Archive for June, 2009
Urgent legislation for recording musicians
June 20th, 2009 | 
Author: Dear Friends…It is time to make current performers rights legislation OUR ISSUE. It is extremely important that we tell ALL of our friends across the nation (not just in Nashville) that we need their help by contacting their congressmen and women and letting them know that we need for them to support this legislation. This is urgent!!
DO YOU KNOW???…
· That there is an estimated $70-$100 MILLION each year in foreign radio airplay royalties held for US musicians?
· That since the US does not have a reciprocal royalty, we are being denied payment of those foreign royalties?
· That the US is one of the only major economies that does not have a radio airplay royalty? That list includes China, Iran and North Korea!!
· That creating music is one of the few truly American industries coveted by the rest of the world?
· That if we can urge Congress to pass current performance rights legislation, we will not only receive US royalties, but also the millions of dollars already waiting for us from other markets?
· That radio broadcasters are claiming this will put small broadcasters(especially minority stations) out of business…even though there is a sliding scale based on revenue with a (very) minimal flat rate for small stations?
· That this is an intellectual property issue that connects working musicians, artists and producers to the copyright of the recording and that copyright is extremely important for our future?
· That this has been portrayed as a record label issue, when in fact it should be a performer issue….OUR ISSUE!
For more information and an easy button for e-mailing your congressional representatives go to www.musicfirstcoalition.org.
If you have trouble getting to the site …google congress and find out how to reach your representatives.
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Political Baking 2009 summer edition
Have you ever noticed that the way to a musicians heart is through their stomach?! Well, I have. Musicians love to eat and some of them love to cook and let’s face it…it can never hurt your standing in society to bring some freshly baked brownies to work! The power of food…we love food for its ability to create connections and memories. Have a gathering, talk politics and enjoy delicious recipes!
Since this is the summer edition, I must include a recipe for my favorite summer drink, the mojito! First, if you grow your own mint I recommend that you grow it in a confined space, because it will take over any comfortable space.)
Mojito (Cooking Light version)
Place 2 teaspoons sugar and 10 small mint leaves in a glass, crush with the back of a long spoon. Fill glass with crushed ice. Add 1/4 cup white rum, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 6-ounces of club soda or sparkling mineral water. Garnish with more mint…yum. (For non-alcoholic drink skip the rum and add a little cranberry juice!)
Pair with Piazzola (love Gidon Kremer’s recording)…or Cuban jazz!
Are You Listening?
Are you listening? I am. What are you listening to? The digital age has brought on a huge industrial and cultural revolution. This is major. Are you listening on your computer? With headphones or earbuds? You tube? In your car? Or do you still sit in front of your carefully selected hi-fi system with the speakers placed in the perfect place for your listening experience?
The digital age has changed everything. Accessiblity, the connections we can make with colleagues, the lack of geography, and definitely the speed with which we can communicate have all changed. But how have our listening habits and expectations changed? How has listening to Brahms with earbuds and an i-pod affected what we hear and where we hear it and what else we are doing while we are hearing it? How about those old-fashioned liner notes? I learned a lot about music history and the artists reading those well thought out liner notes.
Is this new listening experience good for classical music? Or irrelevant? Is the new accessibility presented by the internet improving the health of the arts or further squeezing the classical arts into extinction? Does this new exposure bring more people to concerts?
Optimists will likely think it brings hope to building excitement for our future. The lack of geography is great for musicians-violists- who are looking for inspiration and discussion with each other. That is my hope for the VIOLATRIBE. Please bring your recommendations, your questions, your new music, and of course tell us how you are listening.