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

Photo of Harvey Mason jr.

Harvey Mason jr.

Photo Courtesy of Harvey Mason jr.

 
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Inside Harvey Mason jr.'s Journey From Producer, Songwriter & Advocate To Recording Academy President/CEO

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As Harvey Mason jr. stated during the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show, he initially joined the Recording Academy so he could vote for himself. But this humble admission belies two decades as an outspoken champion and advocate for all music creators
Morgan Enos
Advocacy
May 21, 2021 - 6:35 am

Whether as the Interim President/CEO or the President/CEO proper, Harvey Mason jr.'s trademark is his humble, unassuming air. 

Upon accepting the full-time role, "While I had not initially expected to be in this position, I remain deeply invested in the success of the organization and am motivated to help us achieve our greatest ambitions," he stated in a press release. And during a segment in the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show, Mason freely admitted he originally joined the Academy to cast a vote for himself.

This charmingly "Who, me?" demeanor is just an exterior, though; Mason has been chosen to lead the Recording Academy for very good reasons. Over the last two decades, he has proven to be an outspoken champion and advocate for all music creators. 

From participating in District Advocate to speaking in front of Congress, let's take a look back at Harvey's accomplishments as a music advocate.

Advocacy Committee

Let's rewind to 2016, before Mason was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Recording Academy. At that point, he co-chaired the Academy's National Advocacy Committee, which is responsible for establishing and executing the organization's advocacy positions and priorities. In this role, Mason ensured that the Academy upheld its commitments to all music creators and pushed policymakers towards developing an equitable music ecosystem.

Congressional Panel

Fighting for the rights of music creators on the airwaves has long been a chief concern of Recording Academy advocates, and in 2020, Mason put this value into action. 

That May, he spoke in front of the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee on the scope of music rights in sound recordings, the dire need for the United States to establish a performance right for sound recordings on AM/FM radio, and the importance of supporting music creators in the next phase of COVID-19 relief stimulus.

"Any future relief package should get people back to work, not give industries unfair advantages," Mason stated. "Unfortunately, musicians will not be able to get back to live performances soon, so the next stimulus should ensure they get paid fairly for their music that has been a lifeline for our fellow citizens."

Department Of Justice Letter

In 2014, Mason signed on to a letter encouraging the Department of Justice to review the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. 

"The music economy is changing rapidly … and the Consent Decrees have hampered the ability of ASCAP and BMI to respond to those changes in a way that provides fair value to their—and The Academy's—members," the letter read in part. Professional songwriters will only be able to make a secure living if they receive fair compensation for the public performance of their works by digital music services."

District Advocate

Each year, thousands of members across the country mobilize to lobby their members of Congress during the Academy's District Advocate activation. Mason become a frequent sight at these activations, including moderating a conversation with Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Los Angeles Chapter Executive Director Qiana Conley in 2019.

Federal Communications Commission

On a note of security and privacy, Mason visited the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to educate Commissioners and staff on the importance of protecting wireless microphones for the music industry.

GRAMMYs On The Hill 

Mason has also participated in the Academy's GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards and Advocacy Day, an annual activation in Washington, D.C. that recognizes artists and legislators who have made significant contributions to the music community. (GRAMMYs On The Hill will return on September 22, 2021.)

Holiday Reception

On a lighter note, in 2013, Mason helped get legislators in the festive mood by joining the Academy team's annual holiday reception in Washington, D.C. Mason was even kind enough to play piano for a captivated audience of members of Congress!

Songwriters & Composers Wing

As a songwriter in his own right, Mason has used his platform to advocate for causes most important to this section of the creative community. Under his leadership, the Academy launched the Songwriters & Composers Wing in March.

While the S&C Wing is new, the tireless work by its members is not. Over the years, they have proven to be an instrumental part of the Academy's advocacy work. Together, they have fought for fair market rate standards, the modernization of the mechanical royalty collection process, and, most recently, financial relief to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Advocacy team and all music advocates thank Harvey Mason jr. for his endless commitment to our causes. Together, we look forward to advancing the legislative agenda of all music creators for years to come!

Read More: Congress: It's Time To Side With Music Creators Over Big Radio 

John Legend & Hakeem Jeffries

L-R: Hakeem Jeffries, John Legend

Photo: Recording Academy

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Celebrating GRAMMY Nominees Who Advocated For Creators' Rights

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Ahead of Sunday’s 63rd GRAMMY Awards, we want to acknowledge those nominees who have helped advance the agenda of music creators during this trying year
Matthew Bango
Advocacy
Mar 10, 2021 - 4:01 pm

Daryl Friedman, Chief Advocacy Officer of the Recording Academy, spoke with Billboard about the important role Academy members played in pushing Congress to include creator-friendly provisions in the recent COVID-19 stimulus package. "Much to the chagrin of our in-house lobbyists, I always say our best lobbyists are our members because they really can tell the story in a compelling way," noted Friedman.

