When people buy CDs, the record companies and the licensing companies are supposed to pay royalties to the artists. In addition, radio stations pay blanket license fees to BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC to air CDs, money that is supposed to end up in the artists’ pockets. But now, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is trying to levy a new performance tax on radio stations, and Congress is currently debating the issue. WCLV in Cleveland is asking its listeners to write to their members of Congress.
Big Picture
What Mona Brought Home from AMPPR (Part 1 of 2)
This guest post was written by Mona Seghatoleslami, a classical announcer, producer and blogger at West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
I’ve just had my first day of work since I got back from this year’s Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio conference in Fort Worth, Texas. I want to do everything at once; I’m really inspired to try a bunch of new things, and even the mundane tasks at work seem more exciting. That’s probably pretty typical after a conference. The true test will be how I’m doing after a few weeks or months.
I have a whole lot of notes from all the sessions, which I can share with anyone who’s interested. I’d also like to hear from what other people learned and plan to do. For now, here are two things I’m inspired to do.
“It’s the Worst I’ve Ever Seen It”
WFMT Executive Vice President Steve Robinson has been doing pledge drives for more than 40 years. An article in the Chicago Sun Times quotes him as saying that this year, “it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it.” Look for the entire article here.
NEA Funding Reinstated in the Stimulus Bill
Virginians for the Arts reports today that the wording prohibiting funding for arts and community was deleted from the final stimulus bill, or if that’s too many negatives in one sentence, we got it back!