In 1993 while working for ASCAP, I was invited to be on a panel at the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Convention in New Orleans, along with a representative from BMI, Dan Spears and Jack Zwaska, who was then executive director of the Television Music License Committee.
After the panel ended several of the broadcasters came around to talk with the panelists. One of them was Joe Costello, the man who put on the air WRNO-FM, a legendary station in New Orleans. Costello's relationship with ASCAP had been difficult and, if I recall correctly, had once been sued by ASCAP.
Costello stuck his hand out towards Spears and Zwaska and I extended my hand towards him. Notwithstanding the fact that I had never spoken to him before, Costello neither shook my offered hand, nor did he acknowledge my presence. After he left, both Spears and Zwaska apologized to me, as did Lou Munson, the Association's Executive Director and commented that Costello's behavior was rather rude. I shrugged it off and stated that it revealed more about Costello than it did about me or ASCAP.
In January 2000 I was in Fresno, California testifying on behalf of ASCAP in a copyright infringment case. The trial was due to commence on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. I was there with ASCAP's Director of Legal Services and our local counsel and arrived at the appropriate courtroon at 8:45 a.m. The defendant and his attorney arrived at 10:15 a.m. When they arrived I shooktheir hands. I was the first witness called to testify and then proceeded to testify for some three and a half hours about how the defendant systemically and deliberately schemed to under pay music license fees and effectively screw my employer out of some $71,000 in music license fees. The man was a cheating scumbag, but I wouldn't b so classless as to not shake his hand.
I'm glad to see the president has enough class to shake a hand when it is extended to him.
By the way, we were awarded damages and attorney's fees that were fivefold what he would have paid my employer.
Recent Comments