Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Nelly announce 2003 Grammy nominations
Photo: MTV News

When nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning, reactions ranged from sincere congratulations to "What were they thinking?" (Click here for the list of nominees.)

Few readers writing to MTVNews.com's You Tell Us forum had sour sentiments about demure Norah Jones, the jazz-influenced singer/pianist who's got a chance to sweep the four biggest categories — Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist (see "Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Norah Jones Nab Most Grammy Noms"). Jones is also among the eight artists who garnered five nominations. (Click for photos of this year's Grammy nominees.)

"I'm sooo happy for [Norah Jones]," wrote 18-year-old Lexi, from Seattle. "I know many people haven't heard her music, but those who have know how great it is. Big ups to the critics for giving this girl the credit she deserves."

Jones' Come Away With Me faces stiff competition from The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's return to form, and, to a lesser extent, The Eminem Show. Although the mainstream seems to have embraced the volatile rapper, with hardly a protest over his third major-label album or his fictionalized biopic "8 Mile," the Grammys might not be ready to bestow such a prestigious honor to a man who had a hit with a song that talks about killing the mother of his child and stuffing her in a trunk.

Then again, Eminem already has five golden gramophones in his trophy case (though none in the big four categories), and the Recording Academy did grant an Album of the Year Grammy to Steely Dan in 2001, for Two Against Nature, which featured the song "Cousin Dupree," about incest. But old guards like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have always had Grammy odds in their favor, which is why Springsteen stands such a good shot. And even if The Eminem Show doesn't win for Album of the Year and "Without Me" doesn't lay claim to Record of the Year, Eminem is likely to make good on at least one of his other three nominations.

While Jones stands as the artist with the smallest presence at radio compared with fellow new-artist nominees R&B songbird Ashanti, singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, sensitive guy John Mayer and pop-rocker Avril Lavigne, most of you think the latter stands as her fiercest competition.

"I think Avril Lavigne definitely deserves Best New Artist," wrote 14-year-old Ashley of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. "She's worked so hard and accomplished so much this year."

"There is no doubt that Avril Lavigne should win Best New Artist," echoed 14-year-old Danielle, from Somerset, New Jersey. "She writes her own music, had three top 40 songs in 2002, sold over 4 million copies of her debut, Let Go, and hates Britney Spears. What more could you want in a Best New Artist?"

While statistics may garner gold records, they don't necessarily translate to a Grammy. Awards are (theoretically) doled out to those who demonstrate genuine artistry in their work. And that's Avril Lavigne, isn't it?

"Avril has no business being nominated for as much as she was," disagreed 19-year-old Andrea. "As far as music and creativity go, Britney is more creative — and you know that's a stretch, especially since Britney is nothing but manufactured bubble gum. Avril may have had something going with her and her ties but let's face it, MTV, that's all she has had."

After yesterday's announcement of the nominations, Lavigne has a lot more attached to her, namely a monumental mistake when she mispronounced David Bowie's last name. When reading the list of artists up for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, she mispronounced Bowie as "bow-wie" (rhymes with oh, wowee!). An unnerving hush immediately enveloped Madison Square Garden.

"Am I the only person who realizes what a poser Avril Lavigne is?" queried 22-year-old Kim, from Denver. "First of all, she botched the pronunciation of David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of our time. ... Does Avril know anything about music? ... My point is, although everyone seems to be touting Avril Lavigne as some new prodigy, the fact is that she is not a true musician or artist and is just as fake and untalented as Britney Spears."

And here we thought Avril was the anti-Britney.

While Mayer's the only guy among the gals in the Best New Artist pack, his fans warn not to count him out just because he's outnumbered.

"John Mayer deserves to win the Grammy for Best New Artist," declared 18-year-old Tiffany Johnson, from Austin, Texas. "He is just on a different level from the rest of the nominees. The guy is brilliant."

Nelly, who's up for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album honors, among others, is feeling the brunt of haters. For the nearly 5 million copies of Nellyville sold, the St. Louis rapper seems to have just as many, if not more, detractors.

"I want to know what the Grammy folks see in Nelly," demanded 19-year-old Jason Curtis of Seattle. "Everyone is hypnotized by his so-called 'skills,' which are by no means good. As far as I'm concerned, Nelly doesn't deserve a Grammy."

It wasn't all trash talk directed at the St. Louis rapper, however. Many have their fingers crossed that the Band-Aid bearing MC will leave with even more gold than he came in with.

