Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.

Jimi Hendrix

Thank you all so much for the feedback on our first installment of How The Music Business Works: YouTube for the Music Business. The reception has been fantastic. Seriously, we appreciate it. The guide explains things pretty well, but we appreciate your insight on how it can be the absolute best. We are working hard to fuse suggested additions to what is already there…

So, my Mom always used to give me the business end of a broom for making another mess before cleaning my current one and I say “Why change things?!”

We are pushing forward and this installment: Organizations and Advocacy Groups of the Music Business. Here’s to you, Mom 🙂

We’ve gained an incredible amount of knowledge, support, advice, and friendship through our membership in many of the listed organizations. You may as well.

The California Copyright Conference

While we are on the topic of organizations that make a difference, congratulations to our own Rene Merideth, Exploration Co-Founder and COO, for being elected to the California Copyright Conference board. She’ll join a smart, talented, and dedicated group as they steer the important organization forward. We appreciate them all for their service and dedication.

Executive Team
President: James Leach
Vice President: Charley Londono
Treasurer: Cheryl Dickerson
Secretary: Renee Jeske
Assistant. Secretary: Jean Montiel

Board of Directors
Catharine Wood
Mara Schwartz Kuge
Rene Merideth
Erin Jacobson
Sabrina Ment
Tanya Perara
Rachel Perkins
Marsha Sill

http://theccc.org/about/

Progress to systems and software

We’ve out grown our ability to keep all of the ducks in a row without more help, so we’re hiring an office manager. If you know of someone that might be a fit, please let them know we are hiring.

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Exploration Data

Exploration Data has become a valuable resource for confirming the delivered catalogs of our clients and we are adding a catalog delivery module within the system. It will allow one to drag and drop a file (catalog) for upload to us. The file will then be placed in a queue on the backend for us to work on.

We are devoting more attention to on-boarding more people to the platform.

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Royalties Software

Royalties has evolved from a simple multi-hour project to an extremely complex multi week experience.

Building has begun of a royalty module to compliment our current suite within Exploration Data. It will be able to compute royalties at scale and without human error. We expect this to take 3-6 months to be fully operational.

Ultimately, we know this is only the start in our effort to be the best and are absolutely open to feedback.

Interviews

I interviewed a couple really smart folks last year.

How Much Should Writers Get Paid with Richard Stumpf of Atlas Music Publishing
What is the consent decree with Danielle Aguirre of the NMPA

I’m interested in conducting more sooner than later.

The spirit of the series is discussing the nuance of the music business in an informal setting, via skype. We have fun, laugh, and peel the onion on the important facets of the business that deserve attention and often get overlooked.

Here’s the format:

  1. Introduction of myself and guest. Mini bio from site or Linkedin is usually enough.
  2. Sharing knowledge about something important to those working in the music business.
  3. Debate on current changes to our industry. Rant. Explain. Praise.
    Action step one can take today to put their best foot forward.
  4. If you or someone you know is keen to have a drink and talk shop, please do reach out.

Stay close,

Aaron

ps – I’ll be at the NMPA Annual Dinner on Wednesday evening in NYC. Please do come over, have a drink, and share a laugh with me if you make it.