Response to CMA report
In partnership with Kindred, the MU’s PR agency, we secured encouraging coverage of our release sent out yesterday following the publication of the CMA Report. 145 items in total.
Mammoth Lakes
On Thursday (7th) we left Yosemite and headed for our next stop, the Mountain Inn, Minaret Road in Mammoth Lakes. This journey involved circumnavigating the National Reserve to the north via the R49 and the 108 Highway, which initially proved an intriguing drive along narrow country roads.
San Francisco
Julie, Ben and I arrived in San Francisco on Friday (1st July) and having collected our Nissan SUV for the duration of our visit, settled in at the Riu Plaza on Mason Street, close to the famous Fishermans Wharf.
National Plan for Music Education
The MU has expressed its welcome today for the Government’s plans for music education, at the same time highlighting that this publication represents only a first step in the provision of this key subject over the coming decade.
Black Deer
A superb weekend in the Kent countryside at the third Black Deer Festival. The event was cruelly cancelled at very short notice last year courtesy of an impactful lockdown and it was wonderful to be back amongst the enthusiastic crowd in Eridge Park.
MPG Awards
I was delighted to attend the Music Producers Guild 2022 Awards event at the Tower Hotel tonight and to host the MU table and welcome our guests Gary Crosby, Janine Irons, Tom Gray, Anna Neale, Dave Webster and producer Greg Fitzgerald.
Black Lives in Music partnership
The Musicians’ Union (MU) and Black Lives in Music (BLiM) have announced a 3-year partnership that will see the organisations work together to challenge racism, promote inclusive practices and accelerate change regarding diversity in the music industry.
The Musician (summer ’22)
The summer 2022 issue of The Musician magazine is scheduled to be dispatched in print format to MU members this week. This is the 70th edition for which I have been editor, a role I have fulfilled since spring 2005.
Jimmy Webb
A wonderful night at Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall in the company of Jimmy Webb as he performed a selection of his legendary songs on the first night of a UK tour. The awesome setlist included all my favourites, plus fascinating stories from his inspiring career composing for Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, the 5th Dimension, The Supremes, Art Garfunkel, and Richard Harris.
Spectrum of styles
Mark Batchelor and I drove an Enterprise van up to Springfield Farm in St Albans this morning, to set up the MU presence at Flesh Festival, the UK’s first queer LGBTQ+ electronic music & camping festival.
Streaming research
As part of the ongoing Government and Intellectual Property Office (IPO) music streaming work, a small group of researchers have been commissioned by the IPO to interview artists and industry stakeholders about industry contracts.
