Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes?

In case you hadn't noticed, there was a big ol' election last Tuesday, the results of which have Washington, D.C. (and the rest of the country, not to mention the world) buzzing. But what will a Barack Obama Administration and a new Democratic Congress mean for the music community?

We at FMC are expecting a positive impact on the music world in general. Keep in mind that we're equal opportunity wonks — our assessment is not partisan. But it is informed by the policy decisions of the last eight years, which created or maintained significant barriers to sustainable cultural communities.

There will now be opportunities to craft policies that encourage the flourishing of music across media platforms. From expanded community radio to more robust commercial broadcasting and broadband, musicians will likely benefit from more attention paid to the ways in which they reach potential audiences, and ultimately earn a living.

Check out FMC Analysis: Election Impact on Artists and the Music Community for a point-by-point look at what we think are the key areas for improvement. Then let us know what issues are most important to you in the comments field of this post.

Policy Day video now up

So you really wanted to attend FMC's "Music, Technology, and IP Policy Day" last week, but just couldn't get away from work. Well, your in luck. Video of the entire day -- from the opening keynote address by Rep. Mike Doyle to each of the panel discussions on radio, net neutrality and music downloading -- has been posted here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy. Check back soon for audio interviews with some of the panelists.

Congressman Doyle's speech at Policy Day

Congressman Mike Doyle, D-Penn., caused a bit of a stir at the "Music, Technology and, IP Policy Day" event last week with his keynote speech. People were particularly interested in his comments on low power radio and the possibility of a program funding pop artists for their work. Here's some excerpts from the speech:

Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here with you today.

I want to tell you a little story about a Congressman who gave a speech about mashups and mixtapes.

I never thought when I gave that speech in a House committee hearing a month or so ago that anyone would pick up on it, but a lot of folks did – folks who care a lot about issues like the future of music, radio, and the Internet.


I took a lot of ribbing from my colleagues about the speech, and I got a little grief at home about it, too.

My son emailed me asking me how I’d found out about Girl Talk.

I’ve got some Girl Talk on my Ipod, but I listen to a lot more of Steely Dan, Earth Wind and Fire, and the Doobie Brothers.

That being said, I’m a strong supporter of what’s going on in the music scene today.


I know how important music’s been to me throughout my life, and I don’t want to see government and industry choke off independent music creators and deny the listening public the opportunity to hear their work and support the music they want to listen to.

...

It goes without saying that independent artists get a lot of exposure on line and thru online radio stations.

But independent artists are making inroads on our culture through traditional media like television and advertisements as well.


The one place they’re not getting any exposure is on mainstream radio stations.

The music we hear on the radio isn’t what we hear during, say, an episode of Grays anatomy.

Independent label music makes up only 10 percent of the songs played on broadcast radio, compared to, say, nearly 40 percent of the music played on internet radio.

So when we talk about the future of music in this country, we have to talk about how we make sure that innovative and aspiring musicians have the potential to earn a living from their art and how we ensure that music consumers get the opportunity to hear something other than the latest hit in heavy rotation.


As you well know, a number of issues currently before Congress and the FCC could have a big impact on that process – like media consolidation, net neutrality, and Internet royalty rates.

One disturbing product of the Telecom Act of 1996 has been the rapid consolidation of the ownership of television and radio stations across the country.

This is disturbing on a number of levels.


There’s obvious concern that a radio stationed programmed out of Denver won’t provide much timely local news for residents of, say, Pittsburgh.

That can, at worst, have serious public safety implications, as many have pointed out.

But even on a more mundane level, this process squeezes out all but the most mainstream voices in communities large and small.

I ask you: Could WKRP’s commitment to local news and Jonny Fever’s musical vision have survived in today’s consolidated media market?


On a more commercial and artistic level, there’s real concern – which I share – about the homogenization of the content that these broadcasters provide.

It’s clear that the media consolidation we’ve experienced over the last 10 years has reduced the diversity and independence of TV and radio broadcasts dramatically.

...

On the other hand, community groups, schools and churches are trying to expand the opportunities to create low power stations in crowded urban markets.

These stations can be heard on the same FM radios – but they’re non commercial and their signals don’t transmit as far as the big full-power stations do.


I know that this issue has been before Congress in the past, and the limitations enacted in 2000 prevented the FCC from giving a low power license to groups in my district like Penn State’s Greater Allegheny McKeesport Branch who wanted to take their internet station – WMKP, “the Roar” – and put it on the FM dial, rather than just on the internet.

WMKP is the largest and most active club on campus, but they won’t be able to find room in the crowded Pittsburgh dial unless Congress tweaks the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act of 2000.


The Senate has been very active on this issue, and while Senators McCain and Cantwell got a strong vote out of the Senate Commerce Committee to expand LPFM in their Telecom bill last year, the House hasn’t seen as much action.

