Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr’s company in legal battle over claims of unpaid bills

A TOUR promoter is locked in a legal battle with celebrity manager Ralph Carr over claims of unpaid bills — including an alleged $11,000 debt over AFL superstar Dustin Martin’s tell-all show last December.

Ralph Carr chats with Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

A TOUR promoter is locked in a legal battle with celebrity manager Ralph Carr over claims of unpaid bills — including an alleged $11,000 debt over AFL superstar Dustin Martin’s tell-all show last December.

According to papers filed to the Federal Court, Big Deal Touring claims it is owed $120,300 by Carr’s company RCM Touring for big-name tours including Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, and Roy Orbison.

MORE NEWS: MP UNDER FIRE FOR ‘PIG’ COMMENT

NEW MAYOR WANTS TO ‘CLEANSE’ COUNCIL

40,000 METH HITS SEIZED IN AIRPORT BUST

The “description of the debt” includes $11,000 owed for Dustin Martin’s show at Palms At Crown on December 8; $25,300 for a Priscilla Presley tour on November 24; $16,500 for a Roy Orbison tour on August 8, 2017; $16,500 for an Elvis Encore tour on July 8, 2017; and a $51,000 “bonus payable under the Elvis agreement.”

Ralph Carr. Picture: Michael Klein

It is believed the alleged debts relate to marketing and consulting fees.

In its application to the Federal Court, Big Deal Touring is seeking for RCM Touring “to be wound up in insolvency relying on failure by the company to comply with a statutory demand.”

The case is scheduled to be heard in Sydney on June 1.

Carr declined to comment on the matter tonight.

Big Deal Touring, based in Sydney, has promoted shows for Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Tina Arena and Delta Goodrem.

It is run by music industry veteran Sam Righi, who formerly worked at Michael Gudinski’s Frontier Touring Company.

Melbourne’s RCM Touring has promoted concerts for Elvis Presley, which featured the late king of rock ’n’ roll live on screen, backed by a 40-piece orchestra, and an Evening with Priscilla Presley, interviewed by broadcaster Richard Wilkins.

Dane Swan, Dustin Martin and Dave Hughes.

Carr, also a music industry veteran, has high profile clients on his management books including Wilkins, Martin and singers Kate Ceberano and Mark Vincent.

Dustin Martin headlined a sellout show discussing his life and career at Southbank late last year. The show, An Evening With Dustin Martin, showed another side to the humble and shy Tigers midfielder, Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist.

The Elvis show featured the late king of rock and roll beamed on to state of the art video screens backed by a 40-piece orchestra.

Elvis’s widow, Priscilla, visited Australia for an “open conversation” show, sharing stories about her life as a wife, mother, actor and businesswoman.

The Roy Orbison tour, with a hologram of the late singer, backed by an orchestra, was cancelled last month.

The Elvis Presley encore tour was among the big-name tours.

The RCM Touring website speaks of Carr’s achievements in the promotions game.

“Knowing how to operate in the touring space has been a feature of Ralph Carr’s operations since its early beginnings,” it says.

“Focusing on how to get his acts into the live arena is also a feature of Ralph’s management style.

“Ralph continues his energetic approach to this vital side of his business.

As Ralph often says “most artists make most money from live touring so this has to be one of the strengths of their ability.”

The Big Deal Touring website says Righi “maintains close involvement with the global entertainment industry.”

It adds: “His experience in the actual costs and process of mounting large-scale public events is invaluable for cost-control and verification of expenses in large entertainment projects.

“Sam’s motto is quality not quantity.”