Former Managers Sue Rascal Flatts

David M Ross • April 14, 2011

Former Rascal Flatts managers Turner Nichols—Trey Turner and Doug Nichols—are suing the three band members in Davidson County Chancery Court reports Courthousenewsservice.com. The managers are represented by Jay Bowen with Bowen & Unger.

According to the complaint, the management firm whose oral agreement with the band ended last February after more than a decade, is demanding 15% from the act’s upcoming tour which Turner Nichols claims they negotiated and ends June 2013.

The Turner Nichols filing states, “The plaintiff has guided the defendants’ careers to success as internationally famed singers and recording artists, as multi-platinum record sellers, and as tremendously successful touring artists who have achieved astounding financial success, earning hundreds of millions of dollars.”

In addition to 15% from the tour which extends for the next two years, Turner Nichols requests commissions based upon TV appearances and DVDs it claims to have negotiated and is asking the court for a declaratory judgment and damages for breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

MusicRow reported the split between Rascal Flatts and Turner Nichols on Feb. 7, 2011. At that time the band commented, “We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family. We have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the work that we’ve done together over the past ten years.” Trey Turner and Doug Nichols were also quoted saying, “The Flatts are great guys and will always be part of our family as well. We wish them nothing but the best.”

On March 10, MusicRow then reported that Rascal Flatts had joined with Clarence Spalding’s, Spalding Entertainment for management. The band is currently signed to Big Machine Records. They were previously part of Lyric Street Records until the label unexpectedly shuttered last year.

In a statement released today (4/14) Rascal Flatts said, “We are disappointed they have chosen to file as we had hoped to address these issues privately, however we hope that this can be resolved amicably.”