Ledisi Young

Ledisi

Photo: Ron T. Young Photography

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Profiles In Advocacy: Ledisi On The Importance Of Using Your Voice To Make Change

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The Recording Academy has asked our members to reflect on their path of becoming an advocate for music and discuss the importance of using your voice to create change
Advocacy
Feb 17, 2021 - 12:52 pm

The Recording Academy has asked our members to reflect on their path of becoming an advocate for music and discuss the importance of using your voice to create change. The inaugural "Profile in Advocacy" is from thirteen-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and Los Angeles Chapter Governor, Ledisi.

I have always been uncomfortable using this part of my voice. But I feel it is important for many to hear the human side to the numbers and legal/political jargon most creators like myself get bombarded with when it comes to the word Advocacy. 

There was a time I viewed this organization as a prestigious shiny golden statue and thought that my little voice from New Orleans East/East Oakland could never be heard amongst the many voices inside such an elitist tent. That all changed when I agreed to participate in a GRAMMY U panel for the San Francisco Chapter.

I used my little voice, while my stomach was in knots, and spoke about my experiences as a local artist at the time. I looked around and saw everyone was listening. I sat next to major artists who also spoke about their experiences and we were all under one umbrella inspiring future creators. That day lead me to become a member of the Recording Academy. That was 17 years ago and I saw then that there was more to this organization than only what I watched on television.

Today, as a Governor for the Los Angeles Chapter, I can proudly say I am an Advocate for the Arts, and it started here with the Recording Academy. I have found so much joy in helping my beloved music community. My first GRAMMYs On The Hill I walked alongside my peers lobbying in the halls of Congress using my little voice, that shocks sometimes, and still, people listened. I left there inspired understanding that the heartbeat of the Recording Academy is the artists.  It's creators like me who advocate for artist rights and their legacy, for fair representation, diversity and the passion to preserve the history of all music creators.

It wasn't just a guy in a suit speaking for creators. It was us, creators speaking up for ourselves. The most important work for any creator is not merely to create, but to also be of service beyond one's self, and our collective future depends on that. 

I was asked in a recent interview, "Why do you call yourself an advocate for the Arts? Isn't art already radical?" My reply was that "nothing in music is free."  Everything has a cost, and as long as we continue to have outdated laws that don't reflect the times and it affects creators, we will never be "free." Artists are barely surviving through this pandemic on the very art they have given their lives to.  It's diminishing for some and many have had to find other ways to supplement their income. And after all this what do we have to go back to? This is the time we are forced to live off of streaming and music sales.  But publishing alone isn't enough for most of us. So like many others, I advocate for music creators for this very reason. 

There's still much work to be done and we need more artists to become active to help educate others and to speak out on behalf of our music community. We need them to use their voices and to get involved publicly to help make true change a possibility.  Every creative should be an advocate for music. We have so much power as creators, and when we use our voice, even when it shakes… people will listen. 

Celebrating Mary Wilson: A Strong Advocate For Music Creators

Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson

Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage

 
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Celebrating Mary Wilson: A Strong Advocate For Music Creators

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On Feb. 8, creators lost a strong advocate in Mary Wilson, who fought to leave the music ecosystem better than when she found it as a young member of The Supremes
Advocacy
Feb 10, 2021 - 3:44 pm

Mary Wilson, a GRAMMY-nominated singer and beloved Recording Academy member, passed away Monday at age 76. As co-founder of the Supremes, Wilson spent her life sharing her gift with the world, while earning twelve number-one singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart along the way.

Beyond being a talented songstress, Wilson’s storied legacy will include her time serving as an advocate on behalf of music creators. In 2009, Wilson inspired a room of 300 music community members inspired to use their platform as part of an Academy town hall. The event also featured now-Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the late former Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), Jimmy Jam, and Josh Groban, among others.

