Capitol Records Not Being Friendly to Fire Fighters

September 22, 2009 – Country music artist Ronnie Milsap is joining fire fighters, police and their families to protest Capitol Records attempt to stop Bleve Entertainment Group in its promotion or sales of “My First Ride,” a single featuring Milsap and Capitol recording artist Trace Adkins. Bleve Entertainment is marketing the song, which hit airwaves September 1, to benefit the IAFF and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) disaster relief funds. 

German/UK-owned Capitol Records is charging Bleve with the “unauthorized use and exploitation of Trace Adkin’s performance and name and dilution of the value of Capitol’s valuable property.” Bleve Entertainment CEO Mickey Milam, a retired Metro Nashville police officer, says the song was green-lighted through Adkin’s management company and that Capitol Records had full knowledge of the project. In a statement to the media, Bleve Entertainment says it will continue with the release and promotion of “My First Ride,” the lead single from a multi-artist CD due out November 1.

Milsap supports Bleve in fighting this fight. “Make me a sign, and I will lead the picket line!” he says.

Milam started Bleve Records to benefit fire fighters and police officers and their families after a disaster. These funds have been depleted following September 11 and recent devastating hurricanes.

In addition to an outcry of support for “My First Ride” from fire fighters and police and their families, members of the music community and fans of Milsap and Adkins are also offering encouragement. “The phone calls and emails keep coming,” says Milam.

For more information, click here.

“My First Ride” was originally designed as a solo song by Ronnie Milsap, but his long-time friend Trace Adkins offered to lend his voice to the project. “Trace was gracious enough to sing on this song – not only because of his friendship with Milsap, but because he believes in our cause,” says Milam.

He adds, “Our goal is still to see this single top the charts. The more sales or downloads the song generates, the more attention it will receive, and that’s going to put money in the disaster relief funds.”

IAFF members can call their local country music radio stations and request “My First Ride.” Click here for phone numbers and emails of local country music stations.