Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 05:14 PM

A Plea for Some Sort of Clarification

As I (perhaps poorly) understand it, Celtic Music has done three bad things"

A. They sat on some titles (notably Nic Jones) and refused to release them, doing financial harm to the artists.

B. They (allegedly) have not paid royalties to the artists on thr few CDs they have released.

C. They have released CD-Rs without notifying anyone that they're nor properly pressed CDs.



Could someone tell me if I'm reading this correctly? The reason I ask is that CM has recently released a small flood of excellent previously-unavailable CDs, and I'd like to make this very fine music available to my customers. Objection "A" clearly doen't apply here. As far as "B" is concerned, I'd be grateful if any artists whose work has been released would let me know if they are receiving royalties; if they're not, I can probably make some arrangement where I'll pay the royalties to them directly. As for "C" it is as it is; I'll make no secret about whether they're CD-R's or not, but I'd like to point out that any CDs (or CD-Rs) I sell come with a lifetime (probably mine) warranty.

I'd really like to help make this music available. What think you?

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Tony, Leeds
Date: 04 Jan 04 - 01:02 PM

Any news on how your legal case against CM is going, Pat Cooksey? We haven't heard from you for quite a while.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Andy, Port Erin, I-O-M
Date: 28 Dec 03 - 03:37 AM

I am certain that Fellside, for instance, would not deal with Bulmer. As for a sub-distributor paying the same price as others for "product", this is not so. There are deals and deals within deals and there is little doubt that CM has a "file discount" (as its known) from the head distributor.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Dec 03 - 06:43 PM

You are confusing the record company with the distribution company. Although they are presumably owned by more or less the same people, they are entirely separate legal entities.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lancashire Lad
Date: 27 Dec 03 - 06:35 PM

This seems very odd to me. I bought 2 Topic albums from a well known chain within a month of release. Both had CM cards (actually Music by Mail which is a CM company) inside. I cant believe CM would go to the trouble and expense of buying CDs from a distributor such as Proper then sell them on to HMV. The price you pay from a distributor for most new full price CDs is aprox £7 - £8 plus VAT. Would CM actually pay this amount to sell at a similar price to the shops. Somehow I don't think so.

I checked with a friend who works at HMV. He says they certainly order many titles on assorted labels from CM. Apparently many labels use more than one distributor! He says they buy "product" (his term not mine) from CM and even gave me some pof the labels they have bought from DBs company. These have included include Topic, Fuse, Fellside, Making Waves, Edsel, Wooden Hill as well as labels CM or DB owns such as Trailer, Leader, Black Crow, etc.

I'm sorry if this goes against the general opinion, but I say again: If all these reputable labels and businesses are prepared to deal with CM on a long term basis, then he must be doing something right.

Anyway..time for bed

all the best and happy new year

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Andy, Port Erin, I-O-M
Date: 26 Dec 03 - 12:54 PM

Well that confirms what I thought. CM simply purchase from Proper using them as a One Stop thus avoiding commitment to artists etc and thereby enabling them to keep their company name visible by inserting cards etc. No, earlier GUEST, it is very unlikely that any reputable record company and equally unlikely that any established artist would choose to do business with Mr Bulmer and CM. It will be interesting to see CM's accounts when they are released to see just how succesful it has been in the last 12 months or so.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Andy, Port Erin
Date: 26 Dec 03 - 12:50 PM

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Dec 03 - 11:15 AM

Proper Distribution are a huge operation that are not about to be put into any serious trouble by the likes of CM.