"I'm really anticipating seeing Nelly take home the Grammy for best album," wrote 14-year-old Linzi, from Sandusky, Michigan. "I mean, his music is totally hot, and I'm pretty sure that I don't know anyone who isn't into Nelly."

Linzi, meet 21-year-old James, from New Haven, Connecticut.

"It is clear once again that the awards honor what is popular, not what is good," James began. "Nelly has sunk so far down in the talent pool that he's left rapping about sneakers and some sort of heat wave that has apparently swept Nellyville. Talk about meaningless music. Seriously, if it's that hot in 'herre,' then drink a glass of water. Don't make a freakin' song about it."

Fellow hip-hopper Petey Pablo, up for Best Rap Album with Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry, faced some harsh reactions, with fellow nominee Mystikal also catching some heat.

"I am very upset to see that Pete Pablo has been nominated for Best Rap Album," expressed 25-year-old Curtis, from Tallahassee, Florida. "Also, Mystikal's Tarantula album was very disappointing. How come someone like Trick Daddy or Cee-Lo never gets nominated? He is pure trash, and I understand why people like Jay-Z protest the Grammys. If we want to make it mainstream for all these old white people, let's nominate Will Smith. Even though his album sold probably 200 copies, he does not curse."

Such outrage over those who were nominated couldn't rival the furor over those who were left out: uber-producers the Neptunes and anyone from the neo-garage school, such as the Hives, the Vines, the Strokes or the White Stripes.

"How did Dr. Dre get nominated in the Producer of the Year category, while the Neptunes were ignored?" wondered Venni, 18, from Blacksburg, Virginia. "Dre didn't do anything in 2002. Every single song on the radio was produced by the Neptunes."

OK, Venni may be exaggerating a bit, though Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are responsible for Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," all of which are Grammy-nominated.

"I'm surprised the new 'the' bands didn't get major nods," typed an aghast CJ, 18, from Newmarket, New Hampshire. "I'm sad that the White Stripes were shafted, when overrated Avril Lavigne gets all the credit. Well, the Grammys are pretty lame either way."

If the nominations aroused such fervent feelings in these folks, they'd better be prepared for the shock of February 23. While some surprises can be expected with the nods, utter jaw-droppers like the over-the-hill Jethro Tull winning for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1988 are unmatched.

Stay tuned and stay calm.

For a look back at previous big Grammy winners, red carpet photos and much more, visit our Grammy News Archive.

• Eminem
• Norah Jones
• Nelly
• Dixie Chicks
• Bruce Springsteen

Nelly
Photo: Universal

With eight artists grabbing five nominations each, this year's Grammy Awards looks to be one of the most competitive in the ceremony's 45 years. (Click here for the list of nominees and for photos of this year's Grammy nominees and performers.)

Three relative newcomers, Ashanti, Norah Jones and Avril Lavigne, join Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Nelly, Raphael Saadiq and Bruce Springsteen as the artists with the greatest chances of leaving New York's Madison Square Garden on February 23 with the most golden gramophones in their arms.

All eyes will be on Norah Jones, who stands to reign supreme on Grammy night with four of her five nominations arriving in the big four categories: Best New Artist; Album of the Year, for Come Away With Me; and Song of the Year (given to the songwriter Jesse Harris) and Record of the Year for "Don't Know Why." Jones and her full-length debut album also received nods in the categories Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, while the LP's producer, Arif Mardin, scored one in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category to give the Norah Jones camp a whopping eight nominations combined.

Eminem, Nelly, Springsteen and Lavigne received two nods apiece for the big awards. Em's "Without Me" is up for Record of the Year, along with Nelly's "Dilemma" (which features Kelly Rowland), Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" and Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." The Eminem Show will vie for Album of the Year honors against Come Away With Me, the Dixie Chicks' Home, Nelly's Nellyville and Bruce Springsteen's The Rising.

Springsteen was also nominated in the Song of the Year category for "The Rising." The Boss' tune, which resonated with many after the events of September 11, 2001, will face off against another song inspired by the tragedy, Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."

The Best New Artist category finds John Mayer the sole male amidst a quartet of ladies, Ashanti, Michelle Branch, Jones and Lavigne, whose single "Complicated" is also up for Song of the Year. (Last year, Alicia Keys walked off with the prestigious honor. Who do you think should win Grammy's equivalent to Rookie of the Year? Take our poll.)

