Hi,

Sugarfoot Rag is copyrighted by Hank Garland, the issue seems to be whether the copyright for Sugarfoot Rag extends to a previously existing PD melody.

Don't see how it can.

I'm not saying Garland took the melody but Clayton McMichen did. I even have a tape of him telling about it.

My point is: if you play a PD song Pretty Little Widow that a copyright on Sugarfoot Rag shouldn't prevent you from playing it- even if the melody is very similar.

Richie