Capitol Tracks SOUND POLICY
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Capitol ® Washington, D.C. 20045 Washington, Ste. 840 529 14th St. NW, academy the Recording THE RECORDING ACADEMY SUMMER 2006 Tracks CapitolCapitol TracksTracks™™ ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF THE MUSIC COMMUNITY ® ™ STRIKING A CHORD ® ® WITH CONGRESS Recording Academy and congressional leaders find harmony at SXSW Music Conference Also in this issue: • Cool New Gadgets At CES. But Will Music Creators Be Paid? • Arkansas’ Gov. Huckabee Weighs In On Music Education • Efforts Intensify Against Radio Payola • Barack And Roll: Sen. Obama Wins A GRAMMY Recording Academy and congressional leaders find harmony at SXSW Music Conference Two important forces within the music committee or caucus that affects the industry — The Recording Academy music community. The event was moder- and the South by Southwest (SXSW) ated by The Recording Academy’s Vice Music Conference — came together in President of Advocacy & Government March for an unprecedented meeting of Relations, Daryl Friedman. policymakers and music professionals in It was the first time the famed SXSW Austin, Texas. The GRAMMY Town Hall, industry confab presented a political panel The Academy’s forum for discussing critical of this magnitude, with the group of leading music issues of the day, presented its national policymakers assembled by The first-ever event in Austin at the country’s Academy and placed on the firing line Stephanie Herseth Jimmy Jam Michael McCaul leading music conference. before an audience of musicians. Subtitled Photos: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage.com Five members of Congress were joined “Rock The House,” the members of by multiple GRAMMY-winning producer Congress presented their views — and having to spend too much When it was revealed that and Academy Vice Chair Jimmy Jam defended their votes — on issues ranging time reviewing decency most of the D.C. guests and multiple GRAMMY-winning artist from radio localism to “fair use” of digital complaints — suggested buy music the old-fash- Ray Benson (of Austin-based Asleep At music to broadcast decency. On the latter that Congress, too, ioned way — on CDs — The Wheel) to discuss a wide range of point (with four of the five congressional should concern itself with Friedman distributed iTunes music-related topics being considered by panelists having voted to increase inde- more pressing issues. gift cards to each to get Congress. Congressional participants cency fines to artists and broadcasters), it The audience was an them started with legal included Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), was the musician panelists who brought active participant as well, downloading. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas), Stephanie the most passion to the discussion. Jam — asking pointed questions After nearly 90 minutes Herseth (D-S.D.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), recounting his recent conversation with of the panel on issues of discussion, it was clear and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). Each of a Federal Communications Commission ranging from increasing that both the elected offi- the members of Congress sits on a key commissioner who complained about music exports, clarifying cials and the music industry webcaster rules, and creat- audience had learned a Linda Sanchez ing a new radio royalty for great deal from one another artists. When asked for a show of hands through this unique opportunity to share of those who knew the names of their ideas. For The Recording Academy, congressional representatives, the majority bridging the gap between music makers of hands in the audience went up, signify- and policymakers is one of the primary ing a particularly informed constituency. goals of its GRAMMY Cultural Policy The members of Congress faced Initiative. At this and other GRAMMY a straw poll too, with Friedman asking Town Halls across the country, it is hoped them if they’ve ever downloaded music. that the gap will continue to narrow. Cover photo: A light moment before the Town Hall (l-r) Herseth, Gonzalez, Friedman, Academy President Neil Portnow, Benson, McCaul, Jam, Blackburn, the GRAMMY Foundation’s Scott Goldman, Sanchez, and Academy Executive Vice President David Grossman Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage.com Charles Gonzalez Marsha Blackburn Ray Benson Photos: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage.com 2 CAPITOL TRACKS CAPITOL TRACKS 3 GRAMMY Winner Shirley Horn Recognized In Congress Recording Academy “Takes Sides” Against Following the October Piracy At CES 2005 passing of GRAMMY- winning jazz legend Shirley Horn, The Recording Academy’s Advocacy & Government Relations office worked with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) to create an appropriate congressional tribute. On Nov. 15, U.S. House Concurrent Resolution 300 was introduced by Washington, D.C. Chapter Executive Director Shannon Emamali, Rep. John Conyers and The Recording Academy’s April Canter commemorate Conyers and Del. Eleanor Shirley Horn Photo: Linda Spillers/WireImage.com Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) to honor Horn’s legacy. