Music First

Music and the Industry: The Ethical Expression - Clear Channel, Shmearchannel

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Music and the Industry: The Ethical Expression(http://theethicalexpression.wordpress.com)Clear Channel, ShmearchannelApril 29, 2008Quite an interesting forum we had over at the good â��ole Loyno tonightâ�¦my last, might I add. We had John Simson, head of SoundExchange, come speak to the music industry students about the controversy that has stemmed from SoundExchange's attempt to distribute royalties to performers based on webradio spins. Strangely enough, the room did not burst into flames as we all suspected, and no, Mr. Simson did not grow little red horns out of his temples. Quite unexpectedly, Mr. Simson made some excellent observations about the state of the radio game and the PROs that should be shared with the big wide universe out there in cyberspace.So check this one out: Mr. Simson has set up a system whereby "small webcasters" pay $500 for the year to operate their stations on the internet until 2010, at which point congress will re-address this whole "SoundExchange" issue. Companies such as Pandora, Live365, AOL, and Yahoo will be paying a substantially larger amount as their audience is much wider in scope than these "little guys." So here's where the confusion sets in.I'm pretty sure that most people aren't really aware of what SoundExchange is and why they are charging webcasters to begin with. SoundExchange is a not-for-profitâ�¦let me say that again, NOT-FOR-PROFIT company that distributes royalties to performers, back up singers, and musicians that appear on recordings played on webradio, satellite radio, and XM. This is THE ONLY company in America that attempts to pay the performers, as all the PRO's such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are established to pay the songwriter and copyright holder of the song. European countries have been doing this for years, so what gives?Here's the fun part. Essentially, terrestrial radio stations have flat out refused to pay the same rates to SoundExchange as the webcasters and satellite guys. In fact, terrestrial radio has refused to pay AT ALL on account that they have been grandfathered in the system. How can they do this, you ask? It's really quite simpleâ�¦because politicians and those lovely people that hang out in Washington count on radio for promotion and votes, there's a huge elephant in the room. Nobody wants to say anything because everyone is concerned with saving their own skin. So while your average Joe running his internet radio station from his basement has to pay SoundExchange for his hundred listeners a day, Clear Channel doesn't have to pay for their millions. As it usually does, this all comes down to politics.So here's my thoughtâ�¦this is America, people, and we claim to be on the forefront of pretty much everything. You are responsible for holding your politicians responsible for themselves. Write a letter, send an e-mail, shout it out on a rooftopâ�¦whatever it takes. And if you're looking for some ugly figurehead to point the finger at for all this SoundExchange business, blame Clear Channel and all it's nasty behemoth friendsâ�¦you know you want to anyway. SoundExchange provides an invaluable service for the artist that, up until now, nobody else has even attempted. Once again, we find yet one more reason to hate the big guy, and I must sayâ�¦it feels good.Fortune Cookie:If you are an artist, join SoundExchange, and do a little research on how this can benefit you as an artist. If you're not an artist, but a caring citizen as you should be, write your local congressman about this issue and demand some action from the terrestrial radio stations.

Houston Chronicle - Pay for Play

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

March 13, 2008EditorialFor much of the past century, American musicians have been denied the right to get paid for their work when it is used to generate audiences and profits for radio station owners. Songwriters and music publishers receive royalties, but the performers who bring the music to life have been unfairly excluded.While U.S. radio broadcasters raked in more than $20 billion in 2006 for media conglomerates, the industry's representatives claim closing the royalty loophole would constitute an onerous tax on the industry.The United States is the only developed Western nation that does not allow its musicians to collect payments for recordings played over the radio airwaves. That puts it in the unsavory company of culturally authoritarian nations, including China, North Korea and Iran.Because the United States denies royalties to foreign musicians whose recordings are aired here, our performers lose an estimated $150 million a year in royalties they would have earned abroad.No other commercial electronic medium in the United States enjoys the right to appropriate the work of artists without paying fair compensation. If music is transmitted via cable, satellite or the Internet in the United States, performers are entitled to royalties.Legislation has been percolating in Congress for more than a year to remedy this injustice. With bipartisan sponsorship in both the House and Senate, the Performance Rights Act would provide for broadcast stations to purchase a license with a one-time annual payment at a government-set rate for all music played. Small commercial stations would pay a $5,000 annual fee, and noncommercial stations such as Pacifica and college radio stations would pay $1,000 or less. Religious services broadcast on radio would be exempt.Texas singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett testified before Congress last November, saying he appreciated the support his career received through radio exposure but, "Let's face it. No one tunes in to a radio station to hear the commercials." As to the claim of broadcasters that the royalty payments would constitute an unfair tax, Lovett says "paying me for the use of my property is not a tax. It's compensation."The session musicians who provide unique sounds and treatments for popular music and the singers whose voices can create hits deserve more than recognition. They deserve remuneration.The two Texas representatives on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees studying the bill - Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee - should lend the weight of their offices to supporting legislation that rewards the efforts of Lone Star music makers.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Editorial: Radio Royalties

