Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

From Sawyer Brown to Bucky Covington -
TV Talent Contests Help Launch Country Acts

One has to look no farther than the recent success of American Idol alumnae and labelmates Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood to document the impact talent competitions provide in launching new artists.

Competitions have long provided a talent pool for A&R executives at Country record labels. Sawyer Brown made its bow on CBS-TV's Star Search back in 1983 and became the first winner of the nationally televised show.

"It meant everything in getting jump started that fast," Sawyer Brown frontman Mark Miller recalled of the group's Star Search experience. "The TV show made such a big splash, especially back then for Country Music. Our first two albums went Gold and Platinum."

In addition to his work with the band, Miller is the producer for Bucky Covington, who placed eighth on American Idol during its fifth season.

"He has a cool, cool sounding voice," Miller said. "I discovered Bucky because my son was his biggest fan. Literally, when Bucky got voted off, my son Gunnar made me call him. He said, 'Daddy you have to help him.' That's literally the way the whole thing began."

Needless to say, Covington was pleasantly surprised when he got the call from Miller. "The day after I got voted off the show, Mark Miller called my hometown newspaper and got my phone number and called me up," said Covington, still sounding somewhat incredulous at his good fortune.

Miller and his son weren't the only ones taking notice of Bucky, which made things easier when Miller began looking for a label deal for Covington. "I really didn't have to shop him around," Miller said. "I knew Doug [Howard] and Randy [Goodman] at Lyric Street. I literally just made a phone call and they pretty much said 'yes.' Doug had seen Bucky throughout the show and was a fan."

Sawyer Brown has taken Covington out on the road, and Miller said he's seen first hand the recognition generated by the American Idol phenomenon. "It is mind boggling how many people saw that show," Miller said. "When we bring him out on stage, we don't even have to introduce him. They see that long blond hair and they start going nuts. They know exactly who it is."

Lyric Street Records President Randy Goodman is not surprised. "We've always known the power of network television," he said. "You'd have to be a monk to not know the impact American Idol is having on the general population."

Goodman said American Idol exposure helps acts break more quickly. "With somebody like Carrie Underwood and Josh [Gracin] and Bucky, you've got acts that are already branded to a certain degree. Radio stations know who Bucky is or Kellie Pickler is or who Josh is, and they definitely know who Carrie Underwood is.

So, you've got a built in awareness and that awareness creates interest. Radio is always going to be the primary way that I sell records and that I alert and activate the audience, but American Idol has created an instant recognition and awareness."

Covington said American Idol exposure definitely helps put a new artist on the fast track. "One of the toughest things for a new artist is you have to put out three to four good songs before people know who you are," he said. "The greatest thing about the show is you've got fans before you put the single out. That's a great head start."

Fans can check out Bucky Covington:

Thursday, Oct. 18th, 7 p.m. at the Buffalo Chip in Cave Creek, AZ. (605) 892-4101
Tickets are $25 and includes a buffet and early entry. Concert-only tickets are $18.

View music video for the recent Bucky Covington release “A Different World” http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/covington__bucky/artist.jhtml

. . . School always started the same everyday
the pledge of allegiance,
then someone would pray
not every kid made the team
when they tried
We got disappointed
but that was alright

We turned out alright
It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world
No bottled water
We'd drink from a
garden hose
And every Sunday,
All the stores
were closed.
It was a
different life ...