Front page again. :rocker:

I can't wait to read the article! The Richmond Times Dispatch just sent out a notification. The paper will be late tomorrow due to the time change! :thud:

Thanks for the scan. Front page again. Go Elliott.

I wish that I lived closer to Richmond. I would love to have a copy of that newspaper article.

Thanks for the scan. Hope to see him on the cover of the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer soon :).

I'm going to scan tomorrow's article and post it here! I will probably be looking out the window all a.m.
:lol:

Thanks!! I would really like to see it.

My pleasure!

HERE IS THE ARTICLE! WILL SCAN IF PICS ARE IN THE PAPER TOMORROW.





Elliott's life in L.A.
He hasn't gone Hollywood, but he has changed
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Sunday, March 11, 2007

ELLIOTT'S ALBUM

Elliott Yamin's debut album, "Elliott Yamin," will be released March 20. Look for a review in Thursday's Weekend section

He will make an in-store appearance at 7 p.m. March 21 at Circuit City in Short Pump (11732 W. Broad St., Glen Allen)

He will be the special guest at Comfort Zone Camp's 8th Annual Grief Relief Gala on March 31. Tickets for the event, 6:30 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia, are $100. Must be 21 and older. For tickets, call (804) 377-3430 or visit www.comfortzonecamp.org.

RELATED: Audio Interview with Elliott

LOS ANGELES Construction workers' drills are whirring, a child is squawking over her container of milk and somewhere in the parking lot, a car alarm is pulsing angrily.

It is, no doubt, the noisiest Starbucks ever encountered.

One of us is growing visibly agitated by the commotion -- but it isn't Elliott Yamin.

In fact, nothing seems to ruffle Yamin these days, evident in a conversation peppered with the type of platitudes that endeared him to millions of "American Idol" viewers last season -- "I never thought any of this would be possible," "I'm just very blessed to be in the position that I'm in," "I'm lucky I get to wake up every day and do this."

And you know what? You believe every word because Yamin is that sincere.

Since moving from the Richmond area to Los Angeles last fall to pursue a recording career, the third-place "Idol" runner-up has had a few adjustments to life on the overcrowded West Coast.

He misses mom Claudette's cooking, especially her meatloaf and salmon croquettes. He admits that his navigational instincts are rusty, so the GPS system in his newly purchased car is getting a workout. He's eschewed California's love affair with In-N-Out Burger for local burger and hot dog institution Carney's. And he's renting a condo -- which he hopes to own one day -- in the Ventura area.

With a lifestyle several planets away from his world of 18 months ago working as a clerk in Westbury Pharmacy in Henrico County, one of many short-lived jobs -- Yamin hasn't changed that much.

"I like it here a lot," he says of L.A., "but I miss my friends and family terribly. I miss just being a regular Richmonder, going about my daily business. I just miss home."

Yet in some ways, he's changed completely.

. . .

When Yamin talks about music on this February morning in L.A., he is excited and incredibly focused -- a word that he wouldn't have used to describe the old Elliott.

The only hint of a celebrity affectation is the lightly tinted aviator glasses that are never removed, even indoors. But fans who worry about his health (he's diabetic) and those who carped about his asymmetrical teeth should know one thing -- he looks great.

Small and wiry in a brown Nike athletic jacket and matching pants, Yamin, 28, occasionally adjusts the Baltimore Orioles cap containing a full head of wavy locks. It's funny, he says, that even in L.A., where star sightings are as frequent as their trips to rehab, he gets recognized.

"There's something about the power that show has over people," he says of "American Idol." "It's such a cult, such a phenomenon. People stop dead in their tracks to notice you -- and it's all very fun."

Yamin is last out of the gate of the top "Idol" contenders -- winner Taylor Hicks, runner-up Katharine McPhee and million-selling rocker Chris Daughtry to release an album. Since the "Idol" concert tour ended in the fall, speculation on fan message boards flowed daily about Yamin's future. Clive Davis was going to sign him after all. No, now he was talking to Sony. He was going to announce his record deal the day the tour ended. No, now it was October.

