The Kelly Clarkson drama continues. While her newly released "My December" CD will probably chart at #1 or #2 next week, it is expected to fade quickly. Kelly's last CD "Breakaway" sold over 11 million units worldwide. RCA has shipped 850,000 copies of "My December" and doesn't expect to need more.Fox:
I am told that the video for "Never Again," the first single, cost $600,000, and that another $300,000 was spent on promoting it to radio stations. But "Never Again" didn't chart well or get much airplay anywhere.
You would think RCA would say "never again" themselves, but this week they are following Clarkson's wishes and putting out a second single, "Sober."
It's a terrible track, which contains the refrain: "It's been three months and I'm sober." This is not considered a "summer" record at a time when more than a few Kelly Clarkson fans are spending three months getting drunk.
"But this is what Kelly wanted, and we're going with her wishes," an RCA insider said.
It won't matter. As the label's people say: Clarkson is a pop star. She isn't Joan Jett. There will be euphoria next week when she's No. 1, but in weeks two, three and four when the album fades away, no one will remember that.
Indeed, RCA shipped 850,000 copies of "My December" and doesn't expect to need more.
Kwatinetz, by the way, is held responsible for Clarkson's tour plans being scuttled.
"He booked her into arenas that she couldn't possibly have sold out, instead of 2,000 or 3,000 seat theaters," a source said. "He really blew it."
Despite all the ruckus over "My December," Clarkson won't be leaving RCA any time soon.
"We have a long term deal with her," a source said. "We're in the Kelly Clarkson business for a long time. If she wants to come back and make a big hit record next time, we're here.".........
(Former Kelly Clarkson agent Jeff Kwatinez asked RCA for a $15 million dollar advance for Clarkson last summer. He was denied and Clarkson eventually received a $1.5 million advance.)
