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Dolly Parton Goes After Elizabeth Warren for Unauthorized Use of Her Music, Warren Campaign Silent

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Singer Dolly Parton did not give Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts permission to use her hit “9 to 5” during the launch of the candidate’s presidential bid or subsequent stops on the campaign trail. Parton is now making her displeasure known.

When Warren took to the stage in her hometown of Lawrence last month, she did so to the catchy ditty from the 1980 movie of the same name. The song “9 to 5” reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts almost 40 years ago.

Warren apparently chose the song to burnish her image as a candidate for the working person.

The senator used it again during a campaign event on Friday in New York City, The Associated Press reported.

Parton’s manager Danny Nozell told the AP via email, “We did not approve the request (to use the song), and we do not approve requests like this of (a) political nature.”

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See Warren’s entrance to “9 to 5” at 51:13.



According to the AP, Nozell did not respond when asked whether Parton’s team intended to register a formal complaint against Warren.

The candidate’s campaign declined to comment about the controversy.

Do you think Parton is wise to keep her political views to herself?

Fox News reported that Parton is notorious for keeping her political views to herself.

After “9 to 5” co-stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda bashed President Donald Trump on stage during the 2017 Emmys, Parton lightened the mood.

“Well, I know about support,” the country legend said, pointing at her chest.

“I don’t voice my political opinions,” she told Fox News at the time. “I just get out there and entertain. To me, that’s what I do. I don’t condemn them.”

She elaborated in an interview last month with The Guardian saying, “I’ve got as many Republican friends as I’ve got Democrat friends and I just don’t like voicing my opinion on things.

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“I’ve seen things before, like the Dixie Chicks. You can ruin a career for speaking out,” Parton said.

“I respect my audience too much for that, I respect myself too much for that. Of course I have my own opinions, but that don’t mean I got to throw them out there because you’re going to piss off half the people.”

There have been many instances over the years of performers objecting to candidates using their songs at campaign events.

One of the more high profile examples was when Bruce Springsteen asked then-President Reagan to stop using the song “Born in the U.S.A.” during his 1984 successful re-election bid.

The Rolling Stones also objected to President Donald Trump playing some of their songs at campaign rallies, according to The Daily Beast.

Lead singer Mick Jagger later said they could not stop him, presumably because the Trump campaign acquired a use license for the Stones’ songs.

CBS News reported Trump said in May 2016, “We have the rights to use them. I always buy the rights.”

The New York Times reported that musicians can and have sued politicians for false advertising, if the use of the song appears to imply the artist has endorsed the candidate.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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