Mick Spence, a well-respected entertainment attorney in Minneapolis, is president of the Minnesota Music Academy. Each year, this nonprofit association puts on the Minnesota Music Awards. During lunch at Rosen's on First Avenue, we discussed the organization, Minnesota music in general, music trends and his history in the business.

on the minnesota music awards...
"I think the last few shows have showcased a great variety of acts. I've been the volunteer wrangler. We've got a list of maybe 100 people who are volunteer possibilities. The awards show offers great networking opportunities."

on the board of directors...
"It's cyclical. In the last six years, the board evacuated itself. There was a lot of personal agenda and conflict. The board of directors is a list of volunteers. There can be all these flashes of enthusiasm, that can quickly fade."
"We're now taking a new direction, it's very exciting. We've had a lot of meetings and the board of directors is off and running."

on napster...
"I'd worked with book publishers, music and film... some entertainment law. I went to an Orlando conference of entertainment attorneys. Every topic was how the Internet affects music distribution. Napster said, "We're not abusing, people are abusing...'"

on new acts...
"7th Street Entry and Fine Line have New Band Nights... I try to get down there, but it's hard even for me. I have a wife, a daughter and brand new twin boys."
"Bands create a bit of a buzz, and sometimes they get a real zealous following. I mean, there's a long line at the Fine Line. I'd like to see more original music being done."

on potential new finds...
"I'm gonna meet with someone today at three o'clock who's 17. A guitarist whose teacher is now his student. The dad called an attorney and asked him, "Who do you know in the industry?'"
"The father of this kid said, "I can't have you (Mick Spence) come down and listen to this tape because it isn't copyrighted.' It is... what he has is copyrighted. But if you're going to use that in an infringement claim, you've got to show proof."
"Did you sign the kid?" I asked.
"We decided to work together, letting him get comfortable with the process."
"Does he want to write? Perform?" I asked.
"I think he'd like to perform. In a mentor, manager, relationship with a young artist, a degree of trust is very important. We're working on developing that."

on copyrighting...
I asked Mick if the "poor man's' copyright is still a good idea, putting a cassette tape in a sealed, stamped envelope and mailing it to yourself. He replied, "I'd be a bad lawyer if I said, "Yes.' If it's postmarked and sealed, it proves a date, but it's just as easy to do it right. The forms are online." www.lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/

on music & law...
"I've been involved since 1973. You see a core group of people who are out there (entertainment attorneys), legitimately involved. I'm a musician from fourth grade. Now I pretend I play bass guitar. I think that's what makes people stick to it. A passion for music. If I can't, I'll help people who are doing it. And that helps the world... cuz maybe then there's another Johnny Lang. Also, out of law school it sounds like a sexy sounding area."

music trends in 2001...
"One of the trends that is really popular... DJs are touring. There was a big one at Xcel Energy Center. A market that never existed in the "70s and "80s. Check out The Front in NE Minneapolis."

© 2001 Mick Spence, Esq. As originally published in City's Tone January 2001 edition.