For those of you who watched the Grammy Awards on Sunday night (and apparently there were more of you this year than any year since 2004), you may have had a feeling of déjà vu when you saw virtually the same group of stars that clustered together in 2009, 2008, etc. Does this perhaps remind you — at least a little — of the 1993 film Groundhog Day? You know, like Bill Murray’s character hearing “I Got You Babe” every morning?

Now, if you happen to want to hear the same song at the same time every day, that’s fine with us. But sometimes it’s fun to let the needle find a new groove.

Today happens to be Groundhog Day, which is why we bring it up. And if the modern artist or fan feels like they’re “stuck in a loop” when it comes to music on commercial TV and radio, who can blame them? Perhaps the industry is a bit like the groundhog, who hopes that if it waits long enough, springtime will finally arrive. But what if it’s already here? read more

Future of Music Coalition is once again curating a number of conversations at the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York City, January 8-12, 2010. Join us for sessions on the issues at the intersection of arts, technology and law; media, copyright and technology; and health insurance for creators.

To attend these sessions you need to be registered for the Arts Presenters conference. Click here for registration details. If you are an artist and would like to attend these sessions only and will not go to the APAP conference, email us at nicole[at]futureofmusic[dot]org

Head to FMC’s official APAP page to see the discussions and presentations we’ll be offering. read more

Well, we thought we’d have news about the Local Community Radio Act vote in the full House on Tuesday, but they didn’t get to it until yesterday (Wednesday). We don’t want to keep the suspense going any longer than necessary, so let’s cut to the chase…

It passed!

Last night at 7:05 PM, Low Power FM made history by clearing the final hurdle in the House of Representatives. This is the farthest pro-LPFM legislation has come in a decade. Suffice it to say, we’re thrilled. It feels good, in this day and age, to know that policymakers on both sides of the aisle recognize that expanding LPFM service to more American towns and cities is so important to local communities. An added bonus is the fact that the National Association of Broadcasters — the trade lobby that fought hard against LPFM at the start of the decade — has dropped its opposition to expanding community radio.

“The NAB and NPR have removed their objections and do not oppose this bill. The time has come to make the airwaves available to the people they serve. The time has come to give low power to the people,” said lead cosponsor Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA).

Companion legislation has already cleared key Senate committees, and now it needs to be passed by the full body. After that, the the FCC is free to move forward with issuing more licenses for 100-watt stations to community groups nationwide. This would be huge for civic debate, public safety and arts and culture. You know, like loca and indie musicians — who, regardless of their talent and popularity, have little chance to be heard on their neighborhood commercial stations.

Last time we talked about LPFM we gave high-fives to all the artists who have come forward to support expanding true community radio. Well, let’s give one more round of applause for Nicole Atkins, Erin McKeown, Indigo Girls and all the other musicians who really made a difference in raising awareness about LPFM.

What a great Christmas present! read more

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 15) is another big day for Low Power FM. We’re happy to report that the Local Community Radio Act of 2009 is slated for a floor vote in the House of Representatives — the furthest any pro-LPFM legislation has gotten in years. The fact that we’re now on the eve of a vote that would bring true local radio to more American towns and cities is a testament to the tireless support of community radio advocates across the country. We’re especially proud of the efforts of musicians — established and developing artists alike — who have talked publicly and passionately about the importance of quality local radio to musicians and fans.

With that in mind, we’ll take this opportunity to give props to Nicole Atkins, Erin McKeown, Indigo Girls and all the other artists who have stepped up to demonstrate their support for quality local radio. read more

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Future of Music Coalition will participate in a FREE Educause Live! webinar about — what else? — music, technology and policy.

FMC Education Director Kristin Thomson and Policy Director Michael Bracy will take part in a session called “Music 2.0: Revenue Streams, Consumer Behavior and Policy Issues.” Here’s the official description:

Thanks to the Internet, there are now a mind-boggling array of tools and services that help musicians and record labels promote, distribute, and sell their music. And as this legal marketplace for music matures, consumer behavior is shifting away from ownership of music (legal or illegally acquired) toward on-demand access to music. This presentation will start with a virtual tour of a small array of licensed music services and include a discussion of the policy positions that would optimize the growth of a legitimate digital marketplace for music, one that would ensure artist compensation while also promoting legal music discovery and consumption.

Sounds pretty cool, huh? And you can’t beat the price. Head to the Educause site to pre-register for the event.

Yesterday, we told you about an important vote in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the Local Community Radio Act of 2009. Well, we’re happy to report that the bill passed in a unanimous floor vote and will now be taken up by the full body.

The House version of the bill has already passed out of two key committees and will hopefully come to a full vote very soon. At that point, it’s a matter of harmonizing both versions of the legislation and getting it passed into law. read more

Yesterday, we told you that FMC Education Director Kristin Thomson would be appearing on a “public interest panel” at as part of the FCC’s Media Ownership Workshops. And this morning, she did. As expected, Kristin’s presentation went smashingly.

Kristin joined Ken Ferree (Senior Fellow, The Progress and Freedom Foundation), Cheryl Leanza (Policy Director, The Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ), Andy Schwartzman (President and CEO, Media Access Project, on behalf of Prometheus Radio Project) and S. Derek Turner (Research Director), Free Press to talk about the analytical frameworks the FCC should consider as it prepares to once again undertake media ownership rulemaking proceedings. read more