to see Casey and he didn't disappoint in any way. He was just amazing to watch live on the stage. I am so excited to see what he has in store for us all!

[sue]

yay! he is a great artist! and i am with you, tina d........i also am hoping for the "real" casey james, the blues artist, to emerge, not some phony try at mainstream stuff.......i'll be buying his cd asap.

he is incredible.....saw the idol tour, and he just tore it up!

he'll eclipse john mayer, and he is nicer and way better looking.

[Jennifer C]

Rick - "So he sold his soul for the same old Nashville pop country."

Gaawwww, Rick! Cut the guy some slack. He - just - got -signed! That's great for him, so be happy for the guy and his fans. And it may be news, but Nashville is not "same-o Nashville vanilla" anymore.

Another poster Petra said you might see Aaron Kelly and Siobhan signed next.
Aaron is so hot to trot he isn't even waiting on getting signed to announce in an interview that as soon as the Tour is over, he's renting an apartment in Nashville and starting work on his 1st album.
I think it's a safe bet Siobhan isn't joining Casey and Aaron in Nashville! But there is considerable interest in the industry in Siobhan Magnus. Not just music, stage and indie film. Magnus said when the Tour finishes, she hopes to join up with her summer band Lunar Valve again for some head banging, hang with her family, BF, and pals again...and wait to see who's interested. And continue to work on things Idol showed her, she needed improving in.

But for Casey - I'm a fan of his, and I'm so happy and hope Sony Nashville puts him in a fine band and on the hits path. (I like Lee - and obviously, if you read what I said, I'm a fan of Siobhan and Aaron as well.)

[chris]

Rick- I'm with you. I thought"Don't" was the weakest song of his set. It's just not him. I guess money can make it him though. The only people who think Nashville doesn't pump out and will continue to pump out the same old twangy pop country trucker crying in their beer music that they've been doing for years is die hard country fans. Their idea of crossover is "I wanna uh uh uh uh uh uh undo it". Heck Gweneth Paltrow just came out with a new country single. That pretty much shows you the integrity of country music today. I'm with you. He should have held out. I love blues rock and hate today's country music. I was hoping he'd go the SRV route, but oh well. He seems like a decent dude so I'm happy he'll make a lot of money.

[Storm]

I'm so happy for Casey. He deserves this, and I'm sure he will become very well known and successful. He is so talented with a nice personality, and his good looks are a bonus and a pleasure to look at.

[dana]

@petra, siobhan was obviously joking around in that interview, i watched it! she was trying to be funny, i guess you don't understand a joke unless it starts with "knock knock".

[Rich]

I always thought Casey was one of the most over rated contestants in a very weak season. Only time will tell how he does - or doesn't do. Lots of Idols secure record deals, but the real trick is to keep them. Unfortunately, more emphasis seems to be placed on his physical appearance and guitar playing instead of his vocal ability. Not sure how that will translate over radio.

[Cleve]

Man, I love Casey. I sure would like to read something about him on this blog that's up to date. Shirley?

[Nicole]

I believe that Casey has lots more in him than we've seen so far. I hope he gets
some inspired direction--people who see what he can be. I cannot WAIT for the album/CD :)