X Factor: uh-oh Daniel Evans is NOT happy with Simon Cowell
Daniel Evans - X Factor 2008
Former X Factor contestant Daniel Evans has hit out at Simon Cowell after he banned him from using the X Factor logo on his new album.
Although Daniel was not signed by Simon Cowell after the show, he has teamed up with an independent label to release his debut album. This week he revealed that he had hoped to include an X Factor logo on the album cover but X Factor bosses have banned him from doing so.
Evans wrote on his Twitter page:
“Cowell made 75 million last year and I cant use a 1cm square logo on album cover! All the promos I did for the show after too! Thanks Si…”
He went on to write:
“They said no way…not about money, if you a signed to them then yes but as im not, no chance, thats fine..,just business..”
Do you think Daniel should have been allowed to use the X factor logo on his new cd? Leave your comments below.
Loading ...
I suspect the promos were done when he was under contract. He was likely paid for them and benefited from the exposure, as opposed to just doing the promos out of the goodness of his heart.
He probably should have made an (acceptable) offer to pay X-Factor bosses for the use of the logo. Then again, maybe the X-Factor heard the album, didn’t like it and decided they did not want to be associated with it.
for your information the album is not finished yet so there’s no way the reason for them disallowing the use of the logo is to do with it being good or bad…….and from what i have personally heard from it , it is actually very soulful and nothing like what is expected from daniel.
the fact they are disallowing the tiny little logo from being used is simply disgusting!
if the album went platinum, they’d soon be jumping on the band wagon claiming glory for getting him started in he industry, wouldnt they?
however daniel is a strong-willed fair and honest guy who wont let something so unbelievably pathetic bother him too much. he’l still carry on regardless and the fact his album is due to be called ‘no easy way’ is quite apt considering the total lack of support he has received since the ‘contract’ ended
i for one cant wait to hear daniel’s debut album, and so long as it has his warming velvet tones on the disc i couldnt care less what logo it had on the front of the plastic case.
I think Simon Cowell is just being childish. Everyone knows Daniel has been on X-Factor so the programme will be connected with him even without the logo. I’m not sure that Daniel has benefited from the exposure on X-Factor as certain judges unfairly gave him a very hard time over his performances and he got some negative press. They need to remember that music is not just about being young, jumping about and shouting instead of singing, some of us like to be able to listen to music and understand the words. Personally I liked Daniel and his performances and he sang from the heart and I look forward to hearing his album and I hope it does really well so he can stick two fingers up at the X-Factor producers for being so petty.
There again the X-Factor this year has lost most of it’s credability anyway so Daniel is probably better off not using the logo. Good luck with your album Daniel.
It is show business not show friends. Daniel has to propose a deal that is worthwhile for X-factor bosses, as his album’s release may cause brand confusion if the X-factor brand is placed on it.
Daniel received a great deal of exposure and experience from his X-factor time and should be grateful, as opposed to complaining.
i beg to differ slightly, show business is very funny business – if your in the ‘right’ clique your okay, if your not your own your own mate!
daniel is an extremely gracious person and certainly one thing he is NOT is a complainer.
if you read his quote it actually says “that’s fine, just business”
and i believe he did offer them gratuities for the use, but they inturn said ‘its not about money’.
daniel is fighting tooth and nail to get his album out but red tape and bulls*** keeps holding him up.
You know what? I understand why this is an issue: the X Factor contestants devote months of their lives toward working for that show. In most cases, especially Daniel’s, the show even exploits their personal situations to turn them into ’stories’ for the public to vote on. I remember Tabby Callaghan from the first series saying that his most embarrassing moment was when he was performing a song and they showed pictures of his child on the screen behind him. Why shouldn’t X Factor show a little support in return?
If they allowed Daniel use of the logo (they did a similar thing to a tour of former X Factor contestants a couple of years ago), then that would lend a little authority to the album and hopefully boost sales. If Daniel became a success, wouldn’t that reflect well on X Factor? Of course it would.
Perhaps the flip side of this is that wannabe contestants are so desperate to get on the show that they sign the restrictive contracts without even trying to negotiate better terms for themselves.
Sadly whether Danial succeeds or not with the album, the X factor team and the production company still stand to gain from the contract to the tune of around 6%.
I do not see any justifiable reason why the X factor logo can’t be mentioned on the album sleeve, but if the company who have given Daniel this opportunity want to take things further a little legal recourse to discuss the standing 6% might be a good lever.
On the other hand the X factor production team and record company might be thinking it would be better for contestants not to use the fact that they had been part of the programme, because there is still a stigma attached to reality tv. If this were the case I would expect to see a change in the small print which holds contestants to a tight deal after the programme has elapsed for that year.
Doesn’t he look like Ricky Gervais?