"Chauvinists unite!" Mayer joked at Madison Square Garden, in a half-hearted attempt to strum up support for his cause. "I'm just going to go to sports bars and lobby.

"It's cool," he continued sincerely. "I look at the list and say, 'It makes sense to me.' "

While Ashanti is likely to have her fingers crossed for the big Best New Artist win, she'll be doubly excited when the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category is awarded. Besides receiving a nod for assisting Fat Joe with "What's Luv?" the songbird with the second-best-selling debut album of 2002 has increased her chances of winning with "Always on Time," her collaboration with Ja Rule. Ashanti likes both songs, but she looks to the phrase "blood is thicker than water" when deciding whom to root for.

"I don't necessarily have a preference, but it I had to choose, it would have to be my brother Ja," she said. "That's my family, Murder, Inc. Records."

Nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday (January 7) at a press conference held in Madison Square Garden. Among the artists on hand to read the roster of those hopeful for Grammy gold were Ashanti, country singer Kenny Chesney, '80s faceplate Cyndi Lauper, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Nelly and producer Jimmy Jam, who filled in for a previously scheduled but absent Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

The artists each took the podium in turn to announce the contestants for two of the categories, which made for some interesting pronunciations. Ashanti (pronounced a-shan-tee) became the faux-fabulous sounding "A-shan-tay" whenever most on hand mentioned her name; and Lavigne, in announcing the nominees for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance botched David Bowie's name, pronouncing it 'Bow-wee" (as in the dog sound "bow-wow"). The flub is not likely to go unnoticed among Lavigne's critics, and it just might go down in pop-star infamy, the way Britney Spears' remark that suggested Pat Benatar sang "I Love Rock 'N Roll," a song Joan Jett made famous, did in a fall 2001 interview.

Four nominations fell on the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, R&B singer Remy Shand and Chad Kroeger, who scored one with his band Nickelback, and three others for his song "Hero," penned for the soundtrack to "Spider-Man."

Besides two in the big four, Vanessa Carlton's other nomination came in the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). While most categories in the Composing/Arranging field are often overlooked in favor of more artist-specific ones, the 21-year-old pianist doesn't consider her third nod to be any less important. In fact, considering that she's the only nominee who's also an artist in that category, she said she's perhaps most proud of that honor because it shows her as the well-rounded artist she is.

"I am most excited for that nomination because it is recognizing the process, something other than the vocal and the song itself," she explained. "It kind of acknowledges how the puzzle fits together. I think [Be Not Nobody] is a beautiful record and I'm really proud to know that people recognized that. I was totally surprised, though. I really was."

India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Dr. Dre, Randy Newman, Arif Mardin and No Doubt also nabbed three nominations each.

Touting over 100 categories, the Grammys is the most comprehensive music awards show, but even with classifications such as Best Polka Album (for which Jimmy Sturr's Top of the World looks to be the odds-on favorite) and Best Remixed Record, Non-Classical, there just aren't enough designations for some folks.

"Actually, one they didn't mention was best haircut-changing-style every year,' a near-bald Timberlake kidded. "I'm hoping I get the Victrola for that."

Maybe next year, Justin. In the meantime, the 'NSYNC star must be content with just one nomination, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, for the Clipse-featured "Like I Love You," the first single from his solo debut, Justified.

Super production duo the Neptunes were puzzlingly absent from the Producer of the Year category, which instead found Dr. Dre, Nellee Hooper, Arif Mardin, Rick Rubin, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis attempting to stake their claim to the title. After producing a number of Grammy-nominated tracks, including Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," it's a mystery why Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams didn't receive any love from the Recording Academy.

"For the second year in a row, can you imagine that?" Williams said of his Grammy dis. "All the work we've done? For whatever reason, nobody thought to put us on the ballot."

The 45th annual ceremony marks the Grammys' return to New York, after Los Angeles hosted the previous four events. The show will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Before the show, catch MTV's pre-show telecast "Backstage at the Grammys," airing at 7 p.m. ET.

MTV's parent company, Viacom, also owns CBS.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Nelly
• Avril Lavigne
• Norah Jones
• Eminem
• Vanessa Carlton

Sheryl Crow
Photo: A&M

Sheryl Crow, Don Henley and Sting will be among the performers at two Music To My Ears tribute concerts next month for the late Timothy White, a former Billboard magazine editor and accomplished music scribe.

