musicFIRST Members Unite in Support of Music Legislation, Securing a Performance Right for Terrestrial Radio

On Monday, January 8, 2018, prominent members of the musicFIRST Coalition joined a wide array of music organizations to support pending music legislation in the U.S. Congress. The joint statement by more than 20 organizations – representing artists, record labels, songwriters, composers, music publishers, and performance rights organizations in support of The Music Modernization Act of 2017, The AMP ACT and The CLASSICS ACT – demonstrates the music industry’s support for Congress to pass a unified piece of music legislation in 2018.

musicFIRST Coalition members took advantage of the opportunity to reinforce industry consensus in support of establishing a terrestrial performance right and a market-based rate standard for artists from satellite radio. A sampling of musicFIRST member statements are below.

• “We stand with all music creators seeking fairness, and urge Congress to act in 2018 to remedy the full range of inequities that harm creators under current law. Musicians welcome the support of the entire music community in urging Congress to enact a terrestrial performance right. It is time for Congress to end the loophole that deprives performers of fair pay for the use of their work on AM/FM radio.” – Ray Hair, President, AFM International

• “We urge Congress to move forward on these important reforms, to seek market rates for all music streaming, and to demand that American artists be paid for terrestrial radio performances.” – Richard James Burgess, CEO, A2IM

• “These legislative initiatives better serve the artists at the heart of the creative works that provide so much cultural and economic value to this country. We look forward to seeing this legislation move forward… and we look forward to continuing our fight for fair compensation for sound recording artists on all music platforms, including terrestrial radio.” – David White, National Executive Director, SAG-AFTRA

• “2018 is the year for Congress to enact many long-studied proposals that will make our country’s music licensing system fairer for artists, songwriters and their label and publisher partners. A unified music community is essential if we are to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.” – Mitch Glazier, President, RIAA

• “All creators of music deserve to be fairly paid for the use of their work, regardless of the platform or their place in the creative process. Working together, across the industry and across the aisle, on a shared agenda of legislative solutions is the best way forward to fix our system.” – Michael Huppe, President & CEO, SoundExchange

• “For years, our creator membership has sought a holistic approach to update music licensing. Artists, songwriters, producers and engineers have each advocated for their fellow creators because we’re all in this together. Today, our industry unites in the same manner to support a comprehensive slate of legislative issues that will improve the environment for music makers, music services, and music fans.” – Neil Portnow, CEO, Recording Academy