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Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION MAKES AVAILABLE THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS ON THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON AS SUCH. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT A LAWYER.

  1. Q: What is the Future of Music Coalition?

    A: Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that identifies, examines, interprets and translates the challenging issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy. FMC achieves this through continuous interaction with its primary constituency – musicians – and in collaboration with other creator/citizen groups. You can read more about our mission and objectives here.

  2. Q: What can I do to help FMC?

    A: We are a small organization that needs to rely on the support of citizens to get our work done. This website provides you with the gateway to many of the activities that are designed to bring more people into the FMC.

    Subscribe to our newsletters. Every month, FMC distributes our electronic newsletter to over 6,000 subscribers. Packed full of breaking news, information about pending legislation and FCC filings, and links to news stories, advocacy campaigns, surveys, and articles, the newsletter serves as our most direct method of educating musicians and citizens about the constantly changing issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy. Subscribe at www.futureofmusic.org/subscribe.cfm

    Attend our events Every year, FMC organizes Policy Summits, conferences and roundtables that bring hundreds of musicians, academics, advocates, policymakers and industry representatives together for cutting-edge discussions of the issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy.  Thanks to generous contributions from foundations, technology companies, sponsors, musician advocacy groups and lawfirms, working musicians are able to attend our Policy Summits for free. This way, many of the audience participants are those who have the biggest stake in the policy debate – musicians themselves. Learn more about upcoming events, or subscribe to our events newsletter.

    Participate in our ongoing advocacy campaigns. FMC routinely provides musicians and citizens with ways to take part in the policymaking process, from network neutrality to payola, to localism in radio, to health insurance for musicians.

    Donate to support our work FMC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We welcome donations of any size to support our work. Visit our secure donations page to make a contribution.

  3. Q: How much does it cost to become a member of the FMC?

    A: Nothing, because we are not an organization with a membership. We are working on issues that affect many different groups -- from musicians, to librarians, to small record labels, to webcasters, to the public at large. We invite everyone to read about our issues, join us at public events, and participate in the debate. The best way to become a "member" of the community is to sign up to receive our newsletters or add our blog to your RSS feed so that you can keep abreast with our activities and events.

    If you would like to support us financially, we can accept contributions of any size via this online donation form or PayPal.


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up front

FMC Releases New York State Edition of "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists in New York State from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
June 30, 2009
Press Release | Report

"I Support Community Radio" Artist Video Campaign
Musicians talk about what good local radio means to them.
July 10, 2009
Project Page | Press Release

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home V"
All-star Tipitina's concert on May 22, 2009 benefits Big Easy musicians and Sweet Home New Orleans.
May 7, 2009
Press Release

FMC Releases "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
April 29, 2009
Press Release | Report

Low Power FM Briefing Brought Diverse Voices Together for Community Radio
Advocates for LPFM gathered at our nation’s capital to promote the importance of local community radio in more American towns and cities.
April 24, 2009
Press release

FMC Honors Departing Executive Director Ann Chaitovitz

Chaitovitz’s tenure brought unambiguous artist focus to FMC’s work in education, research and advocacy for musicians.
April 7, 2009
Press release

D.C. Policy Day 2009
Event featured lively discussion between artists, advocates, music industry insiders, policymakers and technologists.
February 12, 2009
Press release | Event site

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" New Orleans Benefit Concert

Show is the culmination of FMC and Air Traffic Control's annual three-day Artist Activism Camp.
November 19, 2008
Press Release

FMC Analysis: Election Impact on Artists and the Music Community
There are many indicators that a new Adminstration will create conditions for more art and culture-friendly policy; FMC identifies key areas for improvement.
November 5, 2008
Analysis | PDF

FMC Statement on the FCC's White Spaces Vote
Musicians will benefit from White Spaces — those unoccupied frequencies in the existing TV spectrum — given careful implementation of new "smart" devices.
November 4, 2008
Statement

FMC and realizePhiladelphia present web.illish.us
Multi-faceted web and live shows raise awareness about net neutrality and democratic access to the media.
October 29, 2008
Press release | Event page | Main site

A2IM and FMC Report on Independent Music and Commerical Airplay
In-depth survey finds little has changed 18 months after FCC Consent Decree and "voluntary agreements."
October 22, 2008
Press release | Report

FMC Statement on CRB Rulings
Rate-setting for mechanical royalties for physical and digital music should songwriters; encourage new business models.
October 3, 2008
Press release

FMC Reveals Programming for Fall Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Sampling and Fair Use Panel in NYC.
September 9, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Announces Upcoming Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision
On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet.
August 1, 2008

Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album
On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008
Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)

FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding
June 11, 2008
PDF of Reply Comments | Press release

Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008
Press release | Rock the Net

Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin's family and Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008
Press release
FMC's HINT program

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008
Event details | RSVP

Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008
Press release
Spoken testimony

Written testimony

Rock the Net

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 7, 2008 | Event details

Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality
February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality.
February 15, 2008

OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians
Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality
February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5.
February 4, 2008

Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 21, 2008

Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008
Press release | Event details

FMC's Latest Fact Sheets
HD Radio
Low Power FM Radio
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings
Orphan Works
Traveling with Instruments
Touring Internationally
SoundExchange
Net Neutrality
Full Power Non-Commerical Radio Licenses
Media Ownership

Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director
A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey
January 3, 2008

Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together
Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama
January 2, 2008

FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC's Interim Executive Director; Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors
November 26, 2007