Stornoway-born act DotJR has made the music industry headlines this week for the right and wrong reasons.
The singer-songwriter, born James Reeves, recently signed a deal reputedly worth half a million pounds with Polydor Records. However, the headlines being made are about the sacking of his manager, Lee O’Hanlon, who engineered the deal, and indeed was instrumental in converting the folk artist to one producing marketable pop and organising the industry showcase in Glasgow in January which sparked the record deal.
Following the signing, moves were apparently made to install a co-manager (DotJR’s uncle, a hotel owner). On O’Hanlon’s refusing the change in contract, the artist and label set up another manager (accidentally copying O’Hanlon in on an email detailing the move).
The former manager, who previously managed Dogs Die In Hot Cars, is now taking legal action against DotJR and his A&R representative to resolve the situation, including reclaiming commission owed. He plans to set up a new label which is working on another Scottish act, which will hopefully make the headlines for musical reasons.
9 Responses »
Why does this article make it seem like there is credit due for turning a folk artist into a marketable pop artist? Leave folk alone. The dotjr stuff was great as it was. Haven’t heard the new stuff. Congrats on the record deal though, whatever music he’s making he deserves it he’s a talented writer.
I heard about this. It is absolutely disgusting if true that an artist who has been struggling to get a deal for several years that I know of should behave like this. Diva before his time? I suspect so. The uncle stuff is nothing short of weird.
Mr Bojangles the new stuff isn’t folk at all. His myspace site is http://www.myspace.com/dotjrmusic
My mates a promoter and dotjr told him he wanted to change his sound cos he couldn’t get signed.
Honestly what is this The Sun or something? Why the hell would this have anything to with anybody else other than those involved in the situation. And this article seems rather one sided does it not, perhaps somebody has givin’ their side of the story and spiced it up a little. It’s quite pathetic that this is news but I think that you’d have to be pretty fucking stupid to believe it is exactly as what’s been said above.
Clearly a talented manager this guy, I met him a long time ago and immediately thought asshole. Not too mention the great success he’s had with Dogs Die In Hot Cars (remember them? what was that 2003? They were SOOOO good though weren’t they) and Blah Blah Blah (Probs came up with that name all on his own). He’s a typical behind the scenes music bastard that we’ve all met before, got in with a few people to sort himself out, and thinks he’s a maverick. The shit written up here screams of a guy like that, not to mention the questionable comments from ‘Paul McVee’. He’s trying to get a rise is all.
Hmmm.. I thought it was the artist who was the talent in the music industry. I thought Dotjr’s music might be why he was making headlines? From what I’ve seen of the music industry its really just a bunch of arrogant wankers (managers/promoters etc) who seem to think they’re actually above the musicians they claim to care about and represent. Driven by money and the apparent desire to be the new Simon Cowell. This article really sums that up though, Lee O’Hanlon is the reason Dotjr got signed? Nah doubt it, the guys pretty talented.. are you telling me that the kid who told a couple of companies about him deserves all the praise and credit? Give me a break.
Paul McVee is it? (funny how it rhymes with Lee eh? sometimes people just slip up like that though 😉 ) I don’t think it’s that “weird” to get someone who will always care about your interests over anything else to help out. Does this manager think that he’s got a better business head than someone who owns a hotel (presumably turning a profit)? OH YEAH… I forgot, Dogs Die in Hot Cars!! The phenomenon that wasn’t. Lets take a break from the shock that someone at Polydor might think there are better managers out there.
One last thing, are we sure that this manager (who might be one of the few privy to the ins and outs of the deal and any negotiations taking place) is a far more professional individual than Polydor? Let’s just ask ourselves where this blogger got his press release from.
dearie me, JR’s accomplicies have fairly crawled out of the woodwork, eh? Though I’m not convinced that the ‘other side’ are represented here, the fact that their names rhyme probably wouldn’t stand up in court (unlike the case being put by the former manager, if rumours are true).
Might well be that JR wanted a change of manager, might even be that Lee O’Hanlon did nothing to further his career (DDiHC) were certainly major under-achievers), but just sacking him without any consultation (and without weighing up the legal/compensatory side) smacks of arrogance and stupidity on the part of someone in his team.
Lee used to manage me. I can confirm he is a top drawer manager and sincere person. He changed everything about Dot JR who, let’s face it, couldn’t catch a cold let alone a label before. Just thought some of you should know.
‘confused’ – To say your post it naïve, not just in a music sense but also in a business sense, is a hideous understatement.
Let me put it to you like this – say you owned a restaurant that was failing, but got a new manager in who had a background in the restaurant business to help turn things around – much like those shows ‘The Hotel/Restaurant Inspector’ if you will – anyway said person turns your restaurant into a big success, but once the big bucks start rolling in you sack him for no real reason, with no payment/compensation for their hard work, and instead get in a new manager who has a background in running a car mechanics business, with no background in running a successful restaurant. Do you think this is a good business decision?
Cringeworthy stuff above lads. Is the record still coming out… Anything between skrillex and tinchy stryder is gonna burn out sooner rather than later. and come on… None of that is pop music. ‘Price Tag’ is pop music. The best pop song i’ve heard for a very very long time. Mark ronson is also where it’s at. Another change of direction is required but you already know this.
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