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Time for the piper to get paid.Broadcast AM and FM radio stations in the United States do not pay royalties to the performers of the music they play for your listening pleasure.Surprising? Unbelievable? It is - and shameful, and wrong.A bipartisan bill now in Congress would end this unfairness. Here's wishing it a speedy and deserved progress to the president's desk - and his rightful signature.Broadcast radio does pay the writers and publishers of music, as it should - but not the performers. The United States is among the few countries where this is so. (Others are China, Iran and North Korea - a nice bunch.)Internet, satellite and cable radio pay performance royalties, but broadcast radio always has been exempt. It's a sweetheart deal of sweetheart deals - especially now, when so much radio is purveyed by huge corporate concerns.When you hear Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Madonna or BeyoncÃ© on the radio, the songwriters and publishers get paid - but the band, essentially, is playing for free.That's one of the many hard things about the professional musician's life: People expect you to share your hard-earned talents, your creativity, for nothing.Musicians may make music seem easy, but that's because they're good at it.And radio is freely accessible to everyone, which may make it seem as if everything on radio should be gratis. But why?Whenever you hear a tune, a song, an opera, any music over the public airwaves, it took a lot of very hard work to get it there.Performers should get paid - there's simply no reason to think they should happily play for free.In December, the Performance Rights Act of 2007 was introduced into the House by Reps. Howard Berman (D., Calif.) and Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) and into the Senate by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.) and Orrin Hatch (R., Utah).Now in the judiciary committees of both chambers, the act would remove the exemption for broadcast radio and require performers to be paid a small performance royalty each time their songs are played.Advocacy groups such as MusicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are working hard to keep "fair play for airplay" in the public view.True, some of the money may go to the big music companies - but still, the men and women who perform also will begin to get payment they have deserved for generations.True also, the world of music is changing fast, switching from old media to new in confusing lurches. But the new media are actually paying the performers!It's time to end an exemption that for 80 years - since the debut of broadcast radio - has been unfair and way out of tune.

The Washington Times - Airing on Free Use

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

By Dick ArmeyMarch 7, 2008 Sometimes economics is complicated stuff. It's dense and hard to translate, and the most sensible arguments are lost in rhetoric and technical mumbo-jumbo. But sometimes economics is plain and simple. Here's a case in point:Those who invest their blood, sweat and tears into creating something - whether a gadget, some innovative software, a work of art or music, or a new drug - deserve to be compensated for their work. That's why the patent and copyright laws are specifically required by the Constitution. It's also basic market economics.But one industry is exempt from Economics 101. One industry is legally permitted to take others' valuable property without compensation and stiff creators while every other competitor pays them.This is the broadcast radio industry, which gets to thumb its nose at economics, and the property rights of hard-working creators and investors. Radio has this exemption as a result of a historic anomaly - essentially because radio didn't exist when the copyright laws were written in 1909. Thus, since its inception, the broadcast radio industry has enjoyed a baffling and unjustifiable exemption from paying the performers of music when they use their music to make a profit. And unlike Howard Roark in Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead," performers can't do anything about it.Meanwhile, all of broadcast radio's competitors make this common-sense and economically obvious payment. Satellite radio companies XM and Sirius, Internet radio broadcasters, and even cable music channels all pay a "performance right." Of course, they all pay a royalty to the performer and copyright holder; they are using the performer's property for their own commercial purposes.Beyond the unfairness of radio's exemption, we need to consider the negative impact to our economy and our principles. With the exception of the United States, every industrialized country grants performers and record companies a right to be compensated when a song is played on the radio. I'm embarrassed to say we share our ignominious distinction with China, Iran and North Korea - not exactly the Axis of Liberty. And since American over-the-air broadcasters don't pay the performance right, the rest of the world stiffs our performers as well, leaving American money on the table that they use to subsidize their own industries. How can we demand that other countries conform to market principles and enforce intellectual property rights when we allow this massive loophole in our own property rights laws?Radio stations insist they should be able to take music for free because they promote future sales. In other words, they should get to use it for free and let someone else pay for it.Let's go back to economics. It's up to the owner of the property, not the user, to decide whether the user gets it for free. If the creator wants to allow a station to play his music without compensation because the promotional value is worth it, he is free to do so. But the choice is the owner's, not the user's.Now, I'm not against radio stations. They enrich my life immeasurably. My daily commute would be awfully boring without them. But they shouldn't be able to use other people's property for free.So I would simply ask Congress at long last to include broadcast radio with every other music platform that must pay a performance right on music they play for commercial gain. Bipartisan bills in the House and the Senate to so just that. There is no reason not to pass these bills promptly.If Congress repairs this inequity, we can go from Merle Haggard singing "Workin' Man Blues" to Hank Williams Jr. singing "If You've Got The Money (I've Got the Time)."â�¢ First, it's simply the right and fair thing to do. By exempting over-the-air radio from a performance right, the U.S. government in effect granted broadcasters a subsidy at the expense of other platforms and performers. Everyone else pays. Over-the-air radio - which already gets the spectrum for free - should pay too.â�¢ Second, it is consistent with, if not required by, our fundamental constitutional protections and traditions of protecting the work and creative brilliance of our people, whether real property, personal property or intellectual property.â�¢ Finally, it is essential if we expect others in the world to respect U.S. demands that they protect our property, because we set the standard. It is high time we hold broadcast radio to the same principles of property rights as everyone else. If they build a business out of other peoples' property, they should pay for it. If performers' music is worth using, it's worth paying for - plain and simple.Dick Armey is senior policy adviser at the law firm of DLA Piper and a former member of the House of Representatives from Texas.

