CMT News

Black Crowes Accuse Gretchen Wilson of Copyright Infringement

Attorneys for the Black Crowes claim a new song performed by Gretchen Wilson is based in part on the band's 1991 hit, "Jealous Again." Wilson's recording of "Work Hard, Play Harder" is being used by the TNT television network in advertisements for Saving Grace, a dramatic series starring Holly Hunter. Billboard reports that the Black Crowes' attorneys have served copyright infringement notices to Wilson, Sony BMG (her record label) and J. Money Music (a music publishing company based in Nashville). According to the ASCAP Web site, Wilson co-wrote the song with John Rich and Vicky McGehee. Wilson has not released "Work Hard, Play Harder" as a single. Her current single, "Don't Do Me No Good," debuted two weeks ago on Billboard's country chart. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes wrote "Jealous Again," a track featured on the band's 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. The single peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1990. In a statement, Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus said, "We find the musical verses of Wilson's song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation." A spokesman for Wilson told CMT.com that the singer-songwriter had no comment regarding the allegations.