I. HEY RMA, YOUR PRESIDENT WAS WORKING NON-AFM IN LONDON, AGAIN
II. PUDDING AND PROOF
III. RMA COMPLAINS AGAIN
IV. COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

Colleagues, We usually have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to
address in each mailing, but sometimes current events seem to take
over the process. This week is such an event. There was so much
important information we received over the last few days that it
completely changed the makeup this week’s offering. We say this
just in case a few of our readers find this week’s offering a bit
heavy in certain areas.

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

I. HEY RMA, YOUR PRESIDENT WAS WORKING NON-AFM IN LONDON
WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS

We have sources in Los Angeles and London who are telling us that
the sequel to the movie “Nanny McPhee” was recorded last month in London
for an August, 2010 release.

COMPOSER - James Newton Howard
Among the Orchestrators - CURRENT RMA PRESIDENT Pete Anthony.
We understand that he got a quite generous high three-figure BUYOUT
page rate.

We also understand that the RMA President PETE ANTHONY conducted the
sessions there as well…. IN LONDON.

Some time ago we reported that Pete Anthony, before being the RMA President,
but while he was a very high profile RMA member, was filmed recording the
score for “The Water Horse” at Abby Road Studios in London. Naturally,
our Local Officers stayed dutifully silent on the non-union conducting
work.

That’s your Recording Musicians Association president, folks. You know, the
“NO BUYOUT, NO WAY” people?

Hey RMAers and RMA Leaders,.. where is your outrage?… are you going to
stay silent or hold your president accountable? Considering your recent
hemorrhaging about NON-UNION orchestrating and copying in a recent
mailing of yours, you should be really angry, or are your “values”
conditional on WHO does the rule breaking?

TO OUR LOCAL 47 OFFICERS

What are you going to do about it President Trombetta?
What are you going to do about it Vice-President Acosta?
It happened in the last couple of months, you have a year to take action.

You’ve been coming down really hard on players you catch playing
non-union sessions and gigs trying to pay their mortgages, but not
fat cats further stuffing their wallets who can certainly afford to bypass
such jobs. (Everyone here knows that most A listers are playing non-
union sessions, including some of our board members.)

This is no different. Are you going to apply the rules equally, or give
your RMA overlords a pass?

Are you going to do your job Vince?….. John?….

If our sources are incorrect in any way, we’ll be more than happy to set
the record straight and apologize if need be, but having two sources
from two different countries, the story seems to check out.

We suspect the Local Officers will say nothing. Or if one of them has
the guts, they will file charges knowing Pete Anthony will get a free
pass from the administration’s rubber stamp trial board.

Colleagues, contact the board members and demand equal enforcement
of the rules. If they’re going to bust LOCAL 47 members for non union
work here, or anywhere else, they need to make sure it’s not SELECTIVE
enforcement.

Is it the RMA or the Bylaws that govern your actions, Local 47.
Let’s find out.

THE COMMITTEE

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

II. PUDDING AND PROOF

The RMAer’s never hesitate to tell all sorts of stories about how the
recording industry is working and that all is fine.

Well it isn’t. All their pudding doesn’t change the facts.
Print these out and the next time you get the RMA party line,
read them the facts.

What are those facts?

In 2006
Out of 576 films made, the AFM recording accounted for only 123 films.
All - 576; AFM - 123

In 2007
Out of 549 films made, the AFM recording accounted for only 132 films.
All - 549; AFM - 132

In 2008
Out of 582 films made, the AFM recording accounted for only 123 films.
All - 582; AFM - 123

In 2009, the number of films done AFM went down to less than 100.
The budgets still need to be analyzed.

TOP GROSSING FILMS

Of the 100 Top grossing films of 2009, only 58 were done AFM.

The trend is clear, the numbers confirm it. What will the RMAers
say in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles? It should be creative.
No doubt, they’ll try to blame Tom Lee. Anyone but themselves.

The RMA higher ups know that these numbers are the truth, because
a member used a formal information request to get the same info the
negotiations were using a few months ago.

