http://Instagram.com/p/mBG1GxsQkl/

The issue I have here lies with RCA. About a week after Sam Bailey won X Factor, her debut album was already available to pre-order on iTunes - and the album had probably been 1/4 recorded at that point.

When Nicky mentioned he was releasing his album at the end of January, not only was Sam Bailey already available to pre-order but there was nowhere to pre-order Nicky's album.

Maybe this isn't an issue with RCA but they started off badly by promoting Nicky's album through Amazon, instead of iTunes. People could pre-order Nicky's album on Amazon (but iTunes share of the digital market is so much stronger than Amazon). Finally, after about 2 or 3 weeks RCA FINALLY made Nicky's album available to pre-order on iTunes. They should've started with iTunes from the start. Whoever made that decision is clearly clueless.

OT; A bit like the person who decided to delete the single version of Into The Blue by Kylie off iTunes resulting in Kylie missing the top 10 with a lead single since 1997. It amazes me how the music industry appear to be full incompetent individuals making daft decisions left, right and centre...then moan when everything goes pear shaped.

Anyways, this is why Sam Bailey is midweek #1. She's had about 10 weeks to generate pre-order sales on iTunes compared to about just 3 weeks for Nicky's album, and by this point most people had already pre-ordered on Amazon. It's just that the majority of people, me included, only buys music off iTunes which is why Nicky's lack of success is primarily down to the idiots at RCA, not Nicky himself. It just makes Nicky look like a flop which then makes me wonder why they wanted to sign him in the first place if they weren't willing to commit to making Nicky successful.

So. Many. Questions.....

[/rant]

I totally agree, when the stars go blue would be good, and given answerphone bombed it's not good to use it to try and push the album still...

I think it could fit across a few stations too, so if they could get airplay that would help.

What is RCA's stake in this album though? Sim are picking up the majority of the profits I expect, so they probably just have a publishing deal, which problem explains the lack of coherent management..

Most likely Gary Barlow so that he reign in some extra £££*.*£££ from the royalties of both Candy AND Greatest Day being performed multiple times during the X Factor tour. The greedy sod. No wonder he's a Tory supporter!!!


http://instagram.com/p/mA-jt8uJq8/

I think I win.

WARNING - May cause faintness

I'm rather grateful for the fact that I'm already sitting down...

He's so seductive...just sat there chewing on the string from his top, it's practically pornographic if you ask me!

I wish I knew more about these things as I'd understand it all much better. That's why I put "maybe this isn't an issue with RCA". Still, it does feel a bit lukewarm and it's a shame.

I also agree about When The Stars Go Blue being pushed as a promo single. It doesn't have to be an official single. Surely they could film a decent enough music video on a relatively small budget. Anything to keep the album selling, and yes airplay is crucial in determining the success of a song/album. If it gets no airplay, how are regular music buyers supposed to hear these songs?

The clue is that the artist's manager has final responsibility towards the artist and has to take steps wherever necessary.
Nicky unfortunately is in a difficult position for sacking his manager.

I don't think he needs to sack her necessarily, but he could easily have two managers, there's nothing wrong with keeping his mum involved, to look after his best interests, but he should also have someone else there with industry expertise.

I've made music videos for nothing before. Hell, they could even just do a minimal 'in session' video just to get it out there.

Well if you're offering..

*Send's Chris' details to Eileen..*

Uh oh. Don't be jealous Cake.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2969..._comment_reply

Whatever that is, it won't let me see.

By the way, I haven't actually done anything.

Yep I think this is key. His mum could still do the finance/admin/looking after Nicky stuff, but there needs to be someone involved with industry knowledge/contacts/marketing know-how. And also someone to guide him in terms of direction, play to his strengths etc.

He's got a great social media presence, but he really doesn't use it to full advantage either..

Personally, I reckon he should just hire me..

Weird how his website is so useless - are they waiting until he is free from the tour or something?

I'm not sure Nicky isn't better than all this OMG screamy screamy ily stuff and bit of distance might actually help. I thought his live performance on Daybreak was excellent and I'd love to see him perform like that again, just actual musicians and his voice.

He has a fantastic voice, which is why answerphone was such a weird choice of single, but then, him or the people around him think that it's a song that a 17 year old would release..

I don't care what a 17 year old would release, I want stuff that shows off his voice, hearing him live and in the flesh was amazing, he has some voice, and the way he can convey emotion is amazing.

That's the whole point isn't it? I think Nicky isn't the average 17 year old wannabe but is quite unique and completely himself, which is what cool is all about. His image IS his voice.

Answerphone didn't show that at all unfortunately, it seemed designed to fit in with an idea of what a 17 should sing rather that what this 17 year old could sing. An acoustic version, done properly, would have been much better.

This whole Bruno Mars idea that he/they have is a misnomer really, and is probably responsible for the messy direction they're taking.

Yeah, I much preferred the Jason Mraz covers that are on YouTube to Just the Way You Are.

I Won't Give Up remains my favourite performance of his. I just love it so much, and I didn't like the original at all but Nicky just brings so much emotion and anguish to the vocal.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Maybe he wants to be a teen pop idol, but he's much, MUCH better than that. It's frustrating that he doesn't seem to realise just how good his voice is and how well he can convey pure emotion. The linked of Answerphone don't lend themselves to utilising that ability which is incredibly rare at that level, let alone in a 17 year old kid.

I really liked the original, it was already one of my favourite songs, and then Giles did his version, and then Nicky did his and I was like a little ball of emotion lol..

He's great at the contemporary stuff though: http://youtu.be/AvtcDNovHt8

Even in this one, you can feel it.

I'd love to agree with you on the acoustic thing but I've seen Nicky sing Answerphone acoustically twice (once on the STV website, the second on the Daybreak website) and both performances are horrid. It doesn't help that the live acoustic versions weren't taken down a key or two as it just made Nicky sound completely strained throughout most of the song. The fact Nicky doesn't sound strained on the studio version suggests that it wasn't a natural recording process and Nicky probably had to sing the track several times, and the producer just picked out the best sounding vocals for each line.

Yes, I agree Answerphone doesn't showcase Nicky's vocal talents whatsoever. It sounds like it could be the theme tune to some show on Nickelodeon.

Still loving When The Stars Go Blue, such a brilliant version and really does showcase Nicky's vocals brilliantly.

Just read the newest comment on there...


YES!!! I reckon Nicky singing I See Fire might actually be a great choice for him, and Nicky is clearly a big Ed Sheeran fan. I wonder what Ed Sheeran thinks of Nicky. It'd be great if the two of them were ever given the chance to work together even on just one song.