Copyright Alliance's Podcast

The Copyright Alliance speaks with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson at the 2014 Grammy Foundation’s event recognizing songwriters. Simpson describes the importance of the songwriter in the creation of music and explains how she knows when she has written a good song.

The Copyright Alliance speaks with singer/songwriter Ryan Shaw about his Grammy-nominated cover of the Beatles’s “Yesterday.” Shaw explains music’s ability to transcend time and the important role the Grammy Foundation plays in preserving music for future generations.

Neil Portnow, President of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, talks to the Copyright Alliance about the academy's core work beyond the Grammy Awards. Portnow explains what the Recording Academy’s role has been in supporting artists amidst the current copyright review process in Congress and concludes by offering advice to artists getting their start within the changing landscape of the music industry.

The Copyright Alliance speaks to saxophonist Mindi Abair at the Recording Academy’s Producers and Engineers Wing event. Mindi describes the work and technical expertise present behind the scenes of the Grammys and the work that the Recording Academy does the rest of the year to support artists and protect their rights.

The Copyright Alliance speaks with up-and-coming Nashville-based band Maybe April at the 2014 Grammy Foundation Songwriters event. Having originally met at Grammy Camp, a music-industry camp organized by the Grammy Foundation, the trio describe how the organization has helped them in pursuing a career in music.

Singer/songwriter and producer, Louise Lynn Goffin takes a moment to talk to the Copyright Alliance at the Recording Academy’s Producers and Engineers Wing event. Goffin speaks about her performance paying tribute to her parents Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Goffin advises young songwriters to find and nurture what makes them unique and to reject any ideas of what they should sound like.

The Copyright Alliance speaks to singer/songwriter J.D. Souther at the Grammy Foundation 2014 Songwriters event. Souther explains his support of the Grammy Foundation’s focus on music education and music preservation. With respect to his own music, Souther confesses to not ever really knowing whether he has written a good song until after it has been released. He encourages young musicians to take the time to learn their craft and to depend less on illusory media success.

Singer-songwriter Colbie Callait talks to the Copyright Alliance at the Recording Academy’s Producers and Engineers Wing event. Colbie describes the work that goes into the creation of a song and acknowledges the unseen people behind the music -- the songwriters, engineers, producers, management and labels. She advises aspiring artists to understand the amount of work they must put into being in any creative field.

The Copyright Alliance speaks with songwriter and saxophonist, Boney James, about his latest Grammy nominated album. He acknowledges the role his music educators played in shaping his career and commends the Grammy Foundation for its efforts to bring music education to schools, especially in light of the challenges young musicians face today in the industry.

While it’s true that affordable digital cameras and editing software have put impressive means of production into the hands any boot-strapping filmmaker with a dream, digital filmmaking at the highest end of TV and motion pictures is actually more complex and more expensive than the days of celluloid-only production.

In this podcast, David Newhoff discusses these issues and more with cinematographer Steven Poster. Poster has more than 50 credits as Director of Photography, has served as president of the American Society of Cinematographers, and is currently the National President of theInternational Cinematographer’s Guild. David spoke to Steven in Los Angeles via Skype. Recorded in September 2012.