SGN has just learned that Naomi Sego has addressed some of the statements made by former member Kasey Kemp to the Christian Voice Magazine. Sego told CVM that she would issue a full, official public statement regarding her ministry and future plans shortly.
Until that time, Sego addressed the following statements made by Kasey Kemp:
Kemp: “First of all, we DID discuss the possibility with Naomi about purchasing the name WHEN we were part of the group.”
Naomi states: “While nothing was mentioned about a “purchase” of the Sego name, Kasey did ask me about using the name. Permission to use the name was declined, as other Sego singers and family members would not approve.”
Kemp: “She said she would like to talk with her Son, but she didn't have any problems with it.”
Naomi states: “I did speak with my son, and he said, “no.” I never said I didn’t have a problem with it.”
Kemp: “...we obtained and filed the proper papers, which again, she DID know about.”
Naomi states: “This is untrue. I knew nothing of any papers filed until I received the letter from Kasey informing me that he had acquired the Sego name through an LLC, and demanded that I stop using the Sego name, or I would be found guilty of copyright infringement. The letter was not mailed, but found tucked in the back door of my home.”
Kemp: “There was a letter left for Naomi's new manager, Terry Dorsey, stating we had filed for the name as he was trying to relieve us from a weekend we had promised Naomi we would do. This weekend was to fulfill our commitment to her and end our five week notice. Terry did remove us from the weekend so he and former baritone, Scott Spangler, could sing with her in our place.”
Naomi states: “The letter was left at my back door. I retrieved the letter, which was addressed on the envelope to Naomi Sego Reader. Terry Dorsey did not remove anyone. I did. It was solely my decision.”
Kemp: “Again, this letter stating the ownership was given to Terry in hopes we could fulfill our last weekend with Naomi.”
Naomi states: “The letter was tucked in my back door, and addressed to me as Naomi Sego Reader.”
Kemp: “I spoke with Naomi's Son, Carlton Sego, several days ago to inform him of this entire matter and he is perfectly fine with the situation. He understands our original intent, and why we left the note.”
Naomi states: "To say that my son Carlton is 'perfectly fine' with the situation is not entirely true."
In addition, Naomi states that, contrary to what is being told, “While there has been financial stress at times, there has never been a week go by that those boys didn’t get paid while working for me. To say otherwise is completely untrue.”
According to Chistian Voice Magazine, the above statements have been published by CVM with permission from Naomi Sego. CVM honored Naomi’s wishes to publish her statements as approved by her and, at Naomi’s request, they will refrain from issuing further reports or comments regarding this matter until such statement is issued.
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Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 06/02/2008
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Category: News & Scoops
Comments: 22
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I agree Board Watcher! It is ridiculous all the back stabbing, rumors and everything else going on. Don't take this comment the wrong way, but I've known Naomi for several years now and this is the biggest "press" she has gotten in several years. It seems like no one in the industry wanted to help her or the group, but now this has happened and all SG is on her side. Why wasn't people on her side before all this?? I've seen first hand some of the services that the group has booked just to have a date on a love offering and it hasn't been pretty. I don't get it, I'm not taking sides, but this is CRAZY and it is all very unchristian, this has gotten to be a he said she said, this website and that website said, managers and former segos said. Only 2 people know the REAL truth, make that 3 {God} and I don't think he's happy with any of this. I hope non Christians or people that are not sure about SG music reads this mess because it will totally turn them away!
I have a dear friend who is the wife of a former singer for Naomi & the Segos and she holds Naomi Sego Reader in the highest regard. She praised her in the highest possible terms even long after her husband left the group. I know these people very well and I used to see them everyday, as we were neighbors, as a matter of fact I have known her husband since childhood.
I have been with Naomi at social events and you couldn't find a better lady.
If you want to know what someone is really like, ask the wife of a former group member. You won't have to, they will usually volunteer the information, especially if it's adverse. My friend does nothing but sing Naomi's praises.
I can't believe any of this is happening, I am outraged.
Anita Cerce
The Cerces
PO Box 8525
Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.thecerces.com
There is good news for Kasey Kemp today, however.
When I tried to reach him at his home, I just got his answering machine. He was fortunate to not be available to talk with me.
I did not leave a message. I was afraid the answering device might blow up.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
WOW! The talk just keeps on!!! The Love of Christ is just so apparent on here. I love how everyone just loves to keep adding fire to the situation. I'm glad God doesn't talk to us like this after we have messed up!
