newlaws080108.bar
On the homepage
Afghanistan
Out There
Thanksgiving
Reusse's Turkey
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
Accept no substitutes when it comes to music
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from State Politics
Rep. Joe Atkins was miffed last year when he thought about buying tickets to a concert featuring several rock 'n' roll bands from the 1950s.
"It turned out to be a bunch of fakes," he said.
So Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, renewed his fight for the Truth in Music Advertising Act, which eventually passed and takes effect today. The law makes it illegal for a performing group to be represented as the original recording group unless it has at least one original member or legal permission to use the name. The law excludes so-called tribute bands.
Backers said the law is an attempt to stop an increasing music industry phenomenon, particularly with bands from the early days of rock 'n' roll now 50 years old and many of the original members are either deceased or no longer performing.
Atkins said that some groups, trying to make it appear they include original members, simply put elderly musicians on stage. "They don't even mike him up," he said. "They give him a mike, but they don't plug it in."
Atkins pushed his legislation with the help of Jon (Bowzer) Bauman, a former member of Sha Na Na, the rock 'n' roll nostalgia band, who testified at the Legislature the past two years.
MIKE KASZUBA
Recent State Politics stories
Robert Pohlad will host Joe Biden next week - July 31, 2008
Robert Pohlad will host Joe Biden next week - Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the Twin Cities next week for a fundraising dinner at the home of Robert Pohlad, son of the late Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad. More
- Cash-back offers trick consumers
- Effort builds to repeal nuclear power ban
- Legislators take a field trip to the Metrodome
- Pawlenty's lawyer defends cuts to nutrition program
- Backed by House, 6 patients sue Pawlenty, state officials
- Library is pressed to take gang force report off Web
- Quam exits firm to help husband run for governor
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
  1000s of HomesListings, open houses, the hottest market news. Start and end your search for a new home here. |
Win tickets to The Midnight Movie Society's screening of "Clue" at Red Stag Supperclub.Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh present the first meeting of The Midnight Movie Society at Red Stag Supperclub on Dec. 4, with drinking, dancing and a midnight screening of cult-classic film, "Clue." |
Comment on this story | Read all 12 comments | Hide reader comments