The Music Modernization Act may have unanimously passed the House and garnered support from songwriters, publishers, and DSPs, but the bill has faced a few obstacles ahead of November. On this episode, we check in with key players and look ahead at how the MMA could change our business. Featured guests include Blake Morgan (IRespectMusic), David Israelite (NMPA), Richard Burgess (A2IM), and Daryl Friedman (NARAS).
We talk a lot on this show about issues that affect musicians and the creative community, so how can people get involved and actually make a difference? For the last three years, the Recording Academy has led a grassroots campaign to mobilize the music community. Through their District Advocate day (formerly GRAMMYs in My District), artists have an opportunity to make an impact on music policy by speaking directly with their legislator. This year, District Advocate day falls on October 18th.
The music industry is constantly changing, so today we shine a light on a few important topics developing in the business. First we discuss the recent YouTube “adpocalypse” and how it affects artists’ revenues with Gray Gannaway of Quarterlab Consultancy. Then we hear from Mike Huppe, President of SoundExchange about their recent acquisition of CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency). Finally, The Recording Academy’s Daryl Friedman gives us an update on what’s happening with issues and legislation that affects musicians, like the Fair Play, Fair Pay Act.
When people hear about the Recording Academy, some scratch their heads in wonder, while others immediately recognize them as the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards every year. However, both of these responses bely the true effort and intent behind the organization, as they are just as involved in awards shows as they are in advocacy for musicians on Capitol Hill and beyond. After several successful years of doing the music industry lobbying day, “Grammys On The Hill,” the Recording Academy decided to take the model that they had developed for Washington, D.C. and bring that back to musician’s home districts. This year represents the second time that “Grammys In My District” has happened, and we speak with three different players inside the organization about what’s different about this year’s event, and catch some soundbytes of the event that took place in Seattle on October 14.
How are artists making money in the new economy? Some artists are fighting the corporations and winning: The Turtles and the pre-1972 copyright debate. What is SoundExchange and why does everyone love them? (Hint: They are not the Nigerian prince!) Why is there no performance royalty for commercial radio play and what are we going to do about it? Plus: featured record label Dualtone Records, home of The Lumineers and others!