THE COMMITTEE

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

III. RMA COMPLAINS AGAIN

The Headline of a recent RMA Mailing is
“LOCAL 47 PRESIDENT HAL ESPINOSA REMOVED FROM PENSION FUND”

Perhaps someone should remind the RMA Editor that Mr. Espinosa is not
and has not been the president of Local 47 for quite some time now.

He IS however still one of the H and W Trustees of Local 47 (Why is that
exactly?), among those trustees that removed the SELA contract from
the options for the Rank and File freelancers in Los Angeles.

As for Mr. Espinosa’s removal from the AFM Pension Fund, we say it’s
about time. He is no longer an officer of any Local. He was also well
known to be a total lackey for the RMA year in and year out. His
departure is as welcome for many as the beginning of the new decade.

The RMA goes on to complain that neither Los Angeles, Nashville nor New
York has “Officers” on the Pension Fund Board. They hope you won’t read
further. Phil Alying in his attached letter, conveniently leaves out that
RMA/Local 47 member Phil Yao is still one of the members of the Pension
Fund, representing Los Angeles.

As for there being no OFFICERS from LA, Nashville or New York on the
Pension Fund, why should there be? All three have been taken over by those
sympathetic to RMA Ideology. The RMA has proven time and again to be
nothing except disruptive and destructive. They cannot be worked with,
with their Dogma of “ALL FOR US, NONE FOR ANYONE ELSE”.

It’s the smartest move the AFM President could have made, to remove this
destructive force to our federation from that fund, for the most part that is.
Well done AFM! It’s about time the RMA paid a price for their conduct and
their endless lawsuits to create disunity and cost the members their dues,
especially considering the devastating price we’ve all paid as a result of
the RMA’s actions.

+++++++++++

Here is the letter from AFM President Tom Lee to Mr. Espinosa.

October 17,2008
Dear Hal,
As you know the AFM EP Fund Agreement and Declaration of Trust
requires that Union Trustees and management trustees on the
Fund be equal in number. That requirement is contained in Article iii,
Trustees, Section 3.1 under the title “Composition of Trustees” and
it states “There shall always be an equal number of Employer Trustees
and Union Trustees (except in situations in which a Trustee vacancy
is pending and waiting to be filled.)”

As you know, I encouraged the expansion of the number of Trustees
in earlier years so that a symphonic representative could be appointed.
Further, it was important to achieve some diversity in terms of gender
and locals. To that end, l’m pleased that there are now three women
Trustees as well as representatives from Nashville, Houston and San
Francisco. I know that the Trustees and Local Officers will agree that
this is a positive change for the AFMEP Fund Board of Trustees.

At this point in time, one of the management Trustees, lrv Cheskin,
has stepped aside and has been given a title of Emeritus but has no
voting rights. This means the management Trustees now number 8
while the Union side has 9. There is not a contemplation that the
management trustees will replace trustee Cheskin’s position in the
immediate future and so the Union has one more trustee than
management.

Since the Declaration of Trust requires an equal number of Trustees
I must reduce our side by one. Inasmuch as you are retiring in the
near future, it makes the most sense to retain Phil Yao as the
representative from Los Angeles. Accordingly, I am removing
you as a AFMEP Fund Trustee effective December 31. 2008.

On behalf of 90,000 musicians in the AFM I want to thank you
for your many years of service and I look forward to the next
time I can appoint a member of the Los Angeles community
to the AFM EP Fund Board of Trustees.

Sincerely and fraternally,
Thomas F. Lee
President
AFM

+++++++++++

As you can read above, Los Angeles is still represented by
Local 47 member Phil Yao. You can decide for yourself who’s
being forthright and who is not.

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

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.

————————————

How did anyone get the idea I want composers to share their royalties?
I just want to protect the ability we have here in L.A. to score a lot
of lower budget films at a low upfront cost so that the winning profitable
films pay enough at the secondary market level to allow us to fill in our
salary.

Which is exactly what would be destroyed if we head down the slippery
slope of buyouts. give an inch…

Eric Hosler

[Editor's Comment: Our recording industry is being destroyed precisely
because of your business practices. (See Section Two above)]

————————————

from Eric Hosler

Is the issue then a disagreement as to whether or not recording
a moment gives gives you ownership of what was recorded?
Ps. from Hosler

[Mr. Hosler, What is Unclear? You're a player, not the composer.]

