I. FEATURED COMMENT: RICK BLANC RESPONSE TO DAVID POMEROY
II. RESPONSES TO THE LENNIE MOORE COMMENTARY
III. COMMENTS
IV. EVENTS

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Have a safe holiday.

THE COMMITTEE

=================

I. FEATURED COMMENT: RICK BLANC RESPONSE TO DAVID POMEROY

In reference to Dave Pomeroy’s response to Lennie Moore’s post:

Those of us who have lived in LA may often have a stronger
anti-RMA animus than one might find in other parts of the
country — for obvious reasons I suppose. Lennie Moore
presents a reasoned argument reflecting the views of a
lot of rank-and-file union members.

To give credit where due I think Dave Pomeroy makes valid points
also and I believe he sincerely wants to improve things. Fact
is, the RMA is part of the AFM democracy. Neither Nashville nor NY
is dominated or controlled completely by RMA, although RMA members
and former members are part of those administrations. But the problem
goes beyond Dave’s description, it goes beyond whether or not the RMA
has captured control of the largest locals: The RMA and Fareplay have
sued the AFM in the past and are suing the AFM currently at the appellate
level: Beyond that there is a great deal of animus and rhetoric directed
against Tom Lee and his administration.

It is not enough to define “working together” as simply meaning some
musicians should refrain from accusations that certain locals are RMA
controlled. The music business and private sector unions are on the skids
across the board. There is blame to go around. If we would “work together”
for purposes of AFM unity there will need to be adjustments made across
the board, e.g., more RMA flexibility, fewer expensive lawsuits, more
cooperation with, and less demonization of, the Lee Administration.

I would grant Pomeroy his point. But this is one point — perhaps one of
three in the pursuit of AFM unity:

1) As institutions reflecting union democracy we should not go overboard
accusing Nashville or NY of being RMA controlled.
2) We need to see some RMA flexibility, cooperation and a stop to the
litigation.
3) The RMA and certain others may be well advised to turn down the anti-Lee
rhetoric; if one doesn’t like an administration (read US administration;
I for one am not an Obama fan) one has to wait it out in the democratic
tradition until change occurs. Until all three of these areas see some
progress I don’t see how the process of “working together” is going to move
forward, although as Dave Pomeroy correctly asserts, working together and
AFM unity would inure to our common benefit.

RICK BLANC

==========================

II. RESPONSES TO THE LENNIE MOORE COMMENTARY

Hats off to Lennie Moore for his commentary on the status of
videogame recording! Not to put too fine a point on it, let
me just underscore this point: those sessions being scored
at Skywalker Ranch are employing musicians from Local 7. I
know how badly you need — and indeed deserve — to see
recording work return to LA, but I must tell you, the Skywalker
Symphony Orchestra matches and surpasses anything in LA in
terms of quality, efficiency and professionalism.

RMA pissed away LA’s monopoly on recording work. Don’t assume
it’ll automatically return now that better, cheaper and easier
-to-work with players have been found.

———————-

GOOD REPLY LENNIE MOORE - I love that guy

———————-

Merry Christmas to all who read this “publication.” Let’s hope that
the new year brings all of us together for the good of the whole AFM.
I for one am very tired of all the destructive rhetoric that has
been tearing our Union apart for the past few years. Isn’t everyone
sick of this by now?

With all due respect to Mr. Lenny Moore, the continued propagation of
the notion that Nashville is “RMA controlled” is simply laughable
and beyond ludicrous. What are you basing your snap judgement and
condemnation of Local 257 on, Mr. Moore? I represent 2600 members,
and about 200 or so are also RMA members. I look to RMA Nashville
for input, advice and feedback on matters that affect their business,
and the financial health of our Local, and the AFM should be doing
the same on a national level. Our Executive Board has only 2 RMA
members, yet somehow we discuss and make decisions together as a
group in a democratic fashion! The Board’s input is critical to
Craig and myself, and RMA or non RMA membership is simply not an
issue. We have a functional, democratic and transparent organization
and my job is to reflect the will of the members in everything I do.
I answer to no one except the members of my Local, who all know
they have the ability to come in and talk to me about anything. How
is this “RMA control?” The Nashville and New York elections were
reflections of the members desire for a change in leadership. That’s
democracy at work. Last time I checked, our country was built on this
concept. Shouldn’t our Union be too?

Happy New Year and let’s try to work TOGETHER in 2010 instead
of against one another.