All the major folk labels go through Proper, who sell to the high street shops. This is how Topic, Fellside and (since August) Wild Goose and the like get their product into places like HMV stores.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Andy, Port Erin, I-O-M
Date: 26 Dec 03 - 04:16 AM

Don't be misled by stickers and cards in Topic Records. If you check the Topic site (www.topicrecords.co.uk) you will see that nowhere is CM Distribution referred to. The official distributor seems to be Proper Records Distribution of Beckenham, Kent. I imagine that in order to maintain some credibility in the folk record industry, CM has simply purchased from Proper and added their own info to the packaging - a common practice as anyone buying imports will know. Don't know anything about Proper Records Distribution but I guess they are on a hiding to nothing if they have made the msitake of giving credit terms to CM - watch this space! What might be more important to consider is that it is very possible that new artists/records companies deal with CM once, but how many do it for a second time???? Once bitten, twice shy and all that!

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lancashire Lad
Date: 25 Dec 03 - 10:37 AM

I've bought many albums on the Topic label over the last 20 years or so. However, in recent years many that I have purchased have either contained a sticker from CM Distribution or a "card" for CM's mail order side. some of these purchases have come from "real" shops (independent and chains) or from UK online sellers. This obviously suggests that many dealers are happy to buy Topic products direct from CM or its distribution company.
Ive also bought CDs from Beautiful Jo, Fuse, Transatlantic and others which indicate they are sourced from or sold via CM. Again I ask, If DB is so disreputable, why are these labels deaing with him on a regular basis and on a long term basis. Surely these peop[le are well aware of the furore surrounding DB?? They obviously havent had the problems others claim to have had.

Happy Christmas

PS One of the most recent Topic albums I bought that seems to have come via CM was Bob Fox - Borrowed Moments....Have others heard it? Possibly my contender for album of the year 2004

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: treewind
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 12:47 PM

They certainly won't if they're Musicians Union members. He's listed in the MU magagzine's "Special Notices" section in every issue.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lien
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 10:33 AM

I think you will find that fewer and fewer artists deal with Bulmer. Word is now well and truly out that to do so is leaving yourself wide open to being taken to the cleaners. I have a feeling also that if any money was actually owed to CM / DB court action would be in place as surely as day follows night. It is inconceivable that the struck-off former solicitor would have changed the habits of a lifetime. Quite why Topic should deal still with these crooks is unclear but I am certain that CREDIT trading is not an issue!

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lancashire lad
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 09:37 AM

Hi all
Sorry for playing the devils advocate here, but if DB is such a ****, then why do so many people still deal with him. I'm not just talking about artists, but also other "reputable" labels such as Topic?

Also, on a bit of a tangent. Does anyone know about artists who owe DB / CM money? I certainly know of 2 artists who do (they will remain nameless). However it is unlikely they will ever pay unless "forced" to do so. ie by court action.

Just a thought

Happy Christmas

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 12:59 PM

Sorry, for googwill read goodwill - bloody finger trouble again!

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 12:54 PM

I am an artist who was well and truly screwed by Mr Bulmer and Mr Sharpley over many years. It's not a question of being too mean to pay for a solicitor to check the contracts and in CM's case, Bulmer's method is to befriend you as a fellow folkie. You get lulled by the crap he promises - even musicians are human you know - and then you are offered a great contract prepared by another musician - the awful Sharpley. Bulmer even came to my home and I seriously thought that he was an honest man. How wrong I was. I later learned from a friend also in the business that Bulmer had bragged to him about how he had stolen records from the floor of a distributor he visited while the mans back was turned. What a guy. No wonder the MU stated that they "have had more complaints about the business methods of DB than anyone else". The man simply has no morals and should be avoided at all costs and the quicker he is brought to book the better for everyone - certainly those like me who have suffered fiancially as a direct result of him and Sharpley.It's the season of goggwill and all that but strangely I doubt if that pair will receive too many good wishes for the season. To everyone else, have a Happy Chistmas.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 08:06 AM

And there is many a musician who is too much of a skint to hire a proper solicitor to review their contracts before they sign.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 03 - 06:01 AM

There are many in this world who work on the principle that the people to whom you owe money can't afford to sue.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 11:50 AM

Well said, Lancashire Lad. Your post is well informed. You are obviously knowledgeable enough about the folk music industry to know many of the arguments put forth here are red herrings, put forth to poison the well.

