We've made so much progress in the last few weeks that it is going to
be difficult to summarize it all for you. Our main goal as an organization
is to keep musicians and music fans informed about complicated music/technology
issues. We need to keep you folks informed about our work on behalf of
musicians.
So here are some of the the highlights:
Clarifying the RIAA's role: On 6/14/00 we published our first
press release. Among other issues we questioned the sincerity and
appropriateness of the RIAA's recent congressional activity lobbying
on behalf of "the artists" when that organization is funded
by record labels that have a history of exploiting and devaluing the
labor of these same artists.
A journalist from Soundbytes.com contacted the RIAA for comment and
got them on the record. A representative from the RIAA confirmed that
their group represents the major labels and not the artists. We applaud
the RIAA's candor and look forward to representing those musicians
whom that organization is no longer publicly pretend to represent.
MP3 Summit: Jennifer Toomey, Brian Zisk, and Walter McDonough
attended the MP3 Summit, in San Diego, CA, and connected with programmers
and members of the music/technology community to discuss their ideas
and concerns regarding the impending technologies. If you're curious,
you can watch the excellent Summit panels (of which Pamela Samuelson's
speech on Wednesday afternoon was particularly noteworthy) at http://www.mp3.com/summit/webcasts.html?mc=hptn07 .
Group Summit Highlights
* On Tuesday, June 20th at the "Models for Monetizing Music"
Panel, Jenny raised a question that tried to direct the discussion
away from "pie in the sky" solutions (i.e. Sting's Internet
partnership with Jaguar) and refocus the issue on solutions more appropriate
for the great majority of artists who do not have entree of someone
like Sting. She was rewarded for her efforts by a flurry of support
and business cards. There are a lot of influential people who will
remember this day as the first time they actually met Jenny Toomey.
* On Wednesday Brian represented iCAST on the MSP vs. Radio panel
where he exemplified the reason, innovation, and optimism that he
is known for.
* Walter split his time between The Summit and Tuesday, June 20th's
University of Southern California Symposium regarding Copyright in the
Digital Age. He raised questions regarding the Digital Performance Royalty
for Sound Recordings (DPRSR) controversy and the "Digital Black
Box."
* Watch for Jenny's upcoming CNet opinion piece regarding the Summit's
"Transitioning between the Major Labels and the Online Industry"
panel.
Interviews: You have to know where you are going in order
to get there. That's why Brian, Walter, & Michael all agreed to
separate interviews with Jenny to focus their goals for The Coalition.
Specifically:
Why each member formed his/her area of The Coalition;
What the most important music/technology issues are affecting
their area of expertise; and
Action items for their respected focus areas of The Coalition
over the next 6 months.
Keeping on Track: Jenny Toomey has taken a 3-month leave of
absence from her position at The Washington Post in order to help effectuate
the goals outlined in the board-member interviews. She is currently
the Future of Music Coalition's Acting Executive Director.
She will also be working directly with The Coalition board members and
with experts in the music/technology community to develop original research
in areas that remain too cloudy. This research will focus on a broad
variety of subjects such as:
Artist compensation (i.e. understanding how and where Indie
artists make their money and what effect the new technology is
having on their livelihood).
Strengths and weaknesses of encryption and watermarking technology.
The effects of the DMCA and the AHRA on the value of the labor
of independent artists.
Education Forum The Coalition for the Future of Music wishes
to invite all of you to a two-day music/technology event in December.
Our main goal is to invite experts and artists to represent their
perspectives in Washington. It is our hope that that by holding an
event such as this one in Washington DC, the seat of American government,
we might facilitate a more nuanced understanding of these complicated
questions by our newly elected government officials. We believe this
is crucial, as it is these officials who will be passing legislation
that will have lasting affects on music/technology.
Document our Numbers: If you haven't read and signed the
manifesto please do so at http://www.futureofmusic.org/manifesto/.
It is imperative that we document the large number of musicians, programmers
and music fans whose pro-technology/pro-compensation perspective is
not being represented.
Tell your friends, link to us from your sites http://www.futureofmusic.org/movement.cfm
, and spread the good word! And if you don't agree with the manifesto,
write us an e-mail and tell us why? We have no desire to operate in
a vacuum.
Press: Check out the "News"
section of the Coalition's website for a list of links to articles
and interviews about the Future of Music that have run in Wired, The
Industry Standard, NPR, and elsewhere. There have been a lot of interviews
so you can expect more press in the near future.
Original Research: We may not have the solution to the problem
that Napster and its ilk present, but we can try to explain the problem
clearly. Our newest piece of original research is an article by Peter
DiCola, (which can be found at http://www.insound.com/machine/essay.cfm?id=38.
It describes the basic economic forces that have led to the music
industry's current plight. It demonstrates why artists and labels
are going to have more and more trouble receiving money in return
for their recorded music (which is why you indie artists and indie
labels really should read this.) We're very excited to have Peter
helping out. This is the first in a series of articles that will appear
in The Machine about economic and business issues in the music/technology
area.
How are we doing? If you have any feedback, questions or
suggestions please drop us a line to any of individually, or to feedback@futureofmusic.org.
Thanks for your support.
xjenny toomey
Acting Executive Director of The Coalition for the Future of Music and
friends.
