Music Row Town Hall meeting

5th Dist. Rep. Jim Cooper answers a question as Rep. John Hall looks on at the Music Row town hall meeting.
Rep. John Hall speaks to the Music Row town hall meeting participants.


U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), former lead guitarist for the ‘70s rock group Orleans, appeared at a Music Row town meeting as the guest of 5th Dist. Rep. Jim Cooper.

Hall recently asked John McCain to stop playing "Still the One, a song Hall’s band Orleans made famous, as his campaign theme. The congressman is an ardent Barack Obama supporter.
Rep. Hall had a similar experience in 2004 when George W. Bush used the Orleans song "Still the One" at re-election presidential campaign events without permission.

At a town hall meeting just off Music Row, Hall spoke with several illustrators, musicians, and others who have similar problems with unauthorized use of their original creations. Most were concerned about various aspects of potential federal bills protecting intellectual property.

Both Hall and Cooper advised parties to work together to overcome their differences. The two congressmen suggested holding a House Judiciary Committee hearing or intellectual property summit in Nashville.


Orlean's work included an album, Waking and Dreaming, with a cover on which all the band members, including John Hall, posed stripped to the waist.

Barry Tashian of the '60s rock group "The Remains," poses with his friend Rep. John Hall of the '70s rock group "Orleans."