NEW YORK (By Tiffany Shipp/
Sunshine Consultants) - The American Association of Independent
Music (A2IM) is reaching out to Nashville's indie community by announcing a meeting at the Sunset Grill next Wednesday, Nov. 9. The
Music Row outreach will be hosted by Nashville Chapter Chair and A2IM Founding Member, Al Bunetta owner of OhBoy! Records along with A2IM Acting President, Don Rose. It will be the third formal gathering of the newly-launched trade organization – the New York and Los Angeles conclaves were held in June and July, respectively.
According to Don Rose, 'We have only just begun and it is important to us to have a membership reflecting the diverse genres and varied interests of the independent sector. Nashville – with its vibrant and varied music community - is crucial to accomplishing this mission.'
A2IM launched 4 months ago to represent the particular and compelling interests of the independent label community. Since its inception, A2IM has been hard at work on behalf of the independent sector, which makes up nearly 30% of US traditional sales and 35%+ of digital sales. In July, the organization announced that their collective presence had led to the decision by Apple iTunes to increase the amount paid per download to indie labels to more closely match the higher rate enjoyed by the majors. Currently, the organization counts nearly 100 independent labels as members.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9th, 2005
4PM – 6PM
WHERE: The Sunset Grill
2001 Belcourt Avenue Nashville, TN
RSVP: Rob Weitzner, Director, Membership Development
[email protected] / 917.523.7874
A2IM seeks to serve the indie music community as a unified voice representing a community that comprises nearly 30% of the music industry's market share in the US. The organization will represent the Indies' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM will be headquartered in New York, and seeks to establish a legislative presence in Washington, DC. The organization's founding members are Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley, Thirsty Ear President Peter Gordon, TVT Records president Steve Gottlieb, Roadrunner Records senior VP/GM Doug Keogh, Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow, Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman, and Tommy Boy Records owner Tom Silverman.
For more info please visit - www.a2im.org
About Don Rose, A2IM Acting President:
Don Rose is a self-made entrepreneur whose career in the independent music business spans 30+ years. He co-founded the Ryko Corporation in 1983 and spent sixteen years as Chairman/CEO. Ryko operations included record labels, distribution, music publishing and international offices. The world's first 'CD-only' label, Rykodisc originated the Ban The Box initiative in the late 80's and helped establish many of the parameters for CD content and packaging. Ryko reissued catalogue hits from Bowie, Zappa, Hendrix, and Elvis Costello and released albums by Ryko artists Morphine, Bruce Cockburn, Ringo Starr, and Grammy Award-winning albums by Ry Cooder/Ali Farka Toure and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.
In 1999, Rose merged Ryko with Palm Pictures Entertainment and became the company's Director of Business Development. Focusing on new media and online initiatives, he developed a groundbreaking Napster association. He also oversaw the company's sizable settlements with MP3.com and MusicNet.
While living in London from 2001 to 2003, Rose served on the International Committee of the Association for Independent Music (AIM). Other career highlights include stints as a music industry consultant and as an expert witness. He has been an artist manager, record retailer and on the Board of Trustees of the Berklee College of Music since 1996. He currently resides in the Boston area with his wife, cookbook author Nina Simonds, and their teenage son, Jesse.
