I. LETTER FROM THE SMALL LOCALS COMMITTEE
II. A RECENT QOUTE FROM THE LATEST RMA TRIPE
III. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? - TEACHING BENEFITS
IV. COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

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

I. LETTER FROM THE SMALL LOCALS COMMITTEE

We just received this publication from the Small Locals Committee.
They are waking up to the threat of the RMA and their ilk to our
federation and are starting to fight back, as we all should!

We’re with you 100%! Let us know how we can help.

I WENT TO THE LIBRARY FOR SLC
John Leite, SLC Chairman, AFM

“1. Small Children should be seen, not heard
2. A Chinese man walking down to the ocean with a basket on
his back was stopped by his friend, who asked, “Where are you
going with the basket?” “To the ocean to dump it out.” “What’s
in the basket?” He replied, “My Grandmother, she is old an useless.”
His friend said, “Save the Basket”"

In Paul Gunther’s article, ICSOM December 2009: “Voting rights are
held not by individual union members like you and me, but rather
by a small number of elected delegates from locals. The number of
voting delegates, along with the number of votes assigned to each,
is determined by the size of the local. Each local — no matter how
small — is allocated at least one delegate with at least one vote.”

I guess that is not fair!! Or at least to the author of the December ‘09
issue of Senza Sordino.

He continues on:
“Although structured with an eye toward fair representation, this can cause
a lopsided voting system. Every small local - no matter how few members,
and perhaps with no symphonic members at all - has a delegate with one
or more votes. Yet larger locals may have only two or three delegates casting
all their vote.

For example, the Twin Cities Musicians Union (Local 30-73, Minneapolis
and Saint Paul) with two ICSOM orchestras and one ROPA orchestra,
and nearly 1,400 members, elects only three voting delegates. Therefore
a dozen small locals, each with 50-100 members, probably few to none
of them symphonic, would aggregate four times as many voting delegates
controlling all their votes.”

Members of Symphony Orchestras are not the only “Working Musicians”
in the AFM.

The RMA has “Working Musicians”,
The TMA has “Working Musicians”,
Small Local’s have “Working Musicians”,
Freelance players are “Working Musicians”.

In fact, all AFM locals contain what are called “Working Musicians”.

That simply means that we ALL contribute to the AFM coffers. Whether
paying Work Dues or Per Capita, which by the way is the same for ALL
Regular members throughout the AFM. There must be mutual respect
amongst all AFM members for us all to survive.

All Delegates deserve to vote on all candidates, laws, resolutions or other
changes in the bylaws. When the Delegates have made their decisions and
the Convention is over, we must all abide by the voting members. If a group
or an individual wants the bylaws to change, the ONLY place to do that is at
the Convention not in the Courts, Newsletters, Emails, Letters or elsewhere.
We all deserve to be represented regardless of the size of the local.

One thing that seems to be misunderstood by many AFM members is that the
number of Local delegates and the number of Local votes are two different
numbers.

For instance, a large local can have 5 delegates and 11 votes BUT not all Delegates
necessarily will vote the same way. Paul seems to be confused on this.
A representative democracy is especially important to the small Locals because the
system insures a voice for all, and the number of votes a Local has based on its
membership is the balance to the number of delegates a Local has.
Finally, the writer picked out three of the favorable, for his purposes, statements
from the AFM Mission Statement.

* We will have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect us.

* Our collective voice and power will be realized in a democratic and progressive
union.

* We must commit to actively participating in the democratic institutions of our
union.

Space prohibits the insertion of ALL of Article 2 Sec. 1 - Mission Statement
but these three do NOT reflect the total meaning of the AFM Mission Statement.
Please take the time and read the entire Mission Statement in the AFM Bylaws (Pg.2).
to understand the full meaning. ALL musicians are equal regardless
of their local’s size.

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

II. A RECENT QUOTE FROM THE LATEST RMA TRIPE

We got a good laugh out of the latest RMA screed and we could
discredit everything in it in short order, but we’ll settle for this
small section that was even farther beyond the pale than the
rest!

The RMA in their latest says the Federation is supporting
non-union work. More specifically, they say the administration’s
approach of racing to the bottom has led to non-union scoring
sessions and non-union copying, orchestration and librarian work
- for “AFM Videogames”. They also say a recent IM displayed a
photo of a headline, AFM videogame scoring session, that featured
a non-union, cash Seattle copyist.

“What is going on here?” ends the paragraph.

