Put out an APB: The Queen of Soul is looking for future superstars to mentor for her record label, Aretha's Records.
Classically-trained singers and musicians between the ages of 17 and 35 can have a demo reviewed personally by Franklin for a chance to have their album put out on her record label.
Franklin founded the label in 2004. "With Aretha's Records, I will have 100 percent of creative control," she told Daily Variety. Her spring album, "A Woman Falling Out of Love," was the label's first release, according to the Free Press.
As MLive and a Google search point out, Aretha's Records doesn't appear to have a website, so unlike most contemporary singing contests, there is no online call for entries, nor a TV show of prospective talents duking it out. But to get a personal review from Aretha, you can send her a CD, DVD or cassette (yes, those things you put in tape players) of yourself performing a cover song, a recent 8"x10" photo and a short bio with your musical background in "a regular-sized case" to:
Aretha's Records
c/o Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett
30150 Telegraph Road
Bingham Farms, MI 48012
The call for entries underscores that the song must be a cover, not original material. That means it's Aretha's own fault if she has to listen to several thousand singers trying to match her note-for-note on "R-E-S-P-E-C-T".
After several Michigan collectors auctioned off part of Franklin's wardrobe in November, we wonder if anyone will dress the part for their audition.
For a little taste of what Aretha might have to sift through, we've compiled a YouTube slideshow of diva hopefuls.
