1 AMA office: MBE 148/45 Glenferrie Rd Malvern VIC 3144 Ph 03 9527 6658 Fax: 03 9507 2316 AMA website: www.australianmusic.asn.au Music Makers website: www.musicmakers.org.au SEPTEMBER, 2008 As there is a full report on AMAC 2008 in the newsletter, it may be sufficient for me to observe the continuing commitment to a trade show like AMAC for our industry. The shift to Melbourne resulted in record delegate attendance, a record number of local exhibitors, and generally a good feeling about the change of venue. We go back to the Gold Coast next year for a number of reasons, not least the availability of suitable alternative venues. At the same time the association will pursue options for the years ahead with an open mind given the Melbourne experience. Consideration of refreshing the AMAC format, as always, is high on the agenda. More training? A public or professionals day? Add people’s choice product awards? Suppliers can have their input by returning the recent exhibitors survey. Please take the time, it helps. Whatever the future is we hope that all members had a successful and worthwhile AMAC 2008. The president’s breakfast this year highlighted some issues regarding grey parallel imports and internet trading placing pressure on retail and wholesale alike. Scary estimates of percentages of sales being lost to parallel importing in particular product segments were highlighted. The industry was encouraged to act collectively in addressing the issues, as in a world continuingly evolving a new way of retail, there has been no commensurate way to diminish the regulation placed on the After a decade of AMAC on Queensland's Keynote speaker for MED this year was Australian traditional forms of retailing. It would Gold Coast, it was Melbourne's turn to host Idol music director John Foreman, who also plays simplify it to imply that government can be the annual event. Retailers from all corners of a major part in the Music Council of Australia's the only influencer and the industry needs the country donned their long forgotten coats successful initiative 'Music. Count Us In'. to be vigilant in maintaining competitiveness and braved some crisp winter days to check Foreman wrote a song in conjunction with four and added value in the face of internet enterprise. out the amazing gear on offer. Of course AMAC is students for this year's 'Music. Count Us In' which not just about doing deals for Christmas and Back was later recorded by Kate Ceberano. Last year, on The AGM of the AMA will be held in to School, AMAC is also an opportunity to learn one single day in late August, nearly 300,000 kids Sydney on October 27 – you will receive the nominations and other forms soon. The things about the industry and business in general. from around 900 schools performed the'Music. AMA’s Annual Report and details of Music So again activities such as the “Hot Half Hours” Count Us In' song together. This year's Makers activities will be shared. Importantly, training seminars with the Australian Retailers composition, appropriately titled 'Sing', will be a new Executive Committee will be elected. Association took place along with the "Big Issues" voiced simultaneously by school students We welcome members attending and full program for store owners and managers -a nationwide, when 'Music. Count Us In' 2008 takes details will follow. We also welcome anyone highlight this year was the Google session place on Thursday October 23rd at 11.30am.(See interested in serving on the AMA Executive featuring Justin Baird. more detailed MED report inside) Committee to consider it. You could help Also introduced in 2008 was "Shop Floor plan the next AMAC! I encourage any Sunday" a series of focused seminars for retail The second annual Weekend Warriors member to contact me should you need to discuss this. store staff. Convention also took place at AMAC. The As usual a growing number of satellite events ran Weekend Warriors are musicians of no specific age While in Sydney we’ll hold a Music Makers parallel with AMAC. The national Soundhouse or demographic who come together to form a dinner and meeting – full details will follow on that too. organisation ran their annual conference and also band, rehearse some songs with experienced assisted in presentations to music teachers on the coaches and play a gig at the end of it all. They may Sunday for Music Educators Day (MED). Continued over page Continued over page 2 YOUR AMA. WORKING FOR YOU have been in bands in previous lives or they may have just been bedroom rock gods. With the Warrior program, they rekindle their love for playing, make new friends and for some, fill a void that has been missing in their lives for some time. This year Warriors attendees were treated to several intimate and exclusive sessions with Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, and Wilbur Wilde. (See more detailed WW Convention report on next page.) Another side group in attendance at AMAC were the studio and