Advocacy Blog
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Mar 05, 2012 -- 4:06 pm
Life just got simpler for musicians flying with their instruments, and in some strange way, we have Amy Winehouse to thank for it.
Jan 25, 2012 -- 4:48 pm
Isn't it ironic?
Dec 19, 2011 -- 3:51 pm
It had been a while since the cops shut down one of my parties.
Aug 15, 2011 -- 12:53 pm
While we were on Capitol Hill July 26, the debt limit crisis was in full force. There was not a lot of glee to be found in Congress, but apparently "Glee" fans were in no short supply.
Mar 21, 2011 -- 12:07 pm
Harvey Mason, Jr., Neal Avron, Tommy Sims, RedOne, Adam Anders.
Any of these names ring a bell? No?
OK, how about Jennifer Hudson, Fallout Boy, Jonny Lang, Lady Gaga, and a little TV show called "Glee"?
If you've heard of the latter, you should get to know the former.
Dec 02, 2010 -- 2:14 pm
We've all heard a lot about Nov. 2 and how it is considered a "wave" election — the term for sweeping change in Congress. Of course, a 60-plus seat swing in the House and change of party control is no small matter.
Jul 29, 2010 -- 1:33 pm
Two years ago, I traveled to one of the most dangerous spots in the world: Minneapolis/St. Paul.
OK, I'm not suggesting that the wonderful Twin Cities suffer from a high crime rate. Merely that the radio conference I attended there, the Conclave, was not a safe place for an artists' advocate, especially since I was stating on a panel that radio should pay artist royalties. I blogged at that time that the National Association of Broadcasters' then-CEO told me — and the audience — he'd rather "cut his throat than negotiate" on performance royalties.
Apr 29, 2010 -- 1:36 pm
I must say I'm impressed with Kalpen Modi, aka Kal Penn, aka "Kumar."
Plenty of Hollywood actors of all political perspectives get involved in politics and campaigns, and Kal Penn was no exception. The media can't resist celebrities who can talk policy, so you probably saw Kal quite a bit on the cable news circuit during the presidential campaign. His stumping for Barack Obama was a far cry from his role in the stoner/buddy "Harold & Kumar" movies.
Feb 18, 2010 -- 1:38 pm
I'm not known as an autograph hound, but there I was, backstage at the GRAMMYs and MusiCares Person of the Year dinner, pen in hand, waiting for celebrity sightings. But these signatures were not for my personal collection, but rather for an "artist petition" targeted at Congress, the media, and the broadcast industry about performance royalties and the Performance Rights Act.
Oct 09, 2009 -- 1:40 pm
Let's hope the next line does not follow the famed song lyric.
In my May 13 blog post, I noted how the former president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters politely declined my invitation to negotiate a radio royalty for artists by eloquently stating his desire to cut his throat before sitting down with the musicFIRST Coalition. Well, rather than cutting his throat, he resigned. (Although some press reports called it an "ouster.")
