Association News
Below, you’ll find the latest Association press releases, updates on our upcoming events, introductions to our newest member companies, links to the latest content from Music Biz and our partners, and more.
Sign up for our weekly email feed to have this news delivered directly to your inbox on Fridays.
March 16, 2021 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] Is 2021 “The Year of Search?” — A Conversation with Hazel Savage and Team Musiio
The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into a well-established, storied industry like ours has presented both exciting possibilities and potential concerns. Specific applications are a perfect fit for AI tech, particularly those that require menial data-entry tasks. Enter Musiio, who have programmed an AI that can “listen” to up to 1 million tracks a day, categorize it based on metadata points on a compositional level, and suggest similar songs based on roughly 1,500 data points.... Read More
March 1, 2021 – RIAA Releases Year-End Music Industry Report for 2020
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released its year-end recorded music revenues report for 2020, which showcases a 9.2% year-over-year growth to $12.2 billion estimated in retail value. Revenue from music streaming services grew 13.4% to $10.1 billion in 2020, with full-service paid music subscriptions encompassing $7 billion of that total (a year-over-year increase of 14.6%). Vinyl records celebrated another big year in 2020 — sales of the format grew 28.7% in 2020 to $626 million despite challenges posed by the pandemic to traditional retail outlets and product shipping lines,... Read More
February 1, 2021 – Billboard Reveals Change Agents List, Featuring Music Biz President Portia Sabin and Board Member Cameo Carlson
Billboard has published their first-ever Change Agents list, recognizing those figures who have led by example and advocated for major change in our industry throughout the turmoil caused by the pandemic and social justice endeavors of the past year. Music Biz is proud to recognize the inclusion of our President, Portia Sabin, and Board of Directors member Cameo Carlson (mtheory Nashville/Nashville Music Equality) on this year’s list, honored for their contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts over the past year.... Read More
January 28, 2021 – Music Business Association Partners With Scars Foundation and Music Health Alliance to Establish Mental Health Fund
Newly formed fund will help provide struggling Association members with essential mental health services January 28, 2021 — The Music Business Association (Music Biz) today announces the formation of the Music Business Mental Health Fund, established in partnership with Music Health Alliance (MHA) and the Scars Foundation. The fund was created to help Association members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic gain access to important mental health services, including screenings and therapy sessions.... Read More
January 27, 2021 – Music Biz Partner Porter’s Call Celebrates 20th Anniversary in 2021
A well-deserved congratulations to Music Biz partner Porter’s Call, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2021! Over the past two decades, the Franklin, TN-based organization has provided more than 55,000 hours of free counseling services to members of the creative community, who so often struggle with mental health issues due to the unique pressures of the songwriting and live touring industries. “I had no idea where this would go when we first opened our door back in 2001,” said Porter’s Call founder and Executive Director Al Andrews.... Read More
January 19, 2021 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — Setting the Scene for the Global Music Industry in 2021: A Preview of NY:LON Connect 2021 with Music Biz’s Portia Sabin and Music Ally’s Paul Brindley
Life in the music industry right around the last NY:LON Connect summit, and the COVID-19 pandemic-minded one we find ourselves in now, are largely two different experiences. After a 10-month stretch marked by an unprecedented shift in how we do business, as well as a global focus on societal inequality and injustice, NY:LON returns (this time virtually) to help us set course through the uncharted waters of a hopefully post-pandemic, more inclusive 2021. We sat down with Music Business Association President Portia Sabin and Music Ally CEO/Co-Founder Paul Brindley to preview what’s in store for this year’s summit,... Read More
January 7, 2021 – In Memoriam: Gene Rumsey (Capitol Records, Concord, EMI)
Music Biz extends our condolences to the family and friends of long-time Association supporter Gene Rumsey, who passed away on January 1 at age 67 after a 13-year battle with cancer. Throughout his illustrious career, Rumsey worked on a number of high-profile projects with Capitol Records, EMI and Concord Music Group. In his time with EMI, he helped the company bring in $800 million in sales, working on marketing & sales campaigns for The Beatles’ 1 and introducing of the Now That’s What I Call Music brand.... Read More
December 7, 2020 – Billboard Announces 2020 Women in Music List
Billboard has unveiled its annual Women in Music list for 2020, highlighting more than 200 executives and activists making a difference in our industry. Congratulations to all the women featured on this year’s list, with special recognition for current Music Biz Board Chair Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood of UnitedMasters, current Board member Molly Neuman of Songtrust, current Music Biz Advisory Board member Theda Sandiford of Def Jam, and past Board member Amy Dietz of Ingrooves. We’d also like to recognize those who have graced the Music Biz stage in the past to share their invaluable perspectives on our industry and world at large,... Read More
December 1, 2020 – Giving Tuesday — Help Support the Music Business Association Scholarship Foundation
Since 1966, the Music Business Association Scholarship Foundation has given more than $9 million to deserving students whose families work for member companies, as well as students attending Academic Partnership institutions. The events of the past year, as well as the increased financial burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have reemphasized the importance of this member benefit to help provide deserving individuals with an education that will one day allow them to become leaders in our industry.... Read More
November 23, 2020 – 2021 Music Business Association Scholarship Foundation Applications Now Open
Since its inception in 1966, the Music Business Scholarship Foundation has distributed more than $9 million to help fund the educations of our industry’s future leaders. Thanks to the generosity of our industry donors, we are thrilled to offer this important benefit to our membership, as we open financial aid applications for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year! As in years past, this benefit is open to students at Academic Partnership schools, as well as the families of member company employees.... Read More
