Board Meeting Minutes October 3, 2021

MINUTES

Colorado Music Business Organization Board of Directors Meeting

Sunday, October 3, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.

1. Called to Order at 7:06 p.m.

Present: Barb Dye, David Barber, Annette Cannon, Clark Hagan, Johnnie Johnson, Tony Molina, Sheena Morgan

Absent: Tracie Chirhart; Jamie Krutz (excused); Alex Teitz (designating by e-mail that David Barber can be my proxy vote) (excused); Angela Whaley

Guest: Shanica (intern)

2. Consideration and Approval of the Minutes of September 13, 2021: Annette Cannon so moved, Clark Hagan seconded. Minutes are approved with minor corrections.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

Income received:

Memberships $ 150.00 (See Membership Report)

Interest on Savings: $ .01 (September 2021)

Total: $ 150.01

Expenses paid:

Bank Fees for September: $ 2.00 (checking fees)

Paypal fees: $ 6.22 (See Membership Report)

Facebook Ad(s): $ 30.00 (for September SoundExchange program)

Durango Songwriters: $ 100.00 (for booth at Expo)

CODA, Inc. $ 62.40 (CDs of Songwriting Contest winning songs)

Elementor Pro: $ 49.00

Zoom account: $ 16.30

Mailchimp for September:    $  31.95

                                Total: $ 297.87

Checking Balance: $ 1,472.06 (as of 9/30/21)

Savings Balance: $ 1,503.28 (as of 9/30/21)

PayPal Balance: $ 891.19 (as of 10/1/21)

Grand Total: $ 3,866.53

Membership Report – Sheena:

Current Paid Members: 58 (42 individual, 4 businesses, 11 bands, and 1 Supporter)

Renewed Members in September:

Supporter: None

Individuals: None

Band(s): Roma Ransom (Gordon Lewis & Grace Easley) (9/29/21)

Business: Niya Music (Wendy Nolting) (comped)

New Members in September:

Supporter: None

Individuals: None

Band: None

Business: Wales BMI (Llewellyn Haden) (9/28/21)

Up for Renewal in October:

Supporter: None

Individuals: Rudy Grant

Band: Deadly Alliance (Terrance Bentley)

Business: None

Membership “Welcome Surveys”: Sheena reported that we received 1 survey(s) in September.

4. Unfinished Business:

1. 1. • 1. Bar Code requests: None

Our barcodes are NOT ISRC codes. They are UPC codes.

ISRC is a different code. ISRC = International Standard Recording Code

reference and quote:

https://dittomusic.com/en/blog/what-is-an-isrc-code/

Is an ISRC code the same as a barcode?

No. ISRCs are for individual tracks/recordings. Barcodes are for the complete product (album/ep/single) that the tracks come together to make.

Barb noted that she, not knowing the difference, had given out several of our bar code numbers to artists for their individual recordings. Probably not much of a problem since it seems like none of the recordings ever sold well.

1. 1. • 2. Upcoming Programs:

a. Program for October 25, 2021: Tony – Streaming Services on Spotify. Ryan, a friend of Tony’s, will be speaking as to ads on Spotify. Jamie will moderate. The program committee will draw up a list of questions to be answered. The PC will try to meet Monday night, October 4^th to solidify the program details.

b. Program for November 13, 15, or 20^th: Showcase of COMBO’s Songwriting Contest winners? Yes. Barb has not yet contacted the Walnut Room for possible dates.

c. December Meet-up/Holiday Party: Delay until we know more on availability of spaces, and COVID restrictions. Make decision at the November board meeting.

d. January24, 2022 (Monday): Previous suggestions were brought up to the PC.

3. Web Reports – David (as of 10/03/21):

1. Current Email Subscribers: COMBO has 2,476 subscribers which is down from the 2,483 reported at the 9/13/21 Board Meeting. As of the 9/30/21 newsletter, we had 14% opens and 4% click thrus.

2. Twitter Account Followers: COMBO has 7637 followers which is down from 7,639 followers from the 9/13/21 report.

3. Linkedin – Sheena: 124 followers, 0 new followers in September.

4. Google Analytics Report: In September 2021 there were 5,003 sessions, which is up 108% from September 2020 when we had 2,409 sessions. There was a big spike on Sept 30 due to the most viewed articles this month which were on the deaths of Jennifer Brooke Gelvin and Keith Rouse both of the band Fabulous Boogienauts. (Around 1,000 views total). (FYI: Mr. Rouse died from a heart attack; his wife Jennifer was murdered by a friend’s husband in a domestic violence incident 3 weeks later).

5. Facebook Analytics – David: Page Views: 91, up 122%; Post Reach: 1,742, up by 3%; Post Engagement: 193, up 14%; Page Likes: 7, up/ 17%. Page Followers: 8, up 14%. (this is most likely due to the 3 weeks of advertising we did in Sept)

Reminder – Our Facebook address is:

http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization

 

4. Bookmarking website – Jamie: Linking FB articles? Jamie wants to streamline links to newsletter and website. (David had no idea what this was about). Jamie was absent.

