More than 1,600 music creators visited congressional offices across the country last week for the Recording Academy’s fourth annual District Advocate Day. They were there to advocate for an end to unfair practices that govern the music industry and to encourage Congress to update outdated music and copyright laws. The solution at the forefront of discussions was the Fair Play Fair Pay Act of 2017 (H.R. 1836).
Houston-based rapper Bun B was one of the hundreds of proud participants on District Advocate Day. Bun B opined his reasons behind advocating for legislative issues affecting the music industry in the Houston Chronicle, writing, “As music industry laws lag behind reality, it’s hard to imagine a future where creators see this industry as a viable career option.”
In Spartanburg, SC, The Marshall Tucker Band founder Doug Gray also penned an op-ed on the importance of Fair Play Fair Pay Act. “This bill seeks to reform music licensing for sound recordings in a logical, comprehensive way and close current corporate radio loopholes,” Gray writes. “Through this bill, artists would be recognized and compensated for music played on the radio… Congress must also address below-market payments for songwriters and record producers.”
Passage of the bill has the potential to bring home more than $200 million left overseas due to global standards in royalty payments, which are not reciprocated in the United States.
We are proud to see that music creators from all 50 states came out to advocate for a fair and just future for all music creators.
“Yesterday’s laws harm today’s artist and impact tomorrow’s rising stars,” Bun B and Gray concluded.
Get Involved Today:
- Contact your Member of Congress and show your support for the Fair Play Fair Pay Act.
- Are you a music creator? Share your story with musicFIRST and make your voice heard!
- Learn how to get involved in District Advocate Day here.
SANTA MONICA, CA – OCTOBER 18: Musician Peter Asher, United States Representative Ted Lieu, President of Concord Records John Burk and saxophonist Mindi Abair attend District Advocate Day-Los Angeles on October 18, 2017 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage for The Recording Academy )
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: (L-R) Al Pryor, Al Schmitt, Inaya Day, Geoff Emerick, Bob Moses, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Ed Cherney, Maureen Droney, Ann Mincieli and Jeff Greenberg attend District Advocate Day-New York City on October 18, 2017 in New York, New York. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/WireImage for The Recording Academy )
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