SGN is only reporting on a story that is being run by another reputable news agency. It is no different than someone running a story using the following byline: According to news reported by: (insert any news agency here -- Singing News, Southern Gospel Reporter, USA Today, CNN, NBC, Fox etc).
It isn't unusual for someone to choose to only speak with one news source. It happens all the time. Mrs. Sego Reader has indicated that she will be issuing a public statement in a few days until then she has chosen to only speak with reporters from Christian Voice Magazine. That is her perogative.
We at SGN have reported both sides of the story as it has been given to us. If anyone else involved in the situation wishes to release a statement they only have to contact us.
As to contacting Terry Dorsey, he has already made a public statement in the comments of the first news release. However, his invovlement has very little to do with the situation being reported.
If he feels that he has been misrepresented in any way then he is free to contact us as is anyone else.
SGN has made no attempt to take sides or to represent one side as being in the right over another side. We have only reported the information as it has been made known to us.
Since CVM was the source of the original story, it only makes sense that Naomi choose them to be the source of adding her words of enlightenment to the story. I don't understand the continued harsh words - now apparently directed at Naomi. I personally know one of her family members and to say she is much loved and respected by them is an understatement. As I stated in an earlier post, if the letter had not been left in the first place(and now apparently at her own home), none of these words would have appeared on this website. Proverbs says "even a fool is thought wise if he keeps his mouth shut." And someone else said something to the effect that if you remain silent, you can never be misquoted. So it appears leaving the letter did much harm. God Bless Naomi.
One thing I can say about the SG family, when one of our own gets attacked in anyway we will stand up for them. Mrs. Naomi Sego Reader has refuted some if not most of what was said to have happened, I for one believe her. In all of the years I have known her, and have known what a wonderful Christian witness she has been, I have no reason not to believe what she has said.
Anita Cerce
The Cerces
PO Box 8525
Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.thecerces.com
In all the times I've encountered Naomi, she has been nothing but a class act. This lady has the respect of the singers and promoters surrounding her and has had that respect for nearly 50 years. Any accusations against her I believe are absurd.
I'd like to respond to the comments Steven and Board Watcher made publicly about me, in regard to this matter. Please consider the following:
1. Steven, I do think you misread (or misunderstood) me. The secular world demands accountibility. Handle someone improperly, and you may very well wind up in court to give account for yourself in the secular world. So, people are more careful in those areas. But, in the Christian world, an innocent party trying to defend their actions is often criticized and attacked by other Christians for not "turning the other cheek" (even though Jesus' words are not properly used in context in this situation), and so they often allow others to take wrongful advantage of them, so as not to make a scene or create a scandal.
Unfortunately, people sometimes take advantage of others, knowing those taken advantage of are not likely to create the scene necessaary to "set the record straight". It is almost a form of blackmail. Be taken advantage of, or be embarrassed in the process of setting the record straight.
But, Scripture says we shall all give an account before God one day. In the meantime, God has allowed for there to be overseers, church leaders and concerned Christians to demand some accountibility now - here on earth - before the time when we will all untimately be held accountible to God for our actions. We Christians have an obligation to defend those being taken advantage of, in my opinion.
The writer of Hebrews said we are to provoke one another to good works. (Hebrews 10:24) I was just trying to reach Kasey to provoke him a little. And - to let him know that some of us expect accountibility for their actions.
2. Board Watcher has suggested that I may not have my facts straight. Please consider this:
On May 21st, Kasey sent out a newsletter that morning that says that he and Judson had resigned 5 weeks earlier. That puts their resignation on or about April 16th.
Earlier today, Kasey made the following statement to SGN for publication: "However, when it became necessary for us to leave the group because of financial stress, we started the dissolution of the LLC."
However, if you will click on the following link
http://www.southerngospelreporter.com/segospublicrecord
you will find a copy of the actual papers signed by Judson and Kasey on April 28th TO FORM THE LLC CORPORATION, 2 weeks AFTER Kasey says they resigned - and therefore, 2 weeks AFTER he says they sought to dissolve the newly-formed corporation.
3. In a court room, by the laws and practices of our land, a person's credibility is usually shattered when they make a misstatement of fact.