David Pomeroy

[Editor's comment: Our research tells us that before becoming
President of the Nashville AFM Local, Mr. Pomeroy had been elected
President of the Nashville RMA Chapter, resigning that position
after the Nashville Local's election. If we are incorrect, we'll be
happy to correct the record.]

————————–

Mr. Lennie Moore, You can’t be kidding, so I must assume you
are either under employed, ignorant, a bitter outsider, or all
of the above. YOU look at the facts beyond your own selfish needs
and see that we will get ripped off forever if we allow bad
agreements to suit our immediate needs instead of holding out
for good agreements. Call me up if you want me to explain how
wrong you are and why. Tom Lee may not be as bad as the RMA
makes out, but he IS terribly wrong and needs replacing. Badly.
The RMA is perhaps overly emotional about the powerful
impact Mr. Lee has had but that doesn’t change the fact that
Tom Lee is WRONG about fundamental concepts that will make it
essential that he be replaced to prevent further damage to our
rather fragile union.

Eric Hosler

[COMMITTEE RESPONSE: Mr. Hosler, While Mr. Moore is more than
capable of answering your comment, and probably will, we have
some comments for our national readership so they will better
understand who we're talking about here.

Lennie Moore is one of the most successful and busy videogame
composers we have today, is fully knowledgeable on all aspects
of the business and we ourselves can confirm the reality of what
he is saying about scoring, whether you will admit it or not. The
COMMITTEE includes composers, orchestrators and players, many
of whom have had to work elsewhere because companies want
nothing to do with the untenable situation RMA control and other
factors has created here in Los Angeles.

At this point, very few, if any, orchestrators can afford to not
work out of town. There simply is not enough work left here.

You may be one of the special few who are still busy (for the time
being), but we talk to more and more LA PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS who
are working less and less because of the draconian control the RMA
and their special friends (contractors) have over most film recording
here. The world has changed, you have not, and those most adamant to
keep the status quo are the ones only interested in keeping
it that way, regardless of the damage to everyone else, until they
retire, at which point they could care less what happens to LA Scoring
or the musicians left in their wake.

To put it more simply, they don't care if LA burns, as long as they are
the last ones fiddling. We believe it is you, Mr. Hosler, who is feigning
ignorance of the reality of the worldwide nature of recording today
because it better serves your interests to do so.

There are great musicians everywhere, and of all the aspects of the
production of film, musicians are the most easily replaced.

In case you didn't know: as long as you have pro-tools and a particular
plugin, you can record in real time with any orchestra in the world,
ANY orchestra, ANYWHERE in the world, from your home studio.

A well known composer recorded remotely in real time with an orchestra in
Australia for at least the films Jumper and Happy Feet. For Coraline, the
orchestra was recorded in Bratislava, the soloists in Paris and the Choir
in Nice, France. The sound was great. The examples are countless. They've
even starting scoring Hollywood films in Paris. If you add that to the
list of other locales, including, Prague, Belgrade, Macedonia, Japan,
Paris, London, Mexico, and not the least of which Seattle (which even today
is working more days out of the month than not), you get the real picture.
Out of all of those, only the RMA is intransigent about adjusting to the real
world.

They are also recording in New Orleans and San Francisco with UNION contracts
because producers don't want to deal with the extra cost that goes on
here (And tax breaks to work in Louisiana), not to mention the arrogance
of a certain group of players and their attitudes. They also don't want to
take the chance that some RMA officer will get a hair in the wrong place
and try to pull another "Simpson's" if they don't like the contract.

Here's a suggestion, Mr. Hosler, if you don't want to work under the new
contracts that are actually bringing work back then don't take them, but don't
deny the countless other equally qualified musicians as yourself the chance
to work those jobs.

Unfortunately, all the other wonderful beyond fully qualified musicians in
Los Angeles suffer the same taint as the "have's". If we could make companies
understand that they are not tied down to specific personnel or infrastructure
we could get more work back here. This is where Local 47 could be a huge help,
if only they weren't compromised by the RMA.

It is the RMA, it's arrogance and the lawsuits through it's associated "Fare-Play"
organization, funded through donations from RMA members, that is doing
the damage to our Federation.

THE COMMITTEE

[PS - We've asked this several times, and none of your colleagues has ever been
able to answer it. Mr. Hosler, please point out a specific Job that the actions of
President Tom Lee - or anyone outside Los Angeles - has cost the recording
musicians of Los Angeles. We won't hold our breath.