Colleagues,

They know exactly what’s going on. They’re playing their audience
for fools. The RMA’s own intransigence has lost us the video game
work in Los Angeles and much of the film work as well. The Federation
has had absolutely NOTHING to do with the work leaving, though their
lack of giving us buyout scales so we can be truly competitive hasn’t
helped either, as anyone with any knowledge of the business can tell
you. The RMA has done it to themselves and all of us NATION WIDE.

Further, check the credits for any one of a vast number of films
scored in England. Go to the IMDB website and search the words
“Isabel Griffiths” then select cast and crew, and you’ll see a who’s
who of “A” List orchestrators and conductors, not a peep from
the RMA about them. Besides that, as much as they would hate to
admit it, there are other expert copyists out there besides the
anointed LA/London RMA favorite. That copyist plays both
sides of the coin. Union here, non-union in London, but not a
word about that from the RMA either. Basic, utter, pathetic
hypocrisy.

The RMA’s battle cry is “NO BUYOUTS, NO WAY” which has
morphed into the reality of ” NO BUYOUTS, NO WORK EXCEPT
FOR OURS, AND THAT’S LEAVING TOO!”.

They are the kid holding the bat after the ball has gone through the
glass window pointing to someone else and crying, “THEY did it!”.
It’s despicable and inexcusable, but is their well established MO.
As was stated some time ago on this blog, the RMA has become a
cancer on this federation.

If their BS had not been such a tragedy for so many it might be funny,
but as their latest fantasy email also says, “We can’t afford this any more”.

They are correct, the thousands of members here in Los Angeles
and tens of thousands of others throughout the federation cannot
afford to let these selfish, greedy parasites further destroy our
federation and the work for everyone “NOT THEM”.

SOME FIXES

We call on the Federation to put a stop to the hostage situation the RMA
has held us all in for far too long.

1) Create a BUYOUT Library scale for the AFM, if yo’s don’t like
it, they can let someone else work for a change. It’s not making
union work non-union, it’s bringing in new work. Some of it is
being done here now non-union, in smaller groups, but it could
be unionized with the proper contract.

2) Push and refine the NO BACK END Video Game Scale. It has brought
work back regardless of the lies of the RMA and can bring more back
in the future. IN FACT, the RMAers themselves have done those buyout
sessions, from the top to the bottom of the lists.

A lot of the work is gone, never to return. Thanks RMA. but we can build
new markets here for many, many more musicians if we can get the RMA
and their mafioso tactics out of the way.

The AFM Administration has not been strong enough in confronting the
RMA, allowing their ideology to permeate and contaminate other locals
and other groups with their false promises.
It cannot be allowed to continue.

There’s another fix for the dwindling membership, but it would take an
honest administration at the Local level to do it. What is that solution?
Read on.

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

III. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Recording at former levels is gone for good, the RMA and technology has seen
to that. How then do we re-vitalize our Local and perhaps the entire federation
and make it useful to the rank and file again? First, unfortunately, it will take
a Local administration NOT bent on serving only the chosen few and giving
only crumbs to the vast majority.

This solution has been mentioned before, but its time as come, if Local 47
Officers actually care about the general membership.

When composers aren’t working, they write for libraries. When players aren’t
working, many of them teach privately.

BENEFITS FOR PRIVATE TEACHERS

It is time to create a situation where teacher members can get Health and
Welfare and Pension from their students.

DIfficult? Yes. Impossible? By no means, if you have an administration that
wants to get it done. Excuses can always be made for why something cannot
be done, but the fact is it CAN.

We’ve heard the arguments before. Some have said:

1) It’s too onerous on the parent having to write 3 checks (Health and
Welfare, Pension, Teacher). If the teacher wants it enough, they can
talk the parent into it, if not, no harm no foul.

2) It cannot be policed. In a word, BULL. We have paid employees who can
make the calls to the parents and/or students to verify the teacher and
the payments. The additional monies brought in would more than pay
for the hiring of more employees to check up on the validity of the
claims. To claim otherwise is simple laziness.

Folks, it CAN work, and they will make it happen, but only if they are forced to.
If the administration or someone acting on behalf on the administration insists
it cannot be done, someone new should tackle the job, and take the position
away from the naysayers. It can be done, we just need people who WANT to
get it done.

It up to you. We can make our Local useful to us again, but no tiny group
can do it alone. We have to work together.

We’d like to hear from private teachers: your reservations; your ideas; your
complaints; your game plans for making his happen.

It’s up to you, don’t leave it to someone else. We’ll be here to make sure
the word gets out.

