District Advocate Day 2017 in Los Angeles

Photo: Alison Buck/WireImage.com

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District Advocate Day: Music Creators Unite In All 50 States

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More than 1,000 music creators meet with members of Congress to protect the interests of all music creators
Tim McPhate
Advocacy
Oct 19, 2017 - 10:54 am

From California to New York, and all points in between, more than 1,000 music creators united on Oct. 18 for District Advocate Day to put a range of key legislative issues affecting the music industry on the table for discussion.

Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), Steve Russell (R-Okla.), and Karen Handel (R-Ga.) represent just some of the members of Congress who met with music creators. Issues addressed included improving outdated laws, modernizing copyright protections, protecting songwriters and composers, and advocating for the next generation of music makers.

(Photographed at top: GRAMMY winner Peter Asher, Rep. Ted Lieu [D-Calif.], Concord Records President John Burk and GRAMMY nominee Mindi Abair attend District Advocate Day in Los Angeles at Recording Academy headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif.)

Your Voice Amplified: Be A District Advocate

Cary Sherman

Cary Sherman

Photo: Courtesy of RIAA

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RIAA Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman, A Music Champion, To Retire

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Sherman's unique position as an advocate for the major music labels helped guide the challenging transition to today's thriving digital marketplace for music
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Dec 12, 2018 - 1:32 pm

On Dec. 31 a major change of the guard at The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will see former President and current Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman retire, with his responsibilities taken over by current President Mitch Glazier as of January 2019. While the Recording Academy represents all music creators, the RIAA represents the major music labels. Sherman's leadership steered a steady course through challenges including internet piracy and intellectual-property legal developments that led to today's successful digital ecosystem.

"Business models change, and shifts in policy positions follow," Sherman said in his speech at MIDEM on June 8, 2018. "Be alert for changes in business, and then look for the opportunity to find common ground, even with, in fact especially with, those who once were adversaries."

Sherman made the point that changing developments have forced artists to learn more about the music business and be prepared to shift position as the high-tech landscape continues to evolve. This has been just one of many areas where the Recording Academy and the RIAA found their own common ground. At the Academy's District Advocate day on Oct. 24, more than 1,500 of our members lobbied for constructive intellectual property policy changes — a powerful grassroots mobilization that was inconceivable in the days before digital changed the music business.

Accepting The Music Business Association (Music Biz) Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement on May 16, 2018, Sherman expressed pride in being the first attorney to achieve that honor. He described his first intellectual property assignment as a young lawyer in 1974. "I knew nothing about copyright or legislative work," he said about his first three weeks researching the potential establishment of a broadcast performance right for sound recordings. This is a struggle that continues to this day as broadcasters consolidate power without paying fair royalties to performers.

"For those of you who think that music policy and government regulation are not relevant to you, think again," he said in his acceptance speech. "Whether you're an artist, label, a songwriter, a publisher, a digital music service or a start-up, governmental policy will determine how you can operate and how you can earn money — or not."

On Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C. Sherman's retirement bash hosted a high-powered crowd of 300, including CEOs and lawmakers, filled with memories and gratitude for his steady leadership as digital ate half of the music industry's revenues and the music business struggled to successfully respond. His final day on the job will be Dec. 31 and his future plans include returning to "taking piano lessons." He described the signing of the Music Modernization Act into law — another area of mutual Recording Academy and RIAA support — as "the icing on the cake" of his storied career as the major labels' leading representative.

With major copyright litigation and multiple updates of copyright legislation behind him, Sherman's biggest regret is that radio still does not pay broadcast performance royalties — the assignment that first started his career in intellectual property in 1974. "That's the most gaping hole in our rights," he concluded. Sherman will be happy to note the quest to close this loophole will continue in his absence, and his many years of hard work toward a fair payment system for performers will not be in vain.

