Eight-time Grammy winner Anita Baker, looking like nothing so much as a small, frightened girl, sat before a judge Friday and said, “I just want to go home.”
And Chief Judge Pro Tem Lita M. Popke of Wayne County (Mich.) Circuit Court let her, after threatening Baker with jail for contempt two days before in a dispute over music royalties with her ex-husband, Walter Bridgforth Jr.
As reported by The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, the “emotionally drained” singer of many hit love songs found herself in Popke’s courtroom for a “drama-filled” hearing that began Wednesday.
The next day, the judge ordered Baker to return Friday morning and show cause why she should not be jailed for contempt of court in refusing to sign letters authorizing her record companies to release royalty payment information for a property settlement contained in her 2007 divorce from Bridgforth.
The couple had been married for 20 years and raised two sons in their Grosse Pointe home.
The divorce required a 50-50 split of royalties from two albums – “Giving You the Best That I Got” in 1988, and “Rhythm of Love” in 1994, both multi-platinum releases by Elektra Records. The letters also referred to a gold-selling “best of” album released by Rhino Records.
“I want to confine the letter to those two albums that he is entitled to,” Baker told the clearly exasperated judge. “This business is based on relationships. These companies will run from me like the plague if I sign that document.”
Bridgforth had disputed Baker’s accounting claims that, after expenses, his cut of the record sales was only $12,000.
Baker was chastised several times for interrupting the proceedings with requests that she be allowed to speak for herself, under oath, and “fretting” about the possibility that she could end up behind bars.
“I’m being muzzled,” Baker said. “My attorneys agree that I know more about music contracts than they do. But I’m not allowed to talk. I invented my music out of thin air, but they have to talk for me. ‘This little woman can’t talk.’ If I’d invented Ford, they would talk to me.
“If the judge tells me at the end of the day that I have to sign, I’ll comply. But I want her to hear my side. I’m not saying I’m right. I just want to be heard.”
Popke blamed Baker for delaying proceedings for more than a year, and told both her ex-husband’s attorney, Hanley Gurwin, and Detroit music industry expert Howard Hertz to bill Baker for their time during a fruitless day in court Wednesday.
Hertz – an entertainment lawyer whose clients include Eminem, Marilyn Manson, Russell Simmons, Elmore Leonard, George Clinton, and Sippie Wallace among others – had been appointed by Popke to find the information needed to settle the dispute and prepare the release documents that Baker refused to sign.
When Baker returned to court Friday morning, both she and Popke had calmed. The singer was allowed to speak under oath, explaining that the release letters dealt with matters that had not been negotiated in the divorce settlement, and that they might be regarded as the last word in what her ex-husband was owed.
After hearing her out, the judge said, “I think I understand Ms. Baker’s objection,” and ordered Hertz to meet with the singer to negotiate new language for the release of information.
“Before you go into that meeting,” Popke told Baker, “I want you to understand it’s not under the threat of jail or contempt. I am not going to hold you in contempt. I don’t want you to feel coerced.”
When Baker said she only wanted to go home, Popke replied, “I want you to go home too.”
By court order, Hertz’s findings will be withheld from everyone but the court and the lawyers in the case.
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15 Comments
#1. James 05.11.2010
A very tender hearted soul enduring the torment put upon her by others. I thank the Lord for the tender gifts you have shared with those of us who have felt a touch of love in your music. Miss. Anita I pray our Lord will once again lift you up and bless you and those in your heart. May God bless you and keep you,
#2. Kimberley 05.24.2010
Ms. Baker, Walter is obviously upset due to the fact you wanted out of the marriage. Pay him and send him on his way. He desperately wants to get back at you. Get rid of him.
#3. Zenobia 05.25.2010
Ms. Baker you are love by million send him on his way. You will always be love by millions, don’t worry I am your #1 fan and will always be I always buy what ever you are sing May God Bless you and keep you much love to you and your sons
#4. D D 10.14.2010
i knew when i spoke to you in jacobsens years and years ago and you told me with that nasty attitude that i had the wrong person that being rude would catch up to you. from that day to this one i and every member of my family ceased from buying your music and never bought another ticket to see you. remember when you use to fill up the palace!!!!! i saw you last week in our favorite drug store in the village and you were a bit more humbled.maybe with all these experiences you will realize that we i and us pay your bills.
