August 29, 2014Vol 1 | Issue 5

Michael Jackson — As Popular as Ever

Today, the world celebrates the birthday of the late King of Pop. Though Michael Jackson

passed away five years ago, he continues to be one of the most recognizable and popular

artists around the globe. Look no further for proof than his notoriety on digital radio. As the

digital landscape continues to evolve, the regard for Michael Jackson’s music shows no signs of

slowing down.

While most people know just how popular Michael Jackson is, SoundByte was curious to learn

which of his songs are the most popular in the digital age. SoundExchange looked through its

extensive data and put together a list of the top 10 streamed Michael Jackson recordings. The

list on page 2 may surprise you!

www.soundexchange.com1

In This IssueMichael Jackson — As Popular as Ever 1

SoundExchange Q2 Digital Radio Report Highlights Digital Radio Transformation 3

2013 — A Look Back on a Monumental Year 4

On the Hill & In the Know 4

Up-and-Coming: Panama Wedding 6

Events & Special Offers 7

2 www.soundexchange.com | August 29, 2014

3 www.soundexchange.com | August 29, 2014

SoundExchange Q2 Digital Radio Report Highlights Digital Radio Transformation

The way we listen to music has changed drastically in the past 15 years — from CDs to digital downloads

to digital radio services. As the industry transitions from music as “something you own” to “something

you access from anywhere at any time,” SoundExchange helping the music and creative community

thrive in the digital age.

Today, there are more than 2,500 digital radio services taking advantage of the statutory license that

SoundExchange administers. SoundExchange pays royalties to the musicians and labels that created the

music these services play.

SoundExchange second quarter 2014 highlights:

u $323.6 million paid directly to artists and labels YTD

u $161 million paid directly to artists and labels in Q2 2014

u 8% increase in payments from Q2 2013 to Q2 2014

u 22,343 payees in Q2 2014 (34 increase from Q2 2013)

Check out the full Q2 Digital Radio Report here.

Today, there are more than 2,500

digital radio services taking

advantage of the statutory license

that SoundExchange administers.

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2013 — A Look Back on a Monumental Year

2013 may seem like a lifetime ago but

sometimes, it’s important to take a

moment to look back on the previous

year to better understand how best

to move forward. SoundExchange

enjoyed a banner year in 2013, and the

newly released SoundExchange 2013

Annual Review details its decade of

accomplishments. From record-setting

payments, to philanthropic staff events,

to the celebration of “10 Years in Play,”

SoundExchange is blasting through 2014

while building on the significant strides

made in 2013.

For the full report, click here.

On the Hill & In the Know

Project72 Rolls On — A Salute to Those Standing for What’s Fair

As mentioned in last month’s SoundByte, SoundExchange has been leading the charge with the

Project72 campaign in support of the RESPECT Act (H.R. 4772), to ensure equal treatment for

musicians and rights holders with sound recordings made prior to 1972.  Passing the RESPECT Act

would guarantee that all sound recording artists are paid when their music is played on digital radio —

regardless of when it was recorded.

Up to 15 percent of all music played on digital radio platforms was recorded before 1972. These are songs

everyone knows by heart, performed by music legends who have not only influenced and inspired the

artists of today, but who gave birth to entire genres of music — Rock n’ Roll, Jazz, Blues, and Soul. The

impact is far and wide, including recordings by Otis Redding, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane,

Johnny Cash and so many other treasured legacy artists who are part of our musical heritage.

Some of the most successful digital radio services in the world have made a conscious decision not to

pay for these iconic recordings. In 2013 alone, that choice to cut off royalties caused artists and record

labels to lose an estimated $60 million. Many of the artists impacted by this decision no longer tour or

release new albums. The staying power of their recorded music is how they make a living. What had

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been a reliable revenue stream late in their careers has suddenly disappeared. This is a matter of fairness,

and the RESPECT Act will live up to its name, treating these artists and their recordings with the respect

they deserve.