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)
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
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
Seattle "Rocked the Net" Rep. Jay Inslee advocated network neutrality;
joined by rocker Matt Nathanson, Reclaim the Media, FMC and local music business representatives October 31, 2007
Rock the Net: Campaign for Net Neutrality Rocks Seattle
Teleconference with Rep Jay Inslee on Tuesday, Oct 30. Matt Nathanson performs at Seattle’s Crocodile Café on Tuesday, Oct. 30 October 26, 2007
Future of Music Policy Summit to Tackle Critical Issues at the Intersection of Music, Law, Technology and Policy Sen. Byron Dorgan and Sen. Ron Wyden to Deliver Keynote Addresses
Mac McCaughan, Bob Mould, Marybeth Peters of the U.S. Copyright Office and More Than 90 Other Panelists Confirmed. September 10, 2007 Summit home page Press Credentialing
AT&T's muting of bands points toward a pattern of silencing political speech Content monitor did not edit out 20 instances of curse words during Pearl Jam webcast, despite AT&T claim it hires monitors to block "excessive profanity". August 13, 2007
Top musicians, lawyers, technologists confirmed for FMC's 7th annual Policy Summit August 13, 2007 Press Release Summit home page Press Credentialing
FMC Statement on AT&T Silencing Pearl Jam's lyrics during Lollapalooza webcast August 9, 2007
FMC Statement on Federal Trade Commission Report on Net Neutrality June 29, 2007
FMC files testimony with House Small Business Committee on CRB Webcasting Rates June 27, 2007 Press Release | Testimony
Clear Channel strips local, independent artists of digital performance royalties
FMC has discovered that Clear Channel's online application for local and independent artists to submit their music for airplay on each of its stations requires the artist to approve a licensing agreement that does away with their digital performance right. June 22, 2007
Low Power Radio Gets New Push in Congress
Congress introduces bills to create hundreds of new low power FM radio stations to cities and suburbs across the country. June 22, 2007
FMC Announces Dates for 7th annual Policy Summit
September 17-18, 2007
GWU Betts Theatre, Washington, DC June 11, 2007
FMC Organizes "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home II"
A Benefit Concert on May 27 at New Orleans' Tipitina's for Sweet Home New Orleans featuring: Indigo Girls, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Matt Nathanson, Pamela Z...and special guests
May 23, 2007 Press Release | Details
Congressman Mike Doyle to address conference on music, law and technology
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 25, 2007
A2IM Endorses Rock the Net Campaign
American Association of Independent Music urges its label members to join the campaign for network neutrality. April 17, 2007
Music Mashes with Policy at upcoming Technology and IP Policy Day
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 16, 2007
FMC Applauds FCC's Payola Settlement
Payola agreement by FCC and big broadcast chains represents a major - but tentative - step toward once again opening the nation's airwaves to local music and voices. April 13, 2007
Rep. Edward Markey, Ted Leo kick off "Rock the Net"
Nearly 150 artists and labels have already signed onto campaign for net neutrality
March 27, 2007 Press Release | Rock the Net
Major Artists To Join Launch of Rock the Net Campaign for Net Neutrality March 23, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC's "Rules of Engagement" On Payola March 5, 2007
FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Media Ownership Proceeding January 16, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC Payola Settlement
FMC's statement on FCC's reported consent decree with the broadcast industry in regards to payola. January 16, 2007
Radio Station Ownership Consolidation Shown to Harm Musicians and the Public
FMC study shows that the rapid consolidation of the commercial radio industry that followed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to a loss of localism, less competition, fewer viewpoints and less diversity in radio programming in media markets across the country.
December 13, 2006 Press release Report details
FMC Organizes Musicians Bringing Musicians Home Benefit concert at New Orleans' Tipitina's on November 6th featuring Steve Earle, Mike Mills, Allison Moorer, Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Corin Tucker and special guests.
October 23, 2006 Read press release Read press coverage
Job
Losses Associated with Radio Consolidation Undermine Localism and Diversity FMC, Newspaper Guild and Consumers Union urge FCC to take employment effects
of their policies into account during upcoming review of media ownership rules August 9, 2006
FMC Releases Research on Employment and Wage Effects of Radio Consolidaton August 9, 2006
FMC on Preserving the Dynamism of the Internet Opinion Piece on ABC News June 29, 2006
FMC Statement on Senate Commerce Committee Vote in Support of LPFM June 28, 2006
FMC Statement on FCC Media Ownership Proceeding June 21, 2006
Indie-rock revolution, fueled by net neutrality Op-ed by FMC's Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy June 13, 2006
Pearl Jam Donation To Help Musicians Help Themselves Proceeds From Washington, DC Appearance to be Donated to FMC Artist Research
Council May 25, 2006 Press Release
FMC signs on letter to preserve net neutrality May 17, 2006
FMC Announces Dates for Sixth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
October 5-7, 2006 Media Advisory May 15, 2006
FMC Statement on Release of Feingold's Radio and Concert Disclosure
and Competition Act of 2005 November 18, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Commerce Committee in Support of a
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings October 19, 2005
Top Names in Music, Law, Technology and Policy Return to Debate Critical
Issues at Fifth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
September 6, 2005 Media Advisory | Policy
Summit home page
FMC Announces Health Insurance Navigation Tool
August 9, 2005 HINT Home Page
FMC Press Release: Music Mashes with Policy at DC Policy Day April 8, 2005
FMC's Michael Bracy Testifies in front
of House Judiciary Committee on "Digital Music Interoperability" April 6, 2005
FMC files comments at US Copyright Office on "Orphan
Works"
Comments also ask Copyright
Office to consider status of out-of-print recordings March 25, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Stating Concerns about S 193, Broadcast Decency Enforcement
Act March
10, 2005
FMC and artist groups file joint reply comments at FCC on localism in broadcasting,
MB Docket 04-233
January
3, 2005 PDF of document