From the business perspective, why would the x-factor want to dilute their brand? They have made a business decision that he was not worth backing. The exposure Daniel received from the show certainly helped him get an independent record deal, so I do not see the reason why he is complaining (see the first sarcastic part of his quote).
Here is an excerpt from my facebook comment:
I went through the correct channels and asked permission for a 1cm square x factor logo on the front. Because of the very fact that it was that show that got me where I am now, i was proud of my time there and it was part of my Journey that led me to the album. A thank you if you will to X factor for making the album possible and yes i think it would have given it that official edge. But hey ho, i’ve had harder things to deal with.
Please guys…ITS NO BIG DEAL. I was told in no uncertain terms that i couldn’t use it or else. I was slightly aggravated more so that i did tons of x factor promotional stuff (unpaid) and i’m then told no you cant use this teeny tiny square. (Unless your signed to Sony of course) Fair enough. Not like i was going to be a threat to his artists but its his logo and he’s protecting it, after all, the album might be rubbish and he has his logo on there…(its not i hope but they didnt want to hear anyway).
I understand that, its just business. And you know what, i’m probably better off without it, time to move on… so really guys, lets not blow it all out of proportion, I have nothing against Cowell, without him there would be no album…
And by the way, in my makeover shots you see here (and god i hate them) i do look a bit like Ricky! lol
If your interested guys, danielevansofficial.com has some song clips and behind the scenes clips. When the album is out judge me on that, not what I did on x factor. Would be interested to hear your opinions…
D x
Anybody interested in visiting Daniel’s site for some samples – click here.
@Daniel – Let us know when the album’s out and we’ll definitely give it a push via Unreality TV. Is it a mix of covers and originals? Didn’t you do a bit of jamming with one of the other contestants last year?
Daniel I took Lyndsey’s advice and listened to a few of your clips this morning. I was very impressed, not at all what I expected. I really hope that the album is a success for you
BTW I understand your frustration over the logo, we got told off a few years ago for using it in our site design too.
Hello Daniel,
Pleased to see you have an album coming out and that although the X factor gave you a break lets hope you can put it behind you. I enjoyed your performances on the programme and feel that this new and latest venture is the real turning point for you.
Gerard has made you a brilliant offer and I think you may be wise to take it up.
We already have some famous members on board here and I personally think this is a good site to be with. You could join the forum and post the odd bit of advice to newbies and thsoe who are looking to entering a competition or two.
Whatever you do the very best of luck. Will take a look at your site and keep an eye open for you.
Yep your photo does look a bit like Ricky Gervais. Still it is a good photo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfQaMUOxwtw&feature=player_embedded
Thanks guys, would love to get involved…only one original on this, didn’t think it would be right to put my music on people just yet…see how these interpretations go of some great songs first. All my own arrangements…these songs have been at some point part of the soundtrack to my life. Everyone on the album are from a pool of talent we discovered in North Wales, some old pros we managed to get on board for petrol money and a few beers! Was very lucky to find some amazing talent there.
Thanks for the offer, after all I will need all the help I can get!
Its been tough doing everything myself but so rewarding too…and success for me is recouping my costs and having an album to be proud of. It wont be in the mainstream as I cant afford massive advertising and a lot of radio, tv and media companies only deal with major labels or well known management companies (bit of an exclusive club it seems) so airplay is going to be minimal, very frustrating but thats just the way it is, but we do have a small distribution deal. And of course digital downloads too. I always said if i can pay my bills each month I’m happy and so far thats the case, we shall see what the future holds…all about the music for me, and if i can earn a living then thats great, so many people get into this business for the wrong reasons, fame, celebrity and all that.
I was just so tired of hearing tracks full of heavy synths and autotune, i want heart soul and passion in music and this is what i hope people see/hear/feel with this album.
I wanted to get back to real music, and there is not enough of that about. I hope you guys will like it, it may be the only chance I get to do one so I want to make it right (so many delays and red tape) and i think we are almost there. We have had a very tight budget, everything I have financed myself, but we think we have got a sound that will surprise some of the big boys. We hope to show that as long as you have realistic expectations , do it for the music, and believe in what your doing, anyone can get good music out there…and have something to be proud of…
Daniel
Daniel, It sounds as if you have had to work extremely hard to get this album out and it’s such a shame that there is not more help out there publicity wise for people starting out without the help of major recording companies. I really hope this works out for you I had a listen and it sounds good,just think how amazing you will feel when it is released especially knowing you have had to do it on your own. Good luck and hope it’s successful and be proud of yourself and what you have achieved.
khoustello, i’v read alot of your negative and uncalled for posts on here in the past, yet, finally i come to understand you,
your problem is, you are quite typically a ‘mcdonalds-fries-eater’ – someone with absolute zero taste!
thanks for the enlightenment…..
This is where networking and becoming familiar with what the local arts body offer for your region proves itself most useful.
I Wish Daniel the best of luck with this self financed album and hope that all costs are recovered.