Elliott Yamin is Awesome
May 29, 2007 by Jeanne
Elliott Yamin is just cool. I thought it way back when he was on American Idol and I think it now. There’s so much to love about him but I have found that his loyalty and humility have set him apart from the other whining cast-offs. Interestingly, it seems to be a route Blake Lewis is taking also.
In a recent article with the Flint Journal, Yamin discussed his post-Idol life. Here it is:
Elliott Yamin isn’t like other “American Idol” alumni. He doesn’t diss the judges, doesn’t get defensive about being on the show, and he doesn’t have publicists who tell journalists not to ask questions about it.
“I’m not one of those ‘Idol’ castoffs who’s always saying don’t ask me one more (bleeping) question about this show,” he said. “I don’t mind.”
He wouldn’t be talking to journalists or DJs without it. He also wouldn’t be in the middle of his first proper headlining tour since – including a Wednesday stop at Detroit’s St. Andrew’s Hall – finishing third on the show last year. Nor would he have a self-titled solo album out, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts after its March 20 release, selling 90,000 copies in the process.
The first single, the ballad “Wait for You,” steadily has been climbing the charts, receiving a major boost from his performance of it May 16 on “Idol.”
He’s also the first high-profile “Idol” finalist to spurn contract offers from major record companies to navigate the tricky but potentially profitable waters of an independent record label. “Elliott Yamin” is the first release on the revived Hickory Records imprint, a unique partnership between, among others, his publisher, Sony/ATV (which has the Lennon-McCartney catalog), his manager, Jeff Rabhan, and cousin and co-producer Josh Abraham, who has worked with Pink and Linkin Park. “He knows everybody in the business,” Yamin said.
The album is being distributed by a division of major label SonyBMG, which helps promote it to radio. The arrangement allows Yamin much greater creative control than any of the three major label offers he received after his “Idol” commitments ended last November. It also allows the potential for more profit and a much bigger peace of mind for the unassuming young singer from Richmond, Va., whose heartfelt vocals won over millions of “Idol” fans last year.
“I don’t want to be somebody’s puppet,” Yamin said from Atlanta a few days before his recent “Idol” appearance. “You hear all these great bands who sell serious amounts of records, but that money goes into other people’s pockets. It’s not just about the money, but you’ve got to eat, too.”
He may not sell as many records as his buddy Chris Daughtry, last year’s fourth place finisher, but he’s feeling pretty good about the choices he’s made so far.
“It’s definitely been the unconventional method, but I think we’re kind of now proving to a lot of people that certainly, of course, the fan base I established from the show helps, but I don’t believe you need a major (label) behind you to be successful in this business, especially in my case,” Yamin said. “It’s great to be able to go out and sell millions of records, but in order for me to make some money, I don’t have to do that. I don’t have to do that in order for my music to be successful.”
In addition to a better paycheck, Yamin, who has grown out his hair and had his teeth straightened since he was a contestant, wanted more input into the records he makes. He co-wrote five of 11 songs and worked with five producers – including Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal and last year’s “Idol” compilation CD producer Derek Bramble – to better display his versatility as a singer.
“I’ve been singing all my life, man, at shows and karaoke back home. I’ve always known how to sing. I’m a fan of all genres of music. I’m talking about all genres,” he said. “One of the things I looked forward to on the show every week was getting to cover different genres. I’m able to do that, and it helped my confidence in wanting to sing different kinds of music. I’m a soulful singer. I always have a soulful stamp on things, but I wanted to have different sounds on this record.”
“Wait for You,” for example, was produced by Stargate, the New York-based Swedes who have crafted hits for Beyonce, Britney Spears and others. The duo was unfamiliar with him at first. “They thought I was some kind of castoff, wannabe pop singer,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t know what I was working with until I got in the booth.”
The producers were so impressed, he said, that they asked him to cut another one of their songs, “One Word,” which could wind up being one of the biggest hits. They were so impressed with what he did with “Wait for You” they offered him a second song, and another potential hit, called “One Word.”
Yamin is proud of the record he’s made but knows that going the indie route means working that much harder to get the word out. He doesn’t have the voluminous promotional budget that a major label would lavish on him. “It is a little harder in terms of having to go out there and hustle and self-promote,” said Yamin, who’s done countless interviews and made numerous radio appearances to push the record.
So when the CD finally came out, he didn’t fret about how it might sell. He said he was “laid back,” just like he was on results nights on “Idol.” But he doesn’t deny that the CD’s success so far has put a smile on his face.
“I’m proud we got it done and I actually have music I could call my own. That’s what I was most concerned about,” Yamin said. “The rest is just icing on the cake. But there’s been a lot of icing since it.”
I am so happy for Elliott! I believe that he is going to be around for a long time!
His album is very enjoyable and I am loving all of the extra songs that are out there.
Whiter Shades of Pale (included when you order the CD at iTunes) is magnificent!
There is so much for Elliott to be proud of!
I agree, Jeanne, Elliott is awesome. I love his R&B vibe. He and Ace are my favorite contestants from Season 5, and theirs are the only two CDs I plan on buying. Can’t wait to hear Ace’s which comes out in September. YAY!
You are so right. Elliott Yamin is awesome. He has a beautiful Voice and He seems to be a beautiful Person. Elliott is and will always be..My American Idol.
Awww, you guys! We are just a bunch of Elliott lovers! He really does seem great!
I knew early on that Elliott was a special kind of singer. One that goes into the soul and stirs it. I love this guy. His Cd is awesome, Elliott is awesome and I feel so privileged to listen to him sing.
I just want Elliott to make years and years of music for us to hear. That will be the icing for all his fans.
