confusion abounds

[mickeym]

This is mostly for my reference, but if anyone else benefits from it, rock on :)

Okay. So, I've rewatched Driven.

According to the tape, in 1996, Johnny was over in Germany where he was managing (for Transcon) BSB, along with two other acts. Jan Bolz contacted him, said they really like all the american groups coming over, and were there any others Jan and his fellow execs could take a look at.

Johnny has a 2 song CD and a picture of the Nsync boys that he shares with Jan; upon hearing it, Jan indicates interest in going to Orlando to listen to the boys live. Johnny then flies back to Orlando himself to meet for the first time with the Nsync boys and let them know about BMG's interest. Major rehersing ensues.

Jan and one of his cronies comes to Orlando, meets with the boys, watches them perform (possibly the April showcase at Dr. Phillips High?). Really impressed, thinks they're very talented. Meets with Johnny, who then meets with the guys, tells them BMG is interested, but with two conditions:

1) must change the name; too difficult for Germans to say (and what the heck does it mean?)

2) drop Lance; he's not at the same level as the other guys.

Haggling ensues; Johnny says in Driven they all agree Lance isn't going anywhere -- presumably that means Johnny (and probably? possibly? Lou, as well).

The result ends up being the guys are offered a contract with BMG/Transcon.

At this point in Driven it's mentioned that Lou invites Johnny in to manage the group. Presumably goes along with the contract signing, since it's not mentioned prior, and the Driven timeline seems to be pretty chronological.

Possible/Probable timeline:

April '96 - Dr. Phillips showcase (possibly attended by BMG reps?)
June/July '96 - offer made for contract, with conditions; counteroffer made, haggling over conditions, etc.
August '96 - contract signed; Johnny signed as manager; boys go to Europe

~~~~~~~~~

I've noticed in fanfic, we've given Lou close to god-like powers; he's always around, there's always the 'if Lou hears', 'if Lou finds out', 'if Lou ______'. Can anyone confirm (or deny) that Lou was in Germany on a regular basis with the guys? Or Johnny? Obviously some sort of management guidance was required...why do we all assume it was Lou?

Anyone?

Comments

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

The stuff foxmonkey and dick_grayson found on WEG were interesting. It sounds as though Johnny contracted with Lou initially -- because in Driven, he says Lou invited him to manage Nsync, which to me, means Johnny didn't actually work for Lou; maybe for BMG? Transcon was a subsidiary of BMG, right? But Lou obviously had dealings with Johnny, since Lou financed BSB and Johnny managed them.

Hmmm. *g*

Anyway, I probably can go on what I found, as far as the timeline and people around them, but now I do need to rewrite bits. I'm trying to decide if Lou would've initially gone to Europe with them--when they first went over. Opinions?

Re:

[between-names.livejournal.com]

Have they ever said what, exactly, Lou's "title" was? If he was their Business Manager, that's different than their "Manager" (which is what I'm assuming Johnny was.) Maybe there's something in the court docs (aren't those on The Smoking Gun or somewhere?) from when they sued Lou.

As far as going over there - I could see him going the first time (this is TOTAL speculation, btw) - but once the significant touring began, leaving the day-to-day to someone else. He did have other businesses/groups to run, after all. He's a businessman - unscrupulous and Jabba-esque though he may be ;)

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

Maybe there's something in the court docs (aren't those on The Smoking Gun or somewhere?) from when they sued Lou.

If they're there, I sure as hell can't find them. I've been poking around in the Smoking Gun website for like, nearly two hours now. Found some stuff on Justin/Nsync being sued by a teenager in St. Louis, but that's it. *grumbles* I was curious, too ;)