GRAMMY Advocacy In Action: The Music Modernization Act & Beyond

Manu Manzo singing)
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GRAMMY Advocacy In Action: The Music Modernization Act & Beyond

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As this year's GRAMMY nominations are revealed, we're reminded of the invaluable year-round efforts of the music community to advance and protect creator's rights
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Dec 7, 2018 - 2:17 pm

"I feel the arts are very necessary for any student or any young person to grow up and be able to have a voice" —Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist Manu Manzo, Conversations in Advocacy #46

Keeping the future of the music industry healthy and fair takes work. Throughout the year, the Recording Academy advocates tirelessly on behalf of music creators, and guess what—it works. Case in point: just two month ago the President signed the Music Modernization Act into law, marking a historic moment in music legislation. The landmark bill made comprehensive copyright reform a reality, closing loopholes in our digital royalty laws to ensure songwriters, artists and producers are compensated fairly when their work is used by digital and satellite music services.

GRAMMYs

But change of this magnitude doesn't happen alone, and it doesn't happen overnight. Pushing the MMA through Congress took bipartisan support and a groundswell of rallying in the music world from thousands of performers, songwriters and studio professionals. Recording Academy members raise their voices together during GRAMMYs On The Hill each spring and District Advocate in the fall, meeting with their lawmakers to speak with them about the issues affecting their livelihoods.

One shining example, On Oct. 24 members of the Recording Academy's Florida Chapter rallied on District Advocate Day, joining more than 1,500 of their fellow members in raising their voices on music policy issues. The passion of everyone present was evident at the Florida Chapter rally, and the importance of creating and preserving a fair system to foster the future was front-and-center.

Florida Chapter Members Rally For Arts Funding

Today, this year's crop of GRAMMY nominees were revealed with the official announcement of the 61st GRAMMY Awards nominations. This joyous moment for many of today's finest music creators serves as a celebratory reminder of how much music means to our culture and how crucial our efforts as a music community are to have our voices heard.

Celebrating District Advocate Day Engagement & Looking Ahead

"Conversations in Advocacy" is your weekend digital tip sheet on music advocacy and the policies that affect music makers and their craft. New installments post every Friday.

Slash Advocacy

Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Slash of Guns N' Roses, Producer Mike Clink and Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage for the Recording Academy

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Giving Thanks To Music's Biggest Advocates Waving Goodbye To Washington

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As Thanksgiving approaches, the music community has much to be grateful for from these retiring Congressional champions of creators' rights
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Nov 14, 2018 - 3:44 pm

This year has marked a watershed in the overlapped world of music and politics. The enactment of the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act represented the culminations of years of tireless work toward comprehensive music licensing and copyright reform. Last week's Midterm Elections changed the landscape in Congress, with the Democratic Party taking over the majority in the House of Representatives and the Republican Party expanding its majority in the Senate.

But through all this political activity of 2018, we are reminded that the achievements and progress would not have been possible without the dedication and integrity of many supportive elected leaders. As new incoming lawmakers make their way to Washington, and hard-working music creators refuel their drive toward the next frontier of creators' rights, some of the most impactful Congressional champions are preparing to leave Washington after years of service

Let's take a look at a few of our strongest retiring allies in Congress who are leaving a legacy of fairness and progress for music creators. Their willingness to listen to the professional music community and navigate our needs through the political process in order to build a better system is truly the stuff of champions.

A man so integral to the MMA his name was attached to it, Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-Va) was a patient force behind a multi-year effort to enact lasting copyright reform that produced the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. Goodlatte earned a reputation as an honest broker who seeks to solve complex issues through consensus. He also served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and was honored at the 2015 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards for his support for copyright and his understanding of music creator's unique role in American life.

Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) will be ending his term this year. As the lead Democratic sponsor of the Allocations For Music Producers (AMP) Act, which was included in the MMA, Crowley's support went a long way toward the ultimate passage of the MMA. Crowley most recently served as Democratic Caucus Chair. The lead Republican sponsor of the AMP Act, Representative Tom Rooney (R-Fla) is also retiring this year. Rooney and Crowley were both honored alongside Zac Brown Band at the 2016 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards for their years of support for music creators. These two co-sponsors of AMP actually went into the recording studio together back in 2011 as part of the first-ever recording session of the GRAMMY Congressional Band with Crowley on vocals/guitars and Rooney on drums.

Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) introduced the CLASSICS Act in July 2017, which set out to close the loophole for digital radio to finally compensate pre-1972 recordings like their newer peers. As the lead Republican sponsor of the Act, Issa helped see its tenets ultimately incorporated into the MMA and his efforts now stand to benefit countless legacy artists. Issa was also a consistent, strong voice for establishing a performance right for artists on AM/FM radio. He was honored for his Advocacy efforts at the 2010 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards.

