Signing off

Local talent scout Teresa LaBarbera-Whites discovered singing sensation Jessica Simpson the way she always does: without even trying

A A A Comments (1) By Zac Crain Thursday, Sep 9 1999

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"She used to be notorious for showing up at a show when 10 other label people were in town and it's an 11th-hour deal," says a local industry insider. "You can get a meeting, and you may win them, but it's gonna cost you two times as much, and it's gonna be much harder. Bands like The Old 97's and the Nixons -- everybody and their brother is writing about them. How can you not see it, whether you like them or not? You're going to at least go check them out and go, 'Could we make money off that?'"

There are still dozens of signable, bankable bands in town, everyone from Shabazz 3 to Centro-matic to Legendary Crystal Chandelier to Hellafied Funk Crew, something for everyone. Some of these would be critical favorites, and some would make money, but they would all be successful. Yet all of these groups will likely be passed over by LaBarbera-Whites as well, mainly because she may not consider them until it's too late.

Mark Graham

Teresa LaBarbera-Whites tried to help local bands sign recording contracts when she started Dimensions of Dallas in 1985. Now that she's the one doing the signing, it appears that she's stopped trying.

Is Jessica Simpson the next Britney Spears? At her performance at the Gypsy Tea Room a few weeks ago, it sure looked that way. Columbia Records hopes she's even better.

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"I've gotten to sign just about everything I've wanted to sign," LaBarbera-Whites says. "Sometimes the time is not right, and sometimes it's fate. Those people are better off other places. I feel really blessed to work for a major label that leaves me alone, lets me do what I want to do, lets me go where I want to go, and make the kind of records I want to make. That's always nice. I consider myself pretty lucky."

But LaBarbera may not understand just how lucky she is. Stumbling onto Jessica Simpson may have bought her another decade in the music business, but it doesn't account for the decade she's nearly wasted. Of course, you won't find many local bands who will complain about being overlooked by LaBarbera-Whites. They don't even know she's around. And maybe they never will.