Black Crowes Sue Gretchen Wilson For Copyright Infringement

Sadly, it was just the one member of Def Leppard (guitarist Phil Collen). And to be honest, I only really “sat down” on my couch while Phil walked down the street in London and talked on his cell phone. Oh, the glamor of music journalism!

… and as always, thanks for the publicity.

It’s no mystery as to why any artist from other genres would want to break into Country. It’s got a radio format with over 2,000 stations that keep hit songs on the air for 4-6 months at a time, video channels that seem to actually play music videos. The fans follow their artists all around the country and are loyal as hell. Country fans have not moved towards a digital music marketplace at the same rate as pop, rock, or hip-hop fans, so there’s less fear of sales cannibalization. Big box retail still supports Country releases.

Anyone listening to those massive-selling Shania Twain records knows those records are just Def Leppard albums with lyrics from a female perspective. One has to wonder if Shania’s recording career will have a completely different future if she now no longer works with Mutt Lange in the studio… but we all know how well it worked for the past 13 or so years. My only question is what took these outsiders so long to catch on to these trends?

I think Gretchen and John Rich are going to have to share the royalties of that song with the Black Crowes. It’s as simple as that. The melodies are very similar indeed.

As for Adam Gregory, it looks like Midas realizes that they can’t afford to back their artists completely so they do try to find ways to get their artists more exposure. It seems to me that they partnered with Montage Music to distribute and promote Emerson Drive. I do wonder though if Em Drive won’t be getting promoted by Big Machine now too. It makes sense considering Scott Borchetta worked their stuff at DreamWorks.

Derrick,

Which is why the Crowes will likely be added to the song publishing. That would be the best way to make this all go away for both parties.

Matt B. is correct. Gretchen needs to open the checkbook and let the Robinson brothers in. The melody on the verses is identical.

I can’t think of any examples, but the melody sounds similar to quite a few songs I’ve heard. There’s only so many ways you can do a 12-bar blues pattern.

Thanks for the mention! This must be the day for plugging regular readers… Country Universe, Alison, Chris, Squinty Dan, Roughstock, me…

Ah, that’s disappointing! I was hoping to get his stuff that way, since I’m not completely sold, though I think there’s potential for me to like his non-radio stuff. I really like his voice and his Three Days album that I already have. I just haven’t liked the stuff that he’s released to radio, not even “Wave On Wave” or “Dixie Lullaby.”

John’s right; y’all are totally spreading the love today. Thanks!

Imagine the possibilities of Justin Timberlake in country. Gee thanks. I really didn’t want to eat lunch today anyway.

Rick – Don’t forget, Taylor covers Eminem in concert. I believe “Lose Yourself” is the song of choice. I think she sticks with the “talky” style because it suits her voice (as in she can’t sing). Smart.

I agree about Taylor Swifts phrasing. Its interesting that you mention Eminem out of all rappers…I saw her live and did his “Lose Yourself”…I enjoyed that more than her own songs she sang.

I would like to go see James, and maybe stay for Trace, but mosey on out ahead of traffic when Alan comes on.

I have a theory that the influence of hip-hop on all other forms of pop music has been more total than people think. As I’ve said in this space, Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” is not too far off from a hip-hop cadence. See also Marcel, who was way ahead of the game when he wrote “Nothin’ to Lose” five years ago.

I don’t necessarily think that the MUSICAL influences of Hip Hop are a bad thing in country. However, the dated lingo-steal HAS to go. Toby Keith reminds me of that episode of Blossom when the dad goes “the kids still say awesome, right” and Six replies “we’re stopping now.”

Yes, by the way, I was raised by television. In a barn by wolves and television.

re: growing up on tv — last night something was on tv (a movie – i forget what) and i said “that’s marcus welby!” and my daughter said “who?”

:-)

That’s funny timing, as I interviewed Jenna Von Oy last week. I never watched ‘Blossom,’ so perhaps it wasn’t as disorienting for me as it could have been.

Leeann, that’s so funny because Blossom was the one show my Dad forbade us to watch. (And this was the age of 90210 and Melrose Place.) He thought it was so risque. But I think he really hated how dumb and corny the dad was (see evidence above).

I heard she was going to put out a country album about 7 or 8 years ago (I was still in Oregon). I cringed when she said she didn’t want to do anything too country but more like Tim McGraw. But then again the song that turned her on to country was The Song Remembers When.

Midas Records just announced the firing of all of their promotional staff and the ending of their distribution partnership with New Revolution. They already have farmed Adam to Big Machine and Montage Music helped promote/distribute Emerson Drive’s last record. Wonder who will promote and distribute it now?