Campaign music dustup: Isaac Hayes’ family sues, Celine Dion speaks out

[JACK AYLMER]

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S RECENT RALLY IN MONTANA ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS AS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE LOOKS TO HIT THE RIGHT NOTE WITH VOTERS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY.

BUT TRUMP AND HIS CAMPAIGN ARE STRIKING THE WRONG CHORD WITH SOME THANKS TO THE MUSIC THAT WAS PLAYED AT THE EVENT.

ONE OF THOSE NOT SINGING THE PRAISES OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT — CELINE DIONE.

HER PERFORMANCE OF HER ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING SONG — “MY HEART WILL GO ON” — COULD BE SEEN ON THE RALLY’S VIDEO SCREEN FRIDAY NIGHT.

DION’S MANAGEMENT TEAM SAYING THE SONG WAS NOT AUTHORIZED – POSTING TO SOCIAL MEDIA THE DAY AFTER:

“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana.

In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”

AROUND THE SAME TIME – THE FAMILY OF THE LATE R&B SINGER ISAAC HAYES ALSO TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER TRUMP USED THE SONG “HOLD ON, I’M COMING” TO CLOSE OUT THE SAME RALLY — AS HE DID AT LAST MONTH’S REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE SONG WAS WRITTEN BY HAYES FOR THE DUO SAM AND DAVE.

HIS FAMILY RELEASED A NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT – DEMANDING BY AUGUST 16TH THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN CEASE PLAYING THE SONG AND OTHERS BY HAYES—REMOVE ALL TRUMP-RELATED VIDEOS FEATURING THE SONG  —  ISSUE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT THAT THE FAMILY DID NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO PLAY THE SONG —AND PAY 3 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED USE.

HAYES’ FAMILY SAYING THEY FOUND 134 INSTANCES OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT BETWEEN 2022 AND 2024.

HAYES’ SON POSTED A VIDEO TO SOCIAL MEDIA TO RESPOND TO THOSE QUESTIONING HIS FAMILY’S RIGHTS TO THE SONG.

ISAAC HAYES III | SON OF R&B SINGER ISAAC HAYES

“The copyright to ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ expired March 15, 2022. It returned to our family on that date. “

“So we are the ones who own the copyright to Hold On, I’m Coming.’ Think about that. Typically, in these situations, it goes a little differently because ther are publishing companies involved and everybody wants to remain neutral. But I don’t have to act like that. I don’t have to follow those rules.”

[ANCHOR]

THESE ARE JUST THE LATEST ARTISTS TO REQUEST TRUMP TO STOP USING THEIR WORK AT HIS POLITICAL RALLIES – JOINING THE LIKES OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ADELE, AND THE BEATLES.

WITH ALL THAT SAID – THERE ARE MUSICIANS WHO SING A DIFFERENT TUNE – AND BACK THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

LAST MONTH – DURING A CONCERT IN UTAH — RAPPER WAKA FLOCKA FLAME TOLD BIDEN SUPPORTERS TO LEAVE – AND GAVE A SHOUTOUT TO TRUMP.

AND SINGER KID ROCK PERFORMED AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION – GETTING ATTENDEES TO CHANT ALONG “FIGHT!” SHORTLY BEFORE TRUMP’S ADDRESS.

SO FAR THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN HAS NOT ISSUED A RESPONSE TO THE REQUESTS BY CELINE DION’S MANAGEMENT OR ISAAC HAYES’ FAMILY. TRUMP IS SCHEDULED TO HOLD ANOTHER CAMPAIGN EVENT ON WEDNESDAY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WHILE MANY WILL BE LISTENING TO WHAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS TO SAY – SOME WELL-KNOWN NAMES WILL BE LISTENING TO THE MUSIC AND HOPING IT’S NOT THEIRS.

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