future of Music Coalition
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Our Mission

The Future of Music Coalition is a not-for-profit collaboration between members of the music, technology, public policy and intellectual property law communities. The FMC seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while also bringing together diverse voices in an effort to come up with creative solutions to some of the challenges in this space. The FMC also aims to identify and promote innovative business models that will help musicians and citizens to benefit from new technologies.

We build this organization as an attempt both to address pressing music / technology issues, and to serve as a voice for musicians and citizens in Washington, DC, where critical decisions are being made regarding intellectual property rights without a word from either citizens or creators -- the only two groups mentioned in the copyright code.

The FMC actualizes its mission through a number of activities. First, we organize public discussion of issues that impact musicians and the public at large, making sure to include a variety of voices in the conversation. Second, we submit testimony, publish articles and speak on panels to make sure the creators' experience is heard. Third, we encourage musicians and citizens to publicly document their experiences on the FMC website. Finally, we generate original research on historic trends and issues of import to the public to more completely illuminate the mechanics of the music industry.

Education and Issues

One of the principal mechanisms in the creation of a musicians' middle class is CITIZEN EDUCATION. Because of this, we are striving to built out lots of areas of the website that offer practical and detailed information about the critical issues that are shaping the music/technology space. It is our goal to distill complicated issues so that citizens can understand and participate in the policy decisions that are being made on their behalf.

In an effort to give everyone better tools to understand, discuss and critique the issues, we have a number of different areas for you to explore:

Articles:
A veritable treasure trove of articles, interviews, research reports, and policy reviews, mostly written by FMC board members.

News Stream:
A list of recent articles and reports by journalists who have clarified the issues and contributed to the ongoing debate. Great articles on payola, radio consolidation, standard music industry practices, alternatives to traditional business models, and artists organizing.

The Library:
We've also started a list of important books and authors that have written about the larger issues of technology, the music industry, copyright, capitalism, and society. Read the list, even add books that you like!

Research:
Information about the ongoing original research projects that the FMC is working on.

Citizen Initiatives:
Some ideas about how you can participate in the debate, either as an activist, or as an FMC volunteer.

News

Newsletters:
Read the most recent FMC newsletter, or browse through the archives. You can also sign up to get your monthly copy delivered to your in-box.

FMC in the News:
A complilation of FMC-related press clips and article links from 2000-2003.

Events

Here's where you'll find info about many events that we've particiated in, and events that we're planning this year including our Fourth Annual FMC Policy Summit, where the best and brightest minds converged to discuss and debate the most compelling issues in the music/technology space.



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up front

FMC Releases New York State Edition of "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists in New York State from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
June 30, 2009
Press Release | Report

"I Support Community Radio" Artist Video Campaign
Musicians talk about what good local radio means to them.
July 10, 2009
Project Page | Press Release

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home V"
All-star Tipitina's concert on May 22, 2009 benefits Big Easy musicians and Sweet Home New Orleans.
May 7, 2009
Press Release

FMC Releases "Same Old Song: An Analysis of Radio Playlists in a Post-FCC Consent Decree World"
Data-driven report examines radio playlists from 2005-2008 and finds almost no measurable change in playlist composition.
April 29, 2009
Press Release | Report

Low Power FM Briefing Brought Diverse Voices Together for Community Radio
Advocates for LPFM gathered at our nation’s capital to promote the importance of local community radio in more American towns and cities.
April 24, 2009
Press release

FMC Honors Departing Executive Director Ann Chaitovitz

Chaitovitz’s tenure brought unambiguous artist focus to FMC’s work in education, research and advocacy for musicians.
April 7, 2009
Press release

D.C. Policy Day 2009
Event featured lively discussion between artists, advocates, music industry insiders, policymakers and technologists.
February 12, 2009
Press release | Event site

"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" New Orleans Benefit Concert

Show is the culmination of FMC and Air Traffic Control's annual three-day Artist Activism Camp.
November 19, 2008
Press Release

FMC Analysis: Election Impact on Artists and the Music Community
There are many indicators that a new Adminstration will create conditions for more art and culture-friendly policy; FMC identifies key areas for improvement.
November 5, 2008
Analysis | PDF

FMC Statement on the FCC's White Spaces Vote
Musicians will benefit from White Spaces — those unoccupied frequencies in the existing TV spectrum — given careful implementation of new "smart" devices.
November 4, 2008
Statement

FMC and realizePhiladelphia present web.illish.us
Multi-faceted web and live shows raise awareness about net neutrality and democratic access to the media.
October 29, 2008
Press release | Event page | Main site

A2IM and FMC Report on Independent Music and Commerical Airplay
In-depth survey finds little has changed 18 months after FCC Consent Decree and "voluntary agreements."
October 22, 2008
Press release | Report

FMC Statement on CRB Rulings
Rate-setting for mechanical royalties for physical and digital music should songwriters; encourage new business models.
October 3, 2008
Press release

FMC Reveals Programming for Fall Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Sampling and Fair Use Panel in NYC.
September 9, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Announces Upcoming Events
Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision
On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet.
August 1, 2008

Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album
On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008
Press release | Event Page

FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008
Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)

FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Localism Proceeding
June 11, 2008
PDF of Reply Comments | Press release

Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008
Press release | Rock the Net

Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin's family and Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008
Press release
FMC's HINT program

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008
Event details | RSVP

Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008
Press release
Spoken testimony

Written testimony

Rock the Net

New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists
Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 7, 2008 | Event details

Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality
February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality.
February 15, 2008

OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians
Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality
February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5.
February 4, 2008

Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 21, 2008

Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008
Press release | Event details

FMC's Latest Fact Sheets
HD Radio
Low Power FM Radio
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings
Orphan Works
Traveling with Instruments
Touring Internationally
SoundExchange
Net Neutrality
Full Power Non-Commerical Radio Licenses
Media Ownership

Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director
A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey
January 3, 2008

Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together
Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama
January 2, 2008

FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC's Interim Executive Director; Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors
November 26, 2007