The shows will take place October 7 at Boston's FleetCenter and October 8 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Crow, Sting, Henley and John Mellencamp will play both shows, while Billy Joel and James Taylor will perform in Boston and Brian Wilson will play in New York.

Tickets go on sale August 26, and proceeds will benefit White's family.

White worked as the editor in chief of Billboard magazine from 1990 until he died of a heart attack June 27 at the age of 50 (see "Billboard Editor Timothy White Dead At 50"). He started his career at the Associated Press in 1972 and later worked as managing editor of Crawdaddy and senior editor of Rolling Stone. White wrote several acclaimed books, including the Bob Marley biography Catch a Fire, three volumes about the Beach Boys and a book on James Taylor.

• Sheryl Crow
• Don Henley
• Sting

Ja Rule's group, Cash Money Click (CMC), along with Naughty By Nature, Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz and others, will perform at an afterparty for the Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis title fight June 8 in Memphis. Tyson is apparently counting on a victory, as he is co-sponsoring the event and planning on attending. ... British producers the Space Monkeyz will release a collection of dub mixes of songs from the Gorillaz' debut album. Due July 16, Space Monkeyz Vs. Gorillaz: Laika Come Home features a version of "Clint Eastwood" called "A Fistful of Peanuts" among its 12 listed tunes and one hidden track. ... David Bowie will join the ranks of Neil Diamond, Elton John, Don Henley and others when he performs on A&E's "Live By Request." The June 15 performance will be filmed at Sony Music Studios in Manhattan.

05.20.02

While he wasn't able to lure Foxy Brown from Def Jam, P. Diddy just bolstered the lineup of his Bad Boy label with seminal Southern rap duo 8 Ball & MJG, who recently signed with P.D.'s company. ... On August 3, we'll find out who the year's biggest balla is when Funkmaster Flex hosts his second annual celebrity car show at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. Flex said that playas such as P. Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean will submit vehicles and try to snatch the championship from hip-hop's "#1 Stunna," Baby of Cash Money, who was last year's winner. ...

Nearly seven months after it was recorded, Incubus' home video "The Morning View Sessions" will be released on VHS and DVD. The laid-back performance video, which more resembles an informal jam session than an actual concert, was recorded at Sony Studios in New York the day the band's fourth album, Morning View, dropped. ... Kelly Osbourne will sing her cover of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" at her live debut at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango festival June 15 in Pasadena, California. The song will be featured on The Osbournes Family Album, due June 11. ... A few weeks after dropping the greatest-hits package Work in early June, electronic duo Orbital will release the next volume in the Back to Mine chillout compilation series. Highlights on the mix include the previously unreleased Orbital track "Ska'd for Life" and material from PJ Harvey and the Divine Comedy. ...

• Ja Rule
• Naughty By Nature
• Lil Jon
• Gorillaz
• David Bowie

Sheryl Crow
Photo: UNI/A&M

Beck, Deftones and Offspring singer Dexter Holland joined Recording Artists Coalition founders Don Henley and Sheryl Crow at California's State Capitol on Wednesday to support new legislation that could change the relationship between recording artists and their labels.

Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Matchbox Twenty's Paul Doucette, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Carole King, Ray Parker Jr. and Jonatha Brooke also appeared in Sacramento, California, calling on legislators to support Democratic Sen. Kevin Murray's Senate Bill 1246, legislation that would allow artists to function more like free agents, according to a spokesperson for the Recording Artists Coalition.

Murray's bill aims to repeal Section 2855, Subsection B of the California Labor Code, which states that all entertainers and workers in California, except recording artists, have the right to terminate a personal service contract after seven years.

California's 56-year-old Labor Code protected musicians until 1987, when record companies secured an amendment that made artists liable for albums still owed to labels after seven years with them.

"This practice of singling out recording artists is discriminatory and it restricts the basic American philosophy of free-market competition," Henley said in a statement Wednesday. "A recording artist, like any other working person, should be given the ability to seek higher compensation and test his or her value in the open marketplace."

Joining the Recording Artists Coalition in meeting with legislators Wednesday was the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, along with other prominent figures, including members of the American Federation of Musicians and the Hollywood Entertainment Labor Council.

