MY TESTIMONY ON CAPITOL HILL ON THE OLD RECORD INDUSTRY. A LETTER TO MY DEAR FRIEND, STEVE POPOVICH! March 17, 2009 Dear Steve, Right now, Im riding through a blinding snowstorm on my way to Washington, D.C. to give my testimony before Congress on the pending Performance Rights Bill whereby we the song renderers might finally share in the enormous profits made at traditional radio; thereby, creating a much-needed new income stream for us- the performers. This trip on the train has given me the time to document a bit of my musical journey: A country girl from Texas blessed with a big and trusting heart, and a God-given talent to play the flute. All I ever wanted to do was play my music. And the fact that others thought it had commercial value was an additional blessing. At least I thought, at first! Right now, on March 2, 2009, Im trying to process how could my happy marching songs that I embraced from my youth, modulate to mourning songs, a requiem for stolen songs as I enter the youth of my winter years. As cold as this wintry day has presented itself, the Recording Industry has, revealed itself to be an even icier climate; a cold, cold thief and robber of songs and souls. Yet, I have refound my strength through God, and the renewed spirit to fight for the works I have created, and my wish to fairly share with my children and grandchild; who would love me anyway, if all I left them was a legacy of love. But they deserve all the rewards that their mother and grandmother has played and sold for these record labels that have sought to cheat me for too long. Today, I decided to fight through the tears of seeing my records sold around the world, and still struggling to make ends meet, though my music continues to make these labels rich. Theres got to be some kind of justice and fair compensation after so many false starts with sweetheart deal lawyers; some working in the interest of the very labels who stole from me. Even after all this time, I remain the eternal optimist that God and the rights courts will right this wrong. You see, since 1971 when I became the first female signed to *Blue NoteRecords *(as a top-selling female instrumentalist- even before Kenny G.)* , *then *Epic*, *Malaco*, *Warner Brothers , *I always remembered what my Momma told me, Trust God, and tell the truth the first time, Cause when you tell the truth, it aint too much you gotta remember. So everyday, I trust God, whether Im shopping at the dollar store or *Neiman *Marcus; whether Im staying at *Red Roof Inn *or * Ritz-Carlton*. My prayer is two words, thank you. And to tell the truth, The record labels almost tore me down, and stole my soul. Do you know what it feels like, not wanting to hear own music or seeing all the digital downloads and realizing you got raped with a 2% contract cause you were 21 years old with no legal representation. CD-in-greeting card, sampled all over the place, known as worldwide Jazz legend and after twenty-eight years of statements- only fame and no fortune. Cause I know whats right. If a man or woman does the work, they deserve the pay- I, after thirty-eight years, am still waiting for these labels to pay me. I should not have to stretch a dollar til it holla: while they make millions off of me, and my grandbaby. This is a great moral and legal issue that has to be corrected; hopefully, in my lifetime. For in many ways now, I feel this fight is part of my assignment to my render my songs, got the attention, to right the wrongs. Not only for myself, but for all artists who have suffered because of this evil empire the Record Industry; with their greed, unconscionable spirit, and business practices, woeful and willing false accounting patterns to cheat the artists of his fair share of monies owed. I often think of so many blues artist, R&B artists like Ruth Brown who died fighting, and then I think of you and your long fight. It shows me, it aint but one color the label knows: its green. They cheat all of the artists. But I am still moved by the beauty of music. I reaffirm my faith daily in a God who will make the crooked chords straight. I stll believe in the power of truth- it will be revealed. I believe in a universe that will find balance. I cherish family, some born of blood, some born of blessing. I believe in the creative spirit; the power of the arts and the artists who chose this assignment at birth, to bring the joy in a composition, to arrange the colors on canvas as never seen before, to write the words, to sing the songs, to bring the hope why we must go on. Thats why I hold on to joy, even as the vision of forlorn, forgotten, fortune-robbed Blues musicians are in the forefront of my mind. Thats why Ill fight for every dollar stolen from me. I refuse to have $10.00 and fame while the labels have ten *million *and endless stolen fortune. I said to myself, first you cry, then kick ass and move on. God made me that strong. Giving me the kind of faith to give the guy on the corner two dollars to give him hope and show that there are those who care. You see, Steve, they have stolen my money, but not my soul or faith. I hope I didnt go on too long, but this is what is in my heart, and I believe that God is leading me to tell friends like you my story. And I do hope that you might know of any legal minds who are willing to help a person like me , who came to the party to play the song as best as I could, others stole what they sold of my songs, yet I still keep a song in my heart that one day, soon, the world will know my story; and my fight and my faith of believing in God and my brand and playing in my own key. Much Love and Respect. I Remain Your Friend, *Bobbi Humphrey*
Posted on: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:40:19 +0000
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