Tim McGraw-Curb Records Trial Postponed

The saga continues between Tim McGraw and his former label Curb Records. Yesterday, a Nashville court granted Curb’s request to postpone their trial, which focuses on whether or not McGraw has fulfilled his contractual obligations to the label, until it can examine the circumstances around McGraw’s recently announced recordings.

In November 2011, Curb Records was denied a preliminary injunction that would stop McGraw from signing with another record label until after their case was decided. Jump ahead six months later: McGraw announced that not only was he signing with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records, but he had already recorded 20 sides for his new label.

According to Billboard, Curb maintains that its contract with McGraw has not ended and that it still owns McGraw’s new music. By postponing the trial, the label will have time to investigate when McGraw’s new recordings were made, in order to determine if they are a breach of contract.

McGraw’s publicist released the following statement:

“Tim McGraw and his counsel have received several requests for comment concerning a recent press release issued by Curb Records regarding the lawsuit between Tim McGraw and Curb Records. Rule 3.6 of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct makes clear that it is not proper for attorneys to make such out-of-court statements that will be disseminated to the public. It is proper, however, for Mr. McGraw and his counsel to clarify the record in light of Curb’s press release. The Court’s only ruling was to postpone, at the request of Curb, the trial as to damages claimed by Mr. McGraw and by Curb. There was no ruling about anything else, and specifically there was no ruling regarding the substance of either party’s claims in the lawsuit. The Court’s ruling did not affect, in any way, Mr. McGraw’s relationship with Big Machine Records.The Court’s Order on the postponement and its prior ruling issued on December 8, 2011 are public documents and are available on the web site of the Davidson County Chancery Court Clerk. Mr. McGraw and his counsel believe that the rulings speak for themselves, and that it is not proper for either of the parties to issue a press release regarding these matters.”

The Court of Appeals has stated that they will hear the appeal of the November ruling “soon,” but has not given an exact date yet.