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee in the Senate. The Taking Sides at CES (l-r): Bruce Joseph, Russ Frackman and Daryl Friedman House on Feb. 15 and was sent to the complete resolution appears below. In January, The Recording Academy For a panel on the post-Grokster sent its first-ever delegation to the environment titled “Taking Sides: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Consumer Electronics Show, the nation’s The Music Industry Versus File-Sharing Paying tribute to Shirley Horn in recognition honors, including the GRAMMY Award for Best of her many achievements and contributions to Jazz Vocal Performance in 1998, election into the largest trade show. The 1.6 million-square- Consumers,” CEA invited The Recording the world of jazz and American culture. Lionel Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996, an foot trade show hosting 150,000 people Academy’s Vice President of Advocacy & Whereas on October 20, 2005, the United honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of and 2,500 exhibitors is produced by the Government Relations Daryl Friedman States lost jazz legend Shirley Horn, who con- Music in 1998, the 2003 Jazz at Lincoln Center Consumer Electronics Association. CEA is to participate. Friedman was joined by tributed greatly to the musical landscape of the Award, inclusion in ASCAP’s Wall of Fame as the also known for representing the interests panelists Hank Barry, partner, Hummer Nation through her artistry and musical talent; 2005 living legend, and the 2005 NEA Jazz Whereas Shirley Horn was born in 1934 in Master, the Nation’s highest honor in jazz; of the electronics industry and taking Winblad Venture Partners (and former Washington, D.C., and started her musical career Whereas Shirley Horn never forgot her roots positions in Washington that put it CEO of Napster); Russ Frackman, partner, at the age of four on her grandmother’s piano; and continued to support and perform in her local squarely at odds with the movie studios Mitchell Silberburg & Knupp; Bruce Whereas at the tender age of 12, Shirley Horn community of Washington, D.C., receiving the and record labels. Framing the debate Joseph, partner, Wiley Rein & Fielding studied composition and piano at Howard University Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic as consumer versus the entertainment LLP; and Andy Moss, senior director of and was invited to attend the prestigious Juilliard Discipline; and Whereas Shirley Horn’s voice and industry, CEA has opposed the Recording technical policy, Microsoft. The panel School in New York City when she was 18; piano had a profound effect on her listeners Whereas jazz gives a powerful voice to the around the world: Industry and Motion Picture Associations was moderated by San Francisco Chronicle American experience and is born of a diverse Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House on numerous issues, most recently, the staff writer Benny Evangelista. society, uniting people across the divides of race, of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That MGM vs. Grokster case. In that landmark While CEA’s standard position on region, and national boundaries, and draws from Congress — (1) notes with deep sorrow the death ruling, the court sided unanimously the Grokster verdict is that it will stifle life experience and human emotion; of Shirley Horn and extends heartfelt sympathy in favor of the entertainment industry innovation, Friedman noted that music Whereas over her long and distinguished to her husband and family; and (2) recognizes career, Shirley Horn performed and worked with jazz Shirley Horn’s many achievements and contribu- (and against the file-sharing companies creators are the most important innovators legends, including Miles Davis and Quincy Jones; tions to the world of jazz and American culture, Grokster and Streamcast), saying that in the music space. If artists and song- Whereas Shirley Horn recorded over two and notes the loss to American culture with those who induce copyright infringement writers are not compensated for their dozen albums and was lauded with numerous her passing. by others are liable for that infringement. Continued on page 12 4 CAPITOL TRACKS CAPITOL TRACKS 5 News From The Hill: Senate Debates High- Efforts Progress To End Radio “Pay-For-Play” Definition Radio Academy works with Senate and independent promoter to change practices MP3 players, CDs, online music services, means that would allow broadcasters Music creators have long lamented discussions with one of the top inde- satellite and terrestrial radio: What is the and content owners the ability to protect the state of radio. Limited playlists, lack pendent radio promoters, Jeff McClusky next device for listening to music in one’s copyrighted content. of diversity, and minimal access by local & Associates. JMA has been a leader car and home? Perhaps HD radio. Digital In early March, Rep. Mike Ferguson artists are among the chief complaints among businesses that are hired by radio allows up to four separate stations (D-N.J.), a member of the House Energy heard by The Recording Academy from labels to promote their records, and in to operate on the same audio spectrum.