An LPFM bill hasn’t been introduced yet in this Congress, but I am looking at the issue and wonder why – if a full-power broadcaster can have digital stations that don’t interfere with their main channel, even if the two are right next to each other on the dial – a low-power broadcaster will interfere with a full-power station that’s 3 channels away.

...

I’ve been thinking a lot about what, if anything, the federal government could do to encourage the creation of new and different music.

I think the most important thing we could do is find some way to make a career in music more viable economically.

The NEA has done a great job of promoting classical music and providing much-needed financial support for classical and jazz musicians.

I think our country ought to look at doing something similar for modern music forms.


A lot of DJs and musicians need day jobs today to pay the bills.

Even small amounts of money could allow many artists to take time from their day jobs and tour the country, building a fan base, spreading new music across the country and entertaining more people.


Canada has created a program to promote and develop modern music.

The program’s been a big success – creating a vibrant cultural renaissance in Montreal and taking music magazines by storm.

At a more macro level, it’s created a cultural center that’s driving new investment and new jobs.

I want to explore such concepts, and I’d welcome feedback from you and people listening on the internet as to the best way to encourage new artists and new music.

D.C. Policy Day draws standing room only crowd

About 170 people turned out for the "Music, Technology and IP Policy Day" on Wednesday making it a great event in our estimation (if not always the most comfortable -- sorry to the people that had to stand for some of the panels). Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Penn., opened the conference with an unusual shout out for smash up artist Girl Talk. He then proceeded to give a wide ranging speech covering net neutrality, media consolidation. He got a round of applause after making the following comment:

“An LPFM bill hasn’t been introduced yet in this Congress, but I am looking at the issue and wonder why – if a full-power broadcaster can have digital stations that don’t interfere with their main channel, even if the two are right next to each other on the dial – a low-power broadcaster will interfere with a full-power station that’s 3 channels away.”

He also said he wanted to explore a program that would fund pop artists as they pursue their art.

“The NEA has done a great job of promoting classical music and providing much-needed financial support for classical and jazz musicians,” Doyle said. “I think our country ought to look at doing something similar for modern music forms.”

A panel on Internet and satellite that largely focused on the Copyright Royalty Board's new webcasting rates. The afternoon saw some sparks over net neutrality, an informative session on music downloading, and a really interesting speech on copyright law reform (yes, it's possible) by David Carson from the U.S. Copyright Office. After a couple of years of false starts, he expects some progress on reform.

“We are very hopeful this year we can take a major step toward resolving as many Section 115 issues as we can,” Carson said.

There will be much more in the coming days as we post audio and video of the entire conference.

Doyle kicks off DC Policy Day

Tap. Tap. Tap. Are we live?

We're finally live here from the "Music, Technology and IP Policy Day" at Center for American Progress after some initial tech-type hiccups. Check back throughout the day for updates on the proceedings.

Speaking before a packed house, Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Penn., kicked off the conference at 10 a.m. with a keynote speech. It was a wide ranging talk that discussed net neutrality, media consolidation and a government program for funding pop artists.

Doyle, who has burnished his indie cred in the past by mentioning hometown artist Girl Talk, said media consolidation is stifling innovation in music. He said Congress needs to focus on legislation that will allow more low power FM stations in urban areas.

"If a full power broadcaster can have station right next to it that doesn’t interfere with station. . . I’m wondering how a low power station three channels away can affect it,” he said to a round of applause.

Doyle said the Copyright Royalty Board had missed the mark with the new rates it set for webcasters in a March ruling.

“I’m concerned that the new rate changes have gone too far. We need to seek a balance,” he said.

Doyle’s most unusual comment was calling for a program that would fund pop musicians, so they can pursue their art.

“We need to find some way to make a career in music more viable,” Doyle said. “The NEA has done a great job of funding classical artists. Our country needs to look at doing something similar for modern musicians.”

The Radio Waves panel is on right now...stay tuned.

D.C. Policy Day is almost here

It's a bit of an understatement to say technology is having a huge impact on the music industry. Anyone remember those things called CDs? Sure, I'm being a little facetious, but music downloads, H.D. radio, DRM, net neutrality, and a range of other technologies are fundamentally changing the way we get, listen and make our music.

The Future of Music Coalition is jumping into this fray with "The Technology and IP Policy Day." The May 2 event will feature Microsoft, BMI, Pandora, XM, the U.S. Copyright Office, R.E.M. advisor Bertis Downs and other top experts debating about what all this change means, and how it will impact the industry. The experts will discuss the shake up in the satellite and terrestrial radio market, the battle over net neutrality, and the impact of a whole gaggle of new music downloading services. It's safe to say there has never been a more interesting time to discuss the intersection of music and technology.

Here's the really great part: the conference is cheap! Go here to register.