Posted by news watcher on December 18, 2001 at 17:26:31:
Just saw on one local newscast in Boston that the Florida Orchestra is sueing for royalties for the Whitney Houston Super Bowl National Anthem performance that was re-released since 9/11. According to the story the proceeds from the re-release are going to help victims of the 9/11 events. It made the Florida Orchestra out to look like they were greedily looking to profit from the 9/11 events. A paraphrased quote from the lead in to the story: "Coming up next, the proceeds from the re-release of Whitney Houston's national anthem performance at the Super Bowl were supposed to go to help victims of 9/11...see who else is looking to profit from this."
The Florida Orchestra needs someone to tell their side of the story...the newscast did mention in passing that the orchestra is non-profit, but the musicians side of the story (that of struggle to stay afloat, etc..) was not given. I'm pretty sure Whitney Houston and the record companies can afford to give their royalties to charity, but it seems to me that the Florida Orchestra could really use the money.