Ohio jumps on the Truth in Music bandwagon

Vocal hall of fame behind endeavor

By ANDY GRAY Tribune Chronicle

POSTED: May 23, 2008

Ohio is one step closer to passing legislation that the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pa., has successfully lobbied 24 states to enact.

The State Senate on a unanimous vote Wednesday passed a Truth in Music Act, which requires a music group to have at least one original member if it wants to use the band’s original name.

Bob Crosby, president and CEO of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame said, ‘‘It’s so good to see it happening in the Ohio, which is so close to the hall. We’ve had some problems in the region, and it’s good that we will have a law that will curb that.’’

The bill still must pass the Ohio House and then be signed by the governor, Crosby said, but the fact that it passed the Senate unanimously is a good sign.

The names of acts like The Drifters and The Coasters and The Supremes have been used by promoters for decades who send out singers — none of whom sang on the original hits — to perform for unsuspecting audiences who believe they are seeing the real thing.

The artists who are members of the Truth in Music committee and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame don’t have a problem with clearly identified tribute bands, like the ones that will be performing this summer at Warren Community Amphitheatre, Crosby said.

‘‘Everyone is honored when there is a tribute band performing in honor of the groups,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s fantastic. It’s when they stand there and say, ‘When we recorded this song ...’ or ‘When we were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame ...,’ that’s when it becomes a problem.’’

The legislation doesn’t solve all problems. In many cases, the legal trademark to a group’s name may be held by someone who sells it to someone else or assembles performers to tour under that name.

‘‘Truth in Music doesn’t fix that,’’ Crosby said. ‘‘Morally, it’s wrong, but legally it’s allowed.’’

But with legislation already passed in 24 states, awareness has increased, Crosby said, and original artists like Charlie Thomas of The Drifters and Herb Reed of The Platters are getting more work.

‘‘Venues, bookers, agents are all becoming aware of the issue and all trying to do the right thing,’’ Crosby said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.