A new movement has begun amongst musicians and concernd citizens about the state of
Latin music and the lack of air-play
that good clasical and contemporary "salsa" recieves on commercial radio.
After Eddie Palmieri and the late great Tito Puente won the "Grammy" award for a song
that was hardly ever heard on New York (and other USA cities) radio, Jillian of Los Jovenes del
Barrio decided to iniciate a call to arms. She is the lead spokes-person for the United Musicians
Front (UMF), a group of world reknown (and lesser known) musicians who want some answers and wish to
change the current situation of Latin music as it relates to commercial radio.
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The following is a copy of the e-mail that Jillian sent-out to start the UMF.
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Calling all NYC musicians working in "Latin" music,
and all citizens concerned with the state of "Latin" music today!
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- Are you tired of the same music being played on "MEGA" and "LATINO MIX"?
- Are you concerned that commercial radio doesn't represent completely, the beautiful
variety and complexity of Latin music?
- Are you troubled by the impossibility of getting your great record played?
- Do you feel that your music is good enough for these stations?
- Does it seem to you that the trends you may set musically are passed all over the world and NOT recognized by radio in the city in which you live?
- Does it anger you that sky high "payola" has made it impossible for you to pay for play?
- Do you deserve a chance to have a fair shot at the listening public?
- Do you feel that there is a tremendous lack of variety on these radio stations?
- Are you at ALL concerned about the loss of culture that is being perpetuated through these radio stations?
- Do you feel that Latino youth is in danger because of this loss?
- Does it anger you that when Tito Puente passed away, NOT ONE of his compositions was played on "MEGA"?
- Does it seem to you that NYC, the HOME of Latin music--"SALSA", should have radio stations that SUPPORT their local artists, especially when they are SO good?
- Do you feel that there are lots of GREAT Latin bands in New York City that deserve commercial airplay in this great ground breaking, innovative city of ours?
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If any of this is of any interest to you, then please take the time to read on.
A United Musicians Front is being formed for the purpose of initiating a policy change in the programming
of music on commercial Latin Radio. We want to be the first to set a precedent regarding local talent getting
airplay for FREE on our cities commercial radio stations. With the support of great, well respected artists,
we intend to apply pressure to these radio stations through the unity of New York musicians working in Latin music, and concerned citizens who feel the need for such a forum. What we are saying, very simply, is that we want a chance, we want to have a fair shot at getting our music played, and we don't want to have to pay money. Most of us are hard working, passionate musicians, under recognized and underpaid in the business BECAUSE we don't get the support of commercial radio and record sales. All we're asking for is support, reasonable, completely understandable support from our radio stations.
We are tired of constant rejection from DJ's and programmers when we know our music is high quality.
We are tired of the blinded view of what they consider commercial, 'hip' music. We are tired of
hearing the same newer artists being played over and over again. We are tired of this formula music being
the ONLY 'sound' that comes across the airwaves. The dissemination of Latin music is in a sad state of
affairs and desperately needs attention towards creative ways in which to preserve the integrity of the music.
Not only do the commercial radio stations NOT play OUR music, but they don't play great artists
such as Willie Colon, still as prolific as ever--an innovator and a trend setter for all of us.
We are tired of NOT hearing enough of our heroes like Tito Puente, Ruben Blades, Andy Montaņez,
Hector Lavoe and Gilberto Santa Rosa to mention a few. This type of programming policy has no regard
for culture and no respect for educating our youth about their culture through music. There are lots
of problems within the structure that can and should be discussed, but the main objective here being the
push for local artists getting airplay. We are hungry for some recognition of our efforts as expressive
human beings, as musicians. We are in need of a fair shake by an audience that we KNOW would love what
we're doing. This potential audience should be given the opportunity to WANT to buy our recordings, they deserve to be given a choice, thus supporting our endeavors in more fulfilling ways.
This is not a union, there is nothing to be afraid of--we have nothing to lose, most of us
are not being played on commercial radio anyway. We don't intend to cause animosity, cause vicious
uproars of any kind, we intend to use communication with clarity and dignity, a lawyer will be
present at all times as we begin this process so that the language of our proposal is respectful
and in legal terms, and we intend to be persistent in our demands, which will be fair and reasonable.
This letter represents the first outreach of any kind towards this initiative. A forum will be held at
the offices of "El Diario" when the word has reached as many people as possible, and we can call a
day and time--as soon as possible. This forum will be conducted with open ears, you all have ideas
and feelings about this issue, we want to listen to each other, learn from each other and deal with
this issue together, putting all of the cards on the table and discussing whatever needs to be
discussed with regards to the issue.
The time is NOW with all of the recent upheavals at "LA MEGA", it is time to act on change,
healthy change that is good for everybody, we can make them see this--we are strong enough to
do it together, in unity there IS strength.
SPREAD THE WORD and PLEASE forward this letter!!!!!
Please respond to Jillian, email to
babyzilla@earthlink.net
or call (718) 781-9525 to leave your contact information.
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