MINUTES
Colorado Music Business Organization Board of Directors Meeting
Sunday, January 9, 2022
- Called to Order at 7:04 p.m.
Present: Alex Teitz, Tracey Chirhart, Annette Cannon, Barb Dye, Jamie Krutz, Johnnie Johnson
Guest(s): None
Absent: David Barber (Excused), Tony Molina (Excused)
Consultants: Clark Hagan, Angela Whaley
Unfortunately Sheena Morgan submitted her resignation effective January 1, 2022. (See New Business)
- Approval of the Minutes of December 5, 2021: Alex Teitzso moved, Annette Cannon seconded. Approved (with corrections).
- Treasurer’s Report:
Income received:
Memberships (Paypal) $ 55.00 (“Hold the Line” – See Membership Report)
Innervision Records: $ 250.00 (1/2 of intern Shanica’s fee)
Interest on Savings: $ .01(December 2021)
Total: $ 305.01
Expenses paid (Ck = check; PP = Paypal; BW = bank withdrawal, checking acct.):
Bank Fees for December: $ 2.00 (checking fees)
Hartford Insurance (BW): $ 500.00 (for liability insurance for 2022)
U.S. Post Office (ck): $ 134.00 (renewal of post office mail box for the year)
InMotion Hosting (PP): $ 179.64 (new website hosting service; 3 year fee)
GoDaddy (PP): $ 21.17 (transfer of domain name – CM .org; 1 year)
BrewLabs (PP): $ 69.30 (SendPress Pro app; 3 year subscription)
Paypal fees (PP): $ 2.41 (See Membership Report)
Shanica Jules (ck): $ 500.00*
Possibility Promotion (ck): $ 10.00 (domain renewal – Colorado Music.com; 1 yr)
Zoom account (PP): $ 16.30
Mailchimp for Dec. (PP): $ 31.95
Innervision $ 7.72
Total: $1,474.49
Checking Balance: $ 1,746.66 (as of 12/31/21) ($500 & $132 not cashed)
Savings Balance: $ 1,003.32 (as of 12/31/21)
PayPal Balance: $ 551.30 (as of 01/05/22)
Grand Total: $ 3,301.28
Barb transferred $500 from Savings to Checking to cover the Hartford check. She also deposited the $15 received from the Roxy on Broadway for the Showcase.
* Sheena said we had offered $500 to Shanica. Barb thought we were going to discuss the proposed amount when Shanica finished her internship. However, in going back over the Minutes, Barb could not find any reference to discussion at all. So Johnnie & Barb agreed to split the amount, and Johnnie (Innervision) paid $250 into our Paypal account. Barb mailed Shanica a check for the $500 per her request.
Discussion about paying intern. Barb couldn’t find in the Minutes when we voted on this in the Board. Should be voted on in the future if we have interns. Maybe pay $100-250 not $500.
D. Membership Report:
Current Paid Members: 48 (30 individuals, 4 businesses, 13 bands, and 1 Supporter)
Renewed Members in December:
Supporter(s): None
Individual(s): None
Band(s): None
Business(es): None
New Members in December:
Supporter(s): None
Individual(s): None
Band: Hold the Line (Bill Thode’s Toto tribute band)
Business(es): None
Up for Renewal in January:
Supporter(s): None
Individual(s): None
Band(s): None
Business(es): None
Membership “Welcome Surveys”: We received 1 survey in December (Bill Thode).
- Unfinished Business:
- Bar Code requests: None.
- Upcoming Programs:
a. Monday, January24, 2022: The Program Committee has planned a program on
“To Play in Summer – Book in Winter”! The title got shortened to “Festivals: Book now – We’ll tell you how. Kyle Hartman from the UMS has agreed to be a speaker. Greta Cornett from FoCoMX. Alex has contacted several others but has not received confirmations yet. We are also going to ask that people send in their questions ahead of time so that the speaker(s) can be prepared. (This will go for this meeting and for future ones as well).
FLASH: The Grammys Award Show was set for Monday, January 31st. David thought that we could all stay home, joining in on a Zoom call in order to comment and to share our thoughts on the nominees and winners. However, the Grammys show has been postponed indefinitely. Perhaps we’ll be able to do an in-person party when it is rescheduled!
b. Monday, February 28, 2022: The Program Committee has suggested getting Colorado artists who have been signed to speak and in particular on how they got signed. The Committee has suggested several artists and Alex is working on contacting them.
c. Monday, March 28, 2022: The Program Committee has decided to run with Marty Jones’ suggestion of ways to get venues to pay their bands with an open discussion format. The discussion will not be around whether or not venues should pay the bands but rather on ways that income can be increased or other ways that would encourage the venues to pay the bands. One suggestion that came up is that Paula Vrakas of the Roxy on Broadway has a “tip jar” line on her receipts where customers can “tip” the bands (rather than having a door cover charge).
