STATE OF THE LOCAL Dave Pomeroy discusses the

BY DAVE POMEROY

2021 is finally here at last! A “New” Year should be just that — a reset, not only for the calendar, but for ourselves and the world around us. We certainly have our work cut out for us.

An uncertain timeline of recovery from the pandemic has put so much on hold, and the music industry is faced with the reality that major areas of our economic model have all but shut down. Musicians who depended on touring and live gigs to make a living are having to find new ways to bring in some money somehow, and the ripple effect is real. So much has turned upside down in so many ways in this unprecedented time of paradigm shift, but I still hold out hope that ultimately, new opportunities will come out of these challenges.

Our obvious desire to move forward should be balanced by an understanding of the need to look back and learn from the past, with an increased awareness of the needs of people other than ourselves. This time of isolation has also made us realize how special in-person gatherings of people are, and that music makes it more special. This has been true for centuries. Whether you are together with friends or strangers, you can share a common love of music that transcends all barriers of language and culture. We all look forward to bringing that wonderful experience back safely as soon as we can.

Soldiering on

Our staff has worked really hard behind closed doors to keep things rolling as we try to get as much money out the door to musicians as possible. Recording was not hit quite as hard by the pandemic, and has always been a big part of our business model here in Music City. Despite all the challenges, we were somehow able to pay out nearly $8 million in wages in 2020, down only about 25 percent from a typical year. This was due to many factors, including smaller rhythm dates and increased home recording, reuse of previously recorded TV material, and countless streaming events. We have been working with the AFM to codify and simplify new streaming agreements, including those connected to the Music Performance Trust Fund, which has grants available for musicians in cooperation with cosponsors willing to act as employers at no cost.

Music has always had the ability to bring people together, and also help lead the way to much needed change in our culture and our country. Diversity and equality are both topics that are on the minds and hearts of many these days, not only the media, but also to many real people in the real world. At a time where division seems to be everywhere, music and musicians can make a difference. Despite those who would stereotype us, Nashville has never just been about ONE kind of music. It’s all here — country, blues, gospel, rock & roll, classical, bluegrass, R&B, Americana, you name it.

We are all in this together, and those are not just words. Let’s put our thoughts, ideas and energy together.

New Year, new landscape

The opening of the National Museum of African American Music in January in the heart of downtown Nashville — after years of collective effort by so many — is an exciting moment. Music City is the perfect place to celebrate so much great American music, and congrats to Henry Hicks and everyone involved. I can’t wait to check it out.

It also makes me feel good to have the wonderful Jenee Fleenor, first female recipient of the CMA Musician of the Year Award, on the cover of this issue of The Nashville Musician. I first met Jenee when she was 19 and playing with the great bluegrass singer/ songwriter/artist and Local 257 member Larry Cordle and his band Lonesome Standard Time. I was filling in for Terry Eldredge, who had been in a car accident and played some shows with them. She impressed me then, and has continued to grow as a musician, singer, and songwriter ever since. Her resume speaks for itself, but her career is also an example of the “nice person finishes first” syndrome. It really does make a difference how you treat people, and she is a great example of someone who knows how to handle herself in a wide variety of musical and employment situations. Whether it’s a club gig, TV show, or arena tour, she gives her all.

The Nashville Symphony is now on a weekly stipend we negotiated after five months of furlough while we prepare to begin negotiations with Symphony management for the ‘21-‘22 season. Musicians are doing what they can to help each other survive, and management continues to raise funds as well. 257 members Matt Rollings and Kristin Wilkinson independently arranged and recorded a beautiful version of “America the Beautiful,” featuring an all-star lineup of singers and 10 members of the NSO. They have generously designated this as a charitable recording that will go into the symphonic portion of the NMA Crisis Assistance Fund, which we created to help musicians in need, and will be distributing funds in the near future.

Congratulations and thanks to our new AFM 257 officers, and to all those who are remaining in office, we appreciate your service. The Executive Board and Hearing Board will be engaging each other and you, our members, more than ever before as we move forward. Communication is essential, and a shared purpose in making things better for everyone. We are all in this together, and those are not just words. Let’s put our thoughts, ideas and energy together.

Last point: Now more than ever, it is essential to protect your intellectual property. When you work without a contract, what you make that day is all you will ever make. When you are on an AFM contract, your work continues to generate revenue from now on. Our door is open to anyone who wants to treat musicians with respect and pay them accordingly. I am proud of the work we are doing on behalf of all Nashville musicians, and appreciate every one of you. TNM