—————————————–

The arguments about AFM voting are interesting, but nothing
speaks like the facts, which I’ve summarized as follows, according
to AFM ByLaw Article 17, Section 4:

Locals are allowed to send delegates to the AFM Convention based
on membership size - 1 to 200, 1 delegate; 201 to 400, 2 delegates;
401 to 1,500, 3 delegates; 1,501 to 3,000, 4 delegates; 3,001 to
5,000, 5 delegates; 5,001 to 8,500, 6 delegates; 8,501+, 7 delegates.

On all matters except elections, each delegate is entitled to 1 vote;
however, upon the demand of 30 delegates or 15 Locals, a roll call
vote shall be taken in which each Local receives one vote per member.

For election of AFM Officers and AFL-CIO Delegates, each Local is
entitled to 1 vote per 100 members, rounded off to the nearest
100, except that no Local is allowed less than 1 vote nor more
than 50 votes.

————————————

ALL GOOD STUFF COMMITTEE - keep the this coming -
you do good work -

solution to SELA crap - if your booking gigs you have to get
incorporated - problem is solved by the corp able to sign
contracts and you work for your corp - lowest form of incorporation
is LLC - I did mine on LEGALZOOM.com

really cheap - under 600 bucks - I am able to book live gigs and
sessions and the employer is actually my LLC and that’s how you
can pay your own benefits and those of others on the job or session

the state of CA wants 800 a year to be a corp and yes, you do have
a tax return each year for the corp as well so there’s cost in that -
all the above is a write I might add

————————————

Hello committee folk

Wanted you to know that I read the emails you send with
avid interest. As a rank and file member, I find I’ve learned a
lot about the workings of the entire Union system that I had
not known previously. Keep up the good work.

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

V. CONCERTS AND EVENTS

————————————

2/21/10

Message from Kim RIchmond

Dear fellow L.A. Musicians,
This is to let you know that I am leading the Bob Florence
Limited Edition in a tribute concert to Bob’s posthumous
recording “Legendary,” which received two nominations
for a Grammy this year.

See details below.
WHAT: The Bob Florence Limited Edition, in concert,
a tribute to the late Bob Florence and his music, the
Grammy-nominated CD “Legendary.”
WHEN: Sunday, February 21, 7 PM
WHERE: Lobero Theater, 33 East Canon Perdido
Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Box Office Phone: 805-963-0761
COST: $35 - Sect. A, $25 - Sect. B, $100 -
Patron (Tickets are subject to $3 per ticket Lobero
Facility Fee - http://www.lobero.com/purchase/#facilityfee ;
other fees http://www.lobero.com/purchase/#conveniencecharge
may also apply.)

The Legendary CD will be available for purchase, with all funds
going to the Bob and Evie Florence Memorial Scholarship Fund.
WHO:
Saxophones: Don Shelton, Kim Richmond, Tom Peterson, Jeff Driskill,
Bob Efford, Keith Bishop
Trumpets: Carl Saunders, Pete DeSiena, Larry Lunetta, Steve Huffsteter,
Ron Stout
Trombones: Charlie Loper, Scott Whitfield, Charlie Morillas, Jacques
Voyemant, Craig Gosnell
Christian Jacob (piano), Steve Gregory (guitar), Trey Henry (bass),
Peter Erskine (drums)

Hope you will consider driving up to Santa Barbara for this tribute
(probably the last).
All the best,
KIM R

————————————

2/24/10

LISA HALEY AND THE ZYDECATS

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

——————————–

2/24/10

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

—————————–

2/24/10

Daniel Glass Drum Clinic
Sam Ash - Hollywood Drum Shop
Wed, Feb. 24th, 2010
7:00 pm
FREE EVENT!

7401 W. Sunset Blvd.
W. Hollywood, CA
(323) 436-0388

ROYAL CROWN REVUE drummer (and Local 47 member)
Daniel Glass is an award-winning player, author, historian
and one of today’s foremost authorities on classic drumming.
In addition to his 15-year stint with RCR, Daniel has toured
and recorded with many top artists such as Bette Midler,
Gene Simmons, Mike Ness (Social Distortion) and Al Viola.

