Conyers Makes Himself Bigger Than The Story…

Thursday, May, 21, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

Representative John Conyers (D-Mich) has become the play-by-play guy you hate to listen to because he’s bigger than the game.  Not showing any compassion nor concern for any station, minority or not, that may severely suffer if his Performance Rights Act passes, he’s telling the world that the time is ripe for its passage:  “The Performance Rights Act is one of my top priorities this Congress.  On one hand, I believe it is finally time to establish equity for recording artists and allow them to be paid fair compensation for their creativity.  On the other hand, I am concerned about the economic impact this bill may have on broadcasters, particularly smaller broadcasters.”  He may not be concerned enough since “smaller broadcasters” have already told him that even a minimal fee could put them under…

Conyers pushes ahead with his agenda despite overwhelming opposition but time may not be on his side for passage this year.  According to Radio & Records, former FCC Chairman Dick Wiley has told the publication that he doubts the Performance Rights Act will become law in 2009.  Wiley told a BIA “Winning Media Strategies” conference yesterday that legislators will be too busy with other matters of national scope, including getting FCC chairman nominee Julius Genachowski and fellow would-be commissioner Mignon Clyburn through the approval process.  By the time Congress gets done with the heavy lifting, the calendar will likely be into 2010…

If true, maybe Representative Conyers can take a good long look in the mirror.  It’s the game Conyers.  No one is ever bigger than the game…     

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1881] Clara cares: Clara Barton founds the American Red Cross and then starts a candy company (well, in New York anyway)…
2. 1891] Pulling no punches: Peter Jackson and Jim Corbett fight to a 61-round draw. Both fighters complain about fatigue after the first 50 rounds…
3. 1927] Touchdown: Charles A. Lindbergh lands his “Spirit of St. Louis” near Paris completing the first solo flight across the Atlantic…
4. 1945] Wedding Bells: 46-year old Humphrey Bogart marries Lauren Bacall, less than half his age. They met while co-starring in “To Have And Have Not” and stay married until Bogey’s death in 1957…
5. 1968] Buried at sea: The nuclear powered submarine USS Scorpion with 99 men aboard is heard from for the last time. The remains of the sub are later found on the ocean floor 400 miles southwest of the Azores…
6. 1977] Rounding second and heading for third: Seattle Slew wins The Preakness Stakes and will become the first of two consecutive Triple Crown winners (Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner, wins in 1978) when he wins the Belmont Stakes in June…
7. 1979] Lord Stanley’s Cup overfloweth: Montreal wins their second straight Stanley Cup when they beat the Rangers in 5 games…1981] Thanks to Butch Goring’s two goals, the Islanders win their second straight Stanley Cup by beating Minnesota…
8. 1979] Guilty as charged: Former San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. Believe it or not, White uses the “Twinkie” defense, claiming that junk food fueled his rampage…
9. 1990] Just a dream, just a dream: Bob Newhart closes out his “Newhart” series by waking up Emily (his TV wife played by Suzanne Pleshette) and realizing that his new series about his life as an innkeeper was a dream. It’s the final first-run episode of the series that ran 8 seasons…
10. 2008] Idolized: David Cook wins on ‘American Idol’.  Last night, Kris Allen surprised everyone, including himself, by becoming the new ‘American Idol’…

Music Memories:

• 1955] Recorded on this date: “Ida Red” (which will be changed to “Maybelline“) - Chuck Berry…
• 1971] Released on this date: “Ram” LP - Paul McCartney…

Commentary:

Sad news to report.  Legendary local New York Columbia Records promotion man in the 70s and 80s, Matty Matthews has passed away at the age of 80.  Matty who created his own “colorful” lexicon had suffered a stroke recently.  Those of us who knew Matty will always have a smile on our faces in remembrance…In better news, Len Zola’s Media Gang Luncheon in Randolph (MA) was another success.  This was Len’s last luncheon before retiring. The Media Gang will continue under new leadership…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”: Lisa(”Cuddy” on “House“) Edelstein (43), Judge Reinhold (51), Lawrence Tero Tureaud aka Mr. T (57), Al Franken (58), Leo Sayer (61), Marcie Blane (65), Ronnie Isley (68) and Ara Parseghian (86)…
















Timeline Countdown: 4 days until Memorial Day, 31 days until Father’s Day, 31 days until Summer and 44 days until July 4th…

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