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American Idol Release First Finalist Album

03/10/2011
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The American Idol camp is trying something new this year: striking while the iron is still hot. Interscope announced on Wednesday that for the first time in "American Idol" history, studio versions of the songs performed by Season 10's top 13 finalists on last night's show will go on sale exclusively on the iTunes Store as a compilation album following the broadcast of "American Idol" (10pm PST). Individual songs will also be available for sale.

With new judges, a brand-new set and one of the strongest line-ups of competitors since "American Idol" debuted in 2002, the series is drawing unanimous praise from viewers and critics alike and generating incredible ratings, keeping the show on top of the Nielsen rankings for the seventh consecutive year. "American Idol" finalists have already sold millions of songs on iTunes. "That number could well surge once these latest songs are available for download, thanks to the popularity of the Season 10 contestants," says Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of "American Idol." "The Season 10 Top 13 finalists have already got America talking."

The songs released on iTunes are studio versions recorded by the Idols under the guidance of Jimmy Iovine's team, including some of the hottest producers in the business, such as Rock Mafia, Rodney Jerkins, Don Was, Jim Jonsin, Ron Fair and "Tricky" Stewart. The 13 individual tracks and compilation album that will go on sale tonight are the first to be released on the 19 Recordings/Interscope label. The compilation album will sell for $7.99.

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