5. Songs on the COMBO Spotify Play List for October 2021 – Tony: Tony said he will send an e-mail with the songs and artists.

6. COMBO Members Only Video Uploads – David: David uploaded the video from the September meeting the day after the meeting!

7. Ombudsman Program – Annette Cannon: Nothing to report at this time.

8. Meeting Space Ideas: On hold until COVID is under control. Continue with Zoom.

9. Designation for Funds: $500 Hartford Insurance: This is due the first of December. Barb will transfer funds from Savings to Checking to cover the cost. The board decided to go ahead with paying the bill since we may resume “live” meetings in the near future.

10. Purchase of Promotional Merchandise Items: CDs of the Songwriting Contest winners. Cost for 60: $62.40, included labels.

11. Promotion/Advertising: Facebook ads for September meeting: $30.00

12. Posting on Facebook: Sheena did not post any articles in September.

13. Board Member Bios – Shanica:  Intern Shanica Jules will take this project over.

14. Storage for COMBO Stuff: Tabled until a suitable space is found.

15. COMBO Organization By-Laws:

ARTICLE VI

Standing and Special Committees

1. The Board of Directors may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the purposes and carry on the work of the corporation. The term of each chair of such committees shall be one year or until the election and qualification of his or her successor.

Vote on approving Clause #1 as is: David moved, Sheena 2^nd. Approved.

2. The chair of each committee shall present a plan of work at each board meeting or whenever requested by an officer. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the Board of Directors.

Vote on approving Clause #2 as is: David moved, Sheena 2^nd. Approved.

3. The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the Board of Directors. The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees.

Vote on approving Clause #3 as is: David moved, Sheena 2^nd. Aproved.

4. Proposed Clause: Committees may present fund-raising events such as a concert using COMBO’s Not-for-Profit license but with the understanding that fifty percent of the profits will go to the general COMBO fund. The other fifty percent will remain with the committee for its future use. This does not apply to other entities such as outside groups like Riot Fest or the Warped Tour which agreements shall be on an event-to-event basis with the COMBO board.

Discussion and/or improvement suggestions: Annette suggested that we run this by COMBO’s lawyers for their approval. Barb will send the proposed Clause to our lawyers Todd Myers, Esq., and Steve Replin, Esq., for them to revise as they see fit.

16. Songwriting Contest for 2021: Ended August 1^st. CODA made up 60 CDs for us with the 8 winning songs. Barb passed some of them out at the Durango Songwriters Expo. Also each board member and contestant/songwriter will receive a copy. She gave a copy to contestant John Bunzli at the DSE since he was in attendance.

17. Vintage Voltage Expo / Guitar Show / Antique Radio Collectors Show: Nothing. Currently scheduled for March 27, 2022 at the Delta by Marriott on 120^th & I-25.

18. Booth at Durango Songwriters Expo: Barb decided not to do this since a) the cost was going to be $100; b) she wouldn’t be able to run it but one day (Saturday) and would get little traffic; and c) she just didn’t feel like hauling the stuff up from her basement!

 

19. Intern: Sheena & Johnnie: Interview with Shanica: Shanica was able to help Johnnie out on his live show on Saturday, October 3^rd. She is a Marketing major at UCD and will be graduating in December 2021.

20. Goals: David & Sheena: Update: Sheena talked about having a Board meeting in November to focus on our goals for 2022 – a “Board Retreat”. She has access to WeWork in Cherry Creek. Could also focus on branding. Plan for 2022. Sheena will contact her friend at WeWork to see about setting up a board meeting on November 7^th.

21. COMBO app – Tony and/or Annette: No time to work on this.

22. Vote on Angela Whaley’s status: Approved for “Consultant Status” since Angela has not been able to attend 5 meetings in a row. She attended the Women in Music meeting and told Alex that she has been busy setting up an NFT program.

5. New Business:

1. Reaffirmation of Board Members: All attending members reaffirmed their status on the board. We will need to talk to those members who were absent to affirm that they want to continue on the board.

6. Reports

1. September 27, 2021: Zoom meeting. Guest panelists were Tiara Guy of Sound-Exchange (calling in from Washington, D.C.), Ann Blonston of AirShow Mastering, and Michael St. James of Performers Magazine talking about SoundExchange which is the only authorized entity in the U.S. allowed to collect royalties for “recorded” music including royalties from streaming services. (ASCAP, BMI & SESAC collect “performance” royalties). We held off on the Mechanical Licensing talk. This was a very informative meeting. Tiara started off with a 3-minute video explaining what SoundExchange was all about, as well as a slide show. Then the panelists answered a series of questions asked by Jamie, created by the Program Committee. There were only 7 attendees that were not board members or speakers in spite of good advertising: Mr. Star, Laurie Dameron, Max Hass, Esq. (entertainment lawyer), Victor Towle, Sona Kiva, Doug Bohm, and Teressa Goerhke. Board members attending were Barb Dye, David Barber, Annette Cannon, Johnnie Johnson, Jaime Krutz (also acting as moderator), Sheena Morgan, and Alex Teitz. Total attendees: 17

2. Book, Movie, and Featured Member(s) for September 2021: None.

3. Denver Balanced Breakfast: Nothing to report

4. Denver Open Media: Johnnie reported that they did run a live show from their new studio on Friday, October 1^st. He had no more info as he did not attend.

https://www.denveropenmedia.org/

5. Mental Wellness Discussion Group Meeting: The group is meeting on the 1^st & 3^rd Mondays of the month, from 6-7 p.m., and is open to the public.

