A Rockville Centre resident has been named trustee of a non-profit initiative of the major record companies and American Federation of Musicians, the labels and Recording Industry Association of America announced.
Dan Beck will oversee the Music Performance Trust Fund, which provides grants for free live music events at schools, hospitals, community and civic events throughout the United States and Canada.
“The difficulties facing the music industry, artist, and musicians, as well as those faced by non-profits today, make this a formidable challenge,” Beck told Patch. “However, the opportunity to help the Trust Fund continue to bring free music performances to public events is an exciting one.”
The trustee directs the activities of the MPTF and oversees the investment in a wide array of free live music events through public grant requests sourced through the 230 plus AFM local offices in the U.S. and Canada, according to a press release. The MPTF mission includes contributing to the public knowledge and appreciation of music, as well as making music a part of every child’s life experience.
Beck has worked in the music industry for 20 years, starting in the marketing department at Epic Records, culminating as senior vice president of marketing and sales, the release says. He also founded V2 Records in North America, as well as co-founded Big Honcho Media, LLC, a boutique entertainment marketing firm.
He has served as an industry consultant, artist manager, and songwriter. Beck executive produced the recently released documentary Broke*, which explores the sustainability challenges faced by emerging indie artists. He held a similar role in the award-winning educational film Listen Smart, focusing on hearing conservation for musicians and music enthusiasts.
The MPTF sponsored or co-sponsored more than 1,600 free live events in 2012. The fund was established as an independent public service non-profit evolving from a landmark labor agreement in 1948 between AFM and the major US Record labels. It is funded via a royalty stream from the signatory labels, today principally Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.
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