Then, tell us if you dare, how many jobs the RMA's business practices
have cost Los Angeles. We'll be happy to help of you if you have trouble
recalling them.]

==========================

III. COMMENTS

The comments below and elsewhere in this mailing represent the
typically uncensored views of the readers and not necessarily those
of the COMMITTEE. In the faith that freedom of expression allows
for the birth and ascendancy of the most beneficial ideas, all sentiments
expressed are welcome, subject to the bounds of good taste and
decorum. If you disagree with an opinion expressed by any contributor,
we encourage you to rebut it here.

———————-

We would like to extend the same [Holiday Greetings] to you Happy
Holidays from Local 106-209!
Joe Baudo

———————-

In response to the didactic and apparently blessed David Finck:

Thank you for your generous offer. That the 802 election is over is no
reason to end your tutelage. Your instruction about how the music
business works was, while invaluable, by no means complete! With
instability within the AFM, growing international competition,
unpredictable marketplace mobility both within and without the
music business, not to mention evolving technology, I’m sure we
could all benefit from your sage advice. More kind sir, more.

Rick Blanc

———————————-

MESSAGE FROM BILLY MITCHELL

Dear friends,

Does anyone have a drum kit that they would
like to donate?

MITCH

Please contact Mr. Mitchell at 714-528-1534

=========================

IV. CONCERTS AND EVENTS

————————————

12/31/09

LISA HALEY AND THE ZYDACATS

ANAHEIM, CA - DISNEYLAND NEW YEARS CELEBRATION! - 8PM
WE COUNT THE PARK DOWN TO MIDNIGHT ON THE RIVER OF THE
AMERICAS!
http://www.disneyland.com/

———————————-

UPCOMING CONCERTS in the Glendale Noon Concerts:
(every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm)

JANUARY 6, 2010
VERKLARTE NACHT/Transfigured Night by ARNOLD SCHOENBERG
for String Sextet
KEWA ENSEMBLE & Friends
Nancy Roth - violin
Jacqueline Suzuki - violin
Lynn Grants - viola
Adriana Zoppo - viola
Maurice Grants - violoncello
Mary Anne Steinberger - violoncello

JANUARY 20, 2010
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 10 in G Major Op. 96
Jacqueline Suzuki - violin
Rosa LoGiudice - piano

Glendale Noon Concerts
First Baptist Church of Glendale
209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
Glendale Ca 91206
818 242 2113
http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com

Thanks!

———————————-

1/14/09

BATTLE OF THE TENORS! (SAX THAT IS) -
Gil Bernal (Lionel Hampton band, Spike Jones)
vs.
Pat Chartrand (Harry James, Dorseys)
with:
Tom Owens, piano;
Harold Mason (Horace Silver), drums;
Richard Simon, bass
Lighthouse Cafe, 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach 90254
5:00 pm to 8:30 pm

NO COVER

———————————-

1/16/09

Los Angeles Pierce College Department of Music Presents

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
James Domine, Music Director

Saturday evening Jan. 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Pierce College Performing Arts Theater

Mozart
Symphony #1 in Eb major

Haydn
Symphony #9 in D major

Handel
Water Music Suite

Domine
Amsuite Serenade

This special concert is a fundraiser to benefit
San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra

General Admission: $25
Students and Seniors: $20
Children under 12 years: $15

For concert information call (818) 347-4807
www.sfvsymphony.com

———————————-

1/17/09

The Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds
presents their concert:

STARS OF THE LA WINDS
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at 1pm and 4pm
Pierce College Performing Arts Theater

Music will include:
-MUSIC FOR A FESTIVAL by Gordon Jacob

-ADAGIO E TARANTELLA by E. Cavallini
featuring the LA Winds clarinet section

-SCHERZO by Edwin Franko Goldman
featuring Neil Jansen, Euphonium

- SCHERZO for French Horn and Wind Band by Charles Fernandez
WORLD PREMIERE, featuring Jennifer Bliman, Horn

-STONEHENGE by Michael Kibbe
WORLD PREMIERE

-TRIBUTE FOR ROBERT GOMEZ
Paul Witt

-WINDSOR PROCESSIONAL by Charles Fernandez

For more info and tickets contact:
nfo@lawinds.org
tickets@lawinds.org

=======================

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47
Visit us at www.responsible47.com

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