All Sides In Performance Royalty Battle Must Be Heard…

Thursday, November, 5, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

Congress seems to have narrowed down the Performance Royalty battle to two groups – musicFIRST and the National Association of Broadcasters and that’s just wrong — all sides must be heard. To that end, Reps. Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) have written to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), asking to participate in a November 17th discussion of the PRA. Conaway and Green sponsor the Local Radio Freedom Act which opposes the act…

The Local Radio Freedom Act is supported by more than 250 members of the House “who oppose any new financial burdens on local radio broadcasters.” Conaway and Green point out their “serious concerns that legislation imposing a new royalty on local radio stations, particularly in this economic climate, will be tremendously harmful to radio stations and their employees, local communities that rely on radio, and recipients, such as charities and nonprofits that receive free airtime for their causes”…

Conaway and Green write that Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), a strong proponent of royalties, will be included in the discussion and say that, as the meeting has been opened to members who are not currently on the Judiciary Committee, “we are hopeful that you will consider further opening the meeting to other members of Congress, including ourselves, so that all sides in this Congressional debate may be represented.” They don’t say it, but I will — it would be un-American to do it any other way…  

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1895] Patented: George B. Selden of Rochester (NY) receives the first U.S. patent for an automobile…
2. 1935] Premiered on this date: The game of Monopoly is introduced by Parker Brothers…
3. 1940] Election results: Franklin D. Roosevelt wins an unprecedented 3rd term but will be the last president to do so by a new law that limits presidents to two terms. In New York, it’s a lot easier to serve 3 terms for mayor. Just ask Mike Bloomberg..1946] 29-year old Boston Democrat John F. Kennedy is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives…1968] Republican Richard M. Nixon wins the presidency over VP Hubert H. Humphrey and George Wallace…1996] Voters return Bill Clinton to the White House for a second term as Clinton beats Dole…
4. 1960] “Happy Trails“: Johnny Horton, 33, is killed in an auto accident in Texas…
5. 1981] Busted: Former Miami Dolphin running back Mercury Morris is sentenced to 20 years for drug trafficking and possession of cocaine…
6. 1982] Put it in the books: The Nets put the Cleveland Cavaliers in the record books when they hand the Cavs their 24th consecutive loss, 99-91…
7. 1990] Gunned down: Jewish Defense League Rabbi Meir Kahane, 58, is shot to death after a speech in Manhattan. His assassin, an Egyptian, is later sentenced to life in prison. Many believe Kahane was the first victim of Al Qaida…
8. 1994] The new champ is the old champ: George Foreman becomes boxing’s oldest heavyweight champ at 45 by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round…
9. 1994] Former presidential announcement: Former President Ronald Reagan discloses he has Alzheimer’s disease…
10. 1998] Former presidential offspring: A study shows strong genetic evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one child by his slave, Sally Hemmings…

Music Memories:

• 1968]  Number One on this date:  “Hey Jude” - Beatles.  This more recent version features Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, Phil Collins and others…
• 1978]  Number One on this date:  “You Needed Me” - Anne Murray…
• 1988]  Number One on this date:  “Kokomo” - Beach Boys…

Commentary:

Live it up at the 2009 Tampa Bay Radio Reunion. Be at Courtside Grille, Saturday, November 7th at 2 pm in Carillon Town Center, 110 Fountain Parkway North, off of Ulmerton Road in St. Petersburg. Confirm your attendance by contacting Sandy Hall at swoodworth@embarqmail.com …

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Johnny Damon (36), Tatum O’Neal (46), Bryan Adams (50), Bill Walton (57), Peter Noone (62), Art Garfunkel (68) and Elke Sommer (69)…

Timeline Countdown: 21 days until Thanksgiving, 36 days until Hanukah, 4 days until winter and 50 days until Christmas…

Posted in Today's Post | No Comments »