Politico - Broadcasters, Artists Sing Different Tunes on Hill

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:00:00 GMT

By Aoife McCarthy March 4, 2008 A divided music industry is embroiled in a high-stakes struggle in Congress over royalties that could end up costing one side or the other billions of dollars.Artists currently do not receive any payments when their songs are played on FM and AM radio, while copyright law requires webcasters, satellite radio services and cable companies to pay. And the Recording Industry Association of America is fighting for a change, contending it's a matter of property rights.The National Association of Broadcasters disagrees, arguing that the airtime is free promotion for musicians that, in turn, increases sales. In total, the NAB says, performance royalties could cost radio stations $7 billion a year.Two pending bills would impose royalties for performers for radio play. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have sponsored the Performance Rights Act to "provide fair compensation to artists for use of their sound recordings." Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is sponsoring a companion bill in the House.Conversely, Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Mike Conaway (R-Texas) introduced a House resolution stating that "Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings."The resolution has the support of 150 House members, including Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), a former radio station owner, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.).Both sides were in full lobbying mode last week on Capitol Hill. The NAB was in the midst of its State Leadership Conference, an annual event where broadcasters hear from federal policymakers and meet with legislators to discuss issues that affect the broadcast business.More than 600 NAB members met with members of Congress, opposing the recording industry's stance."They are portraying this as â��struggling artists need to be treated fairly.' The reality is that the record companies have been abusing these artists for decades," said the NAB's executive vice president, Dennis Wharton.During its message push, the NAB has had a stroke of good luck. In the midst of this legislative battle, artists are filing suits against record companies for improperly handling royalty payments.The broadcasters point to a recent lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, brought by a number of big-name artists alleging that Universal Music Group has been cheating artists out of royalties for years. Plaintiffs include Patti Page and the estates of Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Benny Goodman and the Mills Brothers. The suit seeks at least $6 million plus attorneys' fees and punitive damages.The recording industry partnered with royalty collector SoundExchange and 11 other groups to form the MusicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition to literally make some noise on Capitol Hill.The coalition sponsored events that brought gospel singer BeBe Winans and the father of go-go music, Chuck Brown, to the Hill, prompting impromptu jam sessions in the hallowed halls of Congress and drawing notable attention to the cause. The NAB is certainly better-funded. But what one side lacks in funds, it can make up for in star power. The broadcasters may have Count Basie. But MusicFIRST has Frank Sinatra, who was a longtime advocate for royalty payments, says SoundExchange Executive Director John Simson. The list of founding musicians behind MusicFIRST includes Alanis Morissette, B.B. King, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band, Dr. Dre, Fall Out Boy, Jay-Z, Jimmy Buffett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Placido Domingo, Steve Miller, The Doors and the estates of Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and Tupac Shakur. In November, Lyle Lovett testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of MusicFIRST, speaking to NAB's argument on artists' promotional benefits from radio. "Dan Brown sold a whole lot more copies of his book â��The DaVinci Code' after the movie came out, but no one would suggest that the motion picture studio could make his book into a movie without paying him for the privilege, just because he got some promotional benefit," Lovett testified. "In fact, I can't think of any other copyrighted work that has a â��promotional benefit exemption.' And, as I said, radio pays songwriters when they broadcast their tunes, even though they also get a promotional benefit." Last month, the coalition brought Mary Wilson, a former member of The Supremes, to an event that included representatives of the NAB, SoundExchange and the Future of American Media Caucus. "We know this is a long-term fight, and we know we have a much better-funded opponent," Simson said. Both MusicFIRST and the NAB have prominent supporters. The broadcasters have long been an effective lobby and a formidable opponent. In the first half of 2007 alone, the NAB spent $4.28 million on lobbying. And its PAC gave an additional $243,015 in campaign contributions to federal candidates, including Conaway, who received $1,000, and Green, who received $10,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The bulk of MusicFIRST's funding comes from the recording industry, which spent $658,747 on lobbying in the first half of 2007. The association also gave $51,028 to federal candidates, including Corker and Berman, who received $2,000 and $3,000, respectively.

Washington Post - King for a Day? Well, Sort of

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne RobertsFebruary 28, 2008Hey, Isn't That . . . ?* Isaiah Washington sharing sushi and sake with a woman in a tucked-away upstairs corner at Mate in Georgetown Tuesday night. The erstwhile "Grey's Anatomy" star was in town again to lobby for support of Sierra Leone, his fave cause.* Gospel star BeBe Winans and go-go legend Chuck Brown lobbying in the Rayburn Building yesterday as part of the MusicFirst Coalition, which wants radio to pay performers (not just songwriters) for their tunes. Winans (dapper gray suit, artsy black-framed specs, pointy shoes that we're told "were not Washington shoes, they looked like New York shoes") crooned a few bars of a new song; Brown (purple fedora, gold-and-diamond-trimmed Gucci shades, blue crocodile loafers) said a few words. Reps. John Conyers, Mel Watt and Sheila Jackson Lee stopped by, and then do you know who else walked in? Isaiah Washington. The man is everywhere!