However, that isn't likely to prevent the anti-Bulmer cult from foaming at the mouth about you possibly being Bulmer's wife, or attempting to crucify you for heresy and non-conformance with the Word of Ralphie and the Church of Dick G.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lancashire Lad
Date: 14 Dec 03 - 06:51 AM

I've just spent an hour or so looking through all the previous posts on DB and Celtic music etc. A couple of things spring to mind

CDRs
CM are not the only people pressing music on CDR these days. Many small to medium sized operations are now switching to CDR production, as this is the only economic way to handle a large catalogue given the costs of pre production, glass masters, etc. If you handle a catalogue of a few hundred titles, many of which are not the fastest selling titles in the world, it makes sense to utilse CDR and press "on demand" rather than tying up a vast amount of money on a large number of titles. I predict that within the next couple of years, many many more labels will be forced to run CDRs as standard, just to keep going.
Regarding CDR quality: Providing care is taken, there is no reason why CDRs cannot be as good as "regular" CDs. As I'm sure you know, many artists release their own music in CDR format and I personally have a large number of these in my own collection and regularly listen to them with no complaint.

Companies "sitting on" back catalogue
Surely DB is not alone in this. I would personally love Paul Adams of Fellside to re-issue the complete back catalogue of the Tradition label, which he bought a few years ago. However for whatever reason (probably commercial) he has barely touched it as yet. come to think of it, there are many fine albums that were released on vinyl by Fellside, but as yet have not been re-issued. The same also applies to Topic and most other "folk" labels. They will usually only re-issue back catalogue albums if they think they can make a profit from it. We have to remember, these are businesses, not charities. DB in this respect is no different from them.

Accounting / royalties / etc
EVERY record company should make sure that artists are paid what is owed to them. If they don't, they desrve their arses kicking. If there is a problem in artists vs Record labels, surely this is where bodies such as PRS, ASCAP should intervene.

Anyway, thats just a couple of thoughts.
Happy Christmas to all

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Lien
Date: 03 Oct 03 - 05:49 AM

DECEPTION CHARGES DROPPED BEFORE TRIAL


10:30 - 02 October 2003

A Former coroner and solicitor accused of deception offences has walked free from court after the charges against him were thrown out.

Neil Sharpley (52), who was once the coroner for Louth, was alleged to have obtained £47,000 from a client's estate and used it for his own purposes. He had been due to stand trial at Leicester Crown Court this week.

But the proceedings did not reach the stage of swearing in a jury to hear the case.

After three days of legal argument Judge Ian Collis ruled that Mr Sharpley could not receive a fair trial due to an "abuse of process" in bringing the case to court.

Abuse of process is deemed to have taken place when something is judged to be so unfair or wrong with the prosecution that the case cannot continue.

The individual facts of each case are considered when deciding if the method used to bring the case to court was unfair.

Mr Sharpley, of Westgate, Louth, had denied two offences of obtaining a money transfer by deception from his client John Lewis between February and June 1997.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:16 PM

John Lewis! Mr Lewis!? LoL

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: baur325
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 10:12 AM

check out the result on the thread "Neil Sharpley-any news"

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 08:55 AM

EX-CORONER DENIES CHARGES


10:30 - 30 September 2003

Louth: The town's former coroner has denied deception charges involving a total of £47,000.

Neil Sharpley of Westgate, Louth, appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of obtaining £25,000 from John Lewis in February 1997.

The 52-year-old has also denied a similar charge of deception involving £22,000, which was also obtained from Mr Lewis, in May 1997.

Leicester Crown Court was today hearing legal arguments and a trial jury is expected to be sworn in later this week.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 11:57 PM

CORONER IN FRAUD TRIAL


10:30 - 29 September 2003

Former Louth coroner Neil Sharpley was due in court today accused of deception charges involving £47,000.

