Record Industry Gossip Is No Basis for a Story

Chuck Philips has apparently run out of “real” issues to write about [“Exec Defends Wife’s Role at EMI,” Nov. 20].

Pestering Ken Berry with gossip and innuendo concerning his wife, Nancy, and her new position at Virgin Records shows a sad desperation on Mr. Philips’ part. Nancy Berry has been with Virgin for almost 20 years, and she has earned her new position through loyalty, dedication and hard work.

Ken Berry is an intelligent man and knew exactly what he was doing when he appointed her vice chairman of Virgin Records. She is a very unique and creative individual, who works diligently to uphold Virgin’s long-standing reputation as an artistically trendsetting label.

As an artist on Virgin/Underground Media Records, I would have been happy to give Mr. Philips some insight on my particular label-artist relationship with Nancy Berry. Despite the decidedly “left-of-center” nature of my project, she was the one record company executive in Los Angeles who had the guts to put it out. I may not be selling many CDs, but she treats my project with the same dedication that she has for the new Rolling Stones or Janet Jackson album.

From what I gather, it appears that most of the criticism directed at her seems born out of petty jealously and unsubstantiated gossip--perhaps from members of the “good ol’ boy network” of male executives that wish they had her job.

Nancy Berry is a dignified woman, and her character deserves better treatment than this. She is a positive and nurturing influence on all of Virgin Records’ artists, and she is a tenacious and dedicated professional.

JEFFREY LILES

Dallas

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Nancy Berry is no different from anybody else in the entertainment business. She has used her contacts to make a career for herself. She is part of one of the most successful labels in the music business and plays a role that is not understood by the likes of Forbes magazine and apparently Company Town as well. The fact that you felt the need to talk about her sex life and fashion choices is absurd. What she wears and who she sleeps with has little to do with the success or failure of EMI.

This is just trashy innuendo, [and] I’m surprised The Times felt the need to report on it. If she is a baby sitter to rock stars, more power to her. It sounds like sour grapes to me.

OLIVER WILSON

Echo Park