Daniel has written three books on drum history, most recently
the award-winning Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues
Drumming. He has performed clinics all over the world,
appearing at many of today’s most prestigious drum festivals
like PASIC and the Modern Drummer Fest. His clinic focuses
on the evolution of the drum set, and the impact that this unique
instrument has had on today’s popular music. With dazzling chops,
tons of showmanship and various multi-media tools, Daniel takes
his audiences on a whirlwind journey covering seven decades of
groove. The goal? To convince the modern musician that if you
want to understand the sounds of today - Rock, Pop, Blues, Funk,
Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, etc - it is imperative that you
understand your Roots.

———————————–

2/26/10

AGNES SZEKELY SCHWARTZ,
winner of the 2009 CSUN Concerto Competition
will perform the

Violin Concerto by BELA BARTOK (1937-1938),

With the CSUN Symphony Orchestra
Dr. John Roscigno, Conductor

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010 at 7:30 P.M.
PLAZA del SOL Performing Arts Center, California State University,
Northridge, Nordhoff Street and Zelzah Avenue,
parking in G4, Northridge, CA 91330
Ticket information: (818) 677-2488

———————————–

2/28/10

Youth Orchestras stage L.A. area’s first-ever Youth Orchestra Day

At a time when multicultural diversity and understanding is vital to
our community, 350 student musicians from four of the Greater L.A.
area’s top youth music groups —

Los Angeles Youth Orchestra conducted by Russell Steinberg,
Verdugo Youth Orchestra conducted by Samvel Chilingarian,
Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra conducted by Jo Stoup, and
Olympia Youth Orchestra conducted by Fung Ho —

are teaming up in a new spirit of cooperation and creativity for Youth
Orchestra Day, a first-of-its-kind musical and educational experience,
ON

FEBRUARY 28th, 2010
Starting 3:30 pm
Sexson Hall at Pasadena City College
1570 East Colorado Boulevard,
Pasadena, California 91106..

“This is going to be an exciting and important event in the history
of L.A.’s music community,” says Dr. Russell Steinberg, founding Artistic
Director of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. “It will be the very first
combined concert, setting the stage for a new era of musical creativity
and artistic development.” Honoring the concert, Mayor Bill Bogaard of
Pasadena has declared February 28, Youth Orchestra Day and the L.A.
City Council is considering doing the same.

Youth Orchestra Day will feature musical performance by each of the
four orchestras individually. Then all 350 players will combine for a
World Premiere commissioned performance of: The Net of Indra,
composed by Steinberg for this event. Also on the program, Educational
Panels of conductors, professional musicians, and students, moderated
by LA Philharmonic violinist Mitchell Newman.

“Playing with a group of people together, in harmony and unity. It’s the
best way of communication,” says Minoo Simantob, whose two sons
play in the string section of Los Angeles Youth Orchestra.

Tickets are available at the door:
Adults: $10, Students and Seniors: $5, Children 12 and under: free

THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

Los Angeles Youth Orchestra conducted by Russell Steinberg:
Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky
Bacchanale by Saint-Saens

Olympia Youth Orchestra conducted by Fung Ho:
La scala di seta: Overture by Rossini
La Traviata: Prelude to Act III by Verdi

Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra conducted by Jo Stoup
Capriccio Espanol by Rimsky Korsakov

Verdugo Youth Orchestra conducted by Samvel Chilingarian
Csardas, by Monti
Radetzky March, by Johann Strauss the elder

and

World Premiere commissioned for the event: The Net of Indra by
Russell Steinberg performed by all four orchestras together (350 musicians)

Also on the program:
Educational Panels of conductors, professional musicians, and students,
moderated by LA Philharmonic violinist Mitchell Newman

February 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Pasadena City College
Pasadena Community College Auditorium
Pasadena, CA 91106

For tickets or more information: www.LosAngelesYouthOrchestra.org .
Tickets also available at the door.

This event honors all Los Angeles Area Youth Orchestras and is dedicated
to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Education Department that helped to bring
all of us together.

—————————–

3/3/10

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

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

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE SAME SERIES

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

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

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

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

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