Roll Call - In the Driver's Seat

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Emily Heil and Anna PalmerFebruary 28, 2008Murphy's Jam Session. Who said artists have all the fun? Rep. Tim Murphy doesn't buy it. The Pennsylvania Republican, who plays the guitar, joined musicians on the Hill lobbying for the MusicFirst Coalition in an impromptu jam session, according to an HOH tipster. Murphy was spotted in a hallway of the Cannon Building around lunchtime, picking up his guitar and playing a duet with local artist Willem Dicke in a rendition of Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson."

Politico - Isaiah Washington, in Public

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

A Congressional Black Caucus event had an unexpected guest today. Isaiah Washington, formerly of "Grey's Anatomy," was on the Hill lobbying and stopped by grab some face time with House Judiciary Committee John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.). Washington had met with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson and Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne about his efforts to preserve the history of Bunce Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone. He told Politico that the island is an 18th-century slave-trading castle that sent captives to North America. Washington has traced his ancestry back to Sierra Leone and is pushing Jackson and Kempthorne to erect an exhibit in Washington celebrating the end of slave trade. He reportedly donated $25,000 to a project to that would create a computer reconstruction of the island as it appeared in 1805, allowing schools and museums to show the details of the Atlantic slave trade. So where does Conyers fit in? The chairman was hosting an event with the musicFIRST Coalition. Votes delayed the event's start, but the waiting press and supporters got to listen to musicians from HR 57.

CongressDaily - A Musical Afternoon on Capitol Hill

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

You never know what you're going to see on Capitol Hill on any given afternoon. The musicFirst coalition held a lengthy jam session in the House Judiciary Committee hearing room that inspired North Carolina Republican Howard Coble (pictured left) to clap along. That's RIAA lobbyist Mitch Glazier on the right.Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., stopped by with Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson-Lee a short time later to schmooze with BeBe Winans and Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown . Former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington also did some hand-shaking. He was visiting Capitol Hill to lobby members of the Congressional Black Caucus on an unrelated issue.

The Hill - Musicians, Broadcasters in Battle Over Royalties

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Jim SnyderFebruary 26, 2008It's the lobbying equivalent of dueling banjos: Broadcasters and musicians are performing a door-knock battle this week over a bill that would require radio stations to pay royalties to performers.Artists say it's a matter of property rights.The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) argues that stations should not pay because they are providing free promotion to musicians. The benefit of higher radio play comes in higher record sales.About 600 broadcasters in town for NAB's annual convention will be making a similar point on Capitol Hill, while also lobbying on media ownership rules, estate taxes and other issues that affect their industry.The issue of royalties could take on more prominence, however, because of a corresponding push from the other side on an issue that has caused bad blood between stations and musicians for decades.John Simson, executive director of Sound Exchange, a company that collects royalties, calls the debate a "basic issue of fairness.""It is completely and fundamentally unfair to create something and then not have the right to get paid for it," Simson said.Sound Exchange and the Recording Industry Association of America are sponsoring musicians to come to town and counter NAB's lobbying push. Also, the Music First coalition, a group representing artists, has sponsored print advertisements this week on the pages of inside-the-Beltway publications. Radio-play royalties for performers have been an issue since stations ditched their in-studio performers in favor of recorded music in the 1930s.Big band leader Paul Whiteman took offense at stations playing recorded music without compensating the artists, and included a directive on his records that they weren't for play on the radio.Frank Sinatra also apparently took issue with the lack of radio royalties. In 1988, for example, he wrote a letter to Bruce Springsteen seeking his support in the fight for royalties, according to a letter Simson sent this week to Capitol Hill offices.So far, broadcasters have been able to block royalties in part by arguing that the royalties amount to a tax. Songwriters get royalties now for over-the-air radio, but the performers don't.In total, performance royalties could cost radio stations $7 billion a year, NAB argues."The imposition of what broadcasters consider a â��performance tax' would be inequitable and unfair to radio broadcasters, who throughout the decades have been substantial contributors to the United States' complex and carefully balanced music licensing system," Steven Newberry of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Corp. told the Senate Judiciary Committee in November.But recording artist Lyle Lovett, who testified at the same hearing, said calling royalties a tax amounted to an indignity perpetrated against artists: "Paying me for the use of my property is not a tax. It's compensation."Two bills would impose royalties for the first time. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Lamar Alexander (RTenn.),Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are sponsoring a bill that would give performers royalties for over-the-air radio play.A committee spokeswoman said the bill remains a priority for Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but that no mark-up has been scheduled yet.Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is sponsoring a companion bill in the House.Simson noted that Internet and satellite radio already pay royalties to performers. Every country except for North Korea, Iran, China and the United States pays performing royalties.The songs help stations generate more than $20 billion annually from ad sales.Not paying royalties to performers "destroys our stature as a world leader in protection for intellectual property and undermines our efforts to increase protection around the world," said RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol in a letter to Congress this week."We welcome the debate over which side has been more 'fair' to artists - radio stations or RIAA-member companies. America's hometown radio stations expose and promote musicians to 232 million listeners every week," NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton countered.Chuck Redd, 49, of Takoma Park, Md., has supported himself for more than two decades as a jazz drummer and vibraphone player. In total, he says, he has played on more than 70 full-length recordings, which largely are played on public radio stations across the United States.While he has been able to make a living as a recording artist, he said, he serves performance royalties as well."I'm appreciative of all the promotion and the exposure," Redd said of radio. "But it would be really help full if we as musicians also had something more tangible."Each side includes prominent Washington players. NAB has been a particularly effective lobbying force. Its PAC has distributed more than $317,000 to federal candidates so far this year, 57 percent of which has gone to Democrats. In 2006 cycle, NAB's PAC handed out $923,994, 57 percent of which went to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. NAB spent $4.28 million to lobby Congress for the first half of 2006, according to federal lobbying records.RIAA, meanwhile, has contributed nearly $57,000 in campaign donations this year, about 63 percent of which has been given to Democrats. In 2006, the group gave nearly $190,000, 55 percent of which went to Republican candidates for office.

