The Wilkersons came to town and had everyone thinking they were the answer to a lot of peoples dreams. Professional musicians with a professional studio, etc.
Steve talked a good show and to give he credit, he's a heckuva guitar player. (and a con man)
Like the other complaint I read, he told everyone how he was going to start a business that would really develop some of the West Tennessee Talent.
He said he needed financial help to get off the ground and that he would do this and that to help pay back the loans. I trusted him (my first mistake) and helped him pay for all the materials to get his second studio constructed. His first was lost because he wouldn't pay his rent to the landlord. When the landlord sued him and took him to court, he filed the chapter 13. I know, I was there.
Even through this, I was willing to try to help him because I thought that with all his talent, if he could get his feet on the ground, he might just make a go of it. He had family ties and it was reasonable that he would want to take root in this area.
The other rip off report appears accurate in what I saw happening with the exception of the Nashville artists. I know for a fact some of the Opry musicians were there. The Atwood guy that plays piano, Bill Anderson's bass player, etc. Were there. I saw them and spoke with them.
Steve wanted everyone else to do the hard work—he wanted to sit in the a/c and push buttons and be the big dog—but he wasn't willing to do what it took to be the big dog. The boy has absolutely no discipline and has a temper that will turn on his own in an instant. He was constantly blaming all of his failures on everyone else and the fact that no one around here was willing to help anyone. I personally got stuck to the tune of about $20,000 out of my own stupidity and I know of several other's that helped him and did work on credit and never got paid.
One of the legends of country music who is now in the Country Music Hall of Fame used to employ Steve and his wife. I went to visit with him after all of this happened and he really told me some stories about how sorry Steve was and how he got "run out of Nashville" due to a similar story related in April's rip off report. I don't want to mention his name but if you know who Steve has worked for in the past—there's something about those things with big, black, wings, circling up above.
I resigned myself a long time ago that this cheating, lazy, slothful, arrogant, dishonest, person would never pay me or anyone else a nickel that he owed so I'm not worried about it. But maybe this will help stop him from screwing anyone else.
He doesn't show his face around here anymore, not even when his father died a while back. I assume he was here, but he never showed up and I wasn't worried about it enough to look for him. There are a few that would "whoop his butt" but I'll let them worry about that.
I'll forgive him, but I just wonder how he's gonna settle up with The Lord.
If you read this, Steve—remember—I know what a jerk and liar you are and so do your wife and kids. It's just a shame they couldn't have gotten away from your influence before it was too late.
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