"Rep. Issa has been a great champion of fair compensation for artists," said Daryl Freidman, Chief Industry, Government & Member Relations Officer for the Recording Academy earlier this year when Issa announced his retirement. "We will miss his friendship, leadership and humor. But before he retires, we look forward to finishing together the work we started to support music and to ensure that the current and next generation of creators are respected and compensated fairly for their work."

Finally, the other namesake of the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) will retire next month as well. Hatch officially introduced the landmark bill in the Senate, playing a key role in shepherding the comprehensive music reform package in the Senate, and ensuring it won support of more than 80 of his colleagues as co-sponsors. The MMA is just the capstone on Sen. Hatch’s long history of fighting for songwriters, artists, and all creators in Congress. A professional songwriter and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hatch understands the plight of the music community and has shown the gumption it takes to enact change on Capitol Hill. For his leadership, Sen. Hatch was honored with the very first GRAMMYs on the Hill Award in 2001.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we'd like to thank all of these true champions of creators' rights for their service to our craft, our industry and our country.

Welcoming Music Champions Returning To Congress In 2019

Conversations In Advocacy #43

An Academy member meets with Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) in his district office.
Photo: Moses R.

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Welcoming Music Champions Returning To Congress In 2019

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It's no coincidence that music's bipartisan friends in Congress are all returning for another session of service
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Nov 9, 2018 - 2:51 pm

"If we ever get to the point in our society where we take away the creative spark, we have failed the soul and heartbeat of music, of books, of our creative output as Americans."— Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Conversations In Advocacy #43

The 115th Congress is still in session for a few more weeks but with the midterm elections behind us, we look forward to the start of the 116th Congress in January. While the make-up of the next Congress will be decidedly different looking, it will bring back many familiar faces who supported music and its makers this past Congress, and proved instrumental in last month’s historic signing of the Music Modernization Act.

Notably, every member of the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus who appeared on Tuesday’s ballot won re-election to the House of Representatives and will have the opportunity to continue to support music creators in Washington. In addition, many music champions will move into elevated roles come January. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), author of this week's quote while being honored at the 2018 GRAMMYs on the Hill earlier this year, is in line to become Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, where past GRAMMYs on the Hill honoree Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) is expected to assume the duties of chairman as the Democrats gained the majority.

While the Judiciary Committee is expected to take on a number of high profile agenda items, Nadler and Collins have proven time and time that they will prioritize copyright and creators’ rights. Their work side by side this year on the MMA bodes well for the Committee’s ability to continue working in a bipartisan fashion to protect our society's "creative spark" when the next Congressional session begins.

And even with the enactment of the Music Modernization Act, work will continue within the Judiciary Committee to advance creators’ rights. On Oct. 24, at our 2018 District Advocate Day, the Recording Academy’s members pushed forward a legislative agenda inclusive of a number of issues that could cross the committee’s purview. More than 1,500 Recording Academy members met with both lawmakers and candidates to discuss Judiciary issues like terrestrial radio royalty payments, copyright office modernization and the establishment of a copyright small claims system.

Beyond the Judiciary Committee, other prominent music champions will also be in position to affect change for music makers.  Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), co-chairs of the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, have both declared their intentions to run for their respective party's leader races. Other allies like Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are in consideration for Speaker of the House, Majority Whip and Democratic Caucus Chair, respectively. While it's too soon to be sure who will occupy leadership roles in the 116th Congress, once again music stands out as an area where leaders can work together as colleagues on issues of shared concern.

And that’s important because the fight will continue to protect funding for the National Endowment of the Arts and music education programs in the federal budget, and negotiations on trade deals will merit increased attention. All of these issues were discussed last month during District Advocate Day, and will be at the forefront of the Recording Academy’s agenda entering into the 116th Congress.

Congratulations are in order for lawmakers returning and new as the 116th Congress continues to take shape.

Celebrating District Advocate Day Engagement & Looking Ahead

"Conversations in Advocacy" is your weekend digital tip sheet on music advocacy and the policies that affect music makers and their craft. New installments post every Friday.