Jewel Joins musicFIRST Coalition

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 13, 2008 CONTACT: Tod Donhausertod.donhauser@edelman.com 202-326-1829WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 2008 â�� Today, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Jewel joined the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition. In doing so, she joins nearly 200 founding artists urging Members of Congress to support the "Performance Rights Act of 2007." "I am absolutely in favor of artists getting paid when radio plays our music. My band members work really hard, and I've always thought that it's unfair that these huge radio companies don't pay us anything, even though their whole business is based on playing our songs! I'm proud to say that I'm a member of musicFIRST, and am grateful to all the Members of Congress who are supporting the bills," said Jewel, a three-time GRAMMYÂ® nominee.The musicFIRST Coalition, comprised of 12 music community organizations and almost 200 founding artists, has been successful since its launch in June 2007. In late December 2007, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) jointly introduced the "Performance Rights Act" (S. 2500 and H.R. 4789)."For too long corporate radio has made money on the backs of hardworking artists and performers," said Tod Donhauser, spokesperson for the musicFIRST Coalition. "We are honored to have Jewel join us in the fight for a fair performance right for all artists â�� from aspiring performers and local musicians, to well-known artists and legacy artists."###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only one that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.Supporting organizations include: American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), Music Managers Forum - USA (MMF- USA), The Latin Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc, Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Society of Singers, SoundExchange, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

musicFIRST Releases Pictures from Successful Lobbying Day

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 28, 2008CONTACT: Marty Machowsky202-326-1702martin.machowsky@edelman.comYesterday, more than 20 local performing artists visited members of Congress in support of a fair performance right on radio. The day started with a morning serenade, and ended with a gathering hosted by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) for members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Judiciary Committee. The event featured GRAMMYÂ®-winner BeBe Winans and local Go-Go superstar Chuck Brown. Also in attendance was former "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington. To view images from the day's events, visit: www.flickr.com/musicfirstcoalition.

musicFIRST Delivers Letter of Domestic Artist Support to Congress

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2008CONTACT: Marty Machowsky202-326-1702martin.machowsky@edelman.comToday Doyle Bartlett, executive director of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition, delivered a letter to members of Congress on behalf of its founding artists urging members to support the "Performance Rights Act of 2007," HR 4789 and S.2500. The letter specifically asks legislators for support as the coalition continues its campaign to ensure all artists â�� from aspiring performers and local musicians, to well-known artists and legacy artists like Mary Wilson, Sam Moore and Martha Reeves â�� are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future on the radio. In addition to the artist letter, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) will host a gathering with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the House Judiciary Committee featuring GRAMMYÂ®-winner BeBe Winans and local Go-Go superstar Chuck Brown.The letter is available here: http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org/assets/press/USArtistLettertoCongress.pdf.

More than 6,000 Artists from 15 Countries Rally Support for Performance Right on Radio

