'I should have a say in his future' — mother fighting to stop singer son Brendan MacFarlane moving to Los Angeles
A distraught Perth mother is fighting to stop her 14-year-old son from moving to America to ''follow his dream''.
Angela with a Courier report of her son's brush with stardom.
- By Kirsten Johnson
- Published in the Courier : 15.02.12
- Published online : 15.02.12 @ 11.21am
Angela MacFarlane has called for greater parental rights after finding out second-hand that her son Brendan hopes to move to Los Angeles to pursue his singing career.
The Perth Grammar pupil, who lives with his father, George MacFarlane, has been performing since he was at nursery school. He was rocketed to global stardom last year after a YouTube video of one of his renditions went viral and has now recorded his first full album, The Road.
Mrs MacFarlane (33) revealed she only recently discovered the teenager had been signed by high-profile US talent scout Lee Q O'Denat. Mr O'Denat owns the famous World Star Agency but also runs a successful adult entertainment business, World Star Candy.
Though the young gospel singer will have no direct involvement with the latter venture, his mother is concerned he might come into contact with ''unsavoury'' characters.
A civil case will call at Perth Sheriff Court later this month, where Mrs Macfarlane will push for an order to prevent her ex-husband from taking Brendan out of the country without her permission. Mr MacFarlane (43) has a residence order.
Mrs MacFarlane told The Courier: ''It's so sad it has had to come to this — but I will not sit back and watch my son being taken advantage of. I know what I'm saying may not be what he wants to hear right now but I want the best for him.
''He is only 14 years old and although he's a smart boy, he needs people by his side to ensure he makes the right decisions. I don't want a penny of his earnings — I want to secure his future and help him follow his dreams.
Mrs MacFarlane added: ''He has such an incredible, beautiful talent, which should definitely be made the most of — but only by the right people.
''I just don't want him around these sorts of people, it makes me so angry. I should have a say in his future, I'm his mother — I deserve greater rights.''
Offers from Disney and Universal have reportedly been turned down by Brendan's management — but Mrs MacFarlane feels they would be ''far more appropriate''.
She says is also ''increasingly concerned'' about the amount of school the S3 pupil has been missing.
She said: ''He was in LA the last time for more than three months and I'm not sure if he got much, if any, tutoring.''
Mrs MacFarlane, who lives in Letham with daughter Georgia (16), added: ''I'm so proud of everything he has achieved.''
Speaking on behalf of Mr MacFarlane, Brendan's manager Gordon Scott said: ''Everything that has been done is for Brendan. Moving out to the States would help his career greatly as there is a real market for the music he makes — gospel and bluegrass — and there are so many brilliant people he could work with.''
Mr Scott said he had been home-schooling the teenager during their trip.
He said Brendan is sacking Multi Talent Agency, part of the World Star Agency group, adding: ''Mr O'Denat is a silent partner and when we signed with the agency we were unaware of his background.''
03.21pm - 15.02.2012 Graham Bennison - Near Cupar, UK Report This
LA is like most big cities it has its good and bad parts, this goes for folk in the music industry too. Just as in Tayside and UK generally schools are also variable. However, as regards the music industry (especially folk/blue grass) there is probably nowhere better to develop and get ahead.
03.32pm - 15.02.2012 Lucia - Montrose, UK Report This
I have a friend from LA - it has both good and bad parts. His mother should let him pursue his dreams - it's a once in a lifetime thing. I hope the boy's father can take his son abroad.
07.25pm - 15.02.2012 Mark - Chicago, USA Report This
I think though the mother seems to be wanting to do what she says her heart tells her that's best for her son I think she's doing more harm than good at this point because its been affecting his career and holding him back plus causing him pain inside and hurting her son and that's wrong ma'am
08.57pm - 15.02.2012 Michelle Parker - NY , USA Report This
The Mother should be aloud to be involved in all aspects of her sons life not just his career what is wrong with her being involved.
11.21pm - 15.02.2012 linda - perth, perthshire Report This
No parent should have their kid near people involved with pornography at his age, no matter tenuous the link. Mrs MacFarlane has every right to be concerned.
11.29pm - 15.02.2012 nicola - perth, scotland Report This
lucia, you should consider the article at hand... which states his mother does want his talent to go to great use... and pursue his dream. She wants to be involved in his life and not gain from his music
09.09am - 16.02.2012 sarah - perth, uk Report This
I agree strongly with Angela on this one! After hearing about his 'silent partner' id be even more concerned! You keep fighting girl, cos any mother who loves their child, would do exactly the same! I dont think your asking to much to be kept in the picture about your sons career! your his mother!!
02.06pm - 17.02.2012 Lucy:-) - Perth , Scotland Report This
I am 100% with Angie on this. Angie is such a caring and lovely person and wouldn't do anything to hurt anybody. She is concerned, as she should be and should be involved with her son's life as much as she would like. She wants the best for him! Keep it up, Angie, you're doing the right thing :-)
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