GRAMMYs On The Hill 2016

(l-r) The Academy's Daryl Friedman and Neil Portnow, Rep. Judy Chu, and Anna Nalick at GRAMMYs on the Hill 2016, Photo: Cheriss May/Nurphoto/Getty Images

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Music, Politics To Unite At 2018 GRAMMYs On The Hill

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Celebrating its 20th year of Advocacy, the Recording Academy will once again bring music and politics together on Capitol Hill on behalf of creators' rights
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Mar 28, 2018 - 3:14 pm

Each spring, the Recording Academy's groundswell of advocacy efforts on behalf of music creators and copyright holders culminates in its flagship event, GRAMMYs on the Hill. With a lineup of crucial legislation on the table aimed to modernize copyright law, an incredible cast of honorees from music and politics, and the creative and political communities united like never before, this year's celebration of 20 years of Advocacy in Washington, D.C., promises to be pivotal.

Little Big Town: Meet The Nominees | 60th GRAMMYs

The private event kicks off in the nation's capital at the Hamilton Live on April 18 with the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. This year, the ceremony will honor three-time GRAMMY-winning group Little Big Town for their support and advocacy for key causes aligned with closely the Recording Academy, including advocating for music education and supporting MusiCares.

GRAMMYs on the Hill will also recognize two outstanding legislators who have made significant efforts to improve the environment for music creators' rights: Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.). Chu has long been an fervent supporter of creators' rights, and serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus with Collins, who authored the songwriter-focused Music Modernization Act.

GRAMMYs On The Hill 2014

(l-r) Gary Burr, Rep. Doug Collins (R.-Ga.), Victoia Shaw Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

"We're honored to stand alongside the Academy and Reps. Chu and Collins in speaking out and protecting an industry that has done so much for us," said Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet.

"Music is healing and powerful, and music education gives our children an outlet for expression that is absolutely necessary for their overall growth and well-being," continued Sweet's bandmate, Karen Fairchild. "We will continue to do our part to protect music education, songwriters, recordings, and the artists who bring them to life."

The event will celebrate the contributions of each of these honorees and feature a special performance by Little Big Town, along with another special musical surprise.

The following day, April 19, music creators will take to Capitol Hill to participate in GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, where they will meet face to face with members of Congress to discuss how current music legislation affects their livelihoods on a daily basis. These personal meetings will provide some of the music industry's finest with the chance to convey the real-world importance of copyright reform and dire need for comprehensive music legislation that benefits all creators, including performers, songwriters, producers, and engineers. Some of these key pieces of legislation include the aforementioned Music Modernization Act, as well as the AMP Act, the CLASSICs Act and Fair Play Fair Pay Act.

For music creators who depend on their work to earn a living, GRAMMYs on the Hill offers the opportunity for their voices to be heard as songwriters and artists speak directly with the members of Congress who wield the power to enact much-needed copyright reform and preserve the National Endowment of the Arts in a social, entertaining environment, bringing attention to the joy of music and the necessity of supporting those who create it.

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Little Big Town

Little Big Town

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GRAMMYs On The Hill 2018 To Honor Little Big Town, Reps. Chu & Collins

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The Recording Academy will celebrate 20 years of advocacy on Capitol Hill by honoring some of its biggest champions in music and politics
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Mar 28, 2018 - 11:44 am

The Recording Academy will celebrate 20 years of advocacy at the Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., on April 18 by honoring Little Big Town at the 2018 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. The GRAMMY-winning group, who will perform as part of a lineup of unique live performances and musical surprises, joins a distinguished group of past honorees, including Alicia Keys, John Mayer and last year's honoree, Keith Urban.

Urban, arts supporters honored on Capitol Hill

Little Big Town — Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook — have made several contributions to the music industry that align with some of the Academy's key advocacy and organizational causes, including advocating for music education and supporting MusiCares, which provides a safety net of support for the music community.

