TOP MUSIC INDUSTRY LEADERS HOLD TWO DAY RETREAT

On Thursday the leaders of key music organizations completed a two-day CEO retreat near Napa, CA focused on issues confronting the industry as well as strategies to ensure a healthy future for the U.S. music community.

The retreat brought together the top leaders of virtually every component of the music industry to engage and share information and perspectives on issues of the day. A broad range of topics was discussed, and the impending Grokster Supreme Court decision and concerns regarding music piracy figured prominently and engendered great cooperation and unity of purpose.

Entertainment attorney John Frankenheimer, who served as the moderator/facilitator for the retreat, stated: "It is clear that there is commonality of interests across a broad series of issues within the industry. This was an invaluable opportunity for the music industry’s leadership to candidly exchange ideas and perspectives and identify common ground."

Organizations whose attended included The Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, The Songwriters Guild of America, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Association for Independent Music, American Federation of Musicians, Church Music Publishers Association Action Fund, Gospel Music Association, Harry Fox Agency, National Association of Recording Merchandisers, National Music Publishers’ Association, Recording Artists’ Coalition, R&B Foundation, SESAC, and SoundExchange.

A commitment was made both to future meetings and continued cooperative effort.