REALLY need info about my grandfather - Country Artist

[scottwatermusic]

I've been trying to research my grandfather. His name was James Otis Parker and he recorded music in the 40's and 50's. He went by Otis. Anyway, my grandparents divorced in the early 70's. He moved and then passed away in 1984. My grandmother passed away in the late 80's. My dad was too young to remember much about the music. I have an aunt that has a 7 inch record stashed away.

I know for certain he recorded a song called "They Don't Have to Operate (They Just Pull the Zipper)." It's been re-released on a compilation called Hixville: We'll Have a Time, Yes-Siree. I'd like to know how they got the rights to use the song. I'd also like to know if they have any of his other songs. The CD is available everywhere. Here is a link to a sound clip:

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/sear...isc=1&track=19

I know this is a shot in the dark, but maybe someone can help me. Any help or insight would be appreciated.

[Big Mike Simpson]

Perhaps the song is considered public domain or does your family have rights to it?

http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index...._0&issue=13156

OTIS PARKER 2/28/50
Bugle Call From Heaven (S.J. Shook)
3136 Merci Beaucoup, Mon Ami (Otis Parker)
Also released on Holiday (a Palda label) 109,
second title as �Many Thanks, My Friend.�

[scottwatermusic]

I just found this.

http://www.bluegrassmusic.com/index.php?em192=13717_-1__0_~0~445_-1_2_2008_0_0&issue=189862&search_string=otis%20par ker&em193=


Almost halfway down the page.

"OTIS PARKER 2/28/50
Bugle Call From Heaven (S.J. Shook)
3136 Merci Beaucoup, Mon Ami (Otis Parker)
Also released on Holiday (a Palda label) 109,
second title as �Many Thanks, My Friend.�"

I sent some emails out to the record labels. Now to see if they get back in touch with me.

[scottwatermusic]

I'm not sure who has the rights to these songs. I never knew that any of his stuff was ever really released. I figured he put the records out. I'm going to talk to my dad in the morning (he lives about an hour away). See if he can remember more.

After the divorce, my grandfather left. He had little contact with his children after that. I did talk to him one time right before he died. We were planning a trip to visit him in Jan. 1985. However, he died in Nov. 1984 I believe (I was ten so my are memories a little fuzzy).

I do seem remember when I was a kid being told that he played the Grand Ole Opry.

[ROADMAN]

any thing ever come of your search mon ami...?

your not allowed to mention fuzzy anymore ...by the way

[cowboytwang]

Originally Posted by scottwatermusic

It's been re-released on a compilation called Hixville: We'll Have a Time, Yes-Siree. I'd like to know how they got the rights to use the song.

That compilation is on Jasmine Records out of the UK. Most countries in Europe consider any song or recording of a song over 50 years old as public domain.
They don't have to get any permission, or rights, to release a recording, and they don't have to pay royalties.

That's why all these compilation Cd's and box sets of old recordings are coming from Europe. Labels like Jasmine, Proper, JSP, Bear Family and others, are putting out all kinds of old hard to get recordings without having to get rights or pay anyone for them.

[Murphy Slaw]

Wait a minute Cowboy.

50 years is getting real close to the BEATLES.

U.S copyrights are better as I recall.

I understood mine are good for 75 years after my death. Am I wrong?

Curious.

Best of luck.

Murph.

[pengipete]

You have to take into account the fact that it is the recording that has been released a very few artists own the rights to those even today. That would still leave you the issue of performance and publishing rights but a great many artists signed all of their rights away and never get paid beyond an original one-off fee.

You should start by approaching the American equivalent of our Performing Rights Society to see if anything is registered with them for the purpose royalty payments on those recordings.

[olewichita]

your best bet would be to contact the country music foundation... they also run the country music hall of fame and they have an immense library of ducumentation... tj

[Murphy Slaw]

Yep. Authorship is one thing. Ownership is another.

Paul has been fighting this for a long time.

Authors get a royalty. Owners get another.

But owners can allow dog food companies to use the songs for a fee. The author still gets a royalty per play, but has no say over who can use the song.

I own over 50 copyrights. I've never sold the rights to anyone. If someone wants to record one of my songs, they need a physical release from me. Correct?

If they want to do a dog food commercial with one, they need permission.

And a contract.

No?

[cowboytwang]

Originally Posted by Murphy Slaw

Wait a minute Cowboy.

50 years is getting real close to the BEATLES.

U.S copyrights are better as I recall.

I understood mine are good for 75 years after my death. Am I wrong?

Curious.

Best of luck.

Murph.

Your correct, the US copyrights are the longest in the world. They are 75 years after the death of original copyright holder.
In the UK (and most of Europe) works automatically go to public domain 50 years after first published.
The music industry tried to get it changed to 95 years last year, but they were unsuccessful. So starting this year some of Cliff Richards first big hits will stop receiving royalties and will be public domain.

I think the Beatles catalog was also copyrighted here in the states so they will continue to receive royalties on that, but pretty soon those songs will be public domain in most of Europe.