''I've never seen anything like it," comments Coury, looking over a stack of letters from college students, doctors, lawyers and such as Dale Dingman,g eneral manager of Mile Hi One-Stopin Denver.
The campaign first came to light Oct 17 at Tommy Thomas' Palomino nightclub in Los Angeles. Stewart,during his show that night, asked everyone to write Coury, saying that Coury ''can't seem to make up his mind about signing me to the label."
Contacted this week at home, Stewart says that he'd thought long and hard about the campaign before launching it... ''before putting my ass on the line.''
He'd talked to a lot of labels before writing Coury,noting: ''I am determined to be on RSO. The troops are massing, the campaign is underway. I know that only you can make up your mind, but I'm determined to give you all the proof and material to realize that Ican be an important asset to RSO, that I am an artist and writer of quality who can succeed with your direction and help."
Stewart admits to some irritation with most labels, pointing out that he has been with Warner Bros, Capitol and RCA "where they put out 40 albums and hope for the best." Coury, he believes, will give him concentrated attention (the label has about 14 acts including the BeeGees and EricClapton).
He was not exactly happy with the state of the industry. "The record company someday will have to realize that there are acts that can sustain a career for years and can sustain a valid record career as well without hype. Look at Charlie Rich; it took him a long time to really reach the top."
Then he mentions that artists like Rick Nelson and Phil Everly are currently without recording contracts and that record companies instinctively feel that some artists have passed their peak in the business and they'd rather take a chance with some totally new act.
The letters that Coury received ran like this: ChristinaClark, Hollywood: "... practically everyone I know is waiting for a new album from him.'' Dr.and Mrs R I Kock, DDS: ''We caught Stewart at the Boarding House in San Francisco and the roof just about got lifted off by the electricity of his performance." Henry Scott, California Institute of theArts, Valencia: ''I feel strongly that John Stewart represents oneof the most legitimate, powerful and mportant forces in music today.''
Peter O'Brien, Surrey, England: ''It is a staggering indictment of the music industry that Stewart should be fighting for his recording life. Genius is not a word I would use lightly,but there is no doubt at all in my own mind that Stewart is a genius." DaleKingman, general manager, Mile Hi One-Stop, Denver: "I just recently found out that he has been dropped by RCA Records and is looking for a label. In my estimation, John is one of the few performing artists who can continually sellout clubs such as Ebbets Field as well as showing a continuous ability to sell product. Without knowing what the national sales picture is, I would have to say that for this market, John is one of our stronger selling artists.''
Coury says the letters are still coming in. "And the record buyer at Peaches in Denver called up to say Stewart is selling 100 albums a month. I never in my life wrote a letter in response to something that I liked. It amazes me that all of these people took the timetodo this.''
Coury was at Capitol when Stewart was on the label. "I've always been a fan of his, but his new songs have much broader appeal. He wants to be with us because he thinks we can turn him into a superstar. Wecan."
Stewart wryly reflects: "What if they hadn't written?"