This year, the Academy has repeatedly called on our members to ask their elected officials to support many provisions that would yield positive results for the struggling music ecosystem, including passage of the HITS Act and support for solutions to mitigate the pandemics’ enduring impact. Ahead of Sunday’s 63rd GRAMMY Awards, we want to acknowledge those nominees who answered the call and helped advance the agenda of music creators during this trying year:

Brandi Carlile

A 5-time GRAMMY Award winner, Brandi Carlile is no stranger to using her voice to create change. Carlile spoke with a crowd of music advocates during last year’s GRAMMY Week in support of the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators. This year, Carlile is nominated for Best Country Song and Best Song Written For Visual Media.

Brandi Carlile | 2021 | Advocacy

Brandi Carlile speaks to a crowd of advocates during GRAMMY Week in 2020.

Brandy Clark

Brandy Clark is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album. Clark has a long track record as a music advocate, including representing the Nashville Chapter as chair of their Advocacy Committee and serving as a District Advocate leader for last year’s meeting with Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.).

Dave Haywood

While balancing a busy tour and recording schedule as a member of the band Lady A, Dave Haywood, a seven-time GRAMMY winner, has found time to call on legislators to support and enact meaningful reform to better the entire music ecosystem. Along with the rest of Lady A, Haywood was honored at the GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards in 2014 and is a regular participant in District Advocate. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Academy’s Nashville Chapter Board. This year, Lady A’s Ocean is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Rodney Jerkins

Rodney Jerkins, a legendary producer and two-time GRAMMY winner, has become a mainstay at the Academy’s advocacy initiatives. Most recently, Jerkins participated in the GRAMMY Week Congressional Briefing in 2020. Jerkins showcased his work with emerging artist Jac Ross and shared firsthand testimony of the difficulties faced when launching a career in the creative workforce. Jerkins’ Come Together is nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song.

Rodney Jerkins

A group of lawmakers and music makers at the Recording Academy’s Congressional briefing on January 25, 2020, in Beverly Hills, CA (L to R) Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Jac Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Rodney Jerkins, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), and Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) 

Emily Lazar 

An accomplished mastering engineer, Emily Lazar has three nominations in the Album Of The Year category for her work on Coldplay’s Everyday Life, Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol.3, and HAIM’s Women In Music Pt. III. Between recording sessions, Lazar serves as a member of the Academy’s National Advocacy Committee, which is comprised of prominent music creators and determines the Academy’s legislative priorities.

Ledisi

As a member of the Los Angeles Chapter Board, Ledisi has long supported the Academy’s legislative priorities. In a recent “Profile in Advocacy,” Ledisi discussed the importance of using your voice to create meaningful change, noting that, “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.” This year, Ledisi’s Anything For You is nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance. 

John Legend

An eleven-time GRAMMY winner, John Legend has used his talents to bring joy to the world, and his voice to advocate for change. During District Advocate day in 2020, Legend spoke with Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) about how to best help the music ecosystem overcome the pandemic’s impact. Legend also serves as a Recording Academy National Trustee and as an Honorary Chair of the Black Music Collective, which officially launched last year. Legend is nominated for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album.

John Legend & Hakeem Jeffries

John Legend meets with Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries during the Academy’s virtual District Advocate day in 2020. (L to R): Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and John Legend (Photo by Recording Academy)

Julia Michaels

Julia Michaels joined the Recording Academy’s Advocacy team for a holiday reception commemorating the opening of the Academy’s new Washington, D.C. office in 2018. Joined by a bipartisan and bicameral group of elected officials, Michaels shared insight into the importance of supporting music priorities and celebrated the recent passage of the Music Modernization Act. Michaels’ and JP Saxe’s If The World Was Ending is nominated for Song Of The Year. 

G ADV Opening

Policymakers and music creators mark the opening of the Advocacy team’s new office with a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2018 (L to R) Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), National Trustee Tracy Hamlin, Julia Michaels, Daryl Friedman, Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.)

PJ Morton

From attending GRAMMYs On The Hill to Zoom-ing with legislators, PJ Morton is a familiar face on Capitol Hill and in the Louisiana State Capitol due to his long history of championing music policies. When describing his virtual District Advocate day meeting, Morton stressed to Billboard the importance of reaching out to policymakers to raise awareness of a legislative solution. “It’s a slow process to change. But I think once you see it work, once you see your voice can matter, you can be a little more invested in it.” A two-time GRAMMY winner, Morton’s Gospel According To PJ is nominated for Best Gospel Album. 

Bobby Rush

From District Advocate to GRAMMYs on the Hill, GRAMMY winner Bobby Rush has joined music advocates over the years on their mission to directly lobby Congress on the importance of fair compensation for creators. Rush’s Rawer Than Raw is nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album. 

We thank all of the nominees who helped enact change during this incredibly difficult year! Without your overwhelming support, the Academy would not have been able to accomplish the tremendous and historic legislative victories in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic  

Be sure to join us for the 63rd GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, March 15, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Read More: Billboard: How The Recording Academy And Its Allies Scored Big Wins In COVID Relief Package

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National Endowment For The Arts Announces Guidelines For Grant Awards Under American Rescue Plan

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Additional good news has arrived regarding NEA funding: President Biden and Congress are moving toward "record level" funding for the arts for the pending fiscal year
Morgan Enos
Advocacy
Jun 30, 2021 - 3:32 pm

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced its guidelines for grant awards under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which President Biden signed into law in March and includes $135 million in emergency relief funding for the NEA. 

