Katharine McPhee Signs With 19 Recordings Limited/RCA Records; 'American Idol' Runner-Up's First Single Released June 27, 2006

LOS ANGELES, CA (RCA Records) - The most-talked about female singer of 2006, Katharine McPhee, has signed with Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited and RCA, in conjunction with legendary music industry executive Clive Davis, chairman of BMG U.S. and RCA Records.

McPhee, the runner-up on season five of "American Idol," will have her first single released on June 27. The double-A sided "Over the Rainbow" / "My Destiny" /will be available in stores and as a digital download. McPhee performed both songs on the finale of "American Idol," the third most-watched TV program of the year, after the Superbowl and the Academy Awards. At one point during the live broadcast, 43 million viewers were watching the season finale. "My Destiny" was written by Harry Sommerdahl, Hanne Sorvaag, Tim Baxter and "Over the Rainbow" is the classic song written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg for the motion picture "The Wizard of Oz."

The 22-year-old McPhee lives in Sherman Oaks, Calif. and has been singing since she was two years old. She auditioned for "American Idol" in San Francisco and was sent to Hollywood by judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. She continued to impress the judges week after week, landing in the top 24 and then the top 12. That's when America started voting for contestants, and they quickly fell in love with the talented McPhee.

Now McPhee will join the ranks of "American Idol" finalists with hit records. To date, 20 "Idol" contestants have appeared on the Billboard charts, and McPhee is certain to become the 21st as soon as her single is available.

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Contacts:
Roger Widynowski - RCA Records / 310-449-2638 / [email protected]
Sherry Ring - RCA Records / 212-833-6394 / [email protected]