SoundExchange would like to thank all the Members of Congress below who have stood up for these

artists and our musical heritage by cosponsoring H.R. 4772, The Respect Act: 

u Rep. George Holding (R-NC), who introduced

H.R. 4772 on May 29, 2014

u Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), introduced H.R.

4772 on May 29, 2014

u Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC)

u Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

u Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)

u Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)

u Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)

u Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

u Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

u Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN)

u Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)

u Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)

u Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA)

u Rep. Thomas Rooney (R-FL)

Thank you to these representatives for showing their support not only by co-sponsoring the bill, but by

also being outspoken in the media on behalf of these artists.  As Congressman Holding stated when he

introduced the bill, “The RESPECT Act confronts an idiosyncrasy in the law that has resulted in some of

our country’s greatest talents…being denied just compensation by digital music services for work they

recorded before 1972.”

Congressman Conyers, who introduced the bill with Congressman Holding, believes “the RESPECT

Act keeps faith with these living legends of American music – the famous greats and the less known

musicians who supported them — and makes sure they get a fair shake. At a minimum, that means

getting fair pay from the digital radio stations who are marketing stations based solely on pre-72 music

and profiting off the work of the men and women who inspired a musical revolution.”

SoundExchange hopes to sustain the momentum that these Members of Congress have created and

continue the effort to grow support for the legislation in Congress.  Please thank the co-sponsors listed

above, and reach out to those who haven’t yet cosponsored and ask them to sign on. The more your

Representatives in Washington are educated about the arbitrary distinction between pre-72 and post-

72 recordings, the more willing they are to work to fix this inequality. A link to contact Congress can

be found at www.project-72.org.  Please stand up and speak out for these artists, who are such an

important part of the music that exists today.

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Up-and-Coming: Panama Wedding

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Panama

wedding”? A natural answer might be “A lovely and relaxing trip for a fun

destination wedding.” But soon enough, the first thing that comes to mind

when you hear “Panama Wedding” just might be “the next hottest thing to

hit the music scene.”

Originally the name of a song by Peter Kirk, “Panama Wedding” is now the moniker used by Kirk

(vocalist, keyboard, guitar, percussion) and bandmates Brett Spigelman (bass), Jared McCarthy (lead

guitar), Kenny Bernard (drums), and Lauren Zettler (keys). Though Kirk and McCarthy had been playing

together for years in the New York City club/bar scene, the rest of the group came together through a

series of mutual friends.

So where is the New York-based band headed? Onwards and upwards it seems. Panama Wedding is

currently recording their debut LP and in the next few months will hit the road for their first European

tour in October and their second U.S. tour with Smallpools & Magic Man.

This band is going places quickly and SoundExchange is excited to watch as they start their rise.

Of SoundExchange, the band says, “You guys are the future of the music industry.” So are you, Panama

Wedding. So are you.

5 Questions with Peter Kirk of Panama WeddingSX: Does the band have any musical inspirations?PW: As the primary songwriter, I draw inspiration everywhere from Sting to Def Leppard. Anything by

Mutt Lange.

SX: What is the band’s biggest struggle in the music industry?PW: Breaking through all the noise!

What is the band’s best/favorite fan encounter?PW: We have a fan in NYC who comes to all our shows. She even took the bus all the way from

NYC to Montauk by herself to see us perform. I was immensely grateful.

SX: What is the band’s favorite place in the world to play a live show?I had a blast at the El Rey in LA. But I think NYC at Bowery Ballroom will always hold a special place in my heart.

SX: If the band was stuck on a desert island and could only have three things, what would they be?PW: Water filter, an acoustic guitar (or of the ukulele variety), Frisbee

Peter Kirk of Panama Wedding

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Events & Special Offers

EventsDMW Music

September 9, 2014

New York, NY

Member Discount Code (15% off): SOUND15

Panel: “Rights, Licenses & Royalties: What Does It All Mean for the Business of Music?”

featuring SoundExchange Director of Claims, Scott Berenson

Americana Music Festival and Conference

September 19, 2014

Nashville, TN

Member Discount Code: amagrprt14

CMJ 2014

October 25, 2014

New York, NY

Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter

Film & TV Music Conference

November 5-6, 2014

Los Angeles, CA

Member Discount Code:

