OUR HOPE

The election of Barack Obama was an historic event that demonstrated the power of our democracy. It showed that when many voices come together to speak as one, great things can be accomplished. In these economically uncertain times, we need strong leadership in Washington more than ever before. It is our hope that the incoming Obama administration and the new Congress will have the full bi-partisan support they will need to tackle the great challenges of the day. That includes the challenges posed to copyright. We are fortunate that we will have longtime supporters serving in key leadership roles in the new Congress. In a new development, the House Intellectual Property matters that were once overseen by the Judiciary Sub-Committee, formerly Chaired by active supporter of creators" rights, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), will now be dealt with within the full Judiciary Committee, Chaired by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), with the top ranking Republican Member being Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). Both have been consistent supporters of ASCAP and champions for the rights of creators. We are confident that their valuable leadership and insight will help guide us through these pivotal times.

Now, from one important election to another. As the new year begins, I urge all ASCAP members to turn your attention to the Society"s bi-annual election of its Board of Directors. The process of choosing who governs ASCAP is, in effect, what is great and distinctive about our Society. We are the only performing rights organization in the United States whose Board of Directors is made up of composers, songwriters and publishers elected from its membership by its membership every two years.

Those members who have earned any performance credits in the last survey year are qualified to vote and should have received a ballot from which to elect 12 writer members and 12 publisher members to serve on ASCAP"s Board. In this issue of Playback we are pleased to provide profiles of the Board candidates. These songwriters, composers and publishers reflect the great diversity of ASCAP"s repertory and represent all genres of music. They know the needs of the members first-hand and represent no other special interest group. Each of them understands that the ASCAP Board is the policy-making, governing body of the Society and that its members assume their chairs with both seriousness and dedication.

I wish you all a happy and creative new year!