Hole's Courtney Love, Henley, country singer LeAnn Rimes and others testified on the so-called seven-year statute at a hearing chaired by Murray in September that persuaded the former music agent to pursue legislation (see "Courtney Love, Don Henley, LeAnn Rimes Testify On Artists' Rights").

The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents record companies, believes the 1987 amendment provides needed protection for the labels, who they say take massive financial risks and endure the failure of 90 percent of their acts. The labels argue they will be unable to take risks on new artists if they can not hold on to their profitable acts.

"Recording artists sign these contracts in good faith, fully intending to honor them," the Offspring's Holland said in a statement. "But the record companies know from experience that it is highly unlikely artists will be able to fulfill their requirements due to the demands they place on the artists, including touring, video shoots and other marketing chores. The labor code which exempts artists from the seven-year rule must be repealed to level the playing field and make it fair for everyone."

The Recording Artists Coalition has organized four benefit concerts on February 26, the night before the 44th annual Grammy Awards, to raise money for its cause (see "Ozzy, No Doubt, Korn, Weezer To Play Benefits For Musicians' Rights Group").

Henley and Crow formed the Recording Artists Coalition in 2000 to lobby for artists' rights (see "Henley, Petty, Love Urge Artists To Fight The Labels' Power"). Last spring, the coalition's select members testified before the U.S. Senate on the issue of online rights (see "Morissette, Henley Tell Senate To Remember Needs Of Artists").

• Beck
• Deftones
• The Offspring
• Don Henley
• Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow
Photo: Steen Sundland

All of Sheryl Crow's collaborating over the last couple of years apparently gave the singer some ideas for her fourth studio album.

The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 1998's The Globe Sessions, due in late March, will include contributions from several big-name artists, including Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Lenny Kravitz and the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines, according to Crow's Interscope Records spokesperson. "Soak up the Sun," the album's first single, is due in February and features additional vocals by fellow female rocker (and could-be twin sister) Liz Phair.

Nicks, who appeared on Crow's 1999 live album, Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live From Central Park (see "Sheryl Crow Sets December Date For Star-Studded Live Album"), sings on "You're Not the One." Crow and Nicks recently collaborated on Nicks' Trouble in Shangri-La (2001), sharing vocals on "It's Only Love." Crow also produced several tracks on Nicks' record.

Eagles singer Henley, who's among the artists Crow sang backup for early on in her career, appears on the track "It's So Easy." Kravitz sings on "You're an Original," and Maines adds her signature twang to "Abilene." Crow and Maines performed several songs together at a breast cancer benefit in Los Angeles last fall, including Crow's "It Don't Hurt" (see "Mary J. Blige, Pat Benatar Take On Breast Cancer, Prove Women Rock!"). Maines' Dixie Chicks also appear on Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live From Central Park.

Other guests on the upcoming album are folk and country veteran Emmylou Harris ("Weather Channel") and blues guitarist Doyle Bramhall II ("Steve McQueen," "Over You").

Since the release of The Globe Sessions, which featured the single "My Favorite Mistake," Crow has recorded with an array of artists, from Tony Bennett (see "Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles To Appear On Tony Bennett LP") to Kid Rock (see "Kid Rock Is Cocky, Calls Out 'Your Mama' With Snoop").

While recording in New York last summer, Crow played several high-profile club shows that included many of the guests on her album along with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards (see "Sheryl Crow Jams With Kid Rock, More In New York").

In other Crow news, she was just added to the list of presenters for the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The show will be broadcast live on ABC.

Tentative track list for Sheryl Crow's upcoming album, according to her spokesperson:

• "Steve McQueen"

• "Soak up the Sun"

• "You're an Original"

• "It's So Easy"

• "Over You"

• "It's Only Love"

• "Weather Channel"

• "You're Not the One"

• "Missing"

• "Abilene"

• "Slave"

• "Safe and Sound"

• Sheryl Crow
• Stevie Nicks
• Don Henley
• Lenny Kravitz

Courtney Love
Photo: Geffen

A California state senator expects Courtney Love, Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, LeAnn Rimes and the Dixie Chicks will be literally knocking on lawmakers' doors as he introduces legislation to try to free them and other artists from long-term recording contracts.

"One of the major strategies is for artists to directly be involved in advocating for this," the bill's sponsor, Democrat Kevin Murray of Los Angeles, said Friday. "Artists, particularly lately, have been involved in all kinds of wonderful causes, but they rarely have used their star power for their own self-interest.