While venues are reopening nationwide in response to mass vaccinations and artists are finally seeing work, this increased cash flow to the NEA will be a boon to creative industries that the COVID-19 pandemic existentially threatened for more than a year.

Earlier this year, the NEA distributed 40% of that $135 million ($52 million) to state and regional arts agencies.  The remaining 60% will now be available through two competitive grant opportunities: one for local arts agencies, and one for non-profit organizations.

The NEA is currently accepting applications with an emphasis on specific organizations. These include those that serve populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by ethnicity, economics, geography, or disability; organizations with small and medium-sized budgets; organizations from rural to urban communities; and organizations that may be applying for federal support through the Arts Endowment for the first time.

According to the NEA website, that support is limited to any or all of the following:

salary support, full or partial, for one or more staff positions; fees/stipends for artists and/or contractual personnel; facilities costs such as mortgage principal, rent, and utilities; costs associated with health and safety supplies; and marketing and promotion costs.

For the Recording Academy, expanding opportunities to organizations that have not previously received NEA funds was a priority. Grants to organizations are intended to support day-to-day business expenses/operating costs and will be awarded in grant amounts of $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000. (Those applications are due in August.)

The NEA's guidelines mark the latest positive development in federal aid for creative industries. On June 28, 2021, the U.S. House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee released its FY 2022 spending bill. This subcommittee is responsible for setting the funding levels for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other cultural agencies. The subcommittee matched the Biden Administration's budget request of $201 million for the NEA. This would represent an increase of $33.5 million over the current budget for the NEA, the largest increase in the agency's history.

Next, the spending bill will still need to pass the subcommittee, full committee, and the full House. The same process will also take place in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Daryl Friedman, the Recording Academy's Chief Advocacy Officer, has submitted written testimony to both the House and Senate requesting full funding for the NEA.

"The NEA remains an integral part of the cultural bedrock of the United States, working to bring music and the arts to towns and communities across the country," Friedman wrote. "Its mission has never been more important, and as the creative arts look to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency will prove to be a key lynchpin in the resumption of arts throughout America."

The Recording Academy's Advocacy department will continue to keep lawmakers, music workers and listeners abreast of new developments in this quest for equity in creative spheres. For more information, visit the NEA's website at https://www.arts.gov.

Why The American Music Fairness Act Will Give Music Creators What They Deserve

Stock Photo: Radio

Photo: Fotosipsak/Getty Images

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Congress: It's Time To Side With Music Creators Over Big Radio

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Empowering creators to have control over their own intellectual property is a fundamental and constitutionally protected right in America
Morgan Enos
Advocacy
Apr 29, 2021 - 2:11 pm

The Constitution of the United States guarantees creators the right to control their own intellectual property. However, AM/FM radio seems to be the final content landscape where these constitutional rights are rendered null and void on a practical scale.

Massive radio corporations earn billions in advertising revenue from the work of countless performers and recording artists, who don't earn a single cent for the usage of their work. For 100 years, American artists have earned nothing for music played on radio across the U.S., and if corporate radio has its way in Washington, they’ll keep the royalty rate at $0.00. 

During each new session of Congress, these billion-dollar corporations head to Capitol Hill to seek support for the so-called “Local Radio Freedom Act” (LRFA). The seemingly harmless-sounding resolution appears to be an avenue to promote broadcast localism, but it is in fact something very different. In actuality, the non-binding resolution, which is pushed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), hurts creators by placing Congress on the other side of the fulcrum. LRFA puts members of Congress on the record against paying the artists and performers in their district. Congressional support of this contentious and obsolete resolution forces members of Congress to take a stand against fairness and intellectual property rights.

LRFA will be introduced in Congress any day now, with the radio industry already on Capitol Hill asking Congress for support for its anti-artist agenda. This corporate radio loophole makes broadcast radio the only industry in America that can use another's intellectual property without permission or compensation.

There is hope on the horizon. Many lawmakers across the political spectrum, along with leaders in the music and arts community, support common-sense reform that ensure creators are always compensated for their own work, while ensuring true community broadcasters can continue to thrive. In short, they are on the side of the creators themselves, who often lack leverage in this debate due to the NAB’s incredibly deceptive messaging campaign.

Fixing this loophole would also benefit music creators in the United States when their music is broadcast internationally. American artists collectively are due over $200 million annually in overseas royalties from radio play in foreign markets, but can't collect their royalties because the U.S. does not reciprocate with our own performance right. If Congress listened to artists back home, instead of Big Radio, that money would be unlocked and repatriated back stateside.

Music creators deserve to be fairly compensated and it's up to the 117th Congress to side with music creators instead of Big Radio. This misleading radio resolution will only delay true reform—and already beleaguered creators will continue to suffer because of it.

Take Action: Tell Congress to Support Music, Not Big Radio

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