You may remember him from the rock and roll revival act or the popular TV series, both called Sha Na Na.The group was featured in the movie Grease as Johnny Casino & The Gamblers.
But now Jon “Bowzer” Bauman has a different focus: working to prevent others from falsely impersonating musical acts.
Bauman spoke at the House Judiciary Committee Thursday to encourage support of House Bill 2057 by state Rep. Mike Thompson. The bill would make it illegal for musical groups to falsely affiliate themselves with an artist without designating themselves as a tribute group or advertising the performance as a salute to the original artist.
The bill is titled the Truth in Music Advertising Act.
“This legislation protects both consumers and recording artists from losing out to groups falsely promoting themselves as the original recording artist,” Thompson, R-Oklahoma City, said.
“The bill punishes impersonators with a fine of up to $15,000. Groups that identify themselves as tribute bands or acts or otherwise credit the original artist or groups that have express permission or work with a member of the original recording group, would not be affected.
Similar legislation has passed in 27 states and Bauman said another eight may pass the law by the end of the year.
“It has vast support everywhere,” Bauman said.
The bill designates the state attorney general’s office as the enforcer of the law but, according to Bauman, the enforcement of the measure generally takes care of itself because the vendors who book the act usually begin to self-police to avoid trouble, Bauman said.
“The situation usually begins to start taking care of itself without much government interference,” he said.
The bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee Thursday and now proceeds to the House floor.
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