Thursday, October 11, 2007

When is a million pounds not a million pounds?

When, we'd suggest, it is the "million pounds", which Jonathan Ansell has supposedly signed to Universal for.

A classical singer, who was in the ridicule-stained G4, signing for a million pounds to a record company in 2007. Obviously, this is an accountant's million, rather than a large stack of actual cash:

"I'm incredibly excited to be signing to Universal, and thrilled to be pursuing a solo career.

"It's been an amazing journey to this point and I think, at the start of this new chapter in my career, anything is possible. Three years ago I was at music college and I went on The X Factor with some mates for a bit of fun, and now I've got my own deal.

"I never, ever expected to be able to do an album with anybody, let alone on my own. I just wanted to be able to earn my living as a singer in whatever way. So I'm completely blown away."

An interesting quote - just a "I do the music I like and if anyone else likes it, that's a bonus" short of containing every new-signing cliche in the book.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Huge congratualtions to Jon for going solo!

It's a big step he's taking from being in the band G4 for 3 years, to then being on his own.
Though we have every faith in him and are backing him all the way!

Good luck Jon :D

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Jonathan!!

So the press quote seems full of cliches does it? To true Jon fans, and yes there are plenty of us, it is Jon speaking from the heart as he always does.

So the Accountants will take their share! That's true for every artist and I'm sure Jon is realistic and professional enough to realise he isn't going to end up with the full million pounds from the deal. No artiste ever does! The fact remains that his talent has shown through and he has been signed by a major record company - there is many an artist who would love to have that chance!!!!

Anonymous said...

I have to agree! What's important is that Jon is doing what he wants to do... And he can share his amazing talent with all us fans which like you say there are plenty of us! Personally, I can't see anything negative in that... ;)

Anonymous said...

Really strange blog - when has a record contract ever been a guarantee? This is an investment of £1m in the production, distribution and marketing of 5 albums.

To get the deal in the first place Universal must believe this tenor has something special that is going to bring them a good return on their investment?? I understand there was competition from SonyBMG and EMI so the record business people must believe that this return is likely to be very good indeed?

So if all these labels believe Ansell can sell lots of albums for them taking the rule of thumb that an artist makes £1 per album sold I reckon Ansell is likely to make more than £1m from this deal??

Anonymous said...

Arf! G4 fans really seem to believe that if a major record company "believes in an artist" enough to sign them then that must mean they'll all sell loads and make money. Bless.

Perhaps I should also point out that unless Ansell has a really really hotshot legal rep, all the production costs are usually contracted as payable by the artist out of their advance. And their advance has to be paid back to the label out of any royalties they earn. And major labels are going down the tubes generally because the bottom's falling out of record sales. Other than that, everything in the garden's rosy!

Anonymous said...

I think It's unfair to assume all G4 fans are thick Simply because they are excited for a member who has gone on to do other things and they wish him well in it.
And the fact that they are enthusiastic about his future projects doesn't mean they think he will walk away with a million quid in his back pocket.
I'm also sure most of them realise that although he has signed a five album deal. He may not release five albums, That will all depend on how well his first will do then his second if he releases a second.

The fact Duckie doesn't Like Jonathan Ansell doesn't make G4 or Jonathan fans thick
And I'm offended at that comment.
And I'm not even a fan!
I sometimes feel that the old saying If you haven't anything good to say then don't say anything at all should be put into practice more.
I wish the young man well. He has a very unique voice and is very pleasant to listen to. Unlike many artists these days.
And all the G4/ Jonathan fans there
You stick with what you believe. I’m sure he is ever grateful of your loyal and genuine support. The man has a talent.

Me said...

I think It's unfair to assume all G4 fans are thick Simply because they are excited for a member who has gone on to do other things and they wish him well in it.
And the fact that they are enthusiastic about his future projects doesn't mean they think he will walk away with a million quid in his back pocket.
I'm also sure most of them realise that although he has signed a five album deal. He may not release five albums, That will all depend on how well his first will do then his second if he releases a second.

The fact Duckie doesn't Like Jonathan Ansell doesn't make G4 or Jonathan fans thick
And I'm offended at that comment.
And I'm not even a fan!
I sometimes feel that the old saying If you haven't anything good to say then don't say anything at all should be put into practice more.
I wish the young man well. He has a very unique voice and is very pleasant to listen to. Unlike many artists these days.
And all the G4/ Jonathan fans there
You stick with what you believe. I’m sure he is ever grateful of your loyal and genuine support.
And that’s what is important.
The man has a talent. Why shouldn't he share it for others to enjoy.

CCAngel4 said...

I have been to Music College and i know how record Deals work. And as stated in a previous post, Jon knows he's not going to get the ‘million pounds’ Its the same 'pattern' (forgive the word) of the way things worked when he was in G4. They - now he, as the product of the contract is an investment. The record company has invested in Jon - a pretty good investment I’d say. Jon's not stupid, he knows how this all works. He, in my opinion, truly deserves this deal. He is a hard working man and has a heart of gold and all those TRUE Jon fans will forever be with him. Like i am now.

Some people should get their facts COMPLETLY right before they jump in feet first.

Anonymous said...

Good on Jon for getting this deal and sure he knows as we do that the 'million pound deal' is just talk and he won't see most of it by the time the lawyers, managemetn, record company etc take their share, but there'll be a heck of a lot left for him anyway I reckon !!

Think Duckie has a got a 'bee in their bonnet' about G4 fans being thick - same could be said for any other groups fans I reckon, but I do know for a fact that G4's fans aren't thick !!!

From being blasted on X-factor for being 'different' they went on to prove people wrong and had platinum selling albums (3 of 'em) and 4 sell-out Tours (one being a Cathedral Tour) and have had fans going to see them from all over the country and even from France as well ! Not bad for going on that show for a laugh as Jon says.

Now he has had 3 major record companies after him (must certainly have seen talent in him then) and it has taken quite a while since the break-up of G4 for him to settle on UCJ and he is busy working on his solo album just now, hopefully released for Mother's Day 2008.

I wish him all the Luck in the World and will certainly be following the career of this friendly and talented young man, hopefully for a long time to come !

Post a Comment

As a general rule, posts will only be deleted if they reek of spam.