Yolanda Adams performs during the 2016 GRAMMYs On The Hill
Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images

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Yolanda Adams & More GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards Honorees Announced

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The annual Advocacy event will also honor Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for their roles in MMA's passage as well as Adams and Kristin Chenoweth
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Mar 27, 2019 - 8:11 am

This year's GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, to be held on April 9, will honor Yolanda Adams for her advocacy and Kristin Chenoweth for her philanthropy, as well as 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.

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"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."

Dec 2, 2014 – 10:58 pm

Kristin Chenoweth: Carole King's Music Is "Not Just Dessert"

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in last year's Congress, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led his chamber's unanimous support for the MMA in its final form as an omnibus package, combining several separately considered bills. Grassley originally introduced the Allocation For Music Producers Act (AMP) in the Senate, which was an important component of the MMA, adding producers and engineers to copyright law for the first time. Upon being elected President pro tempore of the Senate in January 2019, Grassley now presides over the chamber as its most senior member.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) co-introduced a songwriter-focused version of the Music Modernization Act in the House on Dec. 21, 2017. "The House Judiciary Committee has undertaken a thorough review of the issues that adversely affect stakeholders in the copyright ecosystem," said Jeffries at the time, praising the MMA for "increasing efficiency and providing greater transparency." His committee was noteworthy for its scope of hearings into music and copyright, and Jeffries' questions to witnesses helped build the consensus that resulted in generational copyright reform. As the newly elected House Democratic Caucus Chairman, Jeffries’s leadership will advance the rights of all creators in the 116th Congress.

Four-time GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams will receive the Recording Academy's Creators Leadership Award in thanks for her advocacy on behalf of artists in tandem with her philanthropic giving. Current President of the Recording Academy Texas Chapter, Adams has supported her fellow artists and songwriters through many decades of advocacy work. In addition, her support for MusiCares and other charities including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been selfless, both through performances and by means of financial support.

In thanks for her generous giving both personally and financially, Kristin Chenoweth will be honored with the GRAMMYs on the Hill Philanthropist Award. Recognized with Tony and Emmy awards as a Broadway performer and television actress, she also appears in films including as the animated Gabi in Rio 2. Growing up outside Tulsa in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, her leadership in the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center has made it the focus of a revitalized arts district. She also conducts a Broadway Boot Camp to help youngsters understand how to audition and pursue careers in theater. A long-time supporter of MusiCares, Chenoweth performed at the 2011 MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute to Barbra Streisand.

The awards dinner and show will take place at the Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., with live performances from both Adams and Chenoweth as well as additional special guests. 

The following morning, on April 10, GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day is a special occasion for the music community to engage with lawmakers and staff fully. Considered Capitol Hill's largest policy event for music, both lawmakers and music advocates are able to share perspectives looking ahead to the future, and continue their work to ensure fair compensation for artists, songwriters and producers on unresolved issues.

Recording Academy Advocacy Hits SXSW

 

(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

Neil Portnow, Yolanda Adams & P.J. Morton

Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage

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Inside The 2019 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards Celebration

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Music and politics came together on the eve of Capitol Hill's largest policy event for music to celebrate champions of music creators' rights from both worlds
Marcus K. Dowling
Advocacy
Apr 10, 2019 - 6:30 pm

Hot on the heels of the successful passage of the Music Modernization Act in October 2018, the 2019 GRAMMYs on the Hill gala event celebrated an industry now looking to provide quality educational opportunities for young artists, as well as the artists of the past and present highlighting their stellar advocates in the halls of Congress. Ultimately, the underscored the truly good, decent and humane benefits that can blossom when music and politics unite to ensure a sustainable future for all music creators.

Apr 10, 2019 – 2:08 pm

Go Inside The 2019 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards

Washington, D.C.’s The Hamilton hosted the event, which honored singer/songwriter/actress Kristin Chenoweth and gospel icon Yolanda Adams. As well, two congressional honorees—Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Okla), the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus—were feted. Though Senator Grassley was unable to attend, he was more than ably replaced by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), the Speaker of the House, who noted the “tireless advocacy work of artists like Adams and Chenoweth for the aid of America’s music professionals,” was, “greatly appreciated by their many friends on Capitol Hill.”

Chenoweth, a stalwart musical icon whose talents span musical theater, film, and television, was honored with the GRAMMYs on the Hill Philanthropist Award. Regarding her Kristin Chenoweth Art and Education Fund, the diminutive in stature yet mightily voiced performer noted that she would rather show than discuss the impact of her Art and Education Fund. Pairing with Cassandra Haight, a student from Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts, she performed “For Good,” her duet from the soundtrack of legendary Broadway musical Wicked.

Insofar as being the man responsible for being the first (and only) person to quote Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” on the floor of the House of Representatives (during a 2017 discussion on Affordable Care Act), Hakeem Jeffries is already a groundbreaker. Regarding the passage of the MMA, he noted a promising message of bipartisanship and unity as it related to how Congress regarded the industry. “We came together as Republicans and Democrats, the left and the right because music is such a universal language. [Music] captures the soundtrack of our life including love, loss, and a life well lived. People put aside their partisan differences to do what’s right for artists, songwriters, and creatives.”

Adams, was gracious in being honored with the Recording Academy's Creators Leadership Award, and the GRAMMY-winning gospel icon also delivered a memorable performance. The President of the Recording Academy Texas Chapter, her strong advocacy work for preserving the health and financial sustainability of her fellow artists and songwriters via Academy charity MusiCares, was highlighted.

As always, this year’s “only at the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards” moment did not fail to entertain. GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Linda Perry played a stirring acoustic guitar rendition of a song she penned, Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful, which won the GRAMMY for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2004. Perry then launched into a feel-good rendition of her own—via her former group 4 Non Blondes—1991 hit “What’s Up” alongside a stage filled with performance luminaries including Gavin Degraw, and 20 members of Congress as a backing choir and band.

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else,” outgoing CEO of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow paraphrased Mister Rogers, at the open of his remarks. Capping his 17 years in the position with the passage of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) is unquestionably a highlight.

"The passage of the MMA is a monumental success, not only for music creators but for music people everywhere," said Portnow. "Progress begins with unity. From creators to elected leaders, our Recording Academy staff, and our partner organizations throughout the industry, have demonstrated altruistic harmony.”

He also noted that, “At the heart of Recording Academy members is a desire to give back. The Academy has deepened its commitment to its charities. Tonight’s beneficiary, The GRAMMY Museum, is our shared music cultural home.”

As the event bringing together the worlds of music and politics came to a close, everyone looked toward the following morning for GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, where both lawmakers and music advocates are able to share perspectives looking ahead to the future of music policy. And as all of those on stage and in the audience experienced on this lively night in the Nation's Capitol, music has the power to bring us together.

CRB Appeal: Inside The Battle For Fair Streaming Rates

Photo: Recording Academy

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Recording Academy Advocacy Hits SