May 26, 2011 by: Kristin Wong
Last night's American Idol was an eclectic mix of music, with Bono, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and even Tony Bennett showing up to sing.
But both contestants, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina were all country. It's a genre no one I know personally can bear to stand, but apparently, most of the country loves it. Because going country might just be the most profitable route for Idol winners.
Carrie Underwood might not have won an Academy Award like Jennifer Hudson, but she has recently surpassed Kelly Clarkson as the most successful American Idol winner. Underwood has sold over 12 million albums and 18 million digital tracks, whereas Clarkson has sold 10 million albums with 16 million digital downloads, according to Billboard magazine.
Underwood has had twice the revenue from tours as Clarkson, also. Although, to be fair, Clarkson hasn't toured as much. Clarkson might make a comeback when she releases her fifth album later this year, but the point is, country can be successful. Very successful.
The Billboard list shows, interestingly, that the most successful (at least lucratively speaking) winners of Idol aren't mainstream pop artists, but artists who have made their way into a specific genre. Think Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, and Clay Aiken. Yeah, that's right—someone is buying all those lame Christmas CDs.
So, if history is any indication, those Southern roots Scotty McCreery often referred to on the show should work in his favor.
But both contestants, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina were all country. It's a genre no one I know personally can bear to stand, but apparently, most of the country loves it. Because going country might just be the most profitable route for Idol winners.
Carrie Underwood might not have won an Academy Award like Jennifer Hudson, but she has recently surpassed Kelly Clarkson as the most successful American Idol winner. Underwood has sold over 12 million albums and 18 million digital tracks, whereas Clarkson has sold 10 million albums with 16 million digital downloads, according to Billboard magazine.
Underwood has had twice the revenue from tours as Clarkson, also. Although, to be fair, Clarkson hasn't toured as much. Clarkson might make a comeback when she releases her fifth album later this year, but the point is, country can be successful. Very successful.
The Billboard list shows, interestingly, that the most successful (at least lucratively speaking) winners of Idol aren't mainstream pop artists, but artists who have made their way into a specific genre. Think Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, and Clay Aiken. Yeah, that's right—someone is buying all those lame Christmas CDs.
So, if history is any indication, those Southern roots Scotty McCreery often referred to on the show should work in his favor.