Sharpley (52), of Westgate, Louth, faces a charge of obtaining £25,000 from John Lewis in February 1997.

He faces a similar charge of deception involving £22,000 obtained from John Lewis in May 1997.

Both charges relate to money allegedly obtained to finance a music business.

Sharpley has denied both charges and was due to go trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 09:30 AM

see latest on clamping in "Neil Sharpley-Any News" thread. Isn't it time to start part 5?

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Eddie
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 06:08 AM

Well...... after that, what? Perhaps recycling ice creams nicked from unsuspecting kiddies. I will watch with great interest how the defrocked one continues to climb the ladder of commerce.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: baur325
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 04:29 AM

Mr. S does have another source of income. He has been clamping cars! No joke.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: baur325
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 04:24 AM

I think it is legit too, but it was the righteous tone of the copyright message that bemused me, especially in the circs. See his MARKER message on the Louth Chamber of Business site for sheer brass neck.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Eddie in Leeds
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 11:10 AM

It is totally astonishing. The man has no shame whatsoever. Don't know who the Stone Network are, but they sound "legit" yet how can they be if they have appointed a crooked legal agent to act for them? Having ripped off several of his personal clients, I wonder if he's found a new way of making money now that the Bulmer route to riches must be on its last legs. What a pair!

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: baur325
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 12:46 PM

for more fun see this

http://www.mudcat.org/detail.cfm?messages__Message_ID=1000915

well I reckon the chamber of business already know who it is.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Max
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 12:33 PM

No, shewerly not. Not the great ingrate, the debagged, defrocked legal nobody Sharpley? I think we should be told - and also the good folk of Louth.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: baur325
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 12:26 PM

http://www.louthchamberofbusiness.org.uk/members1.php

check out the above for amusement and click on "Marker", see if you can guess who that is?

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Leo Condie
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 10:18 AM

Rick: he doesn't, thankfully, but seemed suitably shocked when i told him about the whole thing. All his stuff (all one album!) is on his own label.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: red max
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 05:10 AM

I think it's shameful that so many people are expressing very personal opinions about a bloke they don't really know. With that in mind I'm hereby providing some more specific information from a friend of mine that actually used to work for him. And I quote...

"Knowing him personally, I can confirm that he has absolutely no redeeming qualities, and is in fact an utter bastard! I enjoyed the work I did at CM, but hated Dave. Glad to hear that he is now almost universally hated....couldn't happen to a nicer bloke!"

So there you are, heh heh!

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 04:32 AM

To Suzanne. It shouldn't happen in the UK either! Sharpley appears before a court or tribunal in one area and gets a knuckle rapping and a "telling off" and is able, next day figuratively speaking, to go to another court and make hell for a folkie musician. There is nothing "joined up" in the UK legal system and that is why Sharpley (as Bulmers bag carrier) is able to appear in courts as if nothing has happened to him. It must surely have come to the stage where a disgraced lawyer is required to disclose his status to the court particularly where he uses his former skills in an attempt to damage others. Naive perhaps but the deficiencies in the UK legal system have enabled Bulmer and Sharpley to scythe through all channels of decent business behaviour. If you think I'm wrong, simply refer to nearly all of their former business and music acquaintances - it's unlikely that a good word will be heard in their favour.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:45 PM

Thanks Ralphie for setting my mind at rest. And no disrespect intended to Mr Patterson!

Thanks Guest - how this is possible is beyond me. It's not the way we do things here in Germany ...

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 08:33 AM

Suzanne. Sure he's been struck off but apparently it has not stopped his activities for Bulmer not one jot! The pair carry on as if nothing has happened and nothing can stop them although perhaps Mr Sharpley's appointment at the Leicester Crown Court shortly may have the effect that so many of us pray for.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Ralphie
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 04:35 AM

Oi A..