broadcast industry attendees who had come to check out the wares on Music Professionals Monday. Of course AMAC wouldn't be a convention without a social element and musically rich Melbourne didn't let delegates down. The opulence of Peninsula at Atlantic in Melbourne's Docklands provided a fitting venue for the AMA Gala Awards Dinner. Featured artists on the night included Melbourne jazz stalwarts Tony Gould and Bob Sedergreen, and fresh from their Weekend Warriors duties Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and band charmed the crowd with a passionate performances of their classic hits. The less formal atmosphere of Club AMAC in the adjoining room was presented this year by Australian Musician magazine. Selected for this year's Club AMAC bill were The Custom Kings and 67 Special. Other notable music identities either seen strolling the AMAC trade floor, presenting sessions or appearing as special guests included Dave Graney and Clare Moore, Angie Hart, Phil Manning (Chain), Lisa Miller, Diesel, iconic guitar effect pedal king Jim Dunlop (in town for local distributor AMS's 30th anniversary), jazz legend George Golla and eminent indie guitar hero Spencer P Jones. Next year AMAC returns to the Gold Coast. Photos by Bob Kennedy (Swampfox) & Michael Brown AMA AWARD WINNERS 2008 The AMA Gala Awards Dinner was a joyous occassion. Congratulations to this year’s AMA Award winners, (some pictured right) • Best training and retail support FROM THE PRESIDENT Continued from page 1 - larger wholesaler - Rode Microphones • Best training and retail support The 08-09 membership renewals will be arriving soon. These are following the 2007 - smaller wholesaler - Musico AGM where the members agreed to approve a change in structure to the retail membership fees in order to provide a more equitable assessment method based on • Best retailer website - Kosmic Sound the relative size of the business – these increases while not unreasonable see the • Best wholesaler website - Jands core services of the AMA funded to an acceptable level from members’ contributions which when added to the Music Makers contributions from Wholesale members • Best Australian made - physical product sees the AMA continue to be an influencer in key areas of government, music - Maton for their Custom Shop education and public relations. There is also immediate ROI for members taking advantage of the AON insurance, Commonwealth Bank EFTPOS and Showgroup • Best Australian made - print and software product travel rates and the availability of industry statistics and market research is invaluable - Perform Live: You Be The Star from AMPD as are the international relationships developed. • Best newcomer - Adam Toms from Allans Music Group Perhaps with interest rates on the way down and a change of season, the spring will • Best presented store -non metro - be in our customer’s step and consumer confidence will pick up in the run to Christmas. Music Den, Geelong Regards, • Best presented store - metro- Allans Music, Kew Robert Walker • Best rep - internal sales - Robert Gairns, Pro Music President • Best rep - field sales - Paul Pisani, Pro Music 3 Wholesalers and retailers who came together to do business at the Melbourne Convention Centre for AMAC, may have been oblivious to the activities of the Weekend Warrior delegates who were immersing themselves in their own convention. For much of the time around three dozen (almost 50 in attendance counting partners!) Weekend Warrior enthusiasts were locked away in side rooms being inspired by the likes of Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, Wilbur Wilde and the dedicated Warrior coaches. This year Warriors attendees were coached by Bob Spencer (Angels, Skyhooks), Roger McLachlan (LRB), Peter 'Maz' Maslen (Boom Crash Opera) and Mick Pealing (Stars). Pealing, who was a convention first-timer, held the Music Educators' Day has become an important event, gathered Warriors captive with his tales of the road and his thoughts on running parallel with AMAC. This year at the Melbourne vocal warm ups, rehearsal and performance techniques. Bob chose to speak Convention Centre the Music Educators' Day's theme was on guitar tone. Roger gave his valued opinions on getting a great bass ‘Creative engagement with music’. The event provided a groove, and 'Mas' chatted about the life of a studio drummer. great professional development opportunity for both WW delegates were also treated to several intimate and exclusive sessions primary and secondary music educators, and also the joint with Brian Cadd, and Russell Morris, who related some priceless tips on presentation with aMuse (Association of Music Educators songwriting. [Victoria] ) represented a useful professional partnership Sax legend Wilbur Wilde arrived for his session, propped himself down and between the music industry and a teacher professional immediately set about chatting to the audience as if he was holding court at a organisation.