CMT Crossroads – Me & Natalie Cole

I was daydreaming when a major revelation hit me today. If I’m ever invited to be on CMT Crossroads, I would be honored to share the stage with Natalie Cole. We could do “Unforgettable” as a duet, share lines from “Pink Cadillac” and get into a scatting war on “Paper Moon.” Why was I was I thinking about this? Well…2 main reasons. My iPod needed a serious musical facelift. I started going through my cabinet of CD’s only to realize that I’d never put most them into iTunes. I came across my favorite Natalie Cole record of all time, “Unforgettable with Love.” It was literally too worn out to copy into iTunes. I’m sure you can guess what I grew up listening to.

Plus, I was fortunate enough to be in the audience for the taping of Martina McBride & Train’s episode of Crossroads last Saturday (airing November 20) as well as Joss Stone & LeAnn Rimes episode. It’s truly a brilliant show. Occasionally the guest artist sings the begeebees out of the host artists material – not going to name names – but that’s enjoyable too!

I’ve got a few friends at CMT. Hopefully they’re reading this. Yep, put Natalie up on the top shelf, she’s all mine! It's a crazy dream. I know.

Love Confusion (Part 2)

If you read my last post (Love Confusion - Part 1) then you know about this techno music conundrum I’ve been in for the last 2+ years. Obviously, I had to get an attorney & it all boils down to 4 major issues:

1. They took my picture off of myspace & marketed the song using my name and likeness. Without my permission, of course.
2. I was paid to sing a demo & never signed any documentation to authorize the use or release of my voice commercially. I never got royalties from sales or any further compensation. 
3. I’m just going to put it out there: “Like a virgin knows, I take off my clothes.” Sick. The words could not be more distasteful & I was laughing while recording the demo. Damaging to my reputation? I think so.
4. I contributed to the lyric & melodic structure of the song. Thus, I’m a co-writer. Not that I care to take credit for my creative input, but it is what it is.

Here’s where it really gets fun: Thanks to the lack of intellectual property protection or any protection of the creative arts for that matter, my only legitimate legal claim had to fall under “Name & Likeness.” The DJ & his record label Ctrl-Ced my picture and used my name & likeness to sell the song. We filed a lawsuit last February & basically nothing substantial has happened. The DJ filed a motion to dismiss my claim. A judge overruled his motion. That’s it. You’d think that we’d be able to go after this crook with vengeance but now it’s just a waiting game. As to how long I’ll be waiting…who knows.

In the meantime, people around the world can still download "Love Confusion" & twirl their glow sticks around in clubs to its infectious melody. There’s a part of me that can only hope it will eventually help my career – international exposure, crossover audience, etc. At this point, that’s probably a stretch. My attorney tells me to “be patient,” cases like this “just take time.” I’ll be sure to update on the progress of the legal proceedings…but it might be awhile.

Moral of the story: Be careful who you work with & don’t count on the legal system to make it all better!