THE COMMITTEE

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

IV. 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.

————————————

The price of apathy is to be ruled by evil men…….Plato

now can you blame anyone for not showing up [to the membership
meeting]? - the local is bought off and ruled by a bunch of greedy,
money hungry, power hungry RMALA-ites and rank and file non
RMALA-ites just get worn down and disgusted because nothing ever
goes the way of the little guy…….look at all the check marks in the
loser column - we do have winners of course - but here are some
constant LOSERS

LOSERS:

studio 47 practically caput unless you bring in your own mobile
PRO TOOLS rig

SELA agreement dis-allowed for all users instead of just the ones
who abused it

Referral service a joke with its on line unusable website

witch hunt mentality of local 47 and AFM to fine its members for
working non union live and recorded - WHEN IT’S REALLY THEIR
FAULT because they cant secure union contracts for us - my god -
wake up - they are actually driving employers away with their
“bedside manner”

Runaway recording and the lack of anyone forward minded to
actually study why things are leaving and turn things around by
getting folks to WANT to work with the AFM

Eric Hosler is an —– through and through by the way -

————————————

Hello There!

Finally! For those who say the union doesn’t help the membership
get work. Read the centerfold of the January Overture…..The
Census is hiring! LOL

————————————

(Please publish anonymously)

In response to Mr. Hosler’s comment regarding intellectual property
rights:

As a Local 47 musician and composer, I found this complaint a bit
amusing as the editor did. As a composer, I am very interested in
protecting my intellectual property rights for the music I compose,
but as a recording/performing musician I also realize that I have none.
Perhaps Mr. Hosler would like to introduce a motion that the AFM create
a membership status for composers wanting to join the union (seeing as
that issue is currently being debated anyway); that way, the AFM can
take up those issues on behalf of composers. If Mr. Hosler was suggesting
that recording musicians are entitled to a percentage of the composer’s
royalties, then perhaps in return we ought to give composers a percentage
of revenues generated by recording musicians’ secondary market payments.

On the topic of “buyouts”, if our union is supposed to be a democratic institution,
then why not permit buyout contracts and allow the RMA to pass on those jobs
and allow some of the rank and file who want them to take those gigs? Of course,
we should all be aware as union members that even if the Local 47 adopted a
buyout provision, none of the members would actually be forced to accept those
jobs; so if there really is no demand among union musicians for that kind of work
in Los Angeles, no harm done, right? And if there is demand among the membership,
then we have democracy and marketplace forces in action; and perhaps even a
bit more work for a larger number of union musicians.

[Editor's Comment: Bravo, and Bravo! That's one good way to get the RMA to
stop arguing this ridiculous and pathetic argument about intellectual property
rights, bring sharing their July checks into it! Classic]

————————————

Responding to your teamsters composers union subject
From the AMCL Website

http://amcl-test.ericgoetz.com/faq-2/

“What about non-union work?
In instances when production companies either refuse to become, or
have not yet become, signatory to the union agreement, union members
would be permitted to work for the company as long as the union is
notified.

However, though members would not be bound by contractual minimums,
they would not receive any union benefits nor have the advantage of
union safeguards if problems arose with the producer/employer during
the term of employment.”

My comment:
also it’s important to remember that videogames, library music,
Broadway, live music, sports, and most reality programming music are
not affected by any proposed “composer” union. Also a lot of tv and
feature animation is not covered by the WGA, they are covered by
IATSE. The proposed “composer” union affiliates only with the
Teamsters.. who are not affiliated with IATSE. So this new union would
have no relationship with any non-WGA projects. Reality shows are
usually not covered by WGA either.

Also this new union won’t happen with strong public support from at
least 3 of the big composers (Elfman, Zimmer, Williams, Silvestri,
Newton Howard, Giacchino, and Debney spring to mind). Notice none of
them have said anything on the record. Their agents (who are against
this) have definitely clamped everyone down.

(name withheld)

————————————

Lies, Damned Lies, and the cOMMITTEe
Watching the AFM is always educational, but sometimes a bit comical as
well. The cOMMITTEe’s attempt to wade into the dispute between Tom Lee
and the symphonic player conferences is as good, and as funny, an example
of trying to re-write reality as anything one would find on The Daily Show.

[Editor's Comment: If you expect our readership to take your comment seriously,
please supply us with the specific lies we have told. chapter and verse please,
not blanket statements. Also, BTW, a survey a few years ago found that a majority
of those polled (In that particular poll) found the Daily Show a more reliable
source for the real facts of a story than cable or network news on the subjects
they covered.

As always, thank you for writing and please write as often as you like.]