Will you stop plugging. LOL!
And, where's my copy?
R

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: treewind
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 04:34 AM

Hey Ralphie - Sold out already?
Well done chaps!!!

Anahata
(we've shifted 25 so far, not doing too badly)

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Ralphie
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 03:30 AM

Susanne...Duly noted...!

And I'll even forgive your "Senior Moment"...Not sure that James Patterson will though (the 3rd member of what is now being referred to as "New Variant PJD")...
Should have got your copy when it was hot...waiting for a repress at the mo,

Cheers R

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 06:13 PM

Well, Guest - surely not the 'vile Sharpley' the next time? Didn't I hear he's been struck off for offences of his own?

Ralphie, remember to put your glasses on when on Mudcat! I said I was TOLD ... surprised me so much I clean forgot to buy an album by the guys Jordan and Dipper, plus a third (first) one whose name has sadly become the victim of a senior moment on my part :-)

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 07:07 AM

To Suzanne. I used to know Bulmer well so it comes as no surprise to learn he believes he is owed money by folkies. Of course he believes this as he believes everyone owes him money! He will generate a bewildering assortmnent of incomprehensible paperwork to justify his claims and will, eventually, order the vile Sharpley to commence action - most likely in Great Grimsby County Court. That is how they operate. Beware. By the time Claims are filed (late) and musicians "notified" of the action (very late if at all, the case is as good as won. There are many cases to draw from and I saw Bulmer do these things many times and to his great satisfaction. To him its simply another way of making money, its a game and a game to which he is addicted. I say again, B E W A R E.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Ralphie
Date: 20 Jul 03 - 04:05 AM

Susanne..

Shouldn't your last sentence be the other way round?!...LOL!

As for Ray's album...Luckily, I've still got the original vinyl...It hasn't corrupted ...Yet!

Regards R

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 01:53 PM

I must have fallen for one of Bulmer's CD-RWs! Bought a reissue of Ray Fisher's 'Bonnie Birdy' when in Scotland (can't remember where, unfortunately), and only took a closer look when it wouldn't play in my computer: Published by Leader, distributed by CM.

But maybe Mr Bulmer is simply desperate. Someone who'd spoken to him recently told me he was owed a lot of money by a lot of folkies ...

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Jul 03 - 10:23 AM

Hi Leo. Does your Dad have any stuff with him?

Rick

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 08:50 PM

Oi Leo...
Don't get me started on the MU!
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Leo Condie
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 04:30 PM

I just read up on the whole saga today, and it definitely seems to be a hefty scam that our friend mr bulmer is pulling off, though why exactly i can't quite ascertain - surely there's better ways to cheat the law for greasy onesers than to rip off folkies that don't make much as it is! anyway yes, good luck to all involved, and i really hope we can eventually get some proper laws in place to deal with these shysters. like the musicians union, ha...ha...ha...

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Ralphie at work (as usual!)
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 03:55 PM

Hi Andy (IOM) and Leo..

No, no updates on the situation, but, thanks for refreshing this thread every now and again.

Nic himself is fine, saw him a few weeks ago, and actually beat him at Pool once!! (he's a devious b*****d sometimes, all this stuff with a walking stick, etc, but put a pool cue in his hand....!!)

Happy Summers to one and all

Ralphie

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: Leo Condie
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 10:07 AM

been any news on this lately? I am reading up on this whole saga with an extremely angry facial expression that seems to turn up whenever i think about the music business.

Subject: RE: Celtic Music Dave Bulmer (4)
From: GUEST,Andy, Port Erin, I-O-M
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 09:26 AM

It does seem to have gone quiet. All interest in this man and his companies cannot be forgotten, surely? A diary note for any of you that might like to see at least one of the ghastly pair gets justice is 29th of September at Leicester Crown Court. The hairpin like former lawyer appears there on criminal charges. Word on the street is he would like as many of you to be there to support him!!!!! Ha bloody ha!