"With Don Henley and Sheryl Crow's leadership," Murray continued, "they've created a coalition of people who are prepared to go to Sacramento and talk to lawmakers directly, call them and show up at their offices, and explain from the artist's perspective what this issue is about."

Murray said he will introduce the bill — which artists have sought with increasing vigor recently — in January, with the hope that it would go into effect a year later. "We think we've got a good chance to make this happen," he said.

Under California law, entertainers cannot be held to a service contract for longer than seven years. But recording artists lost that protection in 1987 when an amendment was passed making them liable for undelivered albums even after seven years.

Love and the Dixie Chicks have sued their labels, arguing that standard recording contracts are "unconscionable." Love, Henley, Rimes and others testified at a senate hearing chaired by Murray last month on the so-called seven-year statute (see "Courtney Love, Don Henley, LeAnn Rimes Testify On Artists' Rights"). That hearing persuaded Murray to pursue legislation, he said.

His proposal, he said, would level the playing field between artists and labels by allowing artists to function as free agents and test their value in the marketplace.

But music industry veteran Miles Copeland said revoking the amendment would hurt not only the industry but the majority of artists, particularly fresh faces.

"It's a preposterous scam, and I'm absolutely opposed to it, and I am an artist person," said Copeland, who helped launch the careers of such artists as the Police and the Go-Go's and who now runs the indie label Ark 21. "I have been a manager all my life, and I fight for artists, and I think this is detrimental to artists."

Copeland said record companies have to take huge financial risks with their acts and are left with the losses when it doesn't work. Labels will be unlikely, or unable, to take risks on new artists if they can't hold on to their profitable acts, he said. "I've always felt if you don't give a lot of shots, you might miss something great. There is no doubt in mind that if [this bill] succeeds, there will be fewer artists [on labels], there will be fewer records, and it will have an impact down the line on every aspect of the business."

According to Murray, labor organizations including the American Federation of Musicians, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the California Federation of Labor support his legislation.

• Hole
• Dixie Chicks
• Sheryl Crow
• Don Henley
• LeAnn Rimes

Don Henley
Photo: Warner Bros.

Courtney Love, Don Henley and LeAnn Rimes went to California's State Capitol Building on Wednesday to complain about record-company business practices and ask for legislation to free musicians from long-term contracts.

"At 12, I was thrilled to sign my record contract with Curb Records, and at that age I didn't understand everything that was in my contract," Rimes told state senators. "I just turned 19 last month, and if I record at a rate of one album every two years, which is the industry average, I will be 35 before the contract is over."

The hearing in Sacramento focused on a 14-year-old amendment that exempts recording artists from California labor laws meant to protect other entertainers.

The state's so-called seven-year statute prevents companies from binding an entertainer to a contract for more than seven years. But recording artists lost that protection in 1987, when record companies secured the right to sue them for undelivered albums after seven years.

"In 1987, [record companies] snuck in, and you guys got snookered," Love told lawmakers including Democratic state Senator Kevin Murray, a former music agent who recently founded the Senate's Select Committee on the Entertainment Industry. Murray organized a series of hearings to help him decide whether to try to repeal the amendment.

The Hole singer said touring requirements, coupled with the time it takes to write and record an album, make the standard record contract impossible to fulfill. "I don't care what the [industry] says to you today; they lied to you," she said. "I cannot make seven albums in seven years. They will not let me."

"Record companies can fire us, but we can't fire them, even if they fail to perform their duties," said Henley, the Eagles singer and drummer who last year co-founded the Recording Artists Coalition with Sheryl Crow to lobby for artists' rights (see "Don Henley's RIAA Alternative Gaining Steam").

Cary Sherman, senior vice president of the Recording Industry Association of America, which represents record companies, said labels take massive financial risks and endure the failure of 90 percent of their acts. He said the amendment provides needed protection for the labels, and the only artists affected by it are superstars.

Asked to comment specifically on Rimes' claims about her contract, Sherman said her situation appeared to be an anomaly. A spokesperson at Curb could not be reached for immediate comment.

The inquiry into record-industry customs comes in the wake of lawsuits against major labels by such artists as Love (see "Courtney Love Hits Speed Bump In Label Fight") and the Dixie Chicks (see "Dixie Chicks Claim Sony Robbed Them Of More Than $4 Million"). Dixie Chick Natalie Maines was at the hearing but did not testify.

