Louisiana Music Industry Day | Baton Rouge
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Damien Heard, courtesy of The Louisiana Senate(L-R): Front row: Senator Troy Carter, Senator Danny Martiny, “Deacon John” Moore, Senator Karen Carter Peterson; Second row: Ezra Landry, PJ Morton, Tim Kappel, Sean Ardoin, Reid Wick, Ken Shepherd; Third row: Craig Baylis, Todd Dupler, Angela Dunn, LaWanda Smith, Michelle Friedstadt (GRAMMY U Rep), back row: Ethan Ellestad , Johnny Palazzotto -
Damien Heard, courtesy of The Louisiana SenatePJ Morton (left) performs the national anthem at the opening of the Louisiana Senate session on Louisiana Music Industry Day -
Recording Academy members gather in the Louisiana Capitol Rotunda on Louisiana Music Industry Day: (L-R): PJ Morton, Ken Shepherd, Craig Baylis (SAG-AFTRA), Tim Kappel, Michael Paz (member), Ezra Landry (Morton Records), “Deacon John” Moore (American Federation of Musicians, Local 174-496), Ethan Ellestad (Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans), Angela Dunn (American Federation of Musicians, Local 174-496), Todd Dupler, LaWanda Smith (member), and Reid Wick -
Cory Stewart, courtesy of House Communications OfficePJ Morton performs the national anthem at the opening of the Louisiana House of Representatives session on Louisiana Music Industry Day -
Miek Hasten, courtesy of House Communications OfficeRecording Academy members gather in the Louisiana House of Representatives chamber on Louisiana Music Industry Day: (L-R) Ethan Ellestad, AnneMarie Malatesta, Michelle Friedstadt, Craig Baylis, Tim Kappel, Ezra Landry, Todd Dupler, Sean Ardoin, LaWanda Smith, Ken Shepherd, Reid Wick, Johnny Palazzotto, Angela Dunn, Deacon John Moore -
House Resolution 117
The Recording Academy hosted the first Louisiana Music Industry Day at Louisiana's State Capitol on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 1-5 p.m., where Recording Academy members and music industry professionals in Louisiana convened at the capitol building to witness the declaration of Louisiana Music Industry Day, as well as show support of various legislative initiatives designed to enhance the music industry in the state. This Recording Academy advocacy effort started by working with Rep. Walt Leger, who authored and introduced two bills on our behalf: HB 415 Allen Toussaint Legacy Act and HB 646 Louisiana Music Industry Investment Act. HB 415 is the post-mortem, right of publicity that offers protection of the name and likeness of the deceased and gives control over such to their rightful heirs. HB 646 Louisiana Music Industry Investment Act is a two part bill, which amends the state's current sound recording tax incentive law and also carves out a payroll tax incentive for music companies (booking agencies, music publishers, managers, etc.) expand into Louisiana based on full-time employment in the state. Our advocacy group was recognized in both the Louisiana Senate and House chambers. GRAMMY-nominated Memphis Chapter Governor PJ Morton (and member of Maroon 5) played and sang the national anthem at the opening of both the Senate and House sessions. In the House, Rep. Leger offered House Resolution 117 which officially declared May 16, 2017 as Louisiana Music Industry Day. In addition to several Memphis Chapter members in attendance were Todd Dupler, Recording Academy’s Sr. Director, Advocacy & Public Policy, Louisiana-based Memphis Chapter board members, including Sean Ardoin, Tim Kappel, PJ Morton and Ken Shepherd. Also in attendance were representatives from American Federation of Musicians, Local 174-496, SAG/AFTRA and the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans.