Uniting the worlds of music and politics, GRAMMYs on the Hill also recognizes legislators who have improved the environment for music by advocating for music creators' rights. The 2018 congressional honorees include Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), author of the Music Modernization Act and vice chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.

“Little Big Town's advocacy efforts, coupled with the legislative momentum on Capitol Hill to protect creators, further the Academy's vision of a brighter future for music — something the Recording Academy has been championing since its inception, and made an even greater commitment to when it established its D.C. offices in 1998," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "We also are privileged to recognize the significant contributions of Reps. Chu and Collins, who have long supported the creative community's right to be fairly compensated and to have meaningful copyright protections, advocating for the current comprehensive legislation, and supporting our continuing campaign for a terrestrial performance right."

"We’re honored to stand alongside the Academy and Reps. Chu and Collins in speaking out and protecting an industry that has done so much for us," said Sweet.

"Music is healing and powerful, and music education gives our children an outlet for expression that is absolutely necessary for their overall growth and well-being," continued Fairchild. "We will continue to do our part to protect music education, songwriters, recordings, and the artists who bring them to life."

Getting The Latest Music News Just Got Easier. Introducing: GRAMMY Bot. Find it On KIK and Facebook Messenger

Conversations In Advocacy #36

Photo: Mark Reinstein/Getty IMages

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Music Modernization Act Takes Huge Step Forward: What's Next?

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As the MMA passes the Senate, we look at the champions behind the historic bill, its promise for a better system and the work left to be done
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Sep 21, 2018 - 12:41 pm

"As the music community rejoices around the Senate passing of the MMA, the collective efforts of the bill's many devoted champions are making all the difference – but there is still some work to be done…” –Conversations In Advocacy #36

The Music Modernization Act's latest victory of being passed by the U.S. Senate was hard won. Music creators, industry professionals, music tech, and politicians from both sides of the party line have united in support of the bill. Some of the MMA's more high profile supporters include the likes of Adam Levine, Maren Morris, Booker T. Jones, and Little Big Town, but the music community at large at large can celebrate leaping over this major hurdle on the path toward comprehensive music licensing reform.

Now formally titled The Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act, the bill promises to have significant impact on the livelihood of the music creators by ensuring fairer and more accurate royalty rates for songwriters, copyright protection for producers and engineers, and proper compensation for artists.

The Recording Academy has been relentlessly instrumental in generating and sustaining a groundswell of support for the bill. Through constant advocacy efforts, its flagship GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards And Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. – which honored Little Big Town earlier this year – and the sprawling national grassroots District Advocate program, the Academy has engaged a mass of music creators to share their stories with lawmakers. The results are powerful. Harvey Mason Jr., GRAMMY-nominated songwriter/producer and Recording Academy National Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, called the MMA's passage by Senate, "a huge turning point."

But before the celebration can begin, the fight must continue. Now that the MMA has moved through the House of Representatives and the Senate, it will need to go back to the House one last time before it becomes law. This vote could come as early as next week.

As this historic copyright reform effort moves a giant step closer to the finish line, the music community must continue to rally, push and speak up on behalf of the MMA. While it is remarkable how far the bill has come, we cannot rest until we complete the job of enacting a better system for all.

Contact Your Representatives: Tell Them To Support Comprehensive Music Reform 

"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.

Neil Portnow and Sen. Chuck Grassley

Neil Portnow and Sen. Chuck Grassley

Photo: Leigh Vogel/WireImage.com

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Music Modernization Act Passes Unanimously In Senate Judiciary Committee

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The MMA scores another big win as it passes unanimously in the Senate Judiciary Committee
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Jun 27, 2018 - 3:29 pm

Standing on history's doorstep, the Music Modernization Act promises to finally bring our music licensing system out of the Stone Age and into a new era of mutually beneficial policy reform. On June 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill unanimously, drawing the landmark bill one step closer to becoming a reality.

