In today's news of the weird comes word that conservative culture warrior and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch intervened to help secure the release of R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail.
The Grammy winning Austin, who has also produced releases for Madonna, TLC and Pink, was sentenced to four years in prison in Dubai for possession of cocaine. Just hours after a call from Hatch, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned Austin and ordered his release.
Apparently, Hatch has never met Austin and is not familiar with his work. (This would seem to contradict rumors of Hatch's late 1980's flirtation with gangsta culture and bands such as NWA and Public Enemy.) Outside of his day job in the Capitol, Hatch fancies himself a singer and songwriter of inspirational music. But while Hatch may be one of many singing senators, the GOP is the only party he's going to get started.
As it turns out, the devout Mormon and the music mogul do share one common connection, though: Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz.