June is Black Music Month!

Black Music Month was born out of a vision of one of America’s legendary songwriters, Mr. Kenny Gamble, of the famous songwriting team of “GAMBLE & Huff”. Ms. Dyana Williams and IAAAM took the vision and brought it to life. After many meetings, arguments, disappointments, articles, radio and TV talk shows, she finally got the President, the Senate, and the House to officially proclaim “June” as Black Music Month (African-American Music Month). The bill is known as House Concurrent Resolution 27.

Yes, “June” is Black Music Month, but it seem that nobody is even aware of it and those who are aware treat it as a trivia or just don’t care. Most don’t realize the MAJOR! contributions Black music and artists have made to the world, the global economy. Can you believe that African American music is one of the United States Major exports? Our music is one of America’s biggest exports, up there with the top 5%, contributing multi-billions of dollars annually to the global economy.

With a musical industry generating that kind of revenue and producing young millionaires annually, why isn’t Black Music Month receiving more attention from the artists, producers, directors, major record label companies, the media, radio, TV, newspapers and magazines, organizations that artists pay membership to like musician’s unions: RIAA, ASCAP, NARAS, BMI, AFIM, etc.? I’ve approached some of these organizations and was very upset that they can’t/won’t make financial contributions to support an event that is really a celebration to all of them, regardless of their role. It is the obligation of these governing organizations to help in any way they can; they owe this to the artist and the organizers of events like this. I must mention that the Musician’s Union Local #6 and the Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund have helped for the past two years by paying 50% of the musician’s salary. We need more interest and support from all these organizations. It’s as if nobody cares and for the past twenty-two years has received very little attention.

I’m proud to say that, although we haven’t received much support or acknowledgement from the major record labels or the governing bodies such as RIAA, ASCAP, etc., we were overwhelmed with the response we received from the local artists and local independent record labels, such as Simply Smokin’ Records & Pentathlon Production; Visila Records; and SweWeb Records, all supporting us by coming in at the Bronze Sponsorship level. We’re constantly receiving calls for involvement and offers of support from the Independent Record Label and local artists. However, our aim is to get some of these major groups like ASCAP, NARAS, BMI, IUMA, etc. to come forward with support. If some of their members are supporting us, what message are they sending their members, for not joining them in supporting us? If these small independent labels and artists could support Black Music Month, then it is their (ASCAP, NARAS, BMI, IUMA, etc.) obligation to support “June” as Black Music Month.

Congressman Chaka Fattah, IAAAM (Dyana Williams), & Don Cornileus of Soul Train Successfully Spearheaded the Passing of The African-American Music Bill (House Concurrent Resolution 27)

On Tuesday, October 13, 1998, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed Congressman Chaka Fattah’s House Concurrent Resolution 27, the African-American Music Resolution. This bill officially proclaims “June” as African-American Music Month, honoring and acknowledging the many contributions made by African-Americans through music.

“Music is one of the many powerful contributions made by African-Americans to this society and to our global culture,” says Congressman Fattah (D-PA). “Through genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, rock, rhythm & blues, and hip-hop, African-American musicians have continued to have a pervasive influence on fashion, art, literature, dance, the media, and commerce.”

In 1997, a similar bill was passed in California, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Joint Resolution 24, proclaiming “June” as Black Music Month in California. The proclamation was authored by State Senator Kevin Murray, then an assemblyman. Senator Murray is chairman of the California Legislative Black Caucus, he’s also an entertainment attorney and former agent with the William Morris Agency, stated, “From a cultural standpoint, Black music has made considerable contributions to the state of California, the U. S., and the rest of the world. From the popular recording acts out of the Bay Area, to Motown’s move to California, to the music groups and businesses that are home-grown in Southern California, African-American music has historically been one of the greatest music genres for generating revenue in the city of Los Angeles and the state of California. We wanted to officially recognize that fact.”

Murray also cites the musical contributions of Blacks from decades long past. “The jazz and blues clubs on Central Avenue (in Los Angeles) contributed greatly to the music psyche of America, beginning in the ‘20s and ‘30s all the way through the ‘50s, many of the most important musicians of the day played in venues along that street”, he says.

It was a twenty-year journey of dedication and hard work for passage of this proclamation, since first introduced in 1979, and President Jimmy Carter cited “June” as Black Music Month and had the very first Black Music Month Celebration, on the South Lawn of the White House. Since then it has taken a rather slow progress to what it has become today. Ms. Williams of IAAAM fought with every president Senate and the House in getting June proclaimed as Black Music Month. For more about IAAAM, logon to their website www.iaaam.com.

The Proclamation

June is Black Music Month!

(African-American Music Month)

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 13, 1998

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 27

Presidential, Senate and Congressional Proclamation

Recognizing the importance of African-American music to global culture and calling on the people of the

United States to study on, reflect on, and celebrate African-American music.

WHEREAS artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, educators, executives, and other professionals in the music industry provide inspiration and leadership through their creation of music, dissemination of educational information, and financial contributions to charitable and community-based organizations;

WHEREAS African-American music indigenous to the United States and originates from African genres of music;

WHEREAS African-American genres of music such as gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop have their roots in the African-American experience;

WHEREAS African-American music has a pervasive influence on dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media, advertisements, and other aspects of culture.

WHEREAS the prominence of African-American music in the 20th century has reawakened interest in the legacy and heritage of the art form of African-American music;

WHEREAS African-American music embodies the strong presence of, and significant contributions made by, African-Americans in the music industry and society as a whole.

WHEREAS the multibillion dollar African-American music industry contributes greatly to the domestic; and worldwide economy; and

WHEREAS African-American music has a positive impact on and broad appeal to diverse groups, both nationally and internationally; Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress -

(1) recognizes the importance of the contributions of the contributions of African-American music to global culture and positive impact of African-American music on global commerce, and

(2) calls on the people of the United States to take the opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty, vitality, and importance of African-American music.