Thanks Jeanne for the great article and I totally agree. Awesome is Elliott.
He looks like that caveman guy on that “Even a Caveman Can Do It” commercial. A total joke if you want my honest opinion. His music doesn’t even match his voice. This boy is on his way to nowheresville fast. He just doesn’t have the talent and personality it takes to cut it in this business I’m afraid.
I almost laughed at the title of this thing ,”Elliott Yamin is Awesome”, “Elliott Yamin is Awful” would be more like it.
Well, ZigZag…you are in a small majority of small minded people. Elliott will be hugely successful dispite your inane opinion. And he will be laughing all the way to the bank.
zagzig…..you got it wrong….probably a troll, or a kat fan…..ho hum……
See Zig-Zag, you are the first one that has a bad opinion of Elliott and that is fine. Seems like a contradiction here. You literally bashed us for our negative opinions of Kellie Pickler, but here you are expressing yourself at will but yet no one has said the nasty things you said about me and the other writers on the Kellie blog.
You said it was all in fun and we or I can not handle the criticism but you are clearly not playing fair. The comments to you from Robyn and Evie are not even close to the disrespect you showed us. Your opinion, whether negative or positive, is yours and you are entitled to have that opinion and express it as we are, but the difference here is the writers did not stoop to your level and bash you and your family. That would have been uncalled for as your comments were. Just realize that there are Kellie fans like yourself and there are also Elliott fans who love him.
As we have said before, if you don’t like the topics, Author, and members, simply go to another site…but I take it you love the controversy and the attention, or perhaps you just like a good drama.
Yes Jeanne the double standards here are tired. He seemed to be upset b/c we used words like: pathetic, pitiful, and clueless when refering to Kellie but the first words out his mouth when refering to Elliott is caveman. It’s true what you said “If you dish out certain comments you invite a certain type of attention.”
Just have to say I agree that Elliott is awesome. Last year he touched my heart every time he sang. He has amazing vocals and is an amazing person, too. I think his good heart shines through every time he sings. God bless you, Elliott!
A’kyra is it just me, or are certain people commenting on this site just to get into fights? You know who I’m talking about. I won’t say who out of respect, but you know;)
Hey, If Elliott was a caveman I would be a cavewoman and by the way we have alot of clubs too, so beware!! And Elliott has alot of clubs =fan clubs so be aware -the fan clubs will get ya. Don’t mess with our Elliott!! We love him to the ultra . We club women and we are strong!!
I saw Elliott a week ago on stage two feet away while he was on tour and he is one HOT”E”! wooo hoooo!!!!! I just love this guy and I got to meet him too.. MAGIC!!!!!!!!!
I want to thank all the Elliott lovers for their support in the face of an unusual set of attacks. Elliott is great.
Taratova – sign me up for a spot in cave land, ‘cuz if that’s where Elliott’s at, I wanna be there! LOL. How lucky that you got to meet him!
I was pulling for Elliot from the get-go, simply because I’m an RandB freak and I saw that in him, yet I saw a class and just an over-all good attitude that I really appreciated. And if you’ve ever heard his album, you can just tell that he really put a lot of himself in it. Even if he doesn’t hit the top 40 charts loads, he will succeed, because those who love him are going to keep getting his stuff because it’s him, not because it’s what the record companies think we need.
EveryTime there is anything printed about Elliott..the Ugly Ones find it and write their ugly comments on it. Unlike Elliott who would never write or say anything ugly about anyone, The Ugly Ones have NO Dignity !
I adore Elliott Yamin and I love his singing. I had high expectations of what he might be like if I ever met him in person. When that day finally arrived, he exceeded all expectations. Elliott is a beautiful man inside and out. He’s charitable, accommodating and totally adorable! His voice is amazing! I would venture to say our soldiers will love hearing him perform when he puts himself in harms way to go and entertain for our troups with the USO.
Hey there ZIGGY, you`ll be eating crow before long so be ready to eat crow! Elliott is HOT HOT HOT! And I`m sure that`s where your anger comes from, jealousy, you can only WISH you were that HOT!
Y’know, I never thought physical appearance had anything to do with musical talent. Chances are cavemen used to sing too (Ugh-a Ugh-a Bam Bam). In any case, I enjoy listening to Elliott and I’m glad my E_Maniac friends send out videos from his tour because he is constantly improving his style. And the nice thing about Elliott’s songs is… I can actually understand the words!
Ya know, when someone starts attacking a person for their HAIR, they are reeeaallly reaching. Elliott has been, is, and will always be awesome, no matter what he does with his hair and beard. His talent and charisma are unmatched. His fans are very loyal and are multiplying by the day. His music will be popular for decades and I wish him health and happiness. He deserves it!!
Elliott was truly the BEST male singer EVER on AI (sorry Clay fans) and really one of my FAVORITE personalties of all time!!! His voice is absolutely beautiful and I’m looking foward to hearing his awesome talent for many years to come. Go E!!!!!!!
Jeanne, thank you for the wonderful article on Elliott. A goodly number of his fans, have been following him since his days on American Idol, why because he is “The Pied Piper of Soul”! You are left mesmerized and wanting more, it’s never enough. But Elliott is more than enough, his love of family, country and fans is displayed with joyfulness and gratitude. He is the essence of pure talent! He has been and will continue to be loved by many.
Cavemen are people too. What a moronic idea Elliott wouldn’t succeed due to someone’s opinion of his looks. He has already proven them wrong. People who love music don’t give a hoot what the singer looks like, they are just happy when someone with Elliott’s singing talent comes along to save music from the not so talented.