6. Women’s Groups:

a. Women in Music –Alex: On September 22^nd, Alex attended the launch party of Women In Music Denver at the Fort Greene Bar in the Globeville area. Women In Music is a national organization with over a dozen branches in other cities. It includes programming events under its umbrella. WIM charges a $75/year membership. The Denver Board is made of 8 women with jobs from music supervisors to digital marketing. They have separate officers for programming, membership, events, etc. According to Bonny Dolan, the WIM Denver Board President, 150 people RSVP’ed for the launch. Bridget, representing the national office, and coming from NY, said that was the biggest response there has been for any launch in any city. All participants were given both a food and drink ticket and a gift bag for attending. There was also a raffle for everything from gift cards to a guitar. Throughout the night I would say 75-100 people showed up. 

The people who showed up weren’t all musicians. There were probably 3-4 men. I’d say no more than 10-20% of the people there were musicians. Some had careers as setting up exclusive content for festivals, tour managers, music supervisors, tour accountants, and more. Anna Frick, Angela Whaley, Holly Lovell were a few of the people I knew there — the majority I’d never met before. 

The WIM Launch was mainly networking. Alex is personally curious to see what their programs and events will be in the future. https://www.womeninmusic.org/

7. Black Fret Denver Launch – Alex: On September 21^st, David & Alex attended the Black Fret Denver Launch Party. Black Fret is an Austin-based membership organization that puts on concerts for members and gives away grants to musicians with the money raised. They have a Seattle franchise as well. Last year they gave away over $2 million dollars. The Denver launch followed launch parties in Ft Collins & Boulder. Black Fret is trying to get 200 members in Colorado at $750/year. In Austin that $750/year = over 40 member shows/year. 

The Denver launch was a small affair. I’d say there were no more than 50 people total with some arriving at the end. The hosts were Ben London of Black Fret, Seattle and Matt Ott, a founder of Black Fret in Austin. Other people there included:

Lisa Gedgaudas – Denver Arts & Venues

Storm Gloor, UCD

Stephen Brackett, Youth of Record, Flobots, Colorado Music Ambassador

Dani Grant, Mishawaka, Music Policy Forum Board

Jessie Elliott, formerly of The Music District, now part of Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange 

Andy Thomas – Levitt Pavilion 

The Thread Barons

Megan Burtt

There was no “hard sell” from Black Fret. They wanted the participants to be a megaphone for what they are doing. David & I are both of the opinion that few of the people there could or would buy a membership. For the most part it was less of a networking event and more of catching up with old friends. I think I did 1 or 2 follow-ups the next day but still haven’t received anything from Black Fret after that night. 

Barb’s comments: A few years back, Barb did an article for the newsletter and put it under the “Buyer Beware” section. Not because she considered Black Fret to be “a con” but because so many of people buying a membership would not be able to use it fully. She likened it to the “Time Share” industry where, if you had the time and could take advantage of accommodations that the Time Share industry offers, it would definitely be worth your money. However, in Colorado, instantaneous, but infrequent, bad weather might make it hard for Black Fret members to attend their shows so the members would lose out on their investment. As experience has shown, ticket sales in Colorado depend on last minute buyers mainly because of “the weather.” Buying a ticket ahead of time might be for a show when we have one of our massive snowstorms! (See Bruce Springsteen show in February that resulted in the phrase “rain or shine” being added to the tickets!)

7. Items for Newsletters/Announcements:

Barb: My apologies to Rob Roper & Jamie Krutz for not getting an announcement in the 9/16/21 newsletter about their video shoot. I was on the road and could not get a WiFi connection at the hotels I was staying at for 3 nights so was unable to even put out a newsletter.

8. Next General Meeting: Monday, October 27^th, 2021 via Zoom, at 6:50 p.m. Program meeting on “How to Navigate Spotify – and Get Your Money!” (Please note the sign-in time. Waiting for people to sign in at 7:00 or later makes for a horrible start to the program).

9. Next Board Meeting: Sunday, November 7^th, 6:50 p.m. on Zoom, or at the WeWork space? (Live and in person!) We will send out an e-mail notification.

10. Meeting Adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

/s/ Barb Dye

___________________________________

Barb Dye, Acting Secretary