The Future of Music Coalition (FMC) has set its third annual policy summit for Jan. 5-7, 2003, at Gaston Hall on the campus of Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown University. The FMC has designated the summit as a forum to bring together independent musicians, music-biz executives, lawyers, teachers, and politicians to discuss and debate some of today’s most pressing music-related issues, including digital technology, artists’ rights, and Webcasting.
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) will give keynote speeches during the event, which will also feature as panelists Fugazi principal/Dischord Records co-founder Ian MacKaye, musician Patti Smith, California State Senator Kevin Murray, Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), CD Baby president Derek Silvers, Experience Music Project CEO Robert Santelli, and Billboard Washington, D.C., bureau chief Bill Holland.
The FMC is a non-profit collaboration between music industry notables and political activists intent on fostering dialogue about the music business. Similar issues were discussed at last year’s summit, which also took place at Georgetown University and was keynoted by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.).
The 2003 edition will include five panels each day, speeches, and musical performances both at the summit and at venues around Washington, D.C. For more information, including up-to-date panelists and performers, visit the FMC’s official Web site.