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 26, 2008CONTACT: Marty Machowskymartin.machowsky@edelman.com202-326-1702WASHINGTON, D.C., February 26 â�� More than 6,000 international artists from more than 15 countries today delivered a petition to Congress urging the prompt enactment of legislation to close a loophole in U.S. law and grant artists, musicians and record labels in the United States a right to be compensated when their music is played on FM and AM radio.In a declaration of solidarity and an indication of the depth of support in the music community for securing a long-sought performance right on radio, thousands of artists add their names to a diverse coalition within the U.S. music community â�� the musicFIRST Coalition â�� advocating a change in U.S. policy. Artists from Australia, Austria, Argentina, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom signed the petition."It is encouraging that so many performers from across the world have taken the time to voice their support for their American friends and colleagues," said John Smith, president of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM). "Many of the musicians represented within FIM globally depend on airplay royalties for a significant part of their livelihoods. They deserve a fair deal from commercial radio in the US. In FIM's view, it is unfair that the US is the only western free market country that does not grant a broadcasting right so that performers can get paid a fare share of airplay royalties."For decades, over-the-air AM and FM broadcasters have enjoyed an exemption from current copyright law which requires satellite radio, cable music channels, and Internet webcasts to pay a royalty for the use of a musical performance. The United States is the only member country of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that currently does not grant artists, musicians and labels a performance right. That leaves the U.S. in the select, ignoble company of nations like China, Iran and North Korea. The petitions will be delivered to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-Cal.), who, along with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Cal.), introduced the "Performance Rights Act of 2007" in the U. S. House and Senate (H.R. 4789 and S. 2500). The petition will also be delivered to members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The petition reads, in part â�� "From the aspiring career musician to the well-known star, performers today are being denied the payments in the U.S. that we receive in virtually every other country in the world. No other free-market nation in Europe or North America fails to pay broadcast royalties to artists and performers. It is ironic that the U.S. government, which proudly fights to protect the rights of artists and musicians in foreign countries, is today failing artists and musicians in its own back yard. We ask legislators in the U.S. to deliver a fair deal for artists when their music is played on the radio. We do not seek any subsidies or special favours; all we ask for is for fair payment from the people that exploit our work to generate their own successful businesses." "This extraordinary and impressive array of artists is a testament to the inequity of current U.S. laws and the commitment of performers to finally closing this outrageous loophole," said Doyle Bartlett, Executive Director of the musicFIRST Coalition. "These petitions will help make the case to Congress that the disparity in treatment of U.S. artists as compared to virtually every other nation in the world is shameful and deserves to be reformed immediately."The signature drive was led overseas by PPL, the U.K. equivalent of SoundExchange, and IFPI, the global trade organization of the recording industry. National bodies representing the music community are also backing the campaign, such as AIE â�� Spanish Performers Collecting Society â�� which represents 14,000 performing artists in Spain."No one tunes into the radio to listen to the commercials, yet corporate radio stations are making billions of dollars attracting listeners with our music and they don't pay for it," said Bartlett.A copy of the petition and list of international artist signatories can be found here: http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org/assets/press/InternationalPetitionandArtistList.pdf. # # #People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only one that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.Supporting organizations include: American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), Music Managers Forum - USA (MMF- USA), The Latin Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc, Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Society of Singers, SoundExchange and Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

musicFIRST Welcomes NAB with Roll Call Ad

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition welcomes corporate radio lobbyists to town with an advertisement in Roll Call. To view the ad, please visit: http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org/assets/press/musicFIRSTRollCall.pdf. The ad appeared today in Roll Call to coincide with the start of the National Association of Broadcasters' three-day Washington lobbyfest. The ad challenges corporate radio on its refusal to pay artists and musicians a fair performance royalty for use of their work. The ad illustrates the simple point that a street musician makes more than performers when their music is broadcast on the radio.

Three Days, Three Performance Right Questions

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 25, 2008CONTACT: Marty Machowsky202-326-1702martin.machowsky@edelman.comWASHINGTON, D.C., February 25, 2008 â�� The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition today released three questions that members of Congress should consider asking the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and corporate radio representatives during the industry's three-day lobbyfest in Washington this week. Big radio's number one priority is to defeat legislation to create a fair performance right on radio for recording artists, musicians and record labels."It's time for the NAB and corporate radio to answer the tough questions about their refusal to pay artists and musicians," said Doyle Bartlett, executive director of the musicFIRST Coalition. "AM and FM music radio stations earn $16 billion each year in advertising revenue. But not a single penny goes to the artists and musicians whose creativity, whose heart, whose soul and whose passion brings to life the music that listeners tune in to hear.""There are many questions that the NAB and corporate radio lobbyists can not possibly answer with a clear conscious," Bartlett said. "Here are just three:"1. How can you justify taking someone's intellectual property and making $16 billion in annual advertising revenue off that property without compensating the creators and owners of the property? This runs against all basic notions of fairness and respect. You might expect this is places like Iran, North Korea and China where there also is no performance right on radio, but not in the United States.2. Why do you deserve a competitive advantage in the music marketplace? Artists and musicians are paid when their music is broadcast on satellite radio, Internet radio and digital music services delivered through satellite and cable television. You pay them when you stream your broadcast signal online, or in the future, through Internet streaming on mobile phones. And artists and musicians are compensated in every other country that is a member of the Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) â�� countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, France, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Greece. 3. Which of your leaders is right: David Rehr, president of NAB, or W. Russell Withers, head of the Withers Broadcasting Group and chairman of the NAB Radio Board? Mr. Rehr calls paying artists for their work product a "performance tax." Really, the loophole in copyright law he is trying to salvage is merely an elaborate payment avoidance scheme. On the other hand, when Mr. Withers was questioned before the Senate Commerce Committee during a hearing last year, he said, "I disagree with â��performance tax.' It's a performance fee." What is wrong with paying a fee for product that makes you money?For decades AM and FM broadcasters have enjoyed an exemption from copyright law. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced the Performance Rights Act of 2007 (S. 2500 and H.R. 4789 ). The bills will close the loophole in copyright law and ensure that no radio platform is given a competitive edge over another and that all must pay a fair performance royalty to artists. Creation of a fair performance right would compensate the performers, background singers, studio musicians and copyright holders for their talent and hard work when their recordings are broadcast on AM and FM radio. NAB is hosting its annual State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference runs three days, Monday, February 25th through Wednesday, February 27th. According to the NAB web site, the conference is "an annual event where broadcasters hear from prominent federal policymakers and meet with legislators to discuss issues that affect your business. The conference provides a unique platform to impact decisions made daily in the halls of Congress that can shape the future of the broadcast business for 2008 and beyond."###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only one that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.Supporting organizations include: American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), Music Managers Forum - USA (MMF- USA), The Latin Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc, Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Society of Singers, SoundExchange and Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Why Does NAB Refuse to Pick Up the Tab on Valentine's Day? ...Or Any Other Day, for That Matter

