NMPA Annual Meeting
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 by copyrightNew York, NY
The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) held its annual membership meeting on June 17, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Manhattan. The Association, with over 700 members, exists to “Protect, promote, and advance the interests of music‘s creators”.
The small ballroom quickly filled with intellectual property lawyers, publishers and songwriters. The newcomers and veterans of the music publishing world gathered for a welcome by the NMPA’s CEO David Israelite. Israelite opened the meeting with acknowledging some VIP’s including Dean Kay(Board of Directors for ASCAP, NMPA and the Harry Fox Agency, Inc.), Steve Bogard (President of NSAI), and the Copyright Alliance’s own Patrick Ross.
Shortly afterwards, the witty Marc Helprin was introduced. He talked about about his book “Digital Barbarism, A Writer’s Manifesto”, which explicitly defends private property in the digital age. He starts out with this: “I know absolutely nothing about the music industry, which is probably why I’m here speaking to you because that’s how we do things in the United States.” Funny.
Whether he knew as much about the music industry as his counterparts was of no significance that evening. He spoke in a colorful tone about the institution of copyright and how honoring it or abusing it affects all creators. He believes that technology is not the culprit. But that ideology is what he thinks should be hand cuffed .He painted a picture for four minutes and ended with this quote: “The fight is not over and may not have ever begun”.
The NMPA then honored songwriters for songs that reached gold or platinum status. The first songwriter to be honored was the animated and talented Wyclef Jean for “Hips Don’t Lie”, written for Latin pop sensation Shakira. James Ho who wrote John Legend’s “Green Light” and Toby Gad for Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”, were honored as well.
Music publisher David Renzer was honored for 5 years of service and the lovely Helene Blu and Maxyne Long were honored for their outstanding 15 years of service. But, Irwin Robinson took the spotlight with his award for 35 years of service in music publishing.
As the standing ovation for Irwin Robinson slowly died out, my peripheral caught a slim woman in all black hurrying through the crowd. It was Kara DioGuardi. As one of the most prolific songwriters of her generation, it is no wonder that she was being honored for the 2009 Songwriter Icon Award. Although you may recognize her as the new judge on the popular TV show American Idol, she played the behind the scenes songwriter and producer for many artists including Gwen Stefani, Pink, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill. She also co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a development house for hit songwriters and producers.
It was time for her to perform with her guitarist. As Israelite introduced her, he made it very clear that she was under the weather. Singing is the last thing that I would want to do when I’m sick so I instantly admired her dedication and crossed my fingers that she wouldn’t sound too terrible.
From the very first note she hit to the last, I felt goosebumps. The kind of goosebumps you get when someone is so incredibly talented that you’re taken aback. Her effortless singing proved that she does do this for a living, as if anyone had any doubts.
While watching her, I didn’t think of Simon Cowell or the Grammy Award winning songs that she wrote. I just saw a woman who loved her job. A creator, who would not be successful if she didn’t have the rights to her work.
-Written by: Chela Robinson, Copyright Alliance Intern 2009
Tags: music publishing, nmpa
