AIKEN NEWS NETWORK JANUARY 9TH & 10TH

Beyond 15 minutes of American Idol Fame

15 of the Show's alumni who may have careers to stay.

As American Idol enters its ninth season in January as the top rated juggernaut of Television, millions will tune in to see a new crop of young hopefuls vying for the coveted title. The show has launched the Superstar careers of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Increasingly however, contestants coming off the show are struggling to find their way from their 15 minutes of idol fame into a crowded field of pop/rock radio and idol-weary radio programmers.

As the novelty of the show gradually wears off and its power to generate record sales are cooling across the board, Idol alums are finding it more and more difficult to sustain momentum after their time in the American Idol spotlight is over. So what will it take to keep their careers going into the future? Diversification is key to extending a run on the show into a lasting career. Only a select few have achieved multi-platinum, but album sales alone cannot sustain a career over the long run. Alums must find ways to build on the popularity they gained on the show, keep old fans interested, and bring new ones in. Touring is providing the Lion's Share of income, while Broadway is cherry picking the stage proven performers. Film and TV offers are also in the works for many. Diversification is key and these alums must work hard to maintain momentum.

Which idol alum are most likely to achieve long-term success in the entertainment industry? Here is an alphabetical list of 15 idols who may have the best chance for extended careers in entertainment.

CLAY AIKEN

Aiken was the original underdog story of idol. Almost eliminated early on due to his geeky demeanor and un-popstar like appearance, but his excellent voice carried him into a wildcard round, from where he went on to become one of the most popular male performers ever on the show. Boosted by his devoted fanbase, Aiken has gone on to become the top selling solo male idol alum, and still holds the record for first week sales of any artist with his 2003 release "Measure Of A Man" with 612,000 copies sold. Going out as a tour co-headliner with Kelly Clarkson in 2004, he quickly proved himself to be a solid concert draw and engaging live performer. His record sales have cooled of late, but Aiken has expanded into Broadway and acting, turning out critically acclaimed roles in Broadway's "Spamalot" and a winning guest spot on TV's "30 Rock". Chances are Aiken's "Claymates" will support their boy in any future endeavor he wishes to take on.

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