Around a decade later, Wilson and her co-panelist Rep. Issa reunited behind a different call: fixing a loophole to fairly compensate legacy artists. Wilson put her legendary voice to use in support of the Congressman’s bill aimed at correcting this injustice, which was titled the Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society (CLASSICS) Act. Prior to the introduction of the CLASSICS Act, sounds recordings created before 1972 did not enjoy the same copyright protection as more recent material, costing legacy artists like The Supremes millions in royalties.

Wilson argued the importance of educating policymakers on how to better serve the music ecosystem, telling Variety that, “People assume when your music is played on the radio that you are being paid, and it is not true, we are not. So that means people are using your own music, your own recordings, and getting their own revenue.” Due to Wilson’s enduring advocacy, the “pre-1972 loophole” exploited by the digital services was closed as part of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) in 2018.

Wilson chose to spend her limited spare time fighting for a more equitable music ecosystem that prioritized creators over radio magnates. The Recording Academy and our members will continue Wilson’s call to reshape the music ecosystem into a more creator-friendly sector. Congress has the opportunity to directly build on Wilson’s legacy by establishing a public performance right for artist on terrestrial (AM/FM) radio, requiring AM/FM broadcasters to rightfully compensate and obtain permission from all copyright holders. Wilson, like generations of artists before her, was denied compensation for her work on radio. Now Congress has a right to fix this wrong and ensure that all artists can earn a fair living for their work.

The creative community is more fair and just because of Mary Wilson’s years of advocacy, a music icon who will be truly missed by the entire Recording Academy family. 

How The Music Modernization Act Has Already Benefited Legacy Artists

GRAMMYs

(L-R) The Recording Academy's Wayne Zahner and Neil Portnow, Kristin Chenoweth, Rep. David N. Cicilline, Linda Perry, Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Diane Blagman
Photo: Shannon Finney/WireImage

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GRAMMYs On The Hill 2019: Music And Politics Unite At Washington’s Largest Advocacy Event For Music

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The annual Advocacy outing put music creators such as Linda Perry and Kristin Chenoweth in the room with lawmakers to discuss issues and policy critical to the livelihood of music creators
Nate Hertweck
Advocacy
Apr 12, 2019 - 12:56 pm

"Had a great day in D.C. supporting @GRAMMYAdvocacy during #GRAMMYsOnThe Hill. The fight for fairness continues to ensure that those who make music are heard" –eight-time GRAMMY-winning engineer/mixer Manny Marroquin, Conversations In Advocacy #52

Each year, the music community rallies on Capitol Hill for the Recording Academy's GRAMMYs On the Hill to connect with Congress and express the importance of creators’ rights. This year's Advocacy Day on April 10 brought out a litany of artists, producers, songwriters, and industry members to meet with lawmakers and discuss policy that affects their livelihood every day. 

The turnout from creators was impressive, from GRAMMY winning artists such as Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm, to GRAMMY nominees Mario and Linda Perry, to Broadway superstars Brandon Victor Dixon and Kristin Chenoweth, to name just a few. On the evening before Advocacy Day, the GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards honored Chenoweth with the Philanthropist Award, as well as Yolanda Adams with the Creators Leadership Award and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for their decisive roles in last year's Congress getting the Music Modernization Act across the finish line and signed into law.

As music emanated up the steps up the Capitol Building and into its hallways, elevators and offices, the festive spirit of creativity and talent reminded our lawmakers of the crucial role music plays in our culture, setting the perfect backdrop for a discussion on the issues closest to music creators. For the music community, Advocacy Day makes all the difference.

"GRAMMYs on the Hill clearly has an impact and makes a difference," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "It is no coincidence that just one week after last year's Awards and Advocacy Day, the Music Modernization Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives, paving the way for the bill to later be signed into law. Through the continued dialogue between music creators and Congress, we are ensuring a viable future for music makers."

GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day is considered Capitol Hill's largest policy event for music, and shows the Recording Academy does so much more for the music world throughout the year beyond honoring excellence at the annual GRAMMY Awards. To learn more about the Academy's ongoing Advocacy efforts, get informed on the latest issues and policy affecting music creators and learn how you can take action to join the movement.

Inside The 2019 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards Celebration

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.