Future Of Music Coalition Expands To Help Musicians
The esteemed musician focused non-profit, Future of Music Coalition (FMC), has announced a new growth phase, positioning itself for further success in its mission "to equip today’s and tomorrow’s creators with the tools they need to be effective in a changing musical landscape." FMC welcomes Casey Rae, who joined the organization in 2007, as CEO along with seven new heavily qualified and uniquely experienced board members. With a new office strategically located on lower 14th St Washington, DC, and a revitalized board, FMC hopes to forge meaningful pathways through the intersection of music, technology, policy and law.
In 2015 and beyond, FMC will grow its network of artists, managers and advocates while advancing concrete ideas about how technology can better serve creators. In addition to new research projects, workshops and convenings, FMC will help the music community understand and engage in the policy issues that impact their lives and livelihoods.
Said CEO Casey Rae: “It’s so exciting to be a part of a new phase of an organization that has already accomplished so much on behalf of artists. FMC has a long history of groundbreaking research and analysis and we will build on this legacy to empower the music community in exciting new ways. The energy and expertise represented by our Board and staff is truly incredible. All of it will be put to use helping artists and their teams make informed choices about their own future in music. To experience this spirit of service is truly a humbling and powerful thing.”
The new additions to the board include:
Ryan Chisholm - an artist manager at Nettwerk Music Group, where he represents Christina Perri, Madi Diaz, Good Old War and Giovanni James with his co-manager/partner Tom Gates.
Merrill Garbus - has performed as tUnE-yArDs since 2009, and that band name has been synonymous with forward movement—whether that's her explosive performance style or the ever-surprising way in which her songs unfold.
Dick Huey - founder of Toolshed, a company that provides digital strategy, digital and brand/band marketing, and content acquisition services to entertainment companies and artists, consumer brands, and digital music services.
Vickie Nauman is an accomplished and respected digital music executive who specializes in digital media and content strategy, the intersection of technology and music, and global business development.
Thao Nguyen - a musician, songwriter and activist who leads the band Thao & the Get Down Stay Down. Having grown up in Falls Church, VA, Thao first picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and began performing in a pop country duo in high school.
Benji Rogers - currently President of PledgeMusic, the global direct-to-fan company he co-founded in 2008 and ran as CEO until 2014. A public speaker, investor, and musician from London and New York, Rogers co-founded Radiary Creations in 2014 and is an advisor to a multitude of companies, including Dubset Media, Sound Diplomacy, Cords for Music, First Artist Bank, and NoiseTrade.
Ken Umezaki - an angel investor and business advisor for digital music startups, through his company Digital Daruma, with a specific focus on artist and b2b music and media service companies.
Also serving on the Board are musician, label owner and social science researcher Kristin Thomson, music manager Emily White and Peter DiCola, Associate Professor of Law at Northwestern University.
FMC founding Board members Michael Bracy, Walter McDonough and Brian Zisk will transition to emeritus status on the board, but will each remain a vital part of the organization as active advisors on policy, legal and technical matters. In addition, Board members Farnum Brown and Bryan Calhoun are stepping off the governing Board and will assist FMC in establishing its leadership councils.
Said FMC co-founder and longtime Board president Michael Bracy: “I am so proud of Future of Music Coalition’s staying power over the past 15 years. As the music community faces even more challenging issues and challenges, this symbolic and literal passing of the torch empowers the next generation of leadership. I couldn’t be more excited for Casey, Kevin and the rest of our staff and am particularly appreciative of the next generation of board leadership. I will always be a part of FMC, either as a consultant, informal advisor or friend, and look forward to many bright days ahead.”
