WASHINGTON, DC – Future of Music Coalition — whose 2002 examination of radio station ownership consolidation Radio Deregulation: Has It Served Citizens and Musicians? has been cited as essential evidence by FCC Commissioners and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals — has released a new publication that provides an overview of payola in the radio industry. Released in collaboration with the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), Change That Tune: A Payola Education Guide for Musicians and Citizens makes the case that little has changed since the FCC enacted voluntary agreements between radio groups and major labels in April 2007.

In its reply comments, FMC highlights concrete ways for stations to make localism a priority, and urges the FCC to take definite steps to collect playlist data so it can track and analyze playlists in order to ensure that stations fulfill their public interest obligations. For the past four years, FMC has articulated a four-part “Fixing Radio” agenda.  This agenda is focused on specific, tangible and commonsense policies that will greatly enhance the role that terrestrial radio can and should play in our society and culture.

Raleigh, NC ? Local music heroes will pay musical tribute to talented multi-instrumentalist Drew Glackin. The concerts take place at The Pour House Music Hall on Saturday, May 3, and Sadlack?s Heroes on Sunday, May 4.Glackin, who passed away in January, was a member of alt-country legends The Silos. In the course of a fruitful career, he also recorded or toured with Tandy, Gingersol, Susan Tedeschi, The Hold Steady and Chris Mills, among others. Like so many musicians, Glackin lacked health insurance. This not only prevented early detection of the thyroid condition that lead to his untimely death, but also resulted in a considerable financial burden for his family. The concerts also benefit Future of Music Coalition?s Health Insurance Navigation Tool, or HINT ? a free, musician-friendly service that offers artists the chance to examine their health insurance options with experts who are also musicians. read more

Rochester, NY – Future of Music Coalition is proud to partner with the Rochester Musicians Association (AFM Local 66) and the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester to bring the "What’s The Future for Musicians?" seminar to Rochester. The free event takes place at Rochester Museum and Science Center on Monday, April 28, from 3 PM to 8:30 PM. Musicians will learn about such topical issues as promotion and distribution, access to media outlets such as radio, compensation in the digital age and the importance of open internet structures. Artists from all genres — including classical, jazz, rock, folk and hip-hop — are welcome. read more

WASHINGTON, DC — On March 11 and 12, Damian Kulash and Andy Ross — members of the band OK Go — met with members of Congress to discuss net neutrality. On Tuesday, March 12, Kulash delivered rousing testimony complete with audio-visual accompaniment before members of the House Judiciary Committee, including Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich). “If people wonder whether the music industry will benefit from Net Neutrality they can look no further than us,” said Kulash. “There is a real consensus with us that Net Neutrality is good for music. I’m here to ask Congress today to preserve Net Neutrality and the future of the Internet.” read more