In 2001, I was first starting out as an on-air talent. My current boss was an "independent" promoter for MCA, with a big budget behind a singer by the name of Carly Hennessy. MCA thought Carly Hennessy was the Irish answer to Britney Spears. Honestly, she was supposed to be what Avril Lavigne became, eh?
She had a GREAT song, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind (Really Really Wanna Kiss You)". It was written by Gregg Alexander from the New Radicals; remember "You Get What You Give"? My station added it; I thought it was so good I played a hole in the hard drive!
The song was about going to third base with her boyfriend for the first time. But it was GOOD! It didn't... she didn't quite catch on, even after MCA spent millions to make her.
Now 2008, Carly Hennessy is Carly Smithson. Ink has slowly begun to consume her right arm and shoulder; Mr. Smithson is a tattooist. Carly Smithson has made it to Hollywood on American Idol. (Twice! she has made it; her visa [Irish!!! Idol!] was denied before the 2005 season.)
I cannot muster one singular feeling about this. Shock. Disbelief. Boss thinks it's awesome she's on Idol. I'm thrilled for her; I sure hope it's her time now. As one of the radio guys that pushed that record as hard as I could, though, I feel dissed. Would she be where she is if not for the work that radio folks did?
And what if the answer to that is yes?
I have come to the conclusion that it was not Carly Hennessy who failed, it was radio that failed Carly Hennessy. I would feel more whole if those old songs got some serious airplay. I've thought for years that it's a travesty that her first single wasn't a hit. I still have it on my hard drive after eight years.
She had a GREAT song, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind (Really Really Wanna Kiss You)". It was written by Gregg Alexander from the New Radicals; remember "You Get What You Give"? My station added it; I thought it was so good I played a hole in the hard drive!
The song was about going to third base with her boyfriend for the first time. But it was GOOD! It didn't... she didn't quite catch on, even after MCA spent millions to make her.
Now 2008, Carly Hennessy is Carly Smithson. Ink has slowly begun to consume her right arm and shoulder; Mr. Smithson is a tattooist. Carly Smithson has made it to Hollywood on American Idol. (Twice! she has made it; her visa [Irish!!! Idol!] was denied before the 2005 season.)
I cannot muster one singular feeling about this. Shock. Disbelief. Boss thinks it's awesome she's on Idol. I'm thrilled for her; I sure hope it's her time now. As one of the radio guys that pushed that record as hard as I could, though, I feel dissed. Would she be where she is if not for the work that radio folks did?
And what if the answer to that is yes?
I have come to the conclusion that it was not Carly Hennessy who failed, it was radio that failed Carly Hennessy. I would feel more whole if those old songs got some serious airplay. I've thought for years that it's a travesty that her first single wasn't a hit. I still have it on my hard drive after eight years.