Singer/songwriter Dan Orlando accuses Edwards, Edwards' Big 3 Records and its parent company Big 3 Entertainment of breaking promises to propel the artist’s career and stymieing attempts to break free of his contract.
According to the lawsuit, Orlando signed recording, management and co-publishing agreements with Big 3 Records and Big 3 Entertainment in 2004. The contracts give the companies claim to royalties and other publishing rights in return for helping Orlando secure sponsorships and tours.
But the companies, under the direction of Edwards, did not follow their end of the bargain, Orlando contends. Instead of drawing up a business plan and setting up contacts with major players in the recording industry, Orlando says Edwards used the musician for his “own private use, entertainment and amusement,” even having him act as “a companion on occasions to Edwards’ wife.”
When Orlando tried to sever his ties to the companies, the performer claims Edwards responded with “threats” and “intimidation.”
“The collective emphatic and unequivocal representations by Edwards were intended to induce Orlando into signing the Big 3 contracts … all of which have turned out to be to his substantial detriment and decimation of Orlando’s professional career as a music artist, and have thereby wrongfully locked up Orlando’s publishing rights,” the 32-page complaint states.
Edwards nor representatives of Big 3 Entertainment immediately responded to calls and e-mails requesting comment.
Notably, two-time mayor and current mayoral candidate Rick Baker is mentioned in the complaint. Orlando says Baker, as president of the Edwards Group, was present during meetings between Edwards and the musician.
“Rick Baker, and others who were on Edwards’ executive team … never disagreed with Edwards or otherwise contradicted any of the statements that Edwards would constantly make about Orlando and what Edwards was going to do for his career,” the complaint states.
Baker could not be immediately reached for comment.
Orlando’s attorney, former Republican State Rep. from Tampa Kevin Ambler of Ambler Law Firm, filed the lawsuit in Pinellas County on Friday. Orlando and Ambler could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Orlando, 27, describes his sound as “high-energy, emotionally-charged rock n’ roll,” according to his Facebook page. He performed at the “Power of Love” 20th Anniversary Gala in Las Vegas last year and opened for headliners like Robin Thicke during his time with Big 3 Entertainment.
He also was named as CL’s Best Local Band in 2015. (Edwards won Best Entrepreneur in last year’s Best of the Bay awards.)
Big 3 Records, located on Central Avenue near Bear Creek Park, represents a handful of local artists. Big 3 Entertainment manages the Mahaffey Theater and Edwards has his hands in many other ventures, including the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Sundial shopping complex.
Edwards, 72, is still battling a federal whistleblower lawsuit alleging his (now dissolved) mortgage company cheated veterans and the public out of millions in refinanced Veterans Administration loans. He’s denied all claims.
Edwards' relationship with Baker has haunted the mayoral candidate, even if the Tampa Bay Times — an unabashed Baker ally — does not want to admit it. Baker has had to answer reporters’ questions about the federal lawsuit and defend his boss. Councilman Karl Nurse has asked Baker to recuse himself from dealing with city business involving Edwards if elected. (Baker declined to do so.)
And there are the ongoing questions about the ties between Baker, Edwards and the Times.
This article appears in Nov 2-9, 2017.