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 13, 2008CONTACT: Tod Donhausertod.donhauser@edelman.com 202-326-1829WASHINGTON, D.C., February 13, 2008 â�� The National Association of Broadcasters has decided to spend their money advertising their love affair with musicians and protecting their "Corporate Radio Loophole," rather than paying artists, session musicians and background singers for their hard work and talent. "It is ironic on Valentine's Day â�� of all days â�� that NAB would highlight how they don't pick up the check on dates. It really is a sad story of unrequited love. Artists love radio, but radio doesn't love artists enough to compensate them for their intellectual property. After making billions of dollars in advertising revenue, radio turns a cold shoulder to hard working performers, session musicians and background singers that have made radio what it is today," said Tod Donhauser, spokesperson for the musicFIRST Coalition.For decades AM and FM broadcasters have enjoyed an exemption from current copyright law which requires satellite radio, cable radio channels, and Internet webcasts to pay a royalty for the use of music. In late December, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced the â��Performance Rights Act of 2007' that would correct the loophole in the copyright law by removing the broadcaster exemption to assure that all platforms are treated equally and pay a performance royalty to artists. It would also bring the United States in line with every other OECD nation which currently grants performers a right to be compensated for their work when it is broadcast on terrestrial radio. "We are confident that by next Valentine's Day, love songs will sound even sweeter knowing artists are being compensated for pouring their heart and soul into the music we know and love," continued Donhauser.###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only one that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.Supporting organizations include: American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), Music Managers Forum - USA (MMF- USA), The Latin Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc, Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Society of Singers, SoundExchange, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

Performance Royalty Legislation Shares the Stage with Winners at 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 11, 2008CONTACT: Tod Donhauser tod.donhauser@edelman.com202-326-1829WASHINGTON, D.C., February 11, 2008 â�� Last night in front of an international audience Neil Portnow, Recording Academy president and CEO highlighted the music industry's commitment to creating a fair performance right on AM and FM radio. The GRAMMY's is one of 12 industry organizations that founded the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition, an organization advocating for fair compensation for recording artists and copyright holders when their music is played on terrestrial radio."We advocate for the rights of our music community in Washington, D.C., and all across the country. This year, we will fight to pass legislation to once and for all ensure that, just like in every other developed country in the world, all music creators are compensated for their performances when played on traditional radio," said Recording Academy and President and CEO Neil Portnow. "And just as we support our own songwriters, we congratulate our fellow writers in the film and television world for winning fair compensation for their unique and creative contributions."Portnow's comments have been echoed by many in the industry including Frank Sinatra, who more than 50 years ago tried to create a fair performance right. The musicFIRST Coalition, comprised of 12 music community organizations and more than 160 founding artists, has been successful since its launch in June 2007. In fact, in late December Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) jointly introduced the â��Performance Rights Act.'"It is our hope that next year's GRAMMY winners will not only be recognized by the industry for their hard work and talent, but also by AM and FM radio through a fair performance right," said Tod Donhauser, spokesperson for the musicFIRST Coalition. "We congratulate last night's winners."For Portnow's full address please visit: www.grammy.com. ###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that struggling performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only distribution platform that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.

musicFIRST Releases "T'was the Night Before Recess," a Holiday Poem

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tod Donhauser December 19, 2007 tod.donhauser@edelman.com 202-326-1829WASHINGTON, December 19, 2007 â�� In the spirit of the season the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition sent a poem to friends on Capital Hill wishing them a happy holiday season. The poem, penned to the cadence of "T'was the Night Before Christmas," comes on the heels of the "Performance Right Act of 2007" introduction in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Best wishes for a happy holiday season from your friends at musicFIRST. T'was the Night Before RecessT'was the night before recess in the Senate and House;As our leaders worked hard to correct a great louse.A fair performance right danced in their mind;They could no longer leave the artists behind.The time for a change was painfully clear;Performers have been ignored for 50 plus years.The copyright loophole needed to be fixed;It wasn't fair that their talent and hard work was continuously nixed.Why are artists not paid when their music is played?Shouldn't radio be held to the very same grade?Satellite, Internet and cable all see;Without the music, where would they be?The Senate and House held hearings to learn;And better understand the artists' concern.First in the House they heard from Sam and Judy;Oh how quickly the broadcasters became moody.Onto the Senate were Alice and Lyle;Where Alice wowed them with her acoustic style.The artists' argument was more than sincere;It's their hard work we lovingly hear.Performers like these bring music to life;Yet still, NAB continues this strife."We promote the artists," they continually say;As they cash their large checks at the end of the day.It's music that drives the radio's ad revenue;How is it that artists should not receive their fair due?Out on the horizon two great heroes appeared;Mssrs. Berman and Leahy who the NAB feared:"We'll make this right, we close the loophole;Our colleagues in Congress we will work and cajole."With wisdom and clarity legislation was crafted;Ignoring poison pills that were floated and drafted.Some will receive special considerations;Like small, religious, and noncommercial stations.It's time to remove this long standing flaw;This amendment will change the copyright law;Then Hatch and Issa and Corker and others;Joined to do the right thing as taught by their mothers.Our Members of Congress have heard from both sides; We have complete confidence that fairness resides.As we look ahead to a sparkling New Year;We hope your holidays are full of good cheer.In 2008, we'll continue our fight;It's only fair that artists receive a performance right.###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that struggling performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only distribution platform that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.

