There are snakes in the grass!! Writer producer alert!!!!!!!!

It has come to our attention that satellite broadcaster Sirius/XM is seeking to bypass the standard system of paying royalties.  If they are allowed to do so, it will likely result in substantially reduced payments to artists and producers, a lowering of the value of performance royalties, and unnecessary conflict between artists and their labels.

What’s the issue:

Currently, satellite radio pays sound recording performance royalties to the nonprofit collective SoundExchange, which in turn pays 50% to the artists on the recording and 50% to the copyright owner (usually a record label).  SoundExchange pays the artists the full 50%, even if the artist has unrecouped royalty balances, and also pays producers their share as directed by the artist.  The system has resulted in an important new income stream for creators.

Sirius is now seeking to use the option of direct licensing with certain independent labels instead of using the system created by Congress that ensures fair payment to all parties.  Artists should be concerned about direct licensing; 100% of the royalties would be paid to the record label which in turn may pay artists at a lower rate, subject to recoupment.  And labels should be concerned as well; the lower rate being offered could have the effect of lowering the value of performance royalties to all parties.

What you can do:

If you are an artist signed to the independent label…

You can call your label today and request that it not direct license your recordings.  In the interest of fairness and transparency, your label should continue to license through SoundExchange.

If you own or manage an independent label…

It is in your interest to refrain from direct licensing.  While Sirius may be offering positive terms, the long-term effect of accepting a rate lower than the compulsory rate could be to reduce rates overall in the future.  Creating downward pressure on the value of music may be good for Sirius/XM, but it’s bad for artists and labels.  Please see the following statement from the American Association of Independent Music:

AMP TV OCT. 14th review

   Can it get any better? I say that every month. This months lineup once again was off the chain! Beginning with Co - Host David Huff of David and the Giants with 17 albums to their credit and David with 5 solo projects. David's sincerity and talent blew us all off the stage. He ended the night with a song he wrote for his son that had us in tears. Casey Darnell, recording artist and worship leader at Northpoint Church blow us away with his cutting edge contemporary stylings, while expressing his love for God and family. A true professional and man of God! Then Marvin Mumford came to bat and knocked a home run with his soul filled contemporary music saturated with a guitar style of his own that was hypnotizing to the heart. Three great musicians, three great men of God. We at AMP cannot express how much we appreciate 

their generosity and talent.

What can we do to help the Christian music community?

If  U2 and Chris Tomlin were in concert on the same night, who would have the most Christians at their concert?  Sadly for the Christian community, the answer is U2.  I'm in no way saying not to support your favorite secular group; this is just an example.  There is story after story where concerts are canceled or the turn out was so poor everyone involved lost money.  I'm not attempting to guilt anyone into supporting Christian music!  Hopefully you will be convicted in your heart to support your local groups as well as national ones.

One of  AMP's strong desires is to create awareness and provide venues for all of the talented musicians in the Christian music industry.  We are losing young talented Christians to the secular market place due to the lack of support from the Church.  Remember we are the Church, it must start with us!  Lack of interest = lack of opportunity = lost talent.  So what do we do?  I'm going to give you some suggestions.  Be creative!!!!

1. Offer a weekly or monthly venue at your Church.  Too many Churches are closed and not being encouraged to use their capacity.  Are we getting lazy?  Complacent?
2. Support your local musicians by attending their shows and buying their CD's!
3. Donate to their ministry.  Remember music can minister to people just as much or more than any other ministry in your Church!
4. Encourage them.  This is a tough business.  We lose many to discouragement.  
5. Pray for them.

God loves Holy music; Let's show him we do too!!!!!!!!!!

How does God play in my music career ???????

  So you think you can do it on your own? Really? No joke? Interesting. So did Amy Winehouse, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Hank Williams, Kurt Cobain,- need I go own? When I hear someone one say they're in control-- what I hear is, their ego is in control and they're headed for a crash. How do I know that? You see, there was a time in my life when I didn't have God in my life and I crashed and burned. My career was going great and I was on the top of the hill. Eventually I rolled down that hill and hit a big rock. That rock was my ego.
 This thing we call the music business is like a 3 headed cyclops waiting to devour your heart and soul and eventually your life if you're not grounded. You can not ground yourself. You must have God. Let me repeat-- you must have God in your life? You only have to look at the history of the music business and see the devastation it has had on the lives of many gifted musicians. The demand on your life in this business is overwhelming if you don't understand the importance between God, Family and Career. Please listen to an old guy who learned the hard way. We at AMP truly want to walk with you on your spiritual journey as well as your music career.
  Here are some of the ways we suggest to get ready and grounded for a prosperous career and a happy and full life as you take this journey.

1.PRAY

2.READ YOUR BIBLE

3. FIND A CHURCH

4.SERVE AT YOUR CHURCH

5.GIVE BACK AND SERVE OTHERS

6. PUT OTHERS BEFORE YOURSELF

7. HELP SOMEONE ELSE ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL

8. STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN ALL YOU DO

9. REMEMBER YOU'RE WORKING FOR GOD

10. ALL YOU DO, DO IT TO GLORIFY GOD

  If you strive for these 10 suggestions you will not believe the peace, happiness, fulfullment and success you will achieve. Also your definition of success will change as you begin to build a relationship with God and glorify him in all you do.  My name is J. Grady and I approve this message!!!!!!!!!!

AMPTV SEPT 15 REVIEW

  The evening started off with everyone being early. Wow!!!! Co- Host Brian Stephens came in and was loaded for bear with informative answers to questions that anyone interested in the music business could glean something from. His ability to ask questions of the writers was impeccable . We look forward to having Brian back as a Co - Host in the near future. Josh Vickery came in with 2 heart felt country gospel flavored songs that had to be rendered from the heart. With the combination of his incredible voice and his ability to convey this to his audience, we were all touched and blessed to be sitting on the stage with him. Luke James closed out the circle with a very strong and stylistic approach to contemporary Christian music that can not be challenged. His strong vocals and song -writing abilities should propel him to the top of the industry.
  As Josh shared his story of accidentally shooting himself in the temple with his fathers gun when he was nine years old, he had everyone in tears. Josh survived a wound that only seven percent of the people in the world survive from . God is truly with him and has a plan for him. I have a sneaking suspicion it's gonna be ministering to people with his music.
  One of the truly warm moments of the evening was when Luke shared the importance of putting family ahead of his music career. Josh has 5 children and another one on the way. He talked about the balancing act of career and family, always putting family first. A noble man with a talent that will take him as far as he wants to go.
  Thanks to all the guests and for their dedication to God and for supporting AMP and AMPTV. Check us out at myamp.org and view the show at justin.tv/amptv

        Written by J. Grady  Pres. and founder of AMP the  ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC PROFESSIONALS.