"Great music comes from great harmonies. As the organization representing all creators, we are gratified to see the industry and Congress work in harmony to pass the Music Modernization Act through the Senate Judiciary Committee," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Following years of advocacy by music creators, we look forward to that momentum continuing as the Music Modernization Act heads to the Senate floor. We thank the Committee for its swift movement of the bill. Through collaboration we can truly make a difference for the hundreds of thousands of working music creators across the country."

Ahead of the scheduled markup and vote, a manager's amendment was released this week that reflects consensus agreements that benefit music creators by increasing transparency, awareness and accountability. The bipartisan amendment, introduced by Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) with the support of Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), solidifies the agreement on both sides of the aisle over the dire need to update music licensing and close loopholes that prevent music creators from receiving proper compensation for their work.

Earlier this month, Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim added his voice to the chorus of support for the MMA, taking the stage at the National Music Publishers Association annual meeting to back the bill. Delrahim is just one of the latest to join the mounting support swell for the MMA ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee vote.

Although the MMA has already passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous 415–0 vote, not everyone is on board with this mutually beneficial piece of legislation reform. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the Accessibility for Curators, Creators, Educators, Scholars, and Society (ACCESS) to Recordings Act, a misleading, alternate bill that threatens to distract from the MMA's progress . The arguments for ACCESS and against the MMA are flimsy at best, and the bill has done little thus far to slow the momentum of meaningful legislation reform.

Now, with Senate Judiciary Committee weighing in with unanimous support, the MMA's journey ahead moves toward a full Senate vote. The need for meaningful music legislation policy reform has never been greater, and as stakeholders from across the creative and internet industries rally behind the MMA with more steam than ever before, the Senate now holds the key to unlocking a better system for all.

Contact Your Senators: Tell Them To Support Comprehensive Music Reform

 

Conversations In Advocacy - Neil Portnow

Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

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House Appropriations Committee Sets NEA Funding Level At $155M

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For the second straight year, the Committee listens to the advocates in the arts community to set critical funding level for NEA
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
May 18, 2018 - 3:00 pm

"The life of the arts is very close to the center of a nation's purpose, and is a test of the quality of a nation's civilization." — John F. Kennedy, Conversations In Advocacy #20

Many arts programs nationwide depend on critical funding from the National Endowment For The Arts—an agency fighting for survival amidst proposed budgetary cuts.

Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee released their spending bill for Interior and Environmental Agencies, which includes the NEA. Fortunately, it set the NEA funding level for the coming fiscal year, beginning October 1, at $155 million, which marks a $2 million increase compared to last year.

This good news does not come from luck. The Recording Academy's own President/CEO Neil Portnow urged the agency set the funding at this level by submitting written testimony on behalf of the music community and arts community.

"It's our collective responsibility to preserve what binds us and to ensure that the whole world continues to benefit from one of our most unique and economically and spiritually important assets — and exports: American music," Portnow wrote. "It's an investment worth making."

Portnow's passionate words came after President Donald Trump proposed the elimination of NEA funding in his budget for the second straight year. Also for the second straight year, instead of following the budget proposed by the White House, the House Appropriations Committee listened to the pleas of the arts community, including Portnow's testimony on behalf of the Recording Academy and the music creators it represents.

But the arts are not out of the woods yet, as the Committee is now scheduled to vote on the spending bill next week. Following their vote, the full House of Representatives will weigh in on the bill along with all other appropriation bills. The Senate will also have to pass similar spending bills, including funding for the NEA, before the end of the fiscal year..

Portnow submitted additional written testimony to the Senate in April asking that the Upper Chamber also sets NEA funding at $155 million, pointing out that, "In 2016 NEA funds yielded more than $500 million in matching support — leveraging outside funds at a ratio of 9:1."

The numbers certainly add up when it comes to a return on investment in the arts. Thus far, arts advocates such as Portnow and the Recording Academy, have helped protect the NEA, but now is the time to send a loud, clear message of support to your representatives.

Visit our Advocacy Action page to learn how you can make a difference in the fight to maintain crucial funding for the arts.

"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.

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