————————————

Unions Revisited

There are two kinds of unions, public sector and private sector.

Public sector unions are part of government and the administrative state;
their survival is basically secure. Public sector unions don’t have to be
competitive in wages, prices or productivity.

By contrast private sector unions have to compete in ever-changing
markets, a circumstance of particular poignancy today. Markets are
inherently competitive in wages, prices and productivity; private sector
unions cannot escape this.

Today, public sector unions are enjoying strong comfortable growth
while private sector unions are collapsing. To illustrate the point:
the private sector in the US is 4 to 5 times the size of the public
sector, yet public sector unions have more members than all the
private sector unions combined.

Some may claim corporate greed and anti-union political winds
play a role. Maybe, but these aren’t new and don’t explain the
situation adequately. Today we are faced with unprecedented
national and global competition, and the ability — or lack thereof
– of unions to respond realistically and effectively.

Obstacles include rigid ideological thinking and short-term interests.
The RMA is a good example. The RMA is anti-competition, anti-market
and rigidly self-serving; it is not interested in being competitive in
terms of wages, prices or productivity, it is interested in controlling
the marketplace. If successful in its current trajectory the RMA will
significantly hasten the demise of the AFM.

Unions impose constraints on proprietary market activity. These
constraints require strenuous re-evaluation given the mobility of
today’s market. Market conditions demand flexibility and adaptation.
It is time everyone take a hard look at the destructive role the
RMA is playing. Unless union musicians and their representatives
find ways of becoming more competitive now and in the future
the very survival of the AFM may be in jeopardy.

Rick Blanc (attach name

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

V. CONCERTS AND EVENTS

———————————-

2/10/10

Canoga Park Bowl and the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra present

Concerts at the Bowl
Wednesday Evenings at 8:15 pm
In the Royal Room
Admission Free
20122 Vanowen St., Winnetka, CA
Persons under 21 years of age not admitted.

February 10th
Instrumental Soloist (tba)

February 17th
The Screaming Clams
Songwriters’ Forum

February 24th
Blues at the Bowl
With Dave Reo, Jimi Dee & Friends

——————————–

2/14/10

HAPPY MARDI GRAS! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
SUN 2/14/10 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -
INTERNATIONAL FARMERS MARKET MARDI GRAS
The biggest Mardi Gras celebration on the West Coast!
If you can?t be in Louisiana for Mardi Gras, come dance with us!
http://www.farmersmarketla.com/newsandevents/index.asp

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OTHER UPCOMING ZYDECAT CONCERTS!

TUES 2.16.10 HERMOSA BEACH, CA -
SAINT ROCKE MARDI GRAS! - we perform 7PM
142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
A Great Night of Americana Cajun Zydeco - with
Rosie Ledet & band!
Live Symulcast Worldwide! Great food!
http://www.saintrocke.com

WED 2/24/10: HERMOSA BEACH, CA - CLUB 705 - 7PM
LISA @ SOUTH BAY SONGWRITER NIGHT -
PLAYING NEW SONGS FOR OUR NEXT ALBUM!
This is the best place to hear new music! Y’all Come!
http://www.club705.com

——————————–

2/17/10

American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers

presents

Singer, Radio Host, President of Society of Singers

JERRY SHARELL

Wednesday, February 17th - 11:30am
at Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood

JERRY F. SHARELL started in the record business in 1962 as
a promotion representative for Mercury Records followed by
a senior promotion position at Main Line Distributors in
Cleveland. Sharell has been instrumental in many recording
artists’ success including Herb Alpert, The Carpenters, Joe
Cocker and Curtis Mayfield among others. He moved Elektra/
Asylum Records in Los Angeles as General Manager and
Senior Vice President in creative services, artist development
and promotion while helping establish the careers of The
Eagles, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, The
Cars and Queen, among others

Jerry then headed MCA Video Distribution for 4 years and
was Senior Vice President of MCA Home Video in marketing.
From 1987-1992 he was Senior Vice President Talent Marketing
at Westwood One radio network where he contracted and
supervised hundreds of radio concerts.

As an active community leader, in 1994, Jerry served as Executive
Director of MusiCares. In 1995, he joined WEA Corp. in Burbank,
CA as Director of Media Relations and Corporate Events. Jerry is
a past president of City of Hope and serves on its Advisory
Committee; is a voting member of the Recording Academy,
and is still on the Advisory Committee of MusiCares. He is involved
with the Buhl Trust Foundation in Sharon, PA and presents concerts
that benefit its Summer Youth Program. He has performed as a
singer since 1956.

