Jared Lincoln Cotter (born June 17, 1981) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and model. He was a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol, and co-wrote Jay Sean's 2009 single "Down", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.Jared Cotter interview
Cotter has written songs for Carl Thomas, Joe, and Jay Sean.
Biography Born and raised on Long Island, Cotter grew up in a family of musicians. Cotter's great grandfather, James Reese Europe, was the first African American jazz player to perform at Carnegie Hall. Cotter's father, Robert Cotter, played in the late 1970s with Nile Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards of the Big Apple Band, later known as Chic.
Cotter's recording career began when he was 15. He performed and released music as JL Cotter, and co-wrote songs such as "Make U Cry", "My Girl", "She Likes It" and the Notorious B.I.G inspired "Somebody's Gotta Go".
In 2004, he graduated from Five Towns College.
In 2005, he independently released "The Album Before the Album". The album was re-released after he appeared on Idol. He released a single "Good Morning" in October 2008.
Cotter released a five-song EP You Me Forever on July 1, 2014.
Cotter has performed on BET's 106 & Park, and opened for Avant. He has also performed at BB King's in Times Square, Village Underground, Soul Café and SOB's.
In 2007, he reached the semi-final stage of American Idol season 6. He sang Stevie Wonder's "Lately" for his audition.
He signed with EMI Music Publishing in 2009.
In 2009, Cotter co-wrote several songs on Jay Sean's album All or Nothing, including the number one song, "Down", which was the seventh-best selling single of 2009. In April 2010, he received an ASCAP award as a writer for one of the "Most Performed Songs" of the year.
Immediately after American Idol, in June 2007, Cotter joined as co-host for a daily show The Sauce on the television network Fuse TV. After The Sauce was cancelled in 2008, he hosted You Rock, Lets Roll, a dating game show, in the same time slot.
He also hosted Fuse's No. 1 Countdown: Pop where he presented videos and conducted interviews.
He has also worked for Fox TV’s Good Day New York as a weekly correspondent during later seasons of American Idol.
He was the host of The Challenge, a New York metropolitan area high school student quiz show on MSG Varsity internet service.
From 2014 to 2015, Cotter was the co-anchor for the syndicated The Daily Buzz program of Florida's Full Sail University.
In January 2017, he joined "The List" as co-host.
As of early 2024, Cotter was the talent manager for Paul Russell and was Shaboozey's co-talent manager. He was promoted to partner at Range Music.
Also in 2024, he started record label 3AM Entertainment with Jay Sean and Jeremy Skaller.
Influences Cotter has cited Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Brian McKnight as influences.
Personal life Cotter began dating Canadian singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona in 2013. On March 14, 2016, their first child was born. On Valentine's Day 2018, the couple became engaged. Originally they planned to marry on Amalfi Coast, Italy; but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone their wedding three times. The couple eloped on December 12, 2020 in Los Angeles. They welcomed a daughter in December 2021.
Discography Album Title Album details The Album Before the Album Release date: April 21, 2005 Label: On The Grind Entertainment Format: CD, digital download
Extended plays Title Album details You Me Forever Release date: July 1, 2014 Label: Cotter Boy Format: Digital download
Singles Year Title 2008 "Good Morning" 2011 "Finding Me" ft. Drew Ryan Scott 2012 "Mo'Thangs" 2014 "You Me Forever"
Charted songs with song-writing credits Single Year Billboard Hot 100"Down"[ Billboard – Down]2009 1"Do You Remember"[ Billboard – Do You Remember]201010"2012 (It Ain't the End)"[ Billboard – 2012 (It Ain't the End)]201031"Hit the Lights"201118"Where Them Girls At"201114
As featured artist Song Year AlbumStuck in the MiddleBillboard – Stuck in the Middle2009 All or Nothing
American Idol performances Week #Song ChoiceOriginal ArtistOrder #ResultTop 24 (12 Men)"Back at One"Brian McKnight10SafeTop 20 (10 Men)"Let's Get It On"Marvin Gaye2SafeTop 16 (8 Men)"If You Really Love Me"Stevie Wonder4Eliminated
References