Archive for June 2008

NAB To Lobby Congress Against Performance Tax…

Thursday, June, 26, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Despite today’s expected House subcommittee passing of a bill requiring radio stations to pay royalties to performers, the NAB is going ahead with plans to run an ad in opposition to the bill.  The ad will run today in several Capitol Hill publications urging Congress to reject what’s become a royal pain to radio stations everywhere - the dreaded performance tax…

The NAB press release announcing the placement of the ad ends with 14 quotes by recording artists and record executives extolling the virtues of all the free airplay they’ve received over the years but what I really love is NAB’s reference to record labels in their opposition to compensation for “foreign-owned record labels” which you can see here, along with the Congressional ad… 

Timing for the ad is good for the NAB which claims that they have support from a majority of House members on a resolution opposing the bill.  That resolution says royalty requirements would severely hurt small radio stations and other private broadcasters at bars and hotels.  Meanwhile the recording industry which stands to pocket millions of dollars with the passage of a pro-royalty bill answers that with this, “all of those things ended up being accommodated in the bill“, that quote from National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) VP of advocacy Daryl Friedman…

Those counting on a vote in the near future will have to wait.  This battle royal (sorry) is not likely to reach the House floor for a vote until a new administration takes over in ‘09…      

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1870] On the boardwalk in Atlantic City: The 1st section of boardwalk in Atlantic City  (NJ) opens to the public…
  2. 1916] Numbers: In a game against the White Sox, the Cleveland Indians  appear on the field with numbers on their sleeves. It marked the 1st time players were identified by numbers corresponding to the scorecard…
  3. 1919] Debuted on this date: The New York Daily News publishes for the 1st time and it’s still here…1981] “For Your Eyes Only” premieres starring Roger Moore as James Bond. Sheena Easton has a hit with the theme…1987] “Dragnet” premieres starring Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Joe Friday. Christopher Plummer, Dabney Coleman, Henry Morgan and Tom Hanks also star…
  4. 1959] And the winner and new champ: Ingemar Johansson of Sweden knocks down heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson 7 times in the 3rd round to win the title on a TKO. One year later, Patterson becomes the 1st heavyweight to regain the title when he beats Johansson…
  5. 1959] Curtains: The legendary Edward R. Murrow interviews Lee Remick  on “Person to Person“. It’s his 500th and final guest on the CBS-TV show…1977] Elvis Presley  plays his final concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. 51-days later, Elvis would be dead…
  6. 1962] Oh-no: Earl Wilson  of the Red Sox pitches a 2-0 no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Wilson helps his own cause by hitting a home run in the game…
  7. 1963] JFK goes to the Wall: The President visits the Berlin Wall and gives his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech…
  8. 1974] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E“: Richard Burton  becomes divorce victim #5 for Elizabeth Taylor. He was also victim #4 after their 1st marriage…1975] Cher divorces Sonny Bono after the pair had been together since meeting in 1962…
  9. 1989] Wedding Bells: Melanie Griffith  and Don Johnson marry for the 2nd time. Once wasn’t enough??? 
  10. 2003] “Happy Trails“: Strom Thurmond, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history dies at age 100…

Music Memories:

Commentary…

Those of you in or around Waltham (MA) can catch the Country Music Benefit Show for Waltham’s Country Music Legends Friday (tomorrow) night at the French-American Victory Club on Elm & Pine Streets from 8 until Midnight.  Two host bands (John Penny Band & Country Masters Band) will perform and invited special attractions include Rex Trailer, Gerry Robichaud, Robin Right, Bella Lee, Johnny White & Jilly Martin.  Donations are $10 with doors opening at 7.  For tickets and info: 781-891-7800…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

Derek Jeter (34), Gretchen Wilson (34), Terri Nunn (47), Patty Smyth (51), Chris Isaak (52), Mick Jones of the Clash (53), Georgie Fame (65), Billy Davis Jr. (68) and Eleanor Parker (86)…

Timeline Countdown: 8 days until July 4th, 19 days until the MLB All-Star game and 43 days until the Summer Olympics…

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