Steve Jobs negotiated with record companies and Apple store. Article Jamie sent Barb. Co-Inventor of iPod and iPhone, Jobs would do something about artists getting paid for streaming. Discussion of streaming pay.
[Note: Barb will be gone from March 16th thru April 10th which means she will be gone during the March general meeting and the April board meeting. Annette and David are asked to plan on running the meetings. Barb will set up newsletters ahead of time for delivery on Thursday(s), using previously published articles that were of extreme interest and pertinence to our membership.]
d. Monday, April 18, 2022: Discussion on NFTs, what they are, and how musicians can make money from them. It is a way for musicians to make money so we need to talk about it.
e. Monday, May 23, 2022: (Memorial Day is 5/30/22) Program TBD. Date voted on. Alex Teitz motioned & Annette Cannon seconded. Approved by Board.
3. Web Reports – David (as of 1/09/22):
- Current Email Subscribers: COMBO has 2442 subscribers which is down from the 2,446 reported at the last Board Meeting. As of the 12/30/21 newsletter, we had 21% opens and 2% click thrus.
- Twitter Account Followers: COMBO has 7640followers which is up from 7,638 followers from the last report.
- Google Analytics Report: In December 2021 there were 6632sessions, which is up 24% from December 2020 when we had 5162sessions.
We had 2 spikes in Dec the first was Dec 5 when people came to view /country-music-legend-vince-gill-surprises-community-devastated-by-record-flooding/
(referral from newsbreakapp.com)
The 2nd was on Dec 30 and people came from newsbreakapp to read about
/plane-crash-kills-five-iu-music-school-students/
- Facebook Analytics: Page Views: 35, down 50%; Post Reach: 503,down by 49%; Post Engagement: 33, down 76%; Page Likes: 2, down 50%. Page Followers: 2, down 50%.
Reminder – Our Facebook address is:
http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization
4. Songs on the COMBO Spotify Play List for December 2021: David has put up a player on the website: https://www.coloradomusic.org/playlists/
5. What is a “Member”? We discussed our “Members Only” description. There are not only “paid” members but we have “honorary” members and “Lifetime” members as well, not to mention “Business Members”. Barb and David will each try to write up something as a description of what is considered a “Member [Only]” by February’s board meeting. We will also need this in time for the next Songwriting Contest to clarify who is eligible to enter and to enter with/without paying the fee.
6. COMBO Members Only Video Uploads: Update on YouTube rules? We need this info before we can upload the Showcase video.
7. Ombudsman Program – Annette Cannon: Nothing to report. Discussion of fundraisers and where money goes. Bars make money. Bands don’t. Bars usually don’t donate income. Good opportunities to play somewhere. Myaston do shows once a month. Roxy in Five points (Johnnie). Insurance tries to not to pay after a disaster.
8. Meeting Space Ideas: Board & general meetings to continue on Zoom until the pandemic is pretty much over.
9. Promotion/Advertising: We did not run an ad for the Holiday Party.
10. Board Member Bios: Shanica finished uploading the bios of the board which Sheena had prepared and taken the photos of the board members. Barb and Annette can’t find the bios on Facebook. Done only as posts. Annette wants section where they are permanently located. Post it in “About” section on FB. Bios should be on website.
11. COMBO Organization By-Laws:
ARTICLE VI
Standing and Special Committees
4. Proposed Clause: Individuals and/or Committees may present fund-raising events, such as a concert, using COMBO’s Not-for-Profit license but with the understanding that at least fifty percent of the profits will go to the general COMBO fund. The other fifty percent will remain with the individual and/or committee for their future use. This rule does not apply to other entities such as outside groups like Riot Fest or the Warped Tour whose agreements shall be on an event-to-event basis with the COMBO board.
5. Proposed Clause: Members wishing to run events under the umbrella of COMBO must first have the event approved by the Board. This would include open-mic nights, showcases, fund-raisers, and other musician-centric events. Potential income distribution would need to be decided before the event is held. Future discussion in case something else comes up.
12. New Business:
1. Reaffirmation of Board Officer VP Annette Cannon: Annette says “Yes if you’ll have me.” Affirmed.
2. New Server: David brought up that our current server is causing us some severe slowing problems. We approved a price increase, if necessary, for him to upgrade the server. and set up InMotion Hosting as our new service with a pre-paid cost of $179.64 for 3 years of hosting service at $4.99/month (saving COMBO $5.01/month) the cost will increase to about $16/month after 3 years, but we may be able to negotiate something cheaper at that point. The transfer went relatively smoothly and he has been working with Barb to make sure things are running correctly for ending out the weekly newsletter. David will provide Jamie with the InMotion account info, in case we need him to handle any hosting emergencies when David is not available.
Related, but different topic: David was able to get rights to the ColoradoMusic.org domain name transferred from Morris Beegle to COMBO’s new Godaddy account at no cost, but considerable annoyance. (LOL!) David will be transferring over several backup domains to the COMBO godaddy account so they can be paid for directly.
