Press
01-08-1995
Watson to Manage Silverchair
By Stuart Coupe (Music Industry News & Gossip)
The Managing Director and CEO of Sony Music Australia, Denis Handlin,
announced late last week that the company's Director of International
Marketing/A&R, John Watson, will leave the company later this month
to become the full time manager of silverchair.
"This is really a logical progression for John, given the many months
of work which he has put into helping develop the international career
of this amazingly talented band," said Handlin. "John's decision to
accept this new challenge has my unconditional support and I sincerely
wish him every success in his endeavours." Handlin said Watson will no
longer be an employee of Sony Music Australia effective August 15, but
the company will, of course, still be working closely with him in
helping to build silverchair's career.
"After more than four years at Sony Music this has been a very
difficult decision to make," said Watson. "However, things have finally
reached the point where silverchair really do need full-time management
rather than part-time career guidance which John O'Donnell and I have
been trying to provide since the band signed to Murmur last year. The
support I had from the band, their parents and everyone at the record
company has been tremendous and I am excited at now being able to focus
100 percent on helping silverchair achieve the international success
they deserve."
Watson's new contract details and his replacement at Sony Music will be announced shortly.
There was a rather amusing line in the Sony announcement about Watson
and silverchair: "Handlin and Watson also pointed out that silverchair
and their parents (who had previously overseen the group's affairs)
will continue to be closely involved in the group's development." This
column is pleased that silverchair will continue to be closely involved
with their career. We think this is a good thing.