Category Archives: Features

Final Note: Frederick Tinsley

Life Member. Bass
(4/17/1947 – 9/19/2016)

Credit: Mathew Imaging

Credit: Mathew Imaging

by LA Philharmonic Association

Frederick (Fred) Tinsley, double bass player in the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on September 19, 2016.

Mr. Tinsley, born March 3, 1940, is survived by his wife Juanita Tinsley, children Frederick Douglas Tinsley Jr., Tania Tinsley Little, and Karen Tinsley Williams, and stepchildren Danielle Acoff and Dion Acoff. Continue reading

ProMusicDB.org Announces Free Webinar in Advance of 9/28 Launch Date

promuscdb_enrollment
The launch date for enrollment with ProMusicDB.org, the first artist-controlled authority of music credits, is just around the corner on September 28 and the organization is offering a free launch party/webinar for any interested songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers. Registration is free at www.promusicdb.org.

In addition, some of the industry’s most respected organizations are already singing the praises of ProMusicDB.org’s revolutionary new platform:

“Protecting the best interests of musicians is the top priority for us, and ensuring proper credit to the work of musicians in the digital age is a major challenge. ProMusicDB.org is not only educating musicians on how important data is to preserving their musical legacies; it is also offering a valuable solution to collect and maintain musicians’ data through its platform.” – AFM Local 47 Continue reading

Don’t Get Penalized! File for Your LA Business Tax & Creative Artist Exemption

business-taxIf you are defined as a “creative artist” under the Los Angeles Municipal Code, you might be eligible for the Business Tax Exemption provision.

Under the Small Business Exemption, no tax is required of creative artists whose total annual taxable and nontaxable gross receipts attributable to creative activities do not exceed $300,000.

This exemption applies strictly to individual “creative artists” (individual, individual acting as a loan-out corporation, or individual acting through a limited liability company), when performing “creative activities” for “entertainment or aesthetic purposes.” It only applies to those receipts the creative artists earn from their creative activities and does not include income from any other source.

The exemption is available as of Jan. 1 during the business tax renewal period. Businesses must file a renewal in a timely manner in order to receive the exemption.
Continue reading

Why Should You File for Unemployment Benefits?

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by Lewis N. Levy, Esq.

Even the off-handed mention of filing for unemployment benefits sends most professional musicians scurrying for cover. Filing for unemployment benefits conjures up thoughts of waiting in long lines, dealing with unresponsive bureaucrats, and requires an understanding of the process. But what is most critical to any successful claim for unemployment is a finding by the California State Employment Development Department (EDD) that the musician (or other employee) seeking unemployment benefits is, as a matter of California law, a statutory “employee” of his/her employer, as opposed to a finding that the claimant is an independent contractor. Continue reading

Made In Hollywood Honors For Television 2016

Made In Hollywood Honors Television 2016 took place at 1600 Vine the morning of Sept. 7, 2016 - AFM Local 47 EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Recording Musicians Association International President Marc Sazer, AFM Local 47 Vice President Rick Baptist. (Not pictured: AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley)

Made In Hollywood Honors For Television 2016 – AFM Local 47 Electronic Media Division Administrator Gordon Grayson, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Recording Musicians Association International President Marc Sazer, AFM Local 47 Vice President Rick Baptist. Not pictured: AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley. (Photo: Linda A. Rapka)

The 4th Annual Made In Hollywood Honors For Television awards honored this year’s Emmy-nominated shows produced in California and the Los Angeles area in a star-studded program the morning of Sept. 7, 2016. Continue reading

Gene Wilder: A Remembrance

Gene Wilder publicity photo, 1970 (public domain)

Gene Wilder publicity photo, 1970 (public domain)

It’s never easy to say goodbye to a friend. Gene Wilder was a friend to many the world over, who were familiar with his zany genius starring in such classic films as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and so many more.

He too was a friend to the Los Angeles music scoring community, whose members created the music to a majority of his most beloved films. Continue reading

Saturday Night Bath Brings Good, Clean Fun to At-Risk Youth

Going over 30 years strong, nonprofit music outreach group Saturday Night Bath continues to deliver music therapy to those who need it most, from at-risk youth to senior citizens and the greater community.

Each year, Saturday Night Bath visits an average of 20 continuation high schools and correctional facilities. To date they have presented nearly 600 interactive concerts at local juvenile halls, elementary, middle and continuation high schools, and probation camps throughout the state, connecting directly with 37,000 young people. Through this outreach SNB is able to provide vital hands-on music therapy, and in recent years have given preference to pregnant teen sites. Continue reading

Free eBook: 23 Ways Musicians Can Make Money

One of the biggest challenges facing musicians is generating income. Although sales of recorded music have dropped significantly, there are many new sources of income available to musicians.

Our friends at Bandzoogle have put together a free eBook called “23 Ways Musicians Can Make Money” to help musicians and bands find ways to generate more money for their careers. Continue reading