3. Acceptance of Sheena’s Resignation: From Sheena on 12/27/21: As we approach a new year and closing out of 2021, I will be making transitions of my own. Please accept this email as my notice of resignation of my position of Membership Director and active Board Member for the Colorado Music Business Organization as of January 1, 2022. It has been a pleasure to serve on the board and the Colorado music community. My schedule over the course of the last few months has only become more demanding and I would like to pursue more opportunities with my marketing profession in the coming year, which ultimately leads me to releasing my duties with COMBO. I will ensure all documents are up to date and accessible before my departure date.
Wishing you and the extended COMBO team the best.
Warmest Regards,
Sheena
Barb moved to accept Sheena’s resignation. David Barber (by Proxy to Alex), and ALL board members present opposed accepting Sheena’s resignation. Barb is to call Sheena suggesting the following options: Sheena can take a reduced role on the Board; time off; partner with someone so not all responsibilities falling on Sheena; or maybe make it a part-time board member alternating with another board member. Barb is to hold an olive branch out to Sheena to say how much she is appreciated and asking: What we can do to keep you here? We’re lost without you. Sheena’s an idea person and we really need her assistance!
4. New Board Member / Membership Chairman: Due to Sheena’s totally unexpected resignation, we will need to find a replacement Board member. We will also need someone to take over the Membership Chairman duties which include recording new members, sending them a “Welcome” letter, and keeping track of members whose renewal may be coming up. These duties seldom need to be done more than once a week – although we do have a bunch of people who join during the Songwriting Contest in the summer months. Sheena created a spread sheet which can be accessed through our Google e-mail and is easy to keep up. Names of potential candidates will be greatly appreciated. No action needed at this time – unless someone wants to volunteer to take over the Membership Director’s job. Possible ideas: Steve Son, Rod Tanaka & Doug Bohm. Ask speakers to join board. Bring in more Board Members at large. Tracey is a board member at large. Board members may be able to help with locations for future in-person Board meetings.
E. Reports
1. December Holiday Dinner: Held at Postino, 830 Colorado Blvd., Denver, at 6:30 p.m., December 12th. Annette graciously paid for everyone’s dinner! Thank you so much, Annette! Unfortunately, we only had 5 attendees: Barb, Annette, David, Alex and Steve Son. But we still had good conversation and Steve offered some good ideas for programs.
2. Ex-Board Member Doug Garvey COVID and in hospital for 52 days. He was the only one to leave alive out of 10 patients in ward. His wife Nancy died in October. House caught on fire from 2 grandsons who live there after he did remodeling.
3. Book, Movie, and Featured Member(s) for December 2021: None.
4. Denver Balanced Breakfast: Meetings continue on Thursday afternoons by Zoom only and based out of San Francisco. Taking applications for Balanced Breakfast SXSW March 17 & 18
5. Denver Open Media: Nothing at this time. https://www.denveropenmedia.org/
6. Women’s Groups:
- Women in Music: Women In Music Summit – January 19-21 https://womeninmusic.wildapricot.org/event-4601624
WIM Summit 2022
Dates: January 19th – January 21st
Time: 12pm-5pm ET
Join us at Women in Music’s WIM Summit 2022 to kick off our 37th year in service to the music industry, and to celebrate our diverse and vibrant community. Founded in 1985, our commitment to educate, empower and advance women in music has never been stronger than it is today – with thousands of members around the globe, and chapters from LA to Japan.
The WIM Summit 2022 will take place virtually via Zoom webinar from January 19 – January 21 between 12pm-5pm ET and will feature industry-leading speakers, masterclasses, and opportunities to connect.
Schedule:
Jan. 19 – Executive Leadership Track
Sessions include:
CEO Entrepreneurship
Executive Upskilling: Learning Through Change
Best Places to Work: Redefining Workplace Culture in Music
Fundamentals of Investing with Morgan Stanley
The Gender Gap in Music Business Ownership
Jan. 20 – Music Innovation
Sessions include:
The Future is Now: Music in the Age of Web3
Global Perspectives
Marketing Trends 2022
Leaders of Pandora Country
Fireside Chat with Co-Owners of Roots N Blues Festival
Jan. 21 – Artist Teams & Services
Sessions include:
TikTok Masterclass
A&R & AI: Making the Data Work for You
Hit-Makers: Artist & Producer Management
Global Brand Partnerships
*Session schedule and more details to be announced soon!
b. Womxn Crush Music: They are going to hold off until 2022 to do anything.
F. Items for Newsletters/Announcements:
G. Next General Meeting: Monday, January 24th at 6:50 p.m. Program on applying now if a band wants to play a fair or festival during the summer. [Note the sign in time of 6:50 p.m.!]
H. Next Board Meeting: Sunday, February 6th, 6:50 p.m. via Zoom.
I. Meeting Adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
/s/ Alex Teitz
___________________________________
Alex Teitz, Secretary