The Performance Rights Act (H.R. 848 and S. 379) will secure the right for recording artists and musicians and owners of master recordings to be fairly compensated for radio airplay. Until now, only songwriters and music publishers are able to receive a performance royalty (via ASCAP, BMI or SESAC) for airplay of their songs on terrestrial (over–the-air) radio (as opposed to internet/digital) radio.
Just consider all the artists who’ve been responsible for singing (and making us love) some of the worlds biggest hits. Those songs made, in many cases, millions of dollars for songwriters and music publishers but made nothing for those singers and musicians who created the recording. In most cases, draconian record deals left the artists owing the record company so the label could recoup the costs of production, promotion, tour support etc. Yes, they often made money touring, though when they were no longer popular, that income ran out. While performance royalties for writers and publishers continued as long as oldies stations continued to play those classics, the artists who sang and played on them got nothing. Many artists have died penniless and homeless deprived of that income.
A question that comes from songwriters and publishers is whether a royalty to artists will diminish the royalties to them. The answer is “no”. It will be in addition to. So in the case of artists who write your own songs, you’d get your same performance royalty PLUS a new royalty as the singer. Another benefit of the bill would be that foreign broadcasters would also have to pay US artists. Because U.S. broadcasters aren’t paying foreign artists, foreign broadcasters don’t have to pay our artists resulting in a loss tens of millions of dollars annually for U.S. artists.
Currently, artists and musicians receive royalties from Internet, satellite and cable broadcasters, but not from terrestrial radio. Radio’s representatives, the National Assn. of Broadcasters (NAB) are fighting this hard, reps in congress depend on radio in their campaigns and seldom hear from singers, songwriters and musicians, so it’s time to make your views known and support the future of our artists.
To participate in Call for Action Day, please follow these
instructions:
Step 1: On May 11 or 12, visit:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/B7wMLT51EcZm/.
Step 2: Click on the Take Action button located on the home page.
Step 3: Enter your zip code in the box labeled Call Now.
Step 4: Follow the prompts to locate your Congressional representatives.
Step 5: The program will provide the appropriate phone number, talking points, and a place for you to leave feedback.
Step 6: Call your Representative.
Together we can pass the Performance Rights Act and ensure all
recording artists receive Fair Pay for Air Play.
John Braheny
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