NAB Applauds Music Fee Fighters…

Thursday, May, 15, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

The United States Senate has joined the House in introducing an anti-performance music tax resolution.  I always question government intervention in anything because I can’t help but question what their motivation is.  Are they up for re-election or just doing what they were elected to do - serve the people who elected them???

The resolution was introduced by Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and supported by several other members of the Senate and by over 200 lawmakers who supported a similar House resolution that was introduced last year.  The argument against additional music fees is the priceless promotional value gained by record labels and artists from all the free airplay they get…

It’s no surprise that the NAB applauds both resolutions or as National Association of Broadcasters Executive VP Dennis Wharton puts it, “NAB salutes Sens. Lincoln and Wicker and their Senate colleagues for formally recognizing radio airplay’s enormous value to both record labels and recording artists.  The undeniable fact is that radio airplay is a musician’s greatest promotional tool and generates millions of dollars in revenue annually for RIAA-member companies and performers.”

Having worked in both the radio and record industries and understanding the arguments on both sides, I find it hard to argue with the NAB’s position…

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1602]  If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air:  Bartholomew Gosnold, an English explorer known as “The Columbus of New England”, discovers Cape Cod (my favorite spot in N.E.)…
2. 1912]  This is a Georgia peach?:  The Tigers’ Ty Cobb is suspended indefinitely for beating up a fan who was missing a hand and only had two fingers on the other.  Tiger players refuse to play until Cobb is reinstated.  This is a rough crowd!!!
3. 1918]  Delivuh de lettuh de soonuh de bettuh:  Airmail  service begins between Philadelphia, New York and Washington (DC)…
4. 1930]  Coffee, tea or me?:  Ellen Church becomes the first airline stewardess.  Ellen serves fliers on United Airlines between San Francisco and Cheyenne (WY)…
5. 1940]  Lots of runs in those hose:  Nylon stockings go on general sale for the first time in the U.S…
6. 1941]  The Streaker:  Joe DiMaggio  goes 1-for-4 and starts his 56-consecutive game hitting streak.  A record that probably will never be broken…
7. 1948]  Citing thoroughbred greatness:  Citation wins the second leg of the Triple Crown by a comfortable six lengths in the Preakness Stakes.  Ridden by Eddie Arcaro, Citation will win the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes in June.  With prohibitive favorite Big Brown running this Saturday in the Preakness, we may witness the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, come this June…
8. 1972]  A campaign comes to a tragic end:  Democratic would-be presidential nominee George C. Wallace is shot  and paralyzed by gunman Arthur Bremer while campaigning in Laurel (MD)…
9. 2003]  ‘Happy Trails’:  June Carter Cash dies of complications following heart surgery in Nashville.  Cash was 73.  When she and Johnny were together they were “hotter than a pepper sprout“…
10. 2006]  Stormy Weather:  Up to 15″ of rain creates states of emergency in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with more rain forecast…

Music Memories:

• 1963]  Grammy Gold:  Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” wins a Grammy Award for “Record of The Year“.  The “Album of The Year” is Vaughn Meader’s “The First Family“…
• 1965]  On “American Bandstand“:  Jackie DeShannon and The Ronettes.  Here are two videos of the songs they did from different venues:  “What The World Needs Now” and “Be My Baby“…
• 1985]  Released on this date:  “Raspberry Beret” - Prince…

Commentary:

There were several e-mails forwarded in response to my Bob Grant/Joe Pyle feature yesterday and I’d like to single out one from WBZ morning anchor Ed Walsh who wrote:  “I worked with Bob Grant at WOR during his last stay there:  I did mornings, he did afternoons and I had the chance to sub for him  numerous times.  He and Jerry Williams were great admirers of each other and I had the opportunity to work with Jerry at RKO, too (it should be noted that Ed started his career at WRKO).  I always tried to hire Bob when I was OR’s PD but his agent would never let me make contact.  Bob and his long-time girlfriend Josephine are terrific people and we had a memorable send off at Patsy’s in Manhattan where the staff, used to luminaries like Sinatra and Limbaugh, were in awe of Bob.”  Thanks for your e-mail Ed and thanks to all of you who responded.  Those of you homesick for Boston radio can stream Ed on WBZ mornings from 5 to 10…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

Jamie-Lynn Sigler (27), Dan Patrick (52), George Brett (55), Chazz Palminteri (56), Don Nelson (68), Lainie Kazan (68), Lenny Welch (70), Trini Lopez (71), Madeleine Albright (71) and Anna Maria Alberghetti (72)…

Timeline Countdown:  11 days until Memorial Day, 31 days until Father’s Day, 38 days until summer begins and 51 days until July 4th…

Posted in Today's Post | No Comments »