Impacting The Industry

As I develop my songwriting business in the music industry, I am researching, analyzing and learning a lot. I am excited for the eligibility to become a member of professional associations that will help me move forward and enrich my journey.

Not too long ago, I became a member of ASCAP. This is a professional association in the music industry for songwriters and composers. The acronym stands for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. This is an organization that I will have a long-term interest in because they celebrate the songwriters and the life of music. Click here to view the video clip of the current President, Paul Williams, expressing his passion about the organization.

ASCAP aims to protect the musical works of their members. According to www.ASCAP.com, they serve the members by collecting and distributing royalties to protecting and strengthening copyright to developing and supporting their music career. As a member-owned organization, ASCAP is a community, a family, as well as the world's most powerful advocate for the rights of creators. In a history built on verses and choruses, it is the bridge that connects America's most beloved and distinguished songwriters and composers to the world.

This organization is important because they were the first to fight for the rights of songwriters and composers and win the lawsuit against a restaurant to pay royalties for its members’ musical works. Since then, ASCAP has continued to be one of the leading professional music associations in the country by staying current with new technologies and laws that affect the protection, rights and income of the songwriters and composers. ASCAP has stayed grounded in the simple principles that were set forth back in the winter of 1914: that the composers and songwriters who create the music that inspires the hearts and souls of millions of listeners be paid for their work.

There are other organizations like ASCAP, but what makes them stand out to me is their Career Development program.  This major program is set up to meet the needs of its members in multiple ways. In addition to articles, online tools, resource guides and customized member benefits, they provide support thru different types of intimate events in more than 6 locations in the country. Gratefully their events will support gospel and other music genres of my interest in my city. In addition to music showcases, workshops and festivals, they provide songwriting competitions and collaboration opportunities as well.

They post on their largest music event site, they want us to Learn, Connect and Succeed. I am looking forward to using their help to make great things happen!

T.I. is Making a Comeback

In keeping with my theme of making a comeback, I want to share about the hip-hop artist T.I.

The world has had a chance to be a part of his journey for the last few months, while watching his reality show on VH-1 called T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle.

It is amazing to see how this show has been able to display the challenging experiences of T.I. with less emotion and drama than most reality shows. This show portrays T.I. as a man who is more focused on just moving forward. T.I. has been reuniting with his family unit after 2 bouts in jail. He had an 11 month sentence and then a few weeks back due to a misunderstanding of another violation. Click here for details.

My purpose for watching this show was to learn what I can about maneuvering in the entertainment industry. It is admirable that T.I. has been able to succeed as a rapper, actor and family man. In my opinion, that takes balance and street smarts. I can assume T.I. has learned from reputable sources because he not only communicated his business well where necessary, but he also knew how to put on a production fashion and music show for his new clothing brand Akoo.

As I am learning more about project management, I am able to acknowledge when there is effective project management taking place behind the scenes. The fashion show took place in a nice venue and I am sure with an efficient team supporting T.I. Although the show televised the last stages of the project timeline, it seemed to be operating on a detailed project plan. A lot was accomplished in a very short time. T.I. was pleased and I was impressed.

Music I Love.

I am inspired by Robert Glasper. Listen to his song "Ah Yeah feat. Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele" on YouTube