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David Archuleta Dropped by Record Label

By Christine Fenno Posted Feb 19th 2011 10:16AM

'American Idol' season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is facing a major setback in his once-promising post-'AI' career.

The 20-year-old's bad news went public yesterday, according to the Los Angeles Times: Jive Records says they've dropped the singer from the label after three years, with a company spokesperson confirming, "David was released from our roster."

Archuleta was just 16 when he lost 'Idol' (bested by David Cook), but he won countless fans who adored his sweet smile and formidable vocal skill. Still, the record business is all about numbers: Archuleta's 2008 self-titled debut, featuring the hit single 'Crush,' was certified platinum and sold almost a million copies worldwide. Yet that may get chalked up to beginner's luck, as his sophomore studio album has struggled to rack up 60,000 in sales since its release a few months ago.

In October 2010, Archuleta spent time with PopEater to promote 'The Other Side of Down,' his followup to his debut album. From inside Jive studios, he reflected on his fast-track to fame: "I didn't know how far I was going to get [on 'American Idol']....I didn't even think I was going to get past the first round, so after the first couple of auditions, I was like 'Wow, things are actually happening. There might be something that could come from this.'"

The young crooner, while upbeat about his new album, also told PopEater at the time that he'd enjoy going to college someday. Think that will be his next move? No reaction yet from Archuleta's camp about the sudden about-face from his once supportive label, or what's next for the singer.

Earlier this week, just a day before the world learned he was parting ways with Jive, Archleta tweeted a cryptic message about moving forward with his career: "Decisions. They are scary things before knowing what could happen after you make them, but I'm excited for what the future holds."

Tags: American Idol, David Archuleta

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Saturday 19 February

By papi looie

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ANOTHER DIRT BAG BITES THE DUST

Saturday 19 February

By Tom

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He seems like a decent kid looie. Apparently in school you only learned the name "dirt bag" to call someone you may dislike. Please try to add a new name to your vocabulary before posting again. You have definately wore our "dirt bag" dirt bag.

Saturday 19 February

By stu

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go to Broadway cutie pie.
i want to tickle tickle this little guy.

Saturday 19 February

By Al Schrader

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I shouldn't but I get angry when the paparazi take my pic. It always seems like they are waiting for me to do something anti-social like scratch my bottom or something, and "click" gotchya.

Friday 25 February

By john

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What are you talking about? Which one is a dirt bag? Reports say David Archuleta dumped Jive. Jive is the dirt bag?

Saturday 19 February

By Charlotte888

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No big surprise here, regrettably. But it may be the best thing for his career.

And Jive was never supportive.

Ciara said a few days ago, “I spent tens of thousands of my own money only to hear the radio PDs tell me my label didn’t want the song played”.

And this is exactly what Archuleta fans were told by the PDs immediately post-”Crush” and for two years. Fans were told “Oh, we can’t play that” by the radio stations, no matter how large the number of requests, for any other single after “Crush”.

Admittedly, not every subsequent single was radio friendly, but some absolutely were.

While a big hit in numerous places overseas where Archuleta is a big star and played along side the best known American acts, and despite fervent and pro-active fan support for him here, Archie couldn’t get airplay in America because his label didn’t want it.

If he could be a hit in other countries with multiple top singles (and he was) the same could occur in the States. But the label had other ideas.

Did they sign Archie in May 2008 the night of the "American Idol" finals to make him a star, or keep him controlled in favor of Cook or someone or something else? Who's to say as to the reasoning.

But Ciara has had a similar experience with Jive.

Are the rumors true that Jive's really melting down from the inside? One can only wonder.

Saturday 19 February

By nibblett

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or it could just be..................

Saturday 19 February

By RMI

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The music business is a monopoly and the control is slipping from the major labels hands, they don't know what to do frankly. I hope as an Indie label owner the monopoly breaks down once and for all and let the chips fall where they may. Manufactured music will always fail to meet the standards of true art.

Saturday 19 February

By JBaer

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See that, folks? You never know where a shortcut will lead you.

Saturday 19 February

By N. Brooks

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I find this sad news as David IS VERY TALENTED, and only came in second because of his age. Cook is a very ordinary talent where as David Archuleta has a very unique sound and pleasing voice much like the Clay Aiken 2nd place. Quite frankly I think Idol was controlled by Simon Cowell and who he thought could make more money for him. I don't watche the show anymore. Best of luch to David and college is probably a good choice right now, but really hope he can pursue music.

Saturday 19 February

By Hmmm

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You won't mind if I disagree. I think it is exactly the opposite. I like both artists but think that David Archulletta needs to change up his style and mature as an artist. If he can do this he'll make it back. If not, he won't.

Saturday 19 February

By bestbunny10

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Archie is very talented and still young enough to make a successful career. He was not marketed properly. He is far more talented than Justin Beiber and has a much better voice. Bieber is all fluff. Good luck David.

Saturday 19 February

By Sandy

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David is really too nice of a kid to get caught up in the immorality of Hollywood anyway. Maybe someone like John Tesh can pick him up and stear him toward religious music. I think he has such an angelic voice that that would be the perfect fit.

Good Luck to him, he is so much better than most of the people out there!

Saturday 19 February

By rob

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David should appear in "steamy" videos wearing a sexy tank top or bare chested and show off that adorable little hunky body...or at least talk about sex..you cant sell lots of records today unless you at least pretend you are looking to get laid..
the record buying public is so dumb music is the second thing that matters..SEX is what sells..see Rihanna/Britney/Katy Perry/Beiber/etc etc etc

Saturday 19 February

By plz

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fcuk u

Saturday 19 February

By bigD

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That was a hilarious post. You are so right, the record buying public is soooo dumb. And they totally respond to sex and just about nothing else. Anger and rage maybe a la Eminem. I just love his angry rants they call singing. David is talented, he needs a supportive label and some good music. I don't think he should rely on himself to pen his next hit.

Saturday 19 February

By rtpurdom

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El boohoo, el boohoo. Pooro little meho!

Saturday 19 February

By kcshyguy

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If anyone needs to be dropped, its that weirdo Adam Lambert. He is scary!

Saturday 19 February

By Lindy

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I hate to hear this for David since I love his voice and think he has talent. I know I would call our local "easy listening/pop" station in Cincy, and they would never play his later songs because they weren't part of their "canned" music they received from Corporate in Chicago, or wherever. The music business is way day as everyone knows. I heard Huey Lewis on CNBC a couple months ago saying he was making his money in touring. I think David will bounce back as a more mature singer. Maybe he should go on to college and get his education and trying doing summer shows or whatever he can get to keep his music going in smaller clubs like a lot of artists do.

Saturday 19 February

By Wendy

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He'd be great on Glee.

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