UPDATE, September 16, 2008: "GOP gets no love from musicians"
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Jackson Browne is horrified that his 1977 song, "Running on Empty," was used in a John McCain campaign spot.
LOS ANGELES -- Jackson Browne doesn't want John McCain running on anything fueled by his lyrics.
The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of using his song "Running on Empty" without his permission.
The lawsuit claims the song's use was an infringement of his copyright and will lead people to conclude he endorses McCain. The suit says Browne is a lifelong liberal who is as well-known for his music as for being "an advocate for social and environmental justice."
The advertisement mocks Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's contention that if U.S. drivers got regular tuneups and drove on properly inflated tires, they could save the same amount of oil that would be gained by offshore drilling. According to the suit, "Running on Empty" plays in the background of the ad criticizing the remarks.
Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, said the ad was pulled when Browne objected. He called the lawsuit a "big to-do about nothing."
McCain spokesman Brian Rogers disavowed the ad, saying it wasn't a product of the Republican presidential candidate's campaign.
Browne's lawsuit contends the Ohio Republican party released the ad on behalf of McCain and the RNC. The RNC did not return a phone call seeking comment.
The suit notes that other musicians, including ABBA and John Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.
Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser, called the ad's use of the song "reprehensible."
"Reprehensible"?
That's a bit dramatic.
The ad was pulled. It's not like Browne is suing to get the Ohio Republican party to stop running the ad.
This seems like a publicity stunt.
If the ad in question didn't end with McCain saying that he approved the message, then Browne shouldn't be suing McCain.
I suppose suing the Ohio Republican party wouldn't grab headlines.
What a coincidence!
Brown is releasing his first album of new material in six years and going on tour.
Since his acclaimed 1972 self-titled debut album, Jackson Browne has defined a genre of songwriting and performing that is charged with honesty, emotion and personal politics.
Yeah, you have to love the honesty, emotion, and personal politics in Browne's songwriting and performing.
There's nothing like an entertainer who thinks he's a foreign and domestic policy genius and feels compelled to preach.
Actually, Browne should be grateful that his song was used in the ad. It gave him an opportunity to get some press. Instead of suing McCain, he should be paying him.
2 comments:
Artists don't seem to have a problem when left-wing liberals use their music without permission. I'm not sure McCain has to get permission to play Browne's music. He may have to pay royalties to Browne's record company. Radio stations don't have to get permission from Browne to play his music. I really doubt McCain does.
Right. They're honored when the libs use their stuff.
What's so silly is that the Ohio Republican Party pulled the ad.
Browne needs to get a grip.
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