On the Record: Toward a Union Label

Courtney Love's plea to fellow recording artists to join her in the creation of a new musicians' guild, printed below, is the latest blow to the beleaguered "Big Five" conglomerates that control the music industry. Although the record companies have landed court injunctions against the renegade Napster website in recent weeks, there is little chance the industry can reverse the explosion of decentralized music file-trading and distribution on the Internet. Love's timely missive capitalizes on the public's growing resentment of conglomerates' desperate efforts to retain control of all aspects of music distribution.

The groundwork for substantive artist empowerment is, in fact, already being laid through the efforts of groups like the nascent Future of Music Coalition (www.futureofmusic.org). Since its inception last year, FMC has developed an ambitious and aggressive agenda to raise public consciousness and educate legislators on Capitol Hill about the stranglehold that the major labels have on many artists. It remains to be seen whether Courtney Love's newfound community spirit will be buttressed by a sustained effort--like that of FMC--to mobilize recording artists and supporters. Given the star's history of bombastic public behavior, she may be greeted with skepticism about her intent. Regardless of Love's motives, however, her letter can only serve to help destabilize the calcified music industry, and it provides a compelling blueprint for organizing musicians to launch further attacks on the Big Five behemoths.

JOHNNY TEMPLE

Dear Fellow Recording Artists

I'm writing to ask you to join the chorus of recording artists who want us all to get a fair deal from the record companies. R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, U2, Alanis Morissette, Bush, Prince and Q-Tip have called me with their support, and we need your participation as well.

There are 3 basic facts all recording artists should know:

1. No one has ever represented the rights and interests of recording artists AS A GROUP in negotiations with record companies.

2. Recording artists don't have access to quality health care and pension plans like the ones made available to actors and athletes through their unions.

3. Recording artists are paid royalties that represent a tiny fraction of the money their work earns.

As I was working with my manager and my new attorneys on my lawsuit with the Universal Music Group, we realized that the most unfair clauses in my contract applied to ALL recording artists. Most important, no one was representing artists in an attempt to change the system. Recording artists need to form a new organization that will represent their interests in Washington and negotiate fair contract terms with record companies.

Here's what you should know:

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