INSIDERS TARGET MUSIC HONCHO
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October 12, 2006 -- IT'S a near-mutiny at Capitol Records, where disgruntled staffers have fired off a scathing letter to the label's parent, EMI, charging that Capitol president and CEO Andy Slater is a lackluster leader who's destroying the company with a roster of sub-par acts and should be axed.

"In the '90s we were at the forefront of cutting edge music - in 2006, this is hardly the case. All fingers must be pointed back to the president and the lack of leadership and vision," fumes the anonymous missive sent to EMI Music Worldwide chairman Alain Levy and David Munns, chairman of EMI Music North America.

Calling on the two execs to replace Slater, the letter goes on: "We are in constant disbelief of the amount of money spent on these acts who are clearly a step behind what is happening in music . . . We work in constant fear of 'what Andy wants.' This man is a control freak . . . How much longer do we need to make sure he is happy - only to then see those choices fail?"

A source, who says the letter represents "dozens" of Capitol employees, told Page Six: "There are core artists like Bonnie Raitt and Roseanne Cash who are just being ignored. The feeling is [Slater] just let them die. Then there are artists like Morning Wood, which is going nowhere." The source adds that Slater is often unreachable and comes into the office late: "He's out at night at clubs and partying with girls."

The letter also claims that morale is at an all-time low and the artists "can't be happy when their records are either pushed back or rushed out."

An EMI spokeswoman not surprisingly disputed the letter's claims: "Andy and his team at Capitol are doing a great job. He's revitalized the roster. He's more than doubled the label's market share since he arrived five years ago."

The rep said Slater's successes include LaToya, Cherish, OK GO! and Saosin and also credited him with signing hot indie band Interpol and revitalizing Bob Seger's career.

A friend of Slater's notes the letter changes from "we" to "I" at times, suggesting it could be from just one malcontent.

This was from Page Six!!!!!

Interesting .....

I read that in Page six today. I was going to post it & then I saw it was already here.