Stephen Cummings and Michael Gudinski have settled their differences with Cummings signing back with Gudinski’s Mushroom Group to release a new album called ‘Prisoner of Love’ in February 2019.
“I have had my issues with Gudinski, but I am grateful for this opportunity,” Cummings said in a statement.
“There is something to be said for local expertise,” Stephen says. “My recording career began with Mushroom and Michael, and in these mystifying times, Mushroom and Michael seems the right place to maintain my fanbase. I need help with stuff.
Cummings publically revealed what he thought of Gudinski in his biography ‘Will It Be Funny Tomorrow, Billy?’. I have it on good authority that Michael Gudinski once asserted to an assembled group of industry types at a reception for Jimmy Barnes that after working with me in The Sports he vowed never to manage an artist again – so execrable was the experience.
“[But] even if Gudinski was an offensive and abusive bear of a man, at least he went to gigs and liked music.”
Gudinski has his side of the story. “I gave up management for 10 years because of Stephen Cummings. He was traumatic to manage. But he’s great now and in a much better space,” he said.
Gudinski also managed Stephen’s band The Sports. “At times, Stephen could be frustrating to deal with,” he admits. “But he has always been brilliant. In fact, it’s high time that ARIA recognised Stephen’s remarkable body of work and inducted Stephen Cummings and The Sports into the ARIA Hall of Fame.”
The new deal will see the reissue of the Cummings catalogue. There will also be a two-disc anthology and the studio album ‘Prisoner of Love’ in February. Stephen says the album will be his last.
Stephen Cummings dates
Thursday 4 October Smiths Alternative | Canberra, ACT
Friday 5 October Camelot Lounge | Sydney, NSW
Saturday 6 October Lizottes | Newcastle, NSW
Friday 12 October Republic Bar | Hobart, TAS
Sunday 14 October Wheatsheaf | Adelaide, SA
Friday 19 October Junk Bar | Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 20 October Bison Bar | Nambour, QLD
Friday 26 October Caravan Music Club | Melbourne, VIC
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