Jeff Healey Album Release *Update

So this is interesting. I wrote to the record company putting out the controversial Jeff Healey back catalog and actaully got a response;

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Dear Alex,

You have every right to be 'distressed'.

First, you should know that the estate does not own the rights to this material. Jeff Healey and Joe Rockman signed away their rights a number of years ago.

Despite this fact and out of respect, the estate was contacted. Not only for their input, but to inform them that 10% of the profits from this package was going to be placed in a trust fund for the estate.

Their response? Nothing about input into the project. It was all about wanting more money.

So we all have the right to be distressed. Jeff Healey's legacy deserves better than that.

A lot of people's time and energy went into this compilation. And quite frankly, it is Jeff Healey and the Jeff Healey Band at their best in their formative years.

We stand behind this project with pride and enthusiasm. We will stand firm in our belief and let the music and DVD speak for itself.

The truth will come out Alex.

Thank-you for your passion and reaching out to us.

Kind regards,

Steve

Steve McAuley
Managing Director
Arbor Records
steve@arborrecords.com
www.arborrecords.com

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This is very interesting for a number of reasons...assuming their true.

1. They had the rocks to write me back.
2. The original press release put out on behalf of the Healey estate made it sound like they were getting "screwed" out of the money. However, it would seem the estate was offered 10%... which might not sound like a lot but that's probably a better royalty rate than Jeff ever made.
3. Signing away your rights is pretty cut and dry. You did or you did not. What's the point of having contracts if we get out of them when we don't like what we did willingly. Now I don't know the details here but if they own the rights, why would they NOT put out a record after Jeff's death? Sorry but that's just good business.

I gotta say I don't know what to think here but I am glad I looked into it. As usual it's not quite black and white. The label were pretty candid in their position and IF they are right in what they say, the people who cast such a shadow on them might be being unfair.

I'd like to be kept in the loop if anyone hears more on this. Someone in this thing is not telling the whole truth. Let's see who it is.