Fake-concert proposal strikes chord with state delegates

By Harry Minium
The Virginian-Pilot

RICHMOND - Del. David Albo, R-Fairfax, a self-professed "1970s metal-head," guided a bill he calls "the Truth in Music Advertising Act" through the House Commerce and Labor committee on Thursday.

Albo brought forward the bill at the request of Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, a Californian and founder of the group Sha Na Na, who is leading a national effort to stamp out counterfeit concerts.

The bill, approved 17-1, creates civil penalties for anyone who knowingly misleads patrons about a band performing at a concert. For instance, a promoter canno t put on a concert for the Drifters unless one member of the band was in the Drifters or owns a federal copyright to the name.

"This bill seeks to protect consumers and to protect artists," Albo said.

Much of the debate on the bill was good-natured. Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth, said he didn't know whether the bill was a good idea, but he added: "I can't sing in the shower."

Albo confessed to attending an Abba tribute concert in Northern Virginia: "My wife made me go. Please don't tell anyone." Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, asked Albo how he got a house bill number - HB1969 - so appropriate to protecting oldies music.

Albo's band, Planet Albo, consists of House members John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, and Samuel Nixon, R-Chesterfield County. The band plays twice a year at Albo fundraisers.

"This is a fun bill that nonetheless is trying to solve a serious problem," Albo said. "You can go on the Internet and find hundreds of bands advertising themselves with names they should not be using."