USA: Almost a year after losing the American Idol title to Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee debuts a self titled album

"American Idol" finalist Katharine McPhee is releasing her self titled debut album, almost a year after losing the national title to soulful crooner Taylor Hicks. The first single from the album, "Over It" has been playing well on several radio stations across the United States since January 15, and is the second single released by the Los Angeles native, after "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / My Destiny," which was the second best-selling single of 2006. McPhee, who has been singing since she was a young girl, insists that her loss on "American Idol" was not detrimental to her drive, and has absolutely no ill will towards Hicks. "I can't give you any like crazy gossipy-type stuff, because I never woke up after American Idol or still wake up and go 'I wish I had won,' because I really honestly feel like I would be, I've been so fortunate that after the show I've really been able to keep going and I think I would have still been, I think this would have been my regular schedule had I won," says McPhee. "American Idol" has proved to be an invaluable launching pad for several people involved with the show, not just the winners -- second season runner up Clay Aiken has released three albums, one of which peaked at number one on the Billboard charts, Jennifer Hudson of season three is nominated for an Oscar this year for her role in "Dreamgirls," and season five's Chris Daughtry's debut album "Daughtry" sold over one million copies in just five weeks, propelling his band to number one on the Billboard top 200. "Everything has changed, to say that, 'Oh, my life has only changed a little bit' is like silly, because everything has changed, you know? I've moved out of my parents house, and I have a record that's coming out, it's like the things you used to worry about over a year ago are things you don't worry about today. Now you're worrying about 'Oh, well are people going to buy my record'? Those are just good problems to have, you know?" says Katharine McPhee. McPhee started recording the album as soon as she completed the "American Idols Live" tour in September of 2006, collaborating with producer Nate Hills, who has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake. The pair worked with several songwriters to develop the unique sound featured on the album, which combines an "old school" style mixed with the modern club beats that McPhee finds most appealing. "It's definitely a pop record, it's a rhythm pop record, but it has these sort of, these flares and sort of sounds of some old school Motown, which really wasn't planned by any means, but it just ended up being part of the record, and so it's just kind of a really cool -- I'm proud of it -- it's just a really cool record, and I'm just excited to get out there and sing it for people, just sing it live," says McPhee. Katharine McPhee's album "Katharine McPhee" debuts in stores on Tuesday, February 6.

ITN Source | February 8, 2007

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