"Singer's tune: Free me from Pearlman" (Orlando Sentinel, Sept1)

[misha]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-pearlman0107sep01,0,4261228.story?track=rss

Jim Leusner | Sentinel Staff Writer
September 1, 2007

Singer Aaron Carter wants his jailed and bankrupt manager, Lou Pearlman, to live up to his management agreement or get out.

Carter's attorneys want the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee now in charge of Pearlman's interests to release the contracts with the singer so he can get a full accounting of money he has made.

"Lou and the bankruptcy trustee haven't done anything in two years for this kid," said Clay Townsend, one of Carter's attorneys. "They're not an asset to Lou. . . . They're of no value to anyone."

...

Townsend filed an affidavit this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Orlando stating that he bought 2,200 of Carter's compact discs in June at a South Florida auction for $225 -- music that Pearlman and his company should have distributed at a higher value, not dumped.

...

Court-appointed trustee Soneet Kapila, who is overseeing the sale of assets for creditors of Pearlman and his bankrupt companies, said he considers the Carter contract an asset.

Kapila and his attorneys will either work out an agreement with Carter's lawyers or a judge will hear more about the matter at a hearing next week.

...

The contract is among the property of Pearlman's to be considered for sale or auction. Bankruptcy-court records show a $7.1 million contract is pending on the sale of Pearlman's lakefront Windermere home and an adjoining lot.

...

Carter's relationship with Pearlman has been stormy since he signed a personal-management agreement in May 2004 and an exclusive recording agreement with his Trans Continental Records in December 2004.

Now living in Los Angeles and with a new manager, Carter has been working in the studio on new material. But formally severing the contract ties with Pearlman is important, Townsend said.

"We need an absolutely new, clean slate," he said. "Emancipate this guy and let's move on."

[Pnutz]

Thanks Misha- Like. I tried.?? telling peep that on here awhile ago that the poor dude is "Stuck" and couldn't do anything without whatever he makes gettin taken from him... that is "IF" anyone would allow him to do anything as long as the Trans'Con Contract was still if force..

Ar isn't alone in this - there are several other artist's and groups that are left out there hanging and waiting to get freed also.

As I said before .. This Poor dude just can't catch a decent break. Every time he gets one step ahead.. something happens to drag him 3 steps back.

[BeMiCon88]

i hope he's able to break ties with him soon.

[BabyG]

has Lou ever screwed Justin Timberlake over yet?

[AngelCarterOnlin]

lou has screwed everyone over

[ngclvr270]

I didn't know he signed to TransCon in 2004. I thought he was still on Jive and that Jive like dropped him or something within the past few years. Well, this definitely explains a lot. I hope Aaron gets free soon. Damn Lou Pearlman is in so much trouble nowadays.

[AngelCarterOnlin]

I didn't know he signed to TransCon in 2004. I thought he was still on Jive and that Jive like dropped him or something within the past few years. Well, this definitely explains a lot. I hope Aaron gets free soon. Damn Lou Pearlman is in so much trouble nowadays.


he released 'saturday night' on transcon

[cdmeggers]

I was just about to come on here to post this. Yeah, hopefully Aaron gets "freed" from Lou/TransCon so he can get on with his own stuff. Lou is an evil evil man.

[AaronsShorty]

man that stinks.hope Aaron gets away from Lou asap.

[ngclvr270]

he released 'saturday night' on transcon

I always though Jive and Transcon were linked. I had no idea he was only on Transcon in 2004. Did he leave Jive?

[Pnutz]

I always though Jive and Transcon were linked. I had no idea he was only on Transcon in 2004. Did he leave Jive?

I Think? You guys are confused with Management/Agent and Labels or Recording Studios?

Short Version is Basically that you are under contract to a management company and / or a agent - then the agency or agent will 'book' or sell your services to different labels and or "foot' or "front" the money to cover the costs of the production. (Transportation / Meals/ Rooms/ <basically Everything..)

Or.. sell or allow the label to do all costs then the agency takes a commision based on percentage. then the agency also tacks on all sorts of numerous fee's for all sorts of services rendered and Everything is Paid to the 'Agency" which then disburses the funds and pays everything ...and you get whats left. (if anything)

So, In a case like with Trans-Con (or conned) Lou and his people were not only the Management but also the Agent and Also the Production Company ..and... the what would be called "The Label"

It all depends on who's paying for what or what the terms of the contract are.

