Kate Ceberano leaves Ralph Carr for new management team

KATE Ceberano has officially split with long-term manager Ralph Carr, but says there is no “bad blood” and the timing with Carr’s current litigation is accidental.

KATE Ceberano has officially split with long-term manager Ralph Carr.

Carr, whose touring company was made insolvent last week, had managed Ceberano for 16 years.

“It’s an empowerment story,” Ceberano told the Herald Sun of her management changes.

CARR’S TOURING COMPANY BEING WOUND UP

CARR IN LEGAL FIGHT OVER CLAIMS OF UNPAID BILLS

“After so many years I’ve decided to go off-piste, as it were. I’ve realised the music business has changed so much, especially for women in the business, so it was time to take a look at how we manage ourselves. It’s time to put my shoulders to the wheel for women in music. If you’re going to stay in the business you may as well get up and lead.”

The news confirms rumours that have been flying around the Australian music industry for weeks.

Ralph Carr and Kate Ceberano back in 2003. Picture: Supplied

Ceberano has already signed with well-respected Melbourne manager Lisa Palermo, who has Vika and Linda Bull on her books, as part of a new management restructure.

However Ceberano said the timing with Carr’s current litigation was accidental.

“There’s no bad blood, it’s funny the way these things happen, but all of the things facing him right now don’t have anything to do with our relationship,” she said.

“To Ralph’s credit he’s always been very supportive of my independence, always understood I was very independent from his management with a lot of projects I did. The time I had with him was very busy for me, but I’ve come to the point where as women in music the whole profile has changed and I’m changing with it.

“Working with RCM (Ralph Carr Management) was an exciting time in my career but I’m ready as an artist to embrace a new style of management.”

Palermo also manages another of Carr’s former clients, musician Dean Ray.

Ceberano being presented with an award by Ralph Carr.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been associated with anyone so positive, she’s such a force of energy and vibrancy and I can’t wait to help harness her ideas and formidable work ethic,” Palermo said.

“Kate’s and my way of thinking about music, arts and creative ventures seemed to align and we got excited about a lot of the same stuff in sounds and culture.

“It’s a thrill for me to work closely with her and the incredibly loyal and steadfast Ceberano team.”

Palermo forms part of a “collective” Ceberano has around her, including mother Cherie, husband Lee Rogers and tour manager Ben Balfour.

“It’s a new, progressive management,” Ceberano says.

Ceberano is working on a secret new music project, following the reissue of her first musical endeavour, I’m Talking’s 1987 debut album Bear Witness.

Ceberano is also working on Daylesford’s Live. Love. Life Festival in November.

Carr’s management roster now includes footballer Dustin Martin, as well as Neighbours star and singer Bonnie Anderson and TV personality Richard Wilkins.

@cameron_adams

[e-mail]