#5. ashley h. 11.19.2010
diz iz for D D, yu really need 2 think about what the hell your saying…be real wi t yourself…miss anita, i love yu soooo much…God bless you.
#6. LJ 12.10.2010
DD that was a really ignorant comment. Ms. Baker has persevered thru the storm. You however are still bitter. Maybe you need to humble yourself and let that grudge go.
#7. S Tat 01.04.2011
Don’t stand in the way of your blesings. Once you get out of this mess your career will skyrocket! Its just another stom.
#8. S Tat 01.04.2011
Its just another storm.
#9. Alesia 02.23.2011
MS. BAKER,
YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO ME. YOUR MUSICAL SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION ARE SECOND TO NONE. YOUR GOD GIVEN GIFT IS MUSC TO MY SOUL. HOLD ON TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND.
MUSICALLY YOURS
ALESIA
#10. Patricia 04.24.2011
Anita, your treatment by that judge was disgusting. Typical of a white female judge in a country cursed by its racism. God will bring true justice and all judges will have to answer to him.
#11. Bryun 06.15.2011
What can I say?
Anita? As a little boy. I had my mother buy me a microphone.. And whenever I’d hear your songs come on the radio.. I’d pretend to be a megastar like you.. Not knowing what you were singing about, I’d pretend to sing along as tho the end was near.. Im 30 years old today.. And I’m married.. I now own and feel EVERY word you sang about in those cds.. I bought (and cherish) ALL of your albums! From “chapter 8″ to “My everything”.. I’ve LOVED you and your music then.. And I love you even more now!! Whenever I get on a plane.. I listen to “priceless” “Lead Me Into Love” “Mystery” “Angel” and “Best Thing Yet”.. Those songs are such an inspiration for me to love my wife all over again.. Flaws and all..
It seems as tho it’s always the pure hearted hardworking ones whom selflessly and unawaringly inspire others, are the ones to be dragged through the dirt and abused in so many undeserving ways.. I’m godly proud to see you’ve SUCCESSFULLY triumphed through this storm.. And know that your biggest fan in the world.. Lays within me..
#12. Ana 06.28.2011
Anita, please keep your head up thru these tough times you have many people on your side. Millions of loving fans like myself. I’m 35 years old and own every piece of music you have ever recorded. You are a true inspiration to us all with that voice and class you exude each time you perform. Looking forward to a new album. Great job on the bet performance with Mary j Blige. It was fabulous to see you on the stage again. You killed it as usual. Much love, Ana.
#13. che 08.03.2011
and oh yeah, dizzy broad had NO prenup
#14. Bizz2K 09.18.2011
@DD, you sound like a bitter old cow. When she said “You’ve got the wrong person”. have you considered what she might have been going through that day,week or month? Then I don’t blame her for saying that. How many pple have walked up to a celebrity in the street or at their door step, identified them and pulled a gun or knife on them? In this dangerous world of envy and madness, you have to be cautious. The woman is small, she would feel vulnerable when someone walked up to her and said “Hey, Anita Baker”. Does she know if you had a .45 in your pocket? Please leave your poison in the sewage. Anita is loved by millions and I pray all this comes to pass and she has a happy peaceful life. She sang some sweet melody in my ears and she is an icon. May God bless you Anita Baker. May you find Love and happiness and don’t worry, the storm will be over. You married for love but, it didn’t work out and you didn’t sign a prenup because you believed in love for life. If you stop by in London for a concert, I will surely buy a ticket (frontrow) just to see you and hear all your classics (LIVE) GBU!
#15. evelyn govaard -ricao 10.13.2011
MRS ANITA BAKER how are you?
I love your song sweet love i can hear that song you would not believe it if possible 20 hrs a day..
Your next vacation you need to visit ARUBA.
All the best and love you.
EVELYN
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