NEW YORK - Who needs "American Idol"? William Hung doesn't — he already has a recording contract. The singer, who became a fan favorite — but not a judges' favorite — during open auditions for the Fox series with his spirited version of Ricky Martin (news)'s "She Bangs," has signed a deal with Fuse Music Network and Koch Records. His debut album, tentatively titled "The True Idol," is scheduled for release April 6, it was announced Monday. It will contain "She Bangs," along with another Martin hit, "Shake Your Bon Bon," and a cover of Elton John (news)'s "Rocket Man," which Hung sang recently on "The Ellen DeGeneres (news) Show." And for those of you hankering for more Hung, the disc will include a 40-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage from his studio recording sessions and fan questions and answers. "He may not be the next American Idol, but he is definitely a star and inspiration to everyone who sings in the shower," said Marc Juris, president of Fuse, which will exclusively air his "She Bangs" video. Koch Records general manager Alan Grunblatt was even more effusive: "He is the new Elvis!" Hung, a 21-year-old Hong Kong native and civil engineering student at the University of California, Berkeley, has inspired fan clubs and Web sites that sing his praises. Meanwhile, back at "American Idol," eight of the 12 finalists have been chosen. The remaining four will be announced this week when "wild card" singers — those who didn't get enough votes the first time — come back for a second chance.
I read this in the Chronicle this morning, and immediately spit up hot coffee all over my newspaper. This is yet further proof that the American consumer will purchase anything if it is shoved properly down their throat!
I feel sorry for anyone that actually buys this CD/DVD. Yea...it was funny the first time he sang it. However, what made it great wasn't his singing as much as it was the whole presentation with his stupid dance moves. I guess that is why their including the DVD film of him recording the songs cause noone in their right mind would just listen to the songs. I saw his follow-up on American Idol where he came back and he had some entourage of cheerleaders while toning down his dance moves. It wasn't nearly as good as the original audition. But, all those simple-minded girls out there will buy it cause that's what they do. If the studios can get people to buy crap product, then more power to them. Don't fix his teeth, however, as that might ruin his fine voice .
I dunno, I was completely addicted to one of the remixes I downloaded from the hung website. They took that version off for some reason. I am not in my right mind however.
OH MY GAWD! You mean that record companies would rather sign an act with little talent that they can market and use to make a huge profit rather than riskier, possibly less profitable musicians that do stuff like play instruments and write songs???? Next thing you're going to tell me is that pro wrestling is staged...
It really is amazing isn't it? I mean, good for the guy for cashing in on the novelty, but it sure does underscore the absolute hilarity that is the music business.
Good for him. Without American Idol, he would be just another nerd. Now he's got a great story to tell and he gets his college tuition paid off. And when his 15 minutes are up, he'll graduate from Cal with an engineering degree and go on with his life.
Hung is kind of in a quagmire. Once the money starts rolling in from his contract, does he fix his teeth? If he fixes his teeth, then he may lose something in his singing voice as the teeth problem may contribute to his overall sought after sound(hehe). It's kind of like when Peter Brady from "The Brady Bunch" went through puberty right at the wrong time when the family band was taking off and performing live...hehe("time to chANGE...we've got to re-arRANGE"...I know...sad I still remember that song from the show). However, if he doesn't fix his teeth, then he may never get a chick from his newfound fame. Fix the teeth, William! Then, be a man w****!
She bang.....she bang!!!!!! Either hell is freezing over right now or Simon Cowell has made another star by default. What is the world coming to?
the ironic thing is the guy whose song he sang, is an example of music marketing over music quality. P.S. I know you music guys get upset when no talent jokes get marketed out the the wazoo by these labels but it really speaks more about the market and what sells rather than the labels.
I have to give credit to him. He was one of the few contestants that walked away from the audition with his head up. Most of his fellow rejected contestants acted like pathetic whiners, crying and refusing to leave. These people need to compare their own performance with the finalists and see how lousy they were. Will Hung said he gave it his best shot and has no regrets. He didn't cry like a little wuss and walked out like a man. That's how people should live their lives.
yes, what mleahy said. it isn't his singing or dancing that's intriguing america. it's his "i don't give a sh*t what you think" attitude.
It really funny why I here, I majoring in civil engineering at UC Berkeley right now, which have nothing to do with music
