The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), as a part of The Recording Academy's “Grammys On The Hill" event, will lead a delegation to Capitol Hill this week to advocate for a slate of issues of crucial importance to the independent music community.
Taking place April 14 and 15, and including meetings and a dinner with congressional leaders, the event is one of the most important advocacy events for the music community as a whole.
Says A2IM President Rich Bengloff: “A2IM is excited to be joining in our support of The Recording Academy's Grammys On The Hill on an organized basis for the first time. We look forward to having our voices heard on issues that are vital to the independent label community".
Bengloff and Vice President Jim Mahoney will be joined by a group including A2IM board member Portia Sabin (Kill Rock Stars) as well as representatives from a diverse collection of A2IM members, such as Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), Altissimo Recordings, Mack Avenue, Pandora, TAG Strategic, and Tommy Boy Entertainment.
Several issues to be covered that are top of mind for the indie community, include:
The Recording Academy's Vice President of Advocacy & Government Relations Daryl Friedman notes: “The Recording Academy welcomes the participation of our independent music label colleagues on the issues that are common concerns for both of our communities".
About A2IM:
A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry's market share in the United States (and 40% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City.
The organization's board of directors is comprised of the following: Concord Music Group President Glen Barros; The Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley; tinyOGRE Entertainment COO Jim Cooperman; Razor & Tie Executive Vice President Dan Hoffman; Alligator Records Founder/President Bruce Iglauer; Roadrunner Records Executive Vice President Douglas Keogh; Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow; Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman: Kill Rock Stars President Portia Sabin.
Taking place April 14 and 15, and including meetings and a dinner with congressional leaders, the event is one of the most important advocacy events for the music community as a whole.
Says A2IM President Rich Bengloff: “A2IM is excited to be joining in our support of The Recording Academy's Grammys On The Hill on an organized basis for the first time. We look forward to having our voices heard on issues that are vital to the independent label community".
Bengloff and Vice President Jim Mahoney will be joined by a group including A2IM board member Portia Sabin (Kill Rock Stars) as well as representatives from a diverse collection of A2IM members, such as Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), Altissimo Recordings, Mack Avenue, Pandora, TAG Strategic, and Tommy Boy Entertainment.
Several issues to be covered that are top of mind for the indie community, include:
- The proposed Performance Rights Act, especially as it relates to the lack of international reciprocity for independent labels -- meaning that indies are unable to collect royalties due in territories outside the U.S. as payable by over the air radio stations in those territories.
- Continued copyright protection and IP concerns and the need for government enforcement of copyright, especially for user generated online content.
- Concerns about pending legislation and FCC policy on broadcast spectrum allocation that could seriously affect musical productions.
- Government support for the arts on the world stage enabling greater export of U.S. repertoire, to level the playing field with other countries that have robust financial and logistical support, and to aid U.S. artists who create music and the music labels that invest in that creation to market our homegrown musical talent abroad.
The Recording Academy's Vice President of Advocacy & Government Relations Daryl Friedman notes: “The Recording Academy welcomes the participation of our independent music label colleagues on the issues that are common concerns for both of our communities".
About A2IM:
A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry's market share in the United States (and 40% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City.
The organization's board of directors is comprised of the following: Concord Music Group President Glen Barros; The Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley; tinyOGRE Entertainment COO Jim Cooperman; Razor & Tie Executive Vice President Dan Hoffman; Alligator Records Founder/President Bruce Iglauer; Roadrunner Records Executive Vice President Douglas Keogh; Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow; Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman: Kill Rock Stars President Portia Sabin.
