THE SONG DOESN'T 

REMAIN THE SAME

By

Bhimsen "Ikaika" Kumar-Reyes

*NOTE: On the weekend of October 26, 2013, I was fortunate to go along with a few of my colleagues to this year's Alliance for Community Media - Western Region  Conference, and it was very informative.  I'm passing along some knowledge that might help you in your post-production efforts.

So you finally completed the project that you worked so hard on and you are ready to add music to the mix.  You want to use that song you like by Justin Timberlake and once it's done, it's ready to air. 

Wait!  Before you add that song you want to use, did you secure permission to use it?  Yes, I did use the 'P' word because that will determine if you and/or your access center could face litigation.

Let's take a look at the industry as it stands right now.  EMI's ownership was divided between Universal (music releasing rights) and Sony (music publishing rights), Warner is pretty much on their own, Sony closed down most of its Arista arm and shifted everyone to RCA.  Confusing to you?  Imagine how it is to someone who covers the label scene as a hobby.

But either way, you will need to have permission to use the music.

I hear a lot of you screaming, "What about fair use?"  Fair use offers limited protection in a variety of ways, and your cable system should have blanket licenses with BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and many others, BUT THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE IT COVERS YOUR CHANNEL.

Your channel is on the 'net and that's a good thing because they are expanding their audience due to this.  The blanket license may or may not cover you on your system and it definitely won't cover you in cyberspace.  So what is the solution?  Believe you me, there are several and many are creative.

See if your station has a royalty-free music library for use.  A royalty-free music library would allow you to access music that you will need.  We have one along with a sound effects library to boot.  A royalty-free library can be pricey, but it pays for itself in the long run. 

Subscription.  Let's face it...everything is headed towards cloud technology and this is changing the way we are doing a lot of things.  If you can swing it, a subscription service might be up your alley.  Sites like FreePlayMusic.com and VideoBlocks.com offer these services either by the track or a full service for a monthly fee for unlimited access.  You might want to check them out.

Local musicians: most will barter a deal just to get their music exposed.

Do-it-yourself: If you can do it, give it a shot and make it work to your advantage.  Macs already come pre-installed with Garage Band and a series of loops; those with PCs can get Sony's Acid Music Studio or Music Creator, they come with freebie loops but the ones you might like will cost extra.  Because Sony has well-known artists performing the loop(s), you can't promote the artist you are using or share the ACID music software

By Will James

Access Sacramento

It's Week-10; the final week of the regular season for high school football and a time when league titles hang in the balance, and teams on the bubble of playoff contention have a final opportunity to improve their chances of reaching the post-season.

Nowhere in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section has the competition been more fierce than among the powerhouse teams in the rugged Delta River League; a focal point for Access Sacramento's Live Home Town Sports Game-of-the-Week Friday night at Sheldon High School.

Broadcast time 7 p.m. on Comcast and SureWest Cable Ch. 17 and AT&T U-verse Ch. 99.  The game is also on the internet at AccessSacramento.org Push Watch 17.

That's where #1 Folsom (8-0, 4-0) visits #3 Pleasant Grove (7-1, 3-1) in one of two games that will finally untangle a 4-team scramble and determine the order of finish in the Delta River League.  The other clarifying contest is a Saturday noon matinee in Carmichael where #2 Oak Ridge (7-1, 3-1) battles #11 Jesuit (6-2, 2-2) to conclude a wild scenario that contains mathematical possibilities of a 3-way tie for first place, and a 3-way tie for second place.

Numbers aside, the Folsom Bulldogs have answered every challenge thus far and have assumed an aura of virtual invincibility amid SJS competition. Junior quarterback Jake Browning continues to post staggering passing statistics, having thrown for 3,458 yards with 77% accuracy, including 49 TD passes in nine games. Largely obscured by the Bulldogs' overwhelming offense, is Folsom's defense that has limited DRL opponents to 10.3 points per game.

In a quarterback yardage explosion, both the Jesuit Mauraders and Sheldon Huskies QB's pulled out all the stops racking up  nearly 1,300 yards in total offense showcasing a 60-49 Delta River League scorefest.

Are you in the mood for a really cool band you can sing along to? If so, Whiskey & Stitches is for you. This band has 6 very talented members and they will not let you down. James Wilson rocks the mandolin while Steve MooreWeathers jams on the accordion along with traditional rock instruments including drums played by Jay Raney and guitar and vocals by Mike McCarrick and Pete Barker and Doug Vincent on the bass. Their music is a mix of punk and Irish mixed together.

For more information about Whiskey & Stitches log on to www.WhiskeyandStitches.com

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