Michael Jackson

~~mjscarousal~~ · 12-07-2007, 07:19 PM

NOT CONFIRMED

Promoter boosts R&B with R. Kelly tour

By SONIA MURRAY

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 11/14/2007
It isn't by coincidence that one of the most anticipated R&B tours this year is starting in Muscogee County.

It's by design of Columbus native son Leonard Rowe.

The Atlanta-based concert promoter got his start there in the business in 1975, promoting a Kool & the Gang show, losing about $10,000, he guesses.

But then came the winners: Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall" tour, as well as Janet Jackson and Prince.

The tour, which kicks off Wednesday at the Columbus Civic Center, features singer R. Kelly with local talents Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo and J Holiday. The show comes to Atlanta's Philips Arena on Thursday.

Rowe stepped from behind the scenes to talk about a few things, including promoting the embattled Kelly, why there are so few R&B arena tours, and his meeting with the Jackson family — Michael included — to discuss doing a live show together.
Here he is on ...

The challenges of putting on a show with a headliner facing child pornography charges (Kelly was indicted on 21 counts in June 2002 but has yet to go to trial): "I really try to stay out of the artists' personal lives. I can say that Kelly is a great individual. He has been very cooperative, and is working so hard in Chicago — rehearsing 12, 15 hours a day. His show consists of five segments: It's a two-hour-long show. ... It's going to be something great.

"Do I have any hesitancies about promoting his tour? None whatsoever. I am happy to do it. Happy to be associated with everybody on this show. I have to add that [Kelly] hasn't been convicted of anything as of yet."

The possibility of a Jackson family tour: "His brothers are ready. Janet is ready. But the motor of that car that makes the car run, isn't just yet. ... In April of this year, I flew out to Las Vegas and met with them all and he told me, 'Let's look at '08.' We wanted to go this year, but [Michael] said it would take a lot of preparation.
"He didn't say 'no.' "

The dearth of R&B arena tours: "The reason there's so few R&B arena tours is there are so few, real, R&B superstars. ... During the time I came up in the industry there were so many! Diana Ross. Marvin ***e. Stevie Wonder. The Jackson 5 This industry has changed now. They don't build artists like they used to. And it's all about the bottom line. It is more profitable for the industry to take a rap artist and give him $100,000, rent the Rolls-Royce for his videos, and you might just sell 5 [million], 8 million albums. Ring tones or whatever. But to build another Janet you have to put money into a producer, money into a video — millions — and these days you're lucky if you sell 4 [million], 5 million."

The dwindling number of peers for black concert promoters: "Black promoters in this country have been shortchanged, discriminated against, forever. They simply haven't been given equal opportunities, like our counterparts. An Alex Cooley, let's say, has been allowed to promote any and all artists with no regards to an artist's race. African-Americans haven't been able to promote white artists. This is something I know the public is not aware of. I know. But if I call the top agencies and ask who's available they'll only tell me about black artists. When Alex used to call and ask what artists were available, the agencies would read down both sides of the roster, black and white.

"That's why I started the Black Promoters Association of America. Sure, we're not in the same place we were. I know it takes awhile for people to change their ways. ... So we're making artists aware, such as R. Kelly, that black promoters cannot work his agency. ... And hopefully they'll respond the way R. Kelly has.

"After all, I still love this business. It's the only business that I know. It's been great to me; given me a decent life. And I'm thankful. ... So yes, I've got to be hopeful about this business too."

The most he's paid an artist to perform a night: "$500,000. That's common these days for your high-profile artists. I'd probably have to pay Michael Jackson a million — but I'm ready. You hear me Michael, we're ready."

12-07-2007, 07:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
~~mjscarousal~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 106	NOT CONFIRMED Promoter boosts R&B with R. Kelly tour By SONIA MURRAY The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 11/14/2007 It isn't by coincidence that one of the most anticipated R&B tours this year is starting in Muscogee County. It's by design of Columbus native son Leonard Rowe. The Atlanta-based concert promoter got his start there in the business in 1975, promoting a Kool & the Gang show, losing about $10,000, he guesses. But then came the winners: Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall" tour, as well as Janet Jackson and Prince. The tour, which kicks off Wednesday at the Columbus Civic Center, features singer R. Kelly with local talents Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo and J Holiday. The show comes to Atlanta's Philips Arena on Thursday. Rowe stepped from behind the scenes to talk about a few things, including promoting the embattled Kelly, why there are so few R&B arena tours, and his meeting with the Jackson family — Michael included — to discuss doing a live show together. Here he is on ... The challenges of putting on a show with a headliner facing child pornography charges (Kelly was indicted on 21 counts in June 2002 but has yet to go to trial): "I really try to stay out of the artists' personal lives. I can say that Kelly is a great individual. He has been very cooperative, and is working so hard in Chicago — rehearsing 12, 15 hours a day. His show consists of five segments: It's a two-hour-long show. ... It's going to be something great. "Do I have any hesitancies about promoting his tour? None whatsoever. I am happy to do it. Happy to be associated with everybody on this show. I have to add that [Kelly] hasn't been convicted of anything as of yet." The possibility of a Jackson family tour: "His brothers are ready. Janet is ready. But the motor of that car that makes the car run, isn't just yet. ... In April of this year, I flew out to Las Vegas and met with them all and he told me, 'Let's look at '08.' We wanted to go this year, but [Michael] said it would take a lot of preparation. "He didn't say 'no.' " The dearth of R&B arena tours: "The reason there's so few R&B arena tours is there are so few, real, R&B superstars. ... During the time I came up in the industry there were so many! Diana Ross. Marvin ***e. Stevie Wonder. The Jackson 5 This industry has changed now. They don't build artists like they used to. And it's all about the bottom line. It is more profitable for the industry to take a rap artist and give him $100,000, rent the Rolls-Royce for his videos, and you might just sell 5 [million], 8 million albums. Ring tones or whatever. But to build another Janet you have to put money into a producer, money into a video — millions — and these days you're lucky if you sell 4 [million], 5 million." The dwindling number of peers for black concert promoters: "Black promoters in this country have been shortchanged, discriminated against, forever. They simply haven't been given equal opportunities, like our counterparts. An Alex Cooley, let's say, has been allowed to promote any and all artists with no regards to an artist's race. African-Americans haven't been able to promote white artists. This is something I know the public is not aware of. I know. But if I call the top agencies and ask who's available they'll only tell me about black artists. When Alex used to call and ask what artists were available, the agencies would read down both sides of the roster, black and white. "That's why I started the Black Promoters Association of America. Sure, we're not in the same place we were. I know it takes awhile for people to change their ways. ... So we're making artists aware, such as R. Kelly, that black promoters cannot work his agency. ... And hopefully they'll respond the way R. Kelly has. "After all, I still love this business. It's the only business that I know. It's been great to me; given me a decent life. And I'm thankful. ... So yes, I've got to be hopeful about this business too." The most he's paid an artist to perform a night: "$500,000. That's common these days for your high-profile artists. I'd probably have to pay Michael Jackson a million — but I'm ready. You hear me Michael, we're ready."