by: A. Tyler Settle
The 10,000 Maniacs have just taken care of a nearly decade-old debt.
Anxiously awaiting his due for all these years is the band's former owner, Andrew W. Goodell. Yes, that's Andrew W. Goodell, Chautauqua County executive.
One upon a time, the band did not make good on their full fee to the business law attorney. In 1985, Goodell was the attorney who facilitated the incorporation of the band, and as part of what was a nominal fee, he asked for a cassette tape of one of their early albums.
As a bonus, a sort of late-fee payment, at last night's 10,000 Maniacs concert at Chautauqua Institution, the band presented a platinum copy of their smash-hit album, Our Time In Eden to Goodell as a gift to the county. The album will take a place of honor in the county office building in Mayville.
Back in the mid-'80s, when the Maniacs were performing in local taverns, their audiences were familiar with their work, but recognition of their talent had yet to be unleashed internationally. And in those days, Goodell had not yet taken his place in the political arena. The now high-profile politician was practicing business law and working only part time as an attorney with the county.
Because Goodell was the incorporator of the band, he became the owner. "In the legal respect, I was the original owner of the 10,000 Maniacs," he beamed.
On paper the band is 10,000 Maniacs, Ltd., "limited like there were 10,000 maniacs and that's it," Goodell laughed. Goodell owned the now world-famous band for a few days because incorporators are owners until a shareholders meeting can he held and then the stockholders take over.
Once that was taken care of, it was time to bill the band. Goodell charged a nominal fee because the band was young and struggling, but asked for an autographed copy of their soon-to-be-released second album.
"Well, things got busy, and it slipped their minds," Goodell' said. At the Maniac's benefit concert for the Reg Lenna Civic this spring, Goodell reminded Dennis Drew, keyboardist, of the debt. "I reminded him that their legal fee had not yet been paid in fall," Goodell said.
Earlier this week, Drew called the county executive's office and reported the band's plans to give the county the platinum album. "I am really, really pleased and honored to accept the album on behalf of the county because I think everyone in this county is proud of them," Goodell said. "But I was really looking for something I could play on my record player at home."