As Anita has said, Naomi is a friend of hers, and she has been with her at private social events. She is an extremely close friend of one of Anita's very close friends, and her reputation for honesty has always been held in the highest regard by the Christian community. The two sides are saying stories that are diametrically opposed to each other. One side has been shown to make a gross misstatement of fact. The other side, Naomi's side of the story, has a lifetime of credibility behind her - to her credit.
4. I reject that we, as Christians, are to just stand idly by and mind our own business, when a woman of God is being attacked in this manner. How can anyone possibly justify incorporating the name a woman of God has used for 50 years, and then delivering a letter to her that tells her she can no longer use it?
Is she making that up? She evidently can produce the letter. What a smoking gun!
Also - we have a copy of the documents to form the corporation, filed and signed at a time other than the time reported by Kasey. Also remember - his defense is that he put this into motion BEFORE he resigned - while his own testimony shows it was signed 2 weeks after the time he publicly reported as the time he resigned. How can there not be some misstatement of fact in the defense he offers?
Naomi has cetgorically denied that Kasey's accounting of the facts is true - by going on the record with a reputable source. I cannot help but believe her. The other side of the story has misstatements of material facts - facts that were offered as a defense of the "misunderstanding". However, the true timeline adds up to something completely different to me, as the corporation was formed 2 weeks AFTER the resignation.
And, I will not allow ANYONE to tell me I am being unChristianlike, as I come to her defense. It is absolutely the Christian thing to do.
And, I have my facts straight - by Kasey's own testimony.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Why can't Naomi fight her own battles? Gosh, this is the most i've heard from the group in years.
Cliff,
Dead on Board Watcher! My wife and I were saying the same thing!
Let me set one thing straight. I'm friends with both parties. I am NOT or WILL NOT cast judgment on either party. I do not know the whole truth. My comments have been strictly to say "Something aint right somewhere" The name calling, rude comments and judging really need to stop! Both parties would benefit a lot more if people would talk to God instead of other people on these message boards! So, this will be my last post on this subject.
It is interesting that some people write in and chastise others for supporting Naomi and slip in their own critical or hurtful statement and then add a thinly veiled spiritual disguise to make it sound like they are the spiritual giants in this matter. I believe that most people who have known and loved Naomi for 50 or more years are running to her support because she is a wonderful, Godly woman in our industry and she has been hurt. I believe that is a spiritual and Godly action and I'm proud of everyone who has written in support of Naomi. God Bless You all.
Copyright infringement? Wrong word. You can't copyright a name. Trademark is the correct word.
i have listen to naomis music all my entire life and have seen her in concert numerous times and the lady is one of the finest christans i have ever met i do not see where they get the name belongs to them now. it has been attached to naomi for over 50 years it makes me sad and confused as to why someone who call themseleves christians would do this i do not understand she opened her home to them as a matter of fact they did at one point live with her i live right down the road from where she was raised south georgia gospel fans love and support sis. naomi
I will lend my support in behalf of Naomi and the Sego Brothers & Naomi Heritage. Someone using the name Sego
I am standing in support of Naomi!!. The Sego
Unbelievable! Naomi, who is a Southern Gospel icon, doesn't deserve any of this. I had the priviledge to sing with them last summer and she was every bit of the Christian woman that I imagined. Judson was brand new with them. My prayers go out to Naomi for I know she must be tremendously hurt being told not to use the name she's used for over 50 years! I hope this is not true and just a misunderstanding on everyones part.
JT. It would appear to me that Naomi is indeed fighting her own battle. I'm curious as to where you find she isn't. I know the parties involved. The one that was with Naomi the longest of the two told me as well that she had given him rights to her name after she would retire. I myself have been taken by him. Lost money to him. He won't return my calls about the issue. So I have no problem believing what has happened here. It's sad. But I'm not surprised. That said, I think all parties involved need our prayers for various reasons.
There are reasons why Naomi should not have to "fight her own battles". Naomi Sego is more than a gospel singer of many years. She is a christian widow. And in Bible days, and also in many cultures today, the widows are respected and taken care of by the younger generation. Naomi is also an elder. In some other countries and cultures, the elderly are taken care of, and respected by the younger people.
I just cannot remain silent. First of Naomi Sego is and will always be a SEGO. I had the pleasure to play for the Sego's back in the late 70's for a brief period. I KNOW her heart and I also know she is one of our jewels of the gospel.
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