Jennifer’s Bloggallery

It has come to my attention that there is a “new” CD by an artist named John Leitham. Some recent E-mails have been sent notifying me of a CD entitled “Live at Catalina’s” on the USA Music Group label. I recorded my first three CDs for that label. I’m very proud of all three.
A few years ago I recorded a CD, (my fourth), for a company called C.A.R.S. Productions. It was a live recording done at Catalina’s Bar and Grill in Hollywood and it featured my two tenor quintet. We simply called it “Live”. Apparently C.A.R.S. Production has given or sold my “Live” CD to USA Music Group and they’ve re-titled it and are selling it as “Live At Catalina’s”. I have not been contacted by either company and am not involved other than the fact that it’s my music that’s changed hands.

I’ve noticed on Amazon and other CD buying sites that both CDs are listed as separate entities. I am warning the CD buying public that these are both the same recording!

One of the factors that lead me to release my last CD on my own label was to avoid this very situation. I have no regrets about that, it’s paid for itself and I am sole proprietor.

I’ve been very fortunate in the past that there have always been people willing to invest their money on my recording projects. Unfortunately this can lead to some control issues as to the selling and ownership. I am not against a record label reissuing product or making compilation CDs, in fact I would hope the label turns a profit on everything I do. I only insist on artistic control. Retitling an existing CD and issuing it as a new release is very misleading and frankly dishonest.

I’ve had plans to record a new CD since long before my transition and have accumulated enough material to do about 6 CDs right now! The question has been one of finances.

Here’s the dilemma: If I go with my own label it is going to take a lot of my own money to produce the masters. I’ve recently produced(sic), my SRS and other surgeries due to complications and it’s taken a little time to become financially solvent. Do I risk financial stability in order to satisfy my artistic drive? I’m feeling a lot better these days, my eagerness is returning and I’m itching to express my more recent creative developments.

The next hurdle is deciding which direction to take regarding the content. There are so many artistic options. I want to record a CD of all original music, I’d like to do a solo bass project, my West Side Story arrangements have been gathering dust for 8 years, and a vocal project is starting to loom.

Do I want to record another CD aimed at the Public Radio market? Is the streaming audio and satellite explosion going to make it possible for creativity to return to radio formats? I hope so!

Now that my health has returned I’m primed to get back to more artistic endeavors!
It’s becoming obvious that releasing a CD under my proper identity is of paramount importance. It’s time to let the chips fall. Please stay tuned for more installments in this continuing saga.

Hopeful people will buy either “Live” or “Live at Catalina’s” Just don’t buy both!
Jennifer Leitham
January 26, 2005