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.
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April 27, 2020 – The Future of What Episode #185 – Music Biz LIVE with Independent Record Retailers
It should come as no surprise that independent record stores have been particularly hard hit by the “shelter in place” orders established by many states around the country in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Some retailers have pivoted to online sales and other creative means to keep customers happy, but for many brick and mortars, this move just isn’t enough to maintain community or their bottom line. To make matters worse, the revenue generated by Record Store Day will not be coming anytime soon,... Listen
April 20, 2020 – The Future of What Episode #184 – Music Biz LIVE with NMPA, RIAA, CMA, A2IM & NSAI
On this week’s episode, we’re revisiting another Music Biz LIVE event that features candid conversation about what music business trade associations are doing to help their specific constituencies navigate the COVID-19 quagmire. Joining Portia in conversation about the CARES Act and more are: Mitch Glazier and Michele Ballantyne of the RIAA, Richard Burgess of A2IM, Bart Herbison of the NSIA, David Israelite of the NMPA and Sarah Trahern of the CMA. Listen in to find out what relief is coming your way,... Listen
April 14, 2020 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — How Indie Records Stores Are Weathering the Storm: Interview with Schoolkids Records’ Stephen Judge
A month or so in, and the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis has already made a lasting impact on not just our industry, but on the ways the international community does business as a whole. As a segment of the industry largely reliant on foot traffic, the indie record store community is working tirelessly to ensure they can keep their doors open and serve their local communities with the music they so desperately look for to help cope in times of crisis.... Read More
April 13, 2020 – The Future of What Episode #183 – Music Biz LIVE with Instagram and Facebook
In the few weeks since our last episode, COVID-19 has changed the world and how we interact with one another, and that has had many impacts upon the music business as a whole. With venues and record stores closed to the public for the foreseeable future, musicians are having to find new ways to interact with their fans, and because of the quarantine, most of those interactions are happening virtually. To help with this transition to a digital-only reality,... Listen
April 2, 2020 – RIAA Launches MusicCovidRelief.com to Compile Music Industry Relief Resources
The RIAA, in conjunction with their partners in the U.S. Music Community, has launched MusicCovidRelief.com — a central hub designed to help music professionals access information and applications to receive benefits made available by the CARES Act. The site includes information on how to access unemployment benefits, small business loans and forgiveness on existing loans, grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and more. Click here to learn more.... Read More
April 1, 2020 – Music Biz to Debut New Livestream Interview Series — Music Biz LIVE
For more than six decades, the Music Business Association has served to unite members of the global music business and has supported a collaborative approach to growth and problem solving, in good times and in bad. To continue this work, we’re introducing Music Biz LIVE! This new weekly community check-in interview series held via Zoom will allow us to touch base with how the industry is responding to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and adjusting to what “the new normal” may look like going forward.... Read More
March 27, 2020 – U.S. Small Business Administration Offers COVID-19 Disaster Relief Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses in designated states and territories suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. This program will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to the COVID-19 crisis.... Read More
March 26, 2020 – Music Business Association Opens Webinar Recording Catalog to Non-Members
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it is more vital than ever that we lend a helping hand to one another. As more and more folks are transitioning to remote work or are self-quarantining, the Music Business Association is opening up its back catalog of recorded webinars to both members and non-members. It’s a small step to ensuring that the industry at large can stay informed while health and safety procedures are in place,... Read More
March 25, 2020 – Information and Relief Resources for Independent Music Retailers Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis
As the global COVID-19 crisis continues to affect the music industry, the Music Business Association encourages everyone to support our colleagues who have been hit particularly hard due to this crisis — the independent retail community. With consumers seeking music and entertainment during their quarantines, and retailers like Amazon rightfully halting shipments on non-essential items to prioritize medical and household supplies, the indie retail community remains resilient and willing to come to everyone’s aid with online shopping,... Read More
March 23, 2020 – Music Business Association Voices Support for “Save America’s Main Street Act,” Helping Small Businesses and Artists Amidst COVID-19 Crisis
Members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have introduced legislation to rescue small businesses from the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The “Save America’s Main Street Act” would provide immediate cash flow through a tax rebate, help businesses maintain payroll through a tax credit, and defer estimated tax payments. Regarding the impact the legislation would have for the entertainment industry, MusicPortland reports that it, “…would provide immediate cash flow to help small businesses — including (for the first time) sole proprietorships and freelancers like performing artists,... Read More
