Let me first start off by saying that the person I am reporting claimed that he was the nephew of George Clinton (THEE George Clinton of music act Parliament)
Akin B. Ware, president of Karismatic LLC (and George Clinton's nephew), had approached our music act (and I'm assuming other music acts) to participate in an Independent Music Tour Nationwide. We were issued formal contracts that called for an initial deposit of $3000 for the tour that would take place across several cities. THis was considered a deposit that would be used to pay the start up costs of the tour that included: (a) vehicle rental, (b) vehicle wrapdesign, (c) vehicle wrap, (d) poster, CD and t-shirt design and purchase, and (e) per diem and hotel expenses for the first week of the Tour. We would then pay Karismatic an additional $10,000 during the tour from the money we made on tour. Terms were included regarding photo appearances, interviews, travel, security, equipment, insurance, ticket sales etc., basically all items that a legit "tour" would cover.
After numerous promises of the tour (as we initially received many phone calls of updates) being scheduled in support of national acts, after two years when the contracts were first signed, no such tour ever took place. However, our deposit was used for other events we were not even part of and I suspect, the President's personal cruise vacation that he happened to take immediately after receiving our deposit.
After basically telling the promoter that since our act was never involved in any tour that we had a legit contract for, we asked for our deposit back, of which, I was assured several times via phone from Mr. Ware, that it would be returned to us. After numerous unreturned phone calls and emails, our band ended up out $3000 for something that never happened.
There was even a press release on VH1's Save the Music site (and they were a sponsor as well) stating how this company was doing something commendable by putting together a national tour for independent artists only that would help music acts play bigger and better arenas alongside national touring acts. I'm sure VH1 would have been surprised to see that they supported someone who actually ripped off independent artists.
All contracts were legit (so we could legitally sue) but basically it was a take the money and run scam. Had it not been for the fact that all litigation would be taking place in a Philadelphia court system and we would not be guaranteed any money even if won, proved to be added expense that only seemed to add salt to our financial wound.
The sad part of this is that music acts that put all the effort and money to succeed and even had contracts drawn, could still be scammed with someone who breached it. I wonder what George would think of Mr. Ware using his name as a means to help rip off unsuspecting musicians?
0 comments