Eight years ago, Jerry joined Society of Singers as President, and
CEO was recently added to his title. During his tenure, SOS has
experienced some of the most successful fundraising campaigns
in its 25-year history honoring Barry Manilow, Elton John, Gladys
Knight, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and Herb
Alpert/Lani Hall.

As if singing and leading SOS isn’t enough, Jerry can be heard every
Sunday night on KGIL Retro 1260 AM from 7 to 10 PM with Jerry
Sharell Plays Songs From The Great American Songbook.

Join us on the 17th … listen to a little music, learn a little something
about SOS, and hear a lot of great stories from Jerry’s 40+ years in
the music business.

Wednesday, February 17th -
11:30 Cocktails/Networking;
12 noon Buffet Lunch;
1 pm Guest Speaker

CATALINA BAR AND GRILL
6725 West Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
(1 BLOCK E OF HIGHLAND - north side of street - cor of McCadden)

Cost: ASMAC Members & Students $30 - Guests and all walk-ins $35
Parking: Valet $3.00 - Enter on McCadden - west side of Catalina’s - lot at back

Please make reservations by Tuesday morning, Mar. 24th @ 818/994-4661
OR by email to asmac@theproperimageevents.com

SAVE THE DATES:
Saturday, March 28th - 10:00am-1:00pm Composing/Arranging
Workshop with Bob Mintzer
Music building of Los Angeles Valley College (Fulton and Oxnard),
North Hollywood

Wed. Apr 15th - 11:30am - Catalina’s - ASMAC Luncheon -
Special Guests: Clare Fischer & Brent Fischer
Check out our website for upcoming events — www.asmac.org

—————————-

2/17/10

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS

RELAX DURING YOUR LUNCH HOUR WITH LIVE MUSIC
Light lunch created by ANGELA’S BISTRO available for $6.
LOCATION: The Chapel at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENDALE
209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
Glendale CA 91206
818 242 2113

Map & venue info http://www.fbcglendale.net
More info email teena.frazier@fbcglendale.net
(every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm

FEBRUARY 17, 2010
Chamber music by composer BEVAN MANSON
Catherine Del Russo - oboe & English horn
Bevan Manson - piano

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SAME SERIES

MARCH 3, 2010
Solo works for violin
HIROMI IGARASHI-WARREN - violin

MARCH 17, 2010
Singer-songwriter
LINDSAY TOMASIC
http://www.lindsaytomasic.com

APRIL 7, 2010
FIATO String Quartet

Carrie Kennedy - violin
Ina Veli - violin
Charles Hebenstreit - viola
Ryan Sweeney - violoncello

APRIL 21, 2010
SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA
http://www.suezennefordhamchamberjazz.blogspot.com

CONCERT UPDATES:
http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com

—————————–

2/18/10

here’s an upcoming event that I thought folks on
this list might be interested in… this is from a video/film
email listing and so that’s who I assume this is geared towards,
but if run away film/tv/game sessions is on your mind…
then it’s all the same stuff in the end. I would hope that
musicians and affiliates would try to attend and have their voices heard too.

KEEPING PRODUCTION IN CALIFORNIA:
Building an Influential Coalition To Save and Create Jobs
and Business Now.

4:00 PM-5:30 PM:
Main Theater (free to attend)
Createasphere/EXPLORE:
Entertainment Technology Exposition
FEBRUARY 18, 2010 | Universal Hilton | Universal City, CA

California’s film production and post-production industries
face a life-threatening assault —not just from a beleaguered
economy but from U.S. states and global locations like Canada,
the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, and many others.

For over 15 years, generous tax incentives (cash and credits),
affordable locations, and an expanding global workforce have
been eroding the careers of the incomparable and ready below-
the-line talent in the film capital of the world and impacting the
businesses that support production and post. Engage in this
important conversation to see what has and (has not) been
done by California lawmakers to support the industry; and find
out what needs to done to shore up the business in California
for the 21st Century.

Key players and participants in one of the most important
industries in the state will be on hand. Panelists include local
and state government officials, producers, studio staff and
crew. Sponsored by the 9,000 member Facebook community
and online portal, shootmoviesincalifornia.com,
founded by cinematographer Ed Gutentag.

Createasphere/EXPLORE:
Entertainment Technology Exposition
FEBRUARY 18, 2010 | Universal Hilton | Universal City, CA

http://www.createasphere.com/february/feb_panels.html#production

(you must register for the Feb 18th event to attend, registration
is currently free, but will cost $125 the door if you are not
registered in advance…no registrations the day of)

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

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

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

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