This Senate Call To Arms Is Too Little, Too Late…

Thursday, October, 22, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

The letter from Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso(R-WY) to Senate Majority and Minority Leaders Reid (D-NV) and McConnell (R-KY) opposing passage of the Performance Rights Act will fall on deaf ears. For one thing Lincoln and Barrasso are the original co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act which opposes any new fee, charge or tax on local radio stations for free over-the-air music broadcasts. This plea would carry far more weight if it came from two new, independent sources concerned about the state of radio and the effect of the PRA on their community. And there’s something else at play here too…

I believe the Performance Royalty Act will be passed. I base my belief on the actions and statements of late made by Senators Leahy, Feinstein, Reid and others. They are determined to help the “little guy” out. Their perception is that these poor, under paid and unappreciated musicians deserve to be given compensation for their talent. Of course, they won’t be paid unless their music is heard on the radio. Needless to say, the great majority of those musicians won’t get a dime because only a handful will have the goods to have a song on the radio. You think members of Congress realize that? Me either…

Eventually the PRA will reach the floors of the Senate and House, be voted on and will pass. There will be a compromise in the amount of the tariff, depending on market size, station reach and audience size.  The payout to musicians won’t be enough for the music industry and too much for radio…       

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1746] The Tiger roars: The College of New Jersey receives its charter. The name of the school will change to Princeton…
2. 1883] Meet the Met: The original Metropolitan Opera House in New York holds its grand opening with a performance of Gounod’s “Faust”…
3. 1934] Not so pretty: Bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd is shot to death by federal agents at a farm in Ohio…
4. 1962] JFK tells all: President John F. Kennedy addresses a TV audience about the Russian missile bases in Cuba and the world will hold its collective breath until the missiles are removed and the crisis ends…
5. 1968] Making a big splash: Apollo 7 safely splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean after orbiting the Earth 163 times…
6. 1979] Opening the door: The U.S. government allows the deposed Shah of Iran to travel to New York for medical treatment…
7. 1981] Buh-bye: The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization is decertified for its strike the previous August. Ronald Reagan at his best…
8. 1986] Chopper down: WNBC traffic reporter Jane Dornacker is killed while doing traffic reports. Her chopper goes down in the Hudson River. This aircheck contains the report and Joey Reynolds reaction to it…
9. 2000] The Rocket explodes: Mets catcher Mike Piazza is once again Roger Clemens’ target, this time in the World Series when Clemens throws a bat shard in the direction of Piazza, who’s running to first base..
10. 2002] The sniper strikes again: A bus driver is shot to death in Aspen Hill (MD) in the 13th and final attack by the Washington area sniper…

Music Memories:

• 1966] Released on this date: “Good Vibrations” - Beach Boys…
• 1966] Number One on this date: “Supremes a Go-Go” LP.  Here’s a cut from the LP…

Commentary:

The 2009 Tampa Bay Radio Reunion is coming up, Saturday, November 7th at the Courtside Grille, off of Ulmerton Road in the Carillon Town Center, St. Petersburg. Confirm your plans now to attend by contacting Sandy Hall at: swoodworth@embarqmail.com …

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:Jeff Goldblum (57), Eddie Brigati (63), Leslie West (64), Catherine Deneuve (66), Annette Funicello (67), Tony Roberts (70), Christopher Lloyd (71) and Joan Fontaine (92)…

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until game one of the World Series, 9 nights until Halloween and 10 days until Standard (back one hour) Time…

Posted in Today's Post | No Comments »