American Idol winner Trent Harmon will embark on a country music career as an artist on 19/Big Machine Records, Billboard has confirmed.
And unlike recent seasons, when the runner-up has not necessarily been offered a label deal, La'Porsha Renae will also be joining the Universal Music Group family, signing with 19/Big Machine/Motown Records, in partnership with Big Machine. "Because of the overwhelming fan demand and success of the farewell season of American Idol, we have made the decision to sign both the winner, Trent Harmon, and runner-up, La'Porsha Renae, to exclusive recording agreements," Big Machine Label Group founder and CEO Scott Borchetta tells Billboard. "I can't think of a better way to bring this American institution to a close. Everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, the Universal Music Group and Motown Records are so thrilled with the outcome and can't wait to get to work."
Harmon, the 25-year-old Mississippi native who won the hearts of TV viewers with a game-changing performance of Sia's "Chandelier," is headed to Nashville as soon as his Idol appearance obligations are done. "We're going to make a country record with him," Borchetta told reporters Wednesday night.
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http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/idol-worship/7326308/american-idol-winner-runner-up-both-have-label-deals-exclusive