R&B singer Patti Austin, artist manager Jim Guerinot, whose clients include No Doubt and the Offspring, and Michael Greene, CEO of the Recording Academy, also testified against the amendment.

Much of the discussion strayed from the core issue of the seven-year statute, partially because the lawmakers were grappling to understand how the music industry works. Love and Henley handed out books about the industry to senators so they could study up for the next hearing.

Love, sporting a new brown hairdo and a demure dark dress with a round white collar, began her testimony by claiming that music-industry reform could prove profitable for California.

"I've made more for Universal than 'Titanic,' " she claimed. "And are they even nice to me? No, they're rude!"

Congress is also planning to hold hearings into the recording business, according to the Los Angeles Times (see "Record Industry Scrutinized By California, Federal Officials").

• Don Henley
• LeAnn Rimes
• Hole

Courtney Love
Photo: Image Direct

Courtney Love and Don Henley will have their chance to rage against the record industry machine next month when they testify before a California Senate committee.

State Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), a former music agent, is chairing a hearing to help him decide whether to pursue legislation that could prove pivotal in freeing artists from long-term contracts (see "Record Industry Scrutinized By California, Federal Officials").

The hearing, which also will examine other music industry customs, will be held September 5 in the State Capitol Building in Sacramento, according to Murray's office.

The committee will discuss California Labor Code Section 2855, a 56-year-old statute that says any entertainer working under a personal-service contract cannot be held to a contract for more than seven years. Record companies secured an amendment in 1987 that made artists under contract liable for albums still owed to labels even after seven years.

"Clearly there is an exemption to this statute that only affects recording artists, so we have to understand why that is," Murray said earlier this month. "I'm not sure that this exemption is even good for record companies. It's ambiguous in many ways."

Love is currently in a high-profile legal battle with Universal Music Group, claiming that major labels, acting together as an illegal trust, force artists to sign unfair contracts (see "Courtney Love Hits Speed Bump In Label Fight").

Attorney Don Engel, who testified against the 1987 amendment, also will participate in next month's hearings.

"This is an extremely important hearing," said Engel, who has represented such artists as Henley, Olivia Newton-John and Toni Braxton in their legal battles with labels. "There is a systematic, pervasive attitude on the part of the record labels to take every opportunity to take advantage of artists. As long as [this amendment] is on the books, it's a threat to artists."

• Hole
• Don Henley

Courtney Love
Photo: DGC

Courtney Love and Don Henley may soon have governmental help in their crusade to change the record industry, as California and federal officials plan to examine the fairness of recording contracts.

California state Senator Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) said he will chair a series of hearings into contractual rights and music-industry practices in the coming weeks, to help him decide whether to pursue legislation to free artists from long-term contracts.

California lawmakers aren't the only officials with raised eyebrows. U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Florida), chair of the House's Entertainment Industry task force, told the Los Angeles Times that Congress will hold hearings to address recording contracts. He told the newspaper that labels must stop the "indentured servitude" of their artists.

"I think this issue would get a broad level of support [among public officials]," Murray said Wednesday (August 8). "Clearly, the artists are on one side and record companies are on the other side. My suspicion is that there's probably something in between that is fair. There has to be some real substantial discussion to see what's best for everybody, because we all benefit from a healthy music business."

California Labor Code Section 2855, written 56 years ago, states that anyone working under a personal-service contract cannot be held to that contract for more than seven years. But record companies secured an amendment in 1987 that made artists liable for albums still owed to labels after seven years.

"There is an exemption to this statute that only affects recording artists, so we have to understand why that is," Murray said. "I'm not sure that this exemption is even good for record companies. It's ambiguous in many ways. This needs to be looked at for both sides."

Murray, a former music agent at the William Morris Agency, said the hearings will consider other issues involving the music industry, including accounting methods, pension plans, piracy and violence and sex in music.

The first hearing is scheduled for September 5, but may be moved back or forward a week, the senator said.

Love is in a legal battle with Universal Music Group, which sued her in January 2000 for backing out of her contract. The Hole singer counter-sued in February, claiming that major labels, acting together as an illegal trust, force artists to sign unfair contracts (see "Courtney Love Hits Speed Bump In Label Fight").

Last year, Henley co-founded the Recording Artists Coalition to lobby for artists' rights (see "Henley, Petty, Love Urge Artists To Fight The Labels' Power"). Its members include Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen.

• Hole
• Don Henley