Senators Leahy, Hatch and Corker and Representatives Berman and Issa Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Performance Royalty Legislation

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:00:00 GMT

CONTACT: Tod Donhausertod.donhauser@edelman.com202-326-1829WASHINGTON, December 18, 2007 â�� Today Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Bob Corker (R-TN) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) jointly introduced legislation that would ensure AM and FM radio fairly compensate artists when their performances are broadcast over the air. This announcement follows recent testimony from GRAMMYÂ® winner Lyle Lovett and singer songwriter Alice Peacock at a Senate Judiciary Hearing on the issue in November."Aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists should be compensated for their music when it is played on the radio, both today and in the future," said Tod Donhauser, spokesperson for the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition. "For more than 50 years AM and FM radio has received a free ride; today Senators Leahy, Hatch and Corker and Representatives Berman and Issa, among others, have introduced legislation that would finally close the â��Corporate Radio Loophole'." For decades AM and FM broadcasters have enjoyed an exemption from current copyright law which requires satellite radio, cable radio channels, and Internet webcasts to pay a royalty for the use of music. The â��Performance Rights Act' would correct a loophole in the copyright law by removing the broadcaster exemption to assure that all platforms are treated equally and pay a performance royalty to artists. It would also bring the United States in line with every other OECD nation which currently grants performers a right to be compensated for their work when it is broadcast on terrestrial radio. "Commercial broadcasters make a profit from the public airwaves. Advertisers are paying for the opportunity to get sandwiched in with our works, our creations," said Boz Scaggs, a founding member of the musicFIRST Coalition. "We, the creators of this work, should be paid for this." "The bottom line here is that radio plays music to attract listeners and bring in advertising dollars," said Tom Waits, a founding member of the musicFIRST Coalition. "It's just plain wrong for radio to be allowed to build profitable businesses with growing revenues on the backs of artists and musicians without paying them fairly for it."Highlights from the proposed legislation:Over-the-air broadcast stations would be able to use a statutory license and make one payment annually under a government-set rate for all the music they play, instead of having to negotiate with every copyright owner for each use of music. The proposed legislation accommodates small broadcasters and others to assure balance and fairness to broadcasters and artists. More than 75 percent of all commercial radio stations and more than 80 percent of all religious stations would be covered through the planned accommodation. Small commercial stations would pay only $5,000 per year; Noncommercial stations such as NPR and college radio stations would pay only $1,000 per year; Stations that make only incidental uses of music, such as "talk radio" stations, would not pay for that music; and Religious services that are broadcast on radio would be completely exempt.Proposed amendments to existing law would make clear that a new right for recording artists and owners cannot adversely affect the rights of, or royalties payable to, songwriters or musical work copyright owners. "The accommodations ensure the law is fair to performers and fair to broadcasters," Donhauser added. "A fair performance right encourages creativity and content that will continue to make American radio profitable."Senate cosponsors include: Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Bob Corker (R-TN) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). House cosponsors include: Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jane Harman (D-CA) and John Shadegg (R-AZ).Other artists that have spoken out about a performance right on radio include GRAMMYÂ® winners Judy Collins and Sam Moore, and singers Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas and Mary Wilson, founding member of the Supremes â�� all members of the musicFIRST Coalition. Moore and Collins testified on behalf of the coalition during a hearing in the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. Creation of a fair performance right would compensate the performers, background singers, studio musicians and copyright holders for their talent and hard work when their songs are broadcast on AM and FM radio. ###People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future. Of all the ways we listen to music, corporate radio is the only one that receives special treatment. Big radio has a free pass to play music â�� refusing to pay even a fraction of a penny to the performers that brought it to life. The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is committed to making sure everyone, from up-and-coming artists to our favorites from years-ago, is guaranteed Fair Pay for Air Play. For more information on the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition please visit www.musicFIRSTcoalition.org.Supporting organizations include: American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), Music Managers Forum - USA (MMF- USA), The Latin Recording Academy, The Recording Academy, The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc, Recording Artists' Coalition (RAC), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Society of Singers, SoundExchange, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).