In 1978 a report titled, "Performance Rights in Sound Recordings," was created by a subcommittee of the House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties, and the Administration of Justice.  I shared it with members of the International Executive Board in 2009 and each one found it informative and educational.  I have included a link to that report at the bottom of this e-mail.
    The fifty-five page report was initially created to provide information to Congressional legislators on a bill then being considered that would provide for performance rights in sound recordings.  
    One section of the report is entitled "The Taft-Hartley Act, the Recording Ban of 1948, and the Creation of the Music Performance Trust funds." This report also gives a thorough description of the events leading to the creation of the "Guild" that was comprised of recording musicians in Los Angeles.  It speaks to representational issues, bargaining issues, dual unionism, and other pertinent topics.  
    The report also highlights "Petrillo's preference for the unemployed musician" and his "preference for collective bargaining rather than the law." In effect, rather than working for a legislative solution to the use of copyright recordings, Petrillo chose to attempt to negotiate payments from the record companies. Additionally, Petrillo was concerned about unemployed musicians and finding money to pay them rather than organize more work for the unemployed.  
    Today's Federation, through national legislative action, attempts to achieve what cannot be achieved through collective bargaining and/or national strikes. At the same time, the Federation understands that organizing new work must be a top priority and continues to be committed to organizing work for unemployed musicians and those who are currently employed but are working without the benefits and protections of a Federation agreement.
While the length of the report makes for substantial reading, the International Executive Board and I found it to be an important supplement to the history of the AFM and we hope that you will also find it of great value.  
    Because of the large size of the file, I am providing you with a link to the report, rather than an attachment. Depending on your internet speed, the file could take up to two to three minutes to download.  
    To read the report, click on this link and then click the button marked "Download"

Sincerely,
Thomas F. Lee
President
AFM

"Women In Folk Rock" -  Sat. April 17th, 2010 
@ The Soiled Dove Underground · 7401 E. 1st Ave. Denver

Doors 7 p.m.-  Show 8 p.m.
Tickets: $8-12 -  available at www.soileddove.comor call 303.830.9214

House Party Concert on April 25th,

Sunday from 3-5 pm at Dea and Bob Brayden's home.

Their address is:

11562 W. 28th Ave, Lakewood.

The concert is open to the public.

Call 303-905-6230 for directions.

The songs will be based on the theme, of course, of "time."

Joining us will be our dear friend, the wonderful Mark Simon on bass.

The $25 tickets can be ordered from our website, send a check to

Jazz Link Enterprises

3721 Columbia Dr

Longmont, CO 80503,

or by calling our office at 303-776-1764.

Seating is limited with a maximum of 45 people. First come, first served.

For information, call the JLE office at 

303-776-1764 or email us

at info@jazzlinkenterprises.com.