Scam Artists Assault Club Owners With False Promises Of Tone Loc and Dio

Tone Loc isn’t just a man of his word–he’s a man of others’ words, too. After learning that two Michigan club owners were duped out of $1,400 by a scam artist claiming to be his booking agent, Tone has offered to play both engagements for his regular fee, which might–or might not–be a little more than that. “We are so thrilled,” Red Dog owner Patty McMillan told the Detroit Free Press, “anyone you talk to age 20 to 60 knows his songs.” Yeah, both of them! Sadly, it looks like Loc’s false prophet is not alone in his trade.

Pollstar has revealed that someone is claiming to represent Ronnie James Dio, submitting riders and taking advances only to disappear after failing to provide an “up close and personal” performance from rock’s very own Gollum.

A Texas charity organizer and an Alabama concert promoter foiled an alleged scam artist who has been promising nationally touring acts at bargain-basement prices for nearly two years. This time, the imposter claimed to represent Ronnie James Dio twice in one week.

Mat Raymond, an independent promoter from Birmingham, Ala., said he was contacted via e-mail March 10th by “Tom Peterson/ Ronnie James Dio Management.”

An artist rider supplied by Peterson appeared to be legit and a follow-up e-mail suggested a June club date. But Raymond suspected something was up. Further research and a conversation with Harlacher confirmed Raymond’s suspicions. Dio isn’t touring North America this year and will be in Europe in June.

When Raymond tried to contact Peterson by e-mail again, he got no response. “[Peterson] didn’t realize he was dealing with somone who’s in touch with the business,” Raymond said. “But I can see how certain people could easily be taken advantage of because they just don’t know how to connect the dots.”

Other disingenuous booking agents have succeeded in taking advances in the names of Axl Rose, Alice In Chains, Bret Michaels, David Lee Roth, Great White, Jani Lane and “Weird Al” Yankovic. I wonder if “Weird Al” would play my apartment if I let myself get swindled!

Dio Scammer Double-Foiled [Pollstar] This time, rapper coming for real [Detroit Free Press]