What ‘American Idol’ James Durbin’s record deal means

“American Idol” contestant James Durbin has signed with Wind-Up Records. That brings to five the number of Season 10 finalists who have signed record deals, but the announcement is significant for another reason. Wind-Up is best known at the home of Evanescence.

Durbin”s pacting with Wind-Up means that Universal Music Group”s exclusive period for signing any of the final 11 is over and the remaining unsigned contestants are free agents.

If you”re keeping track, Universal Music Group, through its various labels, signed four “Idols”:  winner Scotty McCreery and runner up Lauren Alaina are on Mercury Nashville/Interscope, while both Pia Toscano and Haley Rinehart inked with Interscope.

The 22-year old rocker is working with producer Howard Benson on his debut, which will come out in November. Benson is no stranger to working with Idols, most notably Chris Daughtry”s band Daughtry.

Who else from Season 10 would you like to see get a record deal?

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