MUSIC NEWS: TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016
PAUL BRANDT - KENNEY SONG USE
Alberta country music star Paul Brandt says he wants to see more of Tory leadership candidate Jason Kenney's policies after the politician used his well-known song ``Alberta Bound'' without asking the singer first.
The song was played as Kenney was introduced last week for his leadership announcement.
Brandt says no one from the Kenney campaign reached out to him asking if they could use the song.
Politicians don't have to get artists permission to use their music at campaign events, as long as the venue has a licence from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, or SOCAN.
An official from the Kenney camp said they have every reason to believe the song use was handled appropriately, as the venue has a licence.
Brandt said he also looks at someone using his music for a cause as a compliment.
(CFFR)
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JOE PERRY - HOSPITALIZED
Joe Perry is said to be ``doing well'' after being taken to a hospital last night. The guitarist for Aerosmith walked off the stage at a performance in New York _ and headed to a hospital for tests. An official with Coney Island Hospital confirms Perry was tested there _ but didn't provide details. A rep for the group says he's fine and resting _ and appreciates the good wishes.
Perry was performing with the group Hollywood Vampires, which also featured Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper. Joe Perry is 65.
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TAYLOR SWIFT - FORBES LIST
Taylor Swift is the tops when it comes to getting paid. She tops the annual Forbes list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities _ with 170-million dollars. Her performance at the bank dwarfs that of other musicians. Adele checks in at No. 9 on the list with 80.5-million, Rihanna with 75-million and Katy Perry at 63 with 41-million.
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HIP-HOP AWARDS - SHOOTINGS
They were there to give props to hip-hop. But some of the artists who attended an event last night in New York also spoke about the need for people to come together to squash the racial strife in this country. Leanne 'Lelee' Lyons of S-W-V says the events of the past week mean ``we've got a lot of cleaning up to do.'' Fellow S-W-V singer Cheryl 'Coko' Gamble agrees _ and it says it will take both blacks and whites to accomplish the goal together.
She says it the solution is a simple one: ``We have to unite. Stop promoting hate and let's promote love.''
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B.B. KING - LAWSUIT
Any photographer would be thrilled to have nice photos of B.B. King _ and have them used on his albums. But, to borrow a line from one of the late blues artist's hits, the thrill would be gone _ if those images were used without permission. And that's what a New York photographer is claiming. Glen Craig has filed suit against King's estate and Universal Music Group for copyright infringement. Craig says his photos of King have been used on his albums for more than 40 years _ and he hasn't been paid. He's seeking damages and a jury trial.
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``I CAN'T BREATHE'' - SONG LYRIC
It became known as the dying words of a New York man who died after being put in a chokehold by police. And now, the words ``I can't breathe'' have become part of the lyrics of a new song. The song is being released by the siblings of Eric Garner _ on the second anniversary of his death. Garner repeated the words ``I can't breathe'' almost a dozen times as police pinned him down on a New York street where he was accused of illegally selling loose cigarettes. The song is currently streaming on SoundCloud and will be available from iTunes and other digital outlets.
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(The Associated Press)
