Opinion ID: 2437315
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Exclusive Booking Agreement

Text: The agreement which is the subject of this suit was drafted by an attorney who represented Morris personally. However, his charges for preparing the agreement were billed to and paid by the corporation IHT. Morris testified that the manner of his identification in the contract was specified by McBride, who executed it on behalf of Alabama. There is no question of the authority of McBride to enter into this agreement for Alabama. The document is entitled Exclusive Agency Agreement. The first portion thereof is as follows: AGREEMENT made this 22nd day of May, 1980 at Nashville, Tennessee, by and between Dale Morris d/b/a International House of Talent (hereinafter referred to as Agent) and The Alabama Band (hereinafter referred to as Artist). 1. Artist hereby employs Agent and Agent hereby accepts employment as Artist's exclusive booking agent, personal representative, and advisor with respect to Artist's personal appearances and endeavors as a musician and/or vocalist. 2. The term of this Agreement shall be for an initial period of three (3) years commencing on the date hereof with an option granted by Artist to Agent for a renewal period of three (3) years commencing on the expiration date of the initial period. Agent may exercise this option by giving Artist notice in writing no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the initial period. 3. Agent agrees to use all reasonable efforts to procure employment for Artist in any branch of the field of entertainment in which Artist notifies Agent that Artist's services are or will be available. Agent shall have the right to render the same or similar services to other persons either in the capacity in which he is hereby engaged or otherwise. Agent will maintain an office, staff and facilities reasonably adequate for the rendering of such services. There follow provisions under which the artist agreed that it was free to enter into the contract, that it would refer all communications to the agent and would not appear or perform professionally except through the agent. The agent was to receive a specified fee for services, based upon the consideration paid to the artist. The agent was given the right to negotiate for and agree to terms of employment, to receive and endorse checks and money orders and to disburse funds in payment of necessary expenses. The latter portion of the agreement is as follows: 12. This Agreement is one for personal services of each party to the other and shall not be transferable or assignable by operation of law or otherwise without the parties' prior consent. 13. Artist and Agent acknowledge that they have had preliminary discussions concerning this Agreement and they understand that this Agreement is the only agreement between the parties and that there is no collateral agreement (oral or written) between the parties in any manner relating to the subject matter contained herein. This is the complete and only agreement and cannot be modified or amended except by written instrument signed by both Agent and Artist. 14. This Agreement shall be deemed to be executed in the State of Tennessee and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Tennessee. In the event any provision of this agreement shall be illegal or unenforceable, then, in such event, the same shall not effect ( sic ) the validity of the remaining portions and provisions hereof. WHEREFORE, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and date first written above. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF TALENT Alabama (Agent) By /s/ Dale Morris By /s/ E.L. McBride Dale Morris Artist For the next year the personal appearances of Alabama were booked under this arrangement. All booking commissions were paid to the corporation IHT, and it disbursed all incidental expenses. It received escrow funds for Alabama and other artists, and these were held in a corporate account. Apparently there was no question in the minds of any of the parties that the contract was between the corporation IHT and Alabama, although its performance was handled generally under the supervision of the president of the corporation, Dale Morris. Insofar as the practical construction of the contract was concerned, all parties treated it as a corporate contract, not an individual asset held by Dale Morris, either individually or doing business in some separate form.