19 Recordings/BNA Records Picks Pickler: American Idol Kellie Pickler Signs Record Deal – Album Out November 14

NASHVILLE, TN – Season Five American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler has signed a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Records. BNA is a label under the SONY BMG Music Entertainment umbrella in Nashville, TN.

The 20-year-old native of Albemarle, North Carolina, was an instant fan favorite with her quick, down-home wit and personality. Singing since “before she could talk,” Kellie will have a single at country radio in September with her debut album coming on November 14. Currently on the American Idols Live! Tour 2006, Pickler will record the album in between tour dates.

Kellie enthused, “I’ve always dreamed of getting a record deal so now my dream has come true! I’m really excited about making my first album and giving something back to the fans who supported me on American Idol.”

On Pickler joining the label, SONY BMG Chairman Joe Galante said, “We are very excited to have signed Kellie. The recognition she received from Idol is a huge advantage in launching a new artist and her sense of humor and humility are endearing. It’s not very often when someone with that personality and talent comes along and she will bring instant attention to her music and our format.”

SONY BMG in Nashville includes its four country label operations – RCA, Columbia, BNA and Arista Nashville – and Provident Music Group, one of the world’s leading Christian music companies. SONY BMG’s Nashville operations are a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

The 19 Group of Companies was founded by Simon Fuller in 1985 and to date has been involved in the creation of 113 Number 1 singles and 87 Number 1 albums with an impressive tally of 298 Top 40 albums and 467 Top 40 singles. Fuller created and managed the Spice Girls, who became a global phenomenon under his guidance, selling over 38 million albums. In 1998, Fuller’s 19 launched S Club 7, which has sold over 10 million CDs worldwide, while its four television series were sold to over 100 countries around the world.

In 2001, Simon Fuller’s 19TV created and produced the television phenomenon “Pop Idol” and in 2002, AMERICAN IDOL. “Pop Idol” launched the singing careers of Will Young and Gareth Gates in the UK, while AMERICAN IDOL did the same for Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Tamyra Gray, Fantasia, Diana Degarmo, Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood in the United States.

Contact Information

SONY BMG Corporate Press

SONY BMG Music Entertainment

Contact via E-mail