Using all the tools available for online communication for any of your projects may seem daunting.  That’s because it is.  Just because it looks tasty, doesn’t mean it’s nutritious. You don’t need to do everything just because if seems like everyone else is doing everything.  Trust me, they aren’t. I spend a lot of time with my clients returning back the to core questions:

• “Who is the audience?”
• “Where are they gathered?”
• “Have I taken the time to listen to them before I speak?”

I was recently interviewed by  Stacy Nunnally Consulting via Skype into a breakout session at the conference Advancing Tennessee Women in Public Service & Politics on the use of Social Media in political campaigns.  We talked about using the tech available while knocking on doors and we talked about why I’ve chosen not to have a Politican Facebook Page but rather encourage my friends on Facebook to like my Campaign Website Page instead.

“When something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”

The historic flooding of May 2010 destroyed many of our neighbors’ homes, but our community of residents, friends, and volunteers demonstrated that the spirit of Nashville – the very thing that makes this community unique and a great place to live – is alive and well.
Nancy VanReece is running for the District 4 seat on Metro Council to help continue to improve all of Nashville – beginning in the Madison area.
Whether you live in District 4 , another part of Davidson County or anywhere in the country, your selfless contribution to her campaign today will ensure that the entire city is a place where all Nashvillians can grow and thrive. Your help is needed now.

Please give today and add your name to the growing list of supporters

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No donation is “too small” to make a difference. Every donation brings us one step closer and each contribution helps build the critical resources needed to continue our conversation about the future of Madison and Nashville, Tennessee.

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I am a trainee.

n.

One who is being trained.

After a recent visit to the exhibit at the Tennessee  State Museum that highlighted the Nashville sit-in movement I was struck buy the lessons to be learned about Nashville youth.

The leaders of the movement in Nashville were young. The students understood that to take action was the only option.  As I look at the flood relief movement in Nashville 50 years later I see the same type of encouraging youthful leadership.

Have you noticed it?  Ten-fifteen years ago if you asked a random Nashvillian where they were from they’d say; California, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, New York .. all sorts of places.  Very few would say they grew up here. It’s changed.  The often written about, Generation Y in Nashville, TN is so much more often now actually FROM Nashville, TN.

Some may say it’s simply a generational transition, this since of community, this pride in home and the basic effort to love your neighbor.

I think it may be in the water.

check out the Hands On Nashville Report Card

photo by Chad McClarnon from Project: One Song

For nearly nine years (1998-2007) I worked at the worlds largest performing rights organization, Broadcast Music Inc (BMI). I enjoyed my time there working on behalf of  songwriters and publishers.

I will forever be thrilled to hear of fairness and equity in the appropriate compensation of those that make up our creative class.

I recently attended a seminar sponsored by The Arts & Business Council of Nashville‘s  program Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for The Arts. I did a live tweet as a way of taking notes for my musician friends.  Here is the run down – it’s in reverse order as it came from Twitter over the hour that I was there.

1. “The direction of the music biz is moving toward capturing listeners and away selling hard product” -Sam Reed
2. SoundExchange is created by statute & governed by the copyright gurus in Washington. I am thinking- if his happens then that company needs a Nash.office
3. Pro Public Relations Perf Rights Act www.musicfirstcoalition.org
4. The Local Radio Freedom Act is a non binding resolution that speaks for the supported of the NAB. It has not been voted on.
5. Conyers Amend-supported by Cooper. Passed 21-9 Sen markup passed by voice vote & added songwriter language and established platform parity
6. Songwriter reps are supportive of bill
7. SoundExchange would collect the royalties. 45% will go directly to the featured artist. 5% goes to union for bkg musicians and 50% to labels
8. S.379. & HR 848 … Look it up
9. Davidson Co creators: If you sent in a copyright for registration. And it’s taking more than 9 mo to be processed call Rep Cooper’s office, ask for Sam, he can help.
10. Sam Reed from Rep. Cooper’s office is leading the seminar on The Performing Rights Act for TN Vol Lawyers for Arts

So what are your thoughts?  Having managed a record producer I can tell you that producers will be playing instruments on more records so they can get in that pool.  However, I don’t think it will necessarily take away work from anyone.  More studio musicians will  be joining the union to get in the pool.

As it is written now, there would be no fees imposed for 3 years after it because law so that radio stations can start adjusting to the extra line item cost.   The parties are sitting down to talk more on November 17th, 2009.  It will be interesting to see this continue to unfold.  What do you think are the important things to look for?

Download the Presentation:  New Music Royalty Presentation