The reality is far less breathless.

The guy was simply taking his time.

. . .

For about three months this winter, Yamin hopscotched from L.A. to New York to Atlanta to work on the 11 songs (and others) that will be released March 20 under the straightforward title, "Elliott Yamin." It's an intriguing mixture of old school soul ("Movin' On"), radio-friendly smooth R&B (first single "Wait for You"), sensitive crooning ("One Word") and rousing gospel-flavored pop ("Free").

"The way this album is made is very organic. There's no glossiness to it, and that's something I'm really proud of," Yamin says.

He worked with renowned producers such as Tony Reyes (Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Lionel Richie), the Norwegian team known as Stargate (Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Rihanna) and Mike Mangini (Bruce Hornsby, Joss Stone, David Byrne) hefty names for a newcomer.

But now the question hangs -- with a new season of "Idol" under way with fresh characters to root for, will Yamin's name still resonate?

"You've got 33.5 million people watching 'American Idol,' hearing about it on the radio every morning and talking about it with their friends over coffee," said Chuck Taylor, senior correspondent for pop and single reviews editor at Billboard magazine. "The top five finalists from every season maintain surprisingly solid name recognition."

But, he adds, "Even the most talented among any of the finalists is bound to face an uphill obstacle without the hum of the 'system' to back them."

Yamin, though, seems nonchalant about commercial success.

"These days, records don't sell like they used to, and I try to defer my mind away from, OK, how many records am I going to sell? That really isn't important to me. If people can just appreciate the stuff that I did, it'll come. And if it doesn't, it doesn't."

As for that record deal, it's a unique situation that could prove financially tremendous for Yamin if the album succeeds.

He has a publishing deal with Sony/ATV, which means songwriting and licensing royalties because he wrote one song on his album and co-wrote four others. The album is being released on Hickory Records, an imprint that is owned by Sony, but, according to Yamin's manager, Jeff Rabhan, is a virtual label. Sony provided a marketing budget, and Rabhan's entertainment company, Three Ring Projects, was responsible for hiring publicists and scoring a distribution deal to get the music to the public.

"Hickory Records doesn't exist anywhere except in Elliott Yamin's world," said Rabhan, who, coincidentally, grew up in Richmond and worked with Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson during his time at major entertainment management company The Firm. "He is the launching artist for this imprint . . . but I have the utmost amount of faith. There are no guarantees in the record business, but we feel great because we're not relying on someone else to do something."

Yamin is also a 50-50 partner in his record -- a solid deal in an industry where the artist usually sees about 12 percent to 15 percent of royalties.

"Sony invested in me as a partner," Yamin says. "We both stand or fall."

. . .

A few weeks after the noisy Starbucks meeting, Yamin calls to chat about his finished album. He gleefully relates the story that when he was recording the single, "Wait for You," in New York with Stargate, the producers called him out of the booth to listen to another song.

"It turned out to be 'One Word,' and they wanted to know if I liked the song and wanted to cut it, too. I was blown away . . . I don't think Stargate knew who I was, which was great. I think I went in there and really showed them. They were probably thinking, here's another 'American Idol' reject trying to make it," he says with a laugh.

Yamin hasn't returned to Richmond since his December appearance at a charity tennis expo, but will be home twice this month. On March 21, he'll fly in from New York for an in-store appearance at the Circuit City in Short Pump ("I've got to show the hometown some love," he says), then fly out to the Bahamas to perform for radio station contest winners from New York and Los Angeles. On March 31, he's back home for a charity event for Comfort Zone, an organization that supports grieving children.

In between are scheduled appearances on "Regis & Kelly," an appearance at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square and a possible visit to Ellen DeGeneres. He's also just taped an audio performance for www.napster.com and a video rehearsal jam for www.rehearsals.com, which should be up in a couple of weeks.