SX14 grants SoundExchange members

a discounted registration of $425

$525 pre-registration rate (ends 9/22)

$575 last chance rate (ends 11/4)

$625 on-site rate

The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard join forces to deliver a cutting-edge, two-day seminar on the

role of music in film and television. Now in its 12th year, this Conference offers attendees the unique

opportunity to learn from, network and expose their music directly to the best music supervisors,

composers, directors, music editors, songwriters and producers in the business. The event also provides

a dynamic forum for the exchange of ideas — featuring roundtable discussions, and other networking

cocktail parties and sessions.

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Billboard Touring Conference & Awards

November 19-20, 2014

New York, NY

Member Discount Code:

SX14 grants SoundExchange members

a discounted registration of $450

$575 pre-registration rate (ends 9/22)

$625 last chance rate (ends 11/18)

$675 on-site rate

The Billboard Touring Conference & Awards is the premiere event dedicated to the live music industry.

Now in its 11th year, the Billboard Touring Conference features industry-leading programming that

informs, educates and provides a forum for promoters, producers, agents, managers, venues, sponsors,

marketers, production professionals, merchandisers, digital music executives, ticketing companies, and

all touring-related businesses about the industry’s latest opportunities and current challenges.

Special OffersSoundExchange will continue to roll out brand new special offers for members only throughout the

year. SoundByte will be your go to place to find the latest on what the organization is offering.

Billboard SubscriptionDescription: Billboard is music’s most powerful brand. Across platforms and around the world, Billboard

serves diverse constituents — from music’s most passionate fans to the industry’s most influential

people. From its award-winning website to its iconic, authoritative weekly publication, Billboard content

is consumed by millions of people in more than 100 countries. Billboard and its popular music charts

are the primary source of information on trends and innovation in music, serving music fans, artists, top

executives, tour promoters, publishers, radio programmers, lawyers, retailers, digital entrepreneurs and

many others.

Benefit: To access the discounted subscription, click here.

Working AdvantageDescription: The Working Advantage discount network allows you to save up to 60% on ticketed events

and online shopping. Through Working Advantage you can save on:

u Movie Tickets

u Theme Parks

u Ski Tickets

u Broadway Shows

u Sporting Events

u Hotels and Travel

u Health and Fitness

u Museums and City Passes

u Merchant Gift Certificates

u Online Shopping

u Many more

Working Advantage will be developing additional offers exclusive to SoundExchange focused on music

and artist related discounts!

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Benefit: To subscribe, you may access the Working Advantage website by clicking here:

www.workingadvantage.com/SoundExchange.

Special Note: Working Advantage offers 24-hour online shopping and customer support Monday

through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM Eastern time. If you have specific questions regarding the site,

please contact Working Advantage at 800-565-3712. Please do not contact SoundExchange.

FanBridge Description: FanBridge helps you build a large email list of your fans. The world’s largest musicians,

labels, comedians, and video creators use FanBridge to sell more tickets, increase merchandise and

music sales, and increase fan engagement. There are other email and social tools out there, but

FanBridge was made for musicians from the beginning. Start your 30 day free trial today!

Benefit: Plans start at $15.99, and SoundExchange members get 40% off for two months.

Note: Restricted to new signups only.

SoundExchange Discount Code: SOUNDX40

BandzoogleDescription: Bandzoogle is a platform where musicians and companies can build their own websites.

The easy to use website and all of its features are included. Bandzoogle also includes tools to manage

emails and mailing lists, and powerful direct-to-fan commerce options (Bandzoogle takes no commission

on sales). Plans include a domain name, hosting, dozens of themes, online support, and more.

Discount amount: Access to an exclusive 3-month promotional free trial of Bandzoogle covering

all Standard Plan Bandzoogle features, and a 15% discount on all membership plans. Plans after the

SoundExchange benefit trial period start at $9.95/month.

SoundExchange Discount Code: sx