'Miss America' song cut from pageant over dispute

[May 09, 2013]  ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- The next Miss America won't hear a familiar refrain when she's crowned in Atlantic City, N.J., in September.

The song, "Miss America," which starts with the words, "There she is, Miss America," will not be part of the pageant.

Miss American Organization Vice President Sharon Pearce tells The Press of Atlantic City (http://bit.ly/10okWTN) that the tune, which was first played in 1955, is no longer included. She says no decision has been made on a final song.

The song was replaced by instrumental music at the 2013 pageant in January after the widow of the songwriter filed a licensing lawsuit in federal court in California in 2012. The complaint was dismissed in December following a confidential settlement.

The song wasn't used for three years in the 1980s after a contract dispute.

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Information from: The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/

[Associated Press]

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