Yamin will likely embark on a small tour this spring, and, depending on the album's reception, a larger trek in the summer.

Right now, though, he's actually enjoying watching "American Idol" on TV when he has time.

"It's pretty cool to see it on the air and be on the other side. When I watch it, I get so tickled. I watch it with an ear-to-ear grin," Yamin says, citing LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle and Chesapeake's Chris Richardson as favorites. "It's a wonderful sense of pride sitting in front of the TV and feeling like I'm from this elite class, this alumni of talented singers that made it on this crazy journey."

Speaking of journeys, Yamin also reports that he's progressed greatly in figuring out the criss-crossing mass that is L.A.

"I've learned different routes on my own," he says. "I love the fact that I'm learning how to get from one place to another without relying on my navigation system"

In more ways than travel, Elliott.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satel...33;flair!ae

Oh Nancy, thank you. I really enjoyed reading this tonight and I'm going to enjoy it again in the morning when I get my paper. This is a great interview!!!!!

I enjoyed it too! Hoping for pics in the paper tomorrow! :cheerleader:

Wow...he gets a lot more proceeds than most musicians do! I am SO glad he got the deal he did!

I know. He is one smart young man, is he not?

Thanks for posting, Nancy. This was great and more detailed information than we have ever gotten on the whole recording deal and the music. I'm so happy for Elliott and wish him the greatest success. This cd is going to be awesome from the sounds of it. I am feeling very verklempt right now. He has two songs with Stargate on the cd? And all these other great producers working with him?!!! Wow...good things really do happen to good people.

Great article. I hope Elliott goes on Ellen. Maybe we should email her??:protest:

Thanks for posting this very informative article, Nancy. It certainly answered questions about Elliott's contract. I believe Sony must have alot of faith in Elliott's talent for him to achieve such a great deal.

You're welcome! Incredible, isn't it?

Yep, he is...and THANK GOD he didn't win AI or he'd be getting screwed and tattooed silly on the money side of things.

Thanks for posting the article! It's always great to hear about Elliott's journey, he's such a great guy! It's good to see that not only the fans have faith in him, but also the record execs! I think he's going to be very successful with this album, and he so deserves it!

Thanks for posting Nancy. I think even he is going to be surprised by the success of this CD!

Yes! I just posted a thread on this: http://etrainstation.com/index.php?showtop...=0#entry5913195

Thanks for posting!!!!!

EXCELLENT interview! I laughed when I read about all the speculation, worry & (yes) drama about Elliott being signed or not & who with. When all the while, he had no worries, just takin his time doing it his way! :lol: No wonder B's anthem for about 6 months was, "Relax, it will be OK!". Ok is putting it mildly, he did FANTASTIC with his deal! And a label that exists, literally, ONLY for Elliott Yamin?! (Hickory) That is awesome!

I still think Elliott has not yet fully comprehended just how much he is loved. Just how much of an impact his voice has made on the world. I think Mr.Yamin is gonna get the surprise of his life when he sees the # of sales for his debut album...& we fans won't be...cause we have KNOWN what a gift he is.

I am so excited for ALL of us! :woohoo:

ETA: Thanks for posting the article nana!! :glomp:

Just read the article about Elliott and the LA life. He certainly is a down to earth guy. I'll bet he is so happy that he could burst. His career looks like it taking off and he has a lot to look forward to. Bless him, he got a new car (could it be the one with a picture of Jamie sitting in it) with a navigation system ? :lol: Something I could use! And he hopes to buy the condo he lives in. In his wildest dreams, I can't imagine he thought he would ever be at this place in his life. I could just hug and hug him. I feel like his mama-sooo proud of him. I do hope I get the chance to see him perform. Hope he comes to Columbus OH or Pittsburgh PA area on tour.

What a great article. Thanks for posting Nancy.

;)

I loved this article!! He sounds so relaxed and happy and excited. I'm thrilled for him and how things have come together in his life. Does he have a clue how much we all love him for being such a good human being.

He's turned some serious heads and it is apparent there were individuals in the industry with a lot of faith in him and a huge appreciation of his talent!

I thought the portion talking about the Navigation system was funny lol. Thank you for posting such a cool article. This CD is going to be awesome :rocker:

THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLE RE ELLIOTT......
I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHERE ELLIOTT WAS LIVING IN L.A. FROM A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS PART OF THE L.A. SHERIFFS OFF......HE WAS LAUGHING......AND CALLED ME A "STALKER"......WELL, YOU CANT FAULT ME FOR TRYING......

this is a great article - Melissa is so in tune to what the fans are worrying about. I love that Elliott has his "own" label and that Sony believed in him enough to cough up a marketing budget. I also like "Elliott Yamin's world" - sometimes my life feels like that - it's Elliott's world and I'm just living in it!! and a 50/50 deal - our guy is quite the entrepeneur (spelling?). I have to tell you, I am so impressed with Elliott and so very proud.

this is probably a dumb question, but what the heck does "There's no glossiness to it, and that's something I'm really proud of," mean? what is glossiness?

I loved reading that article, and so glad that Elliott has such a great deal too. He deserves nothing less though. He must feel like he's on cloud 9 right now, it's exciting to be an Elliott fan going along on the ride, I can only imagine how he feels. :cheerleader: :rocker:

I think he means the pop culture hype. No frills just good old fashioned music. No smoke and mirrors, just pipes and soul.

After went through those agonizing months, when we speculated a lot about whether E had a deal or not, now I can understand why it took quite a while for the deal to materialized. His deal with Sony is the first of its kind and he gets what he really deserves - similar portion of what Sony gets. I suspect that E's persistence to have this deal was what made Clive/AI treated him the way they did. Perhaps, they thought here's a beginner, who tried to get ahead of the business, etc. But I am happy E was persistent in getting the kind of deal (especially the publishing) that he really wanted. And now, all those waiting and trying has paid off...

My guess is that he'e referring to the over-production that occurs on the majority of the top songs circulating on today's radio. Filtering the voice, glossing over the music. Elliott is the real thing - no gloss needed or wanted.

you only use gloss to cover over the imperfections.

Voice-wise, no gloss needed. :-)

Loved that article. Thanks for posting. Melissa did another great job. She's known Elliott for over a year now and has written countless articles about him. I hope that she loves his CD.

I'm happy that everything has turned out so well for Elliott. If you think about it, Elliott had stated along not to worry. Early on, he said that a deal would be inevitable and that his "project" would be released in the first quarter of 2007 It all came true.

Some fans took it upon themselves to worry and be upset. I'm glad that I had faith. Elliott had said all along that everything would be OK. IMHO it was smart of his team to keep the details of his deal to themselves until everything was finalized. Great 50-50 split.

March 20th is just around the corner. :wub:

Thank you for posting this article!! I was so excited to read Elliott likes to eat at Carney's! It's one of my favorite burger places in L.A. Hope I run into him there someday. And in case you don't know, Carney's are actually restaurants that were once Union Pacific trains.

:etrain:

What's your point here, hon? I was one of the worried and upset ones, and I don't feel any less deserving of pride and happiness over the current happenings, than anyone else. I hope no one else feels guilty, either. He had us in limbo for quite a while there, even though there may have been good reasons.

I simply meant that since Elliott always seemed sure of what was to come as to recording his CD and getting it to the fans, I just trusted what he said. I did not question the decisions made because I figured that he and his team knew more about what was going on than I did, and honestly, I did not feel that I needed to know. I just had too much going on to stress about things that did not seem to stress Elliott.

That is all that I meant. Nothing more. I was just speaking for myself from my perspective.

Presenting Elliott Yamin