Kris Allen officially signed to 19/Jive

[Brian Damage]

It's official. American Idol season 8 champ Kris Allen has been signed, as expected, by 19 Recordings, and his debut album will be licensed to Jive Records for a late fall release, the companies announced today.

Hawk-eyed Idol fans had already noticed that Allen's initial single, the Kara DioGuardi-penned victory anthem "No Boundaries," was released under the 19/Jive banner; "No Boundaries" currently ranks No. 23 on Billboard's Hot 100, while Allen's remake of Kanye West's "Heartless" sits at No. 33.

"As exciting as the last few months have been, I'm really looking forward to what is next," Allen said in a release. "I'm very grateful to be working with Simon Fuller and his team at 19 Entertainment, along with Barry Weiss and Jive Records on my debut album. Everyone's been asking me what it's going to sound like. It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show -- definitely in the pop/rock genre. I can't wait to get started!" Allen sang the National Anthem last night before Game 2 of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic.

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/06/kris-allen-jive.html