I'm more familer with the "modeling" side of Trans-Con and the several different companies that basically were all wound up tied into Lou's "Empire".. So I'm not 100% sure that the recording side is the same but --i'm pretty sure it's about the same.

What's happening in the whole Trans-Con thing that i'm allowed to talk about is Basically - Lou had Investors putting money into not just the stock thing but also investing into 'fronting the costs of the bands etc. and then once profits came in would be re-payed with intrest. But.. seems that Lou waqs Mixing Funds and stuff that there isn't any accounting of what money went where and what was ear-marked for what and what profits or losses came from what. Sooo the court ordered that a trustee be appointed to oversee everything((Soneet Kapila)) and its the Trustee's job to make sure that any "Investments" make a return . so that any monies that can be made to re-pay the investors or the Estate.

And.. it isn't just Aaron thats caught in this or just the music side - other people are in limbo also.. In my case I had a decent offer from Ron-Jon (surf shops and gear) for a gig and... since the contract is still valid. they couldn't touch me . well they could.... of just well......... Isn't worth thier trouble having to deal with courts / trustees etc.

So.. Im almost sure Aaron is kindda stuck in the same position. BUT, Even if I was aware of his position.. It wouldn't be right for me to discuss it . I can only talk or compare to whats happening to alot of other people stuck in the limbo.

But, If anyone is interested Helen huntly has a site dealing with the whole thing starting from the begining. WWW.Scammedbypearlman.com

Peace Y'all _hope this helps people understand a lil better??

[ac_fan]

it says in that article he has a new manager. does anyone know who it is, whether it is anyone famous? also is this the reason why ac hasnt been doing much lately because of all the issues with lou? i thought this wold have been sorted by now.

[BabyG]

Thats a possibility.

[AngelCarterOnlin]

aaron was with jive..but then he resigned with lou, which he also signed on with lou's record label..lou and aaron's dad were managing him for a short time together after aaron stopped talking to his mom.

i could be wrong..but thats how i take it

[Pnutz]

From what all I've read and seen He was still under Trans-Con with a 7 year exclusive contract signed in 2004 and he had filed a appeal to get released cus of underage etc.. but Florida court kicked it to Cali and was in the appeal process when the whole Pearlman thing happened and its froze now till the Fla court rules on other issues and the 'Holdings" are accounted for.. till then . Looks like hez in the same boat as alotta us and considered as a Trans-Con 'Investment' and anything generated as income or profit gets paid to the trustee. - Some Hearings are scheduled for this week ..wed/ thurs and i'm gonna go to mine - don't haffta cus its mainly just suits handling it and stuff but.. I'm hoping that the ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) will at least free us or allow us to work outside the contract or whatever.
I'm Hoping His Suit has better luck than mines been having..

BUT.. like I said his stuff or, the Music or "Artist" stuff is probably different from what all I'm going thru. >.Plus he probably has? well can afford a fancier suit than what mine can do - lol

Maybe I'll see him-- he can buy me lunch?? and can get on him bout gettin on-line and least tellin peep whats happening so they dont lose intrest? (he'd prob toss rocks at me lol )

[Faye]

thanks, Pnutz, that'd be awesome! :D

[AngelCarterOnlin]

haha..ask him to get online and then duck!

[Pnutz]

Well.. Good News is that One of the other "Artists" has achieved his release - Sean Van Der Wilt - His Suit filed for release back on 7/20/07 and is one of the Lucky Ones.
Court Findings = http://blogs.tampabay.com/money/files/vanderwilt7.pdf

"Sean van der Wilt released from contracts

Seanvdw Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Briskman has released Sean van der Wilt from his management, recording and publishing contracts with various Trans Continental entities. However, all intellectual property (such as copyrights and licenses for songs and recordings) remain part of the bankruptcy estate. Presumably another record company could buy them, although Sean's lawyer says that's unlikely. He said Sean is free to re-record the same songs with another record company. Trans Continental would get royalties if he sells records that include songs he wrote while under contract to them. The companies and van der Wilt basically gave up any claims against each other, so they can't recoup any of the investment made in his career and he can't sue them for nonperformance. Here's the judge's ruling. "He's certainly relieved to be free from this," said Jason Turner, Sean's lawyer. Turner said the trustee wasn't even sure if Trans Continental still had Sean's recordings. Turner said the only way those recordings, if found, would be valuable, is if Sean became a famous recording star. So wish him luck!"

Lets Hope Ar Can get Freed so he can move on with his life..

[AaronsShorty]

thats great news! hope Aar is next!

[XDaysofmylifeX]

Aaron is a fighter.I'm sure he'll pull through this or at least I hope he does.

[ngclvr270]

I'm sure Aaron can get free of Lou. All those artists did years ago. And plus with all the stuff Lou is in trouble for, isn't it the goal of the courts to free everyone and help them out?

[AngelCarterOnlin]

im sure he'll get out

[suzannema2005]

I was in Canada a few days ago and I saw this big building, which had 'Trans Continental' on the outside, and it looked closed down,it had a sign outside the building, which said 'FOR LEASE', not sure if that was Lou's building or not?

[Pnutz]

I was in Canada a few days ago and I saw this big building, which had 'Trans Continental' on the outside, and it looked closed down,it had a sign outside the building, which said 'FOR LEASE', not sure if that was Lou's building or not?

I Believe that it's aTotally different company- TransContinental in Canada (Montreal?) is a publishing company - they do magazines and flyers and ad inserts and stuff. But. the Trans-Con Bldg in Orlando <Actually it's more of a complex - is basically empty on the Office side. and Church Street Station is now LYNX Central Station ..or something like that -

[suzannema2005]

I Believe that it's aTotally different company- TransContinental in Canada (Montreal?) is a publishing company - they do magazines and flyers and ad inserts and stuff. But. the Trans-Con Bldg in Orlando <Actually it's more of a complex - is basically empty on the Office side. and Church Street Station is now LYNX Central Station ..or something like that -

ok, thanks for the info!

[ac_fan]

so does aaron have a court date then to sort out the stuff for lou or is it yet to be arranged?

[Pnutz]

so does aaron have a court date then to sort out the stuff for lou or is it yet to be arranged?

I'm not exactly sure of what his status is other than his lawyers reported that they are scheduled to meet with the Trans-Con trustee(s) (plus. Not allowed to say , even if i knew for sure ) Because everything is being handled by Lawyers (and ya know how they are bout saying anything)- But, Any 'Case" or 'Action" against Lou is a seperate matter - what the hearings are for right now..well at least for the artist's and models, and stuff - basically anyone under contract to Trans-Con or it's holdings - The Court has appointed a Trustee over the assets of the Corporation <it's his/thier job to try and
re-coop or, utlizie the 'investments' so that they can recover monies - So. basically.. it gives them the right under certain contracts (and all are different) to Sell, Assign to another agency or flat out release Or, even utlize (work) the artist or model etc.
Some that have filed for relief have been approved (mine hasn't been -- 'YET') and some haven't. Some have been Re-assigned or sold to other agencys . for the remainder of the contract etc.

So, it's basically down to...if they think that they can recover more by selling ur contract . or re-assigning it and making a cut off of it or, jus releasing you from it. All depends on a case by case basis.

And, in the case above (Sean van der Wilt) he had to give up all rights and future earnings etc. on anything that he recorded or produced while under the contract - And. Well.... Aaron has quite a few
Gold's , Silvers, and Platnium plus soundtracks etc.. - soooo would be giving up Alot... If he went that way. _Soo it's best to leave all that to the Lawyers.

And.. don't get me wrong, like some peep (least in the modeling side) actually want to stay under contract and are trying to get re-assigned to another agency so they can work without having to go thru the whole interview's and crap - and get back to working.. cus, as is right now if you take outside work. a percentage of any profits go str8 to the Trans-Con Trustee fund.

But.. Each person has different contracts and different provisions and different riders and addendums etc.. Sooooo. Best I can Say is-- Good Luck to Him and Hope whatever way it turns out will be in his favor..(It's Long overdue for something/ anything in life to actually go in his favor without him winding up gettin screwed over, and He deserves a Break)

[AngelCarterOnlin]

yeah i totally agree..don't say anything thats gonna get someone in trouble

[sa130997]

heres an article from to day:

Also delayed was a ruling on singer Aaron Carter's motion to void recording and management contracts he signed with Pearlman in 2004.

Dell-Powell said the trustee would not try to enforce the agreements but needed more time to study music-recording and royalty questions.

Carter's lawyer, Clay Townsend, said that meant his client was essentially being freed from any contractual ties with Pearlman.

"The contract is over, so the question now is, who owns the music track masters?" he said.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/music/orl-pearlman0707sep07,0,6133130.story

[ac_fan]

I'm not exactly sure of what his status is other than his lawyers reported that they are scheduled to meet with the Trans-Con trustee(s) (plus. Not allowed to say , even if i knew for sure ) Because everything is being handled by Lawyers (and ya know how they are bout saying anything)- But, Any 'Case" or 'Action" against Lou is a seperate matter - what the hearings are for right now..well at least for the artist's and models, and stuff - basically anyone under contract to Trans-Con or it's holdings - The Court has appointed a Trustee over the assets of the Corporation <it's his/thier job to try and
re-coop or, utlizie the 'investments' so that they can recover monies - So. basically.. it gives them the right under certain contracts (and all are different) to Sell, Assign to another agency or flat out release Or, even utlize (work) the artist or model etc.
Some that have filed for relief have been approved (mine hasn't been -- 'YET') and some haven't. Some have been Re-assigned or sold to other agencys . for the remainder of the contract etc.

So, it's basically down to...if they think that they can recover more by selling ur contract . or re-assigning it and making a cut off of it or, jus releasing you from it. All depends on a case by case basis.

And, in the case above (Sean van der Wilt) he had to give up all rights and future earnings etc. on anything that he recorded or produced while under the contract - And. Well.... Aaron has quite a few
Gold's , Silvers, and Platnium plus soundtracks etc.. - soooo would be giving up Alot... If he went that way. _Soo it's best to leave all that to the Lawyers.

And.. don't get me wrong, like some peep (least in the modeling side) actually want to stay under contract and are trying to get re-assigned to another agency so they can work without having to go thru the whole interview's and crap - and get back to working.. cus, as is right now if you take outside work. a percentage of any profits go str8 to the Trans-Con Trustee fund.

But.. Each person has different contracts and different provisions and different riders and addendums etc.. Sooooo. Best I can Say is-- Good Luck to Him and Hope whatever way it turns out will be in his favor..(It's Long overdue for something/ anything in life to actually go in his favor without him winding up gettin screwed over, and He deserves a Break)
lol it sounds so confusing i am glad i am not in the music industry.

[AngelCarterOnlin]

lol it is confusing..thats why i dont rag on aaron much when he doesn't do music.

[DRashadRussell]

Well.. Good News is that One of the other "Artists" has achieved his release - Sean Van Der Wilt - His Suit filed for release back on 7/20/07 and is one of the Lucky Ones.
Court Findings = http://blogs.tampabay.com/money/files/vanderwilt7.pdf

"Sean van der Wilt released from contracts

Seanvdw Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Briskman has released Sean van der Wilt from his management, recording and publishing contracts with various Trans Continental entities. However, all intellectual property (such as copyrights and licenses for songs and recordings) remain part of the bankruptcy estate. Presumably another record company could buy them, although Sean's lawyer says that's unlikely. He said Sean is free to re-record the same songs with another record company. Trans Continental would get royalties if he sells records that include songs he wrote while under contract to them. The companies and van der Wilt basically gave up any claims against each other, so they can't recoup any of the investment made in his career and he can't sue them for nonperformance. Here's the judge's ruling. "He's certainly relieved to be free from this," said Jason Turner, Sean's lawyer. Turner said the trustee wasn't even sure if Trans Continental still had Sean's recordings. Turner said the only way those recordings, if found, would be valuable, is if Sean became a famous recording star. So wish him luck!"

Lets Hope Ar Can get Freed so he can move on with his life..


LOL ~ those recordings were just on ebay. Don't know if they sold or not. They were all studio CDs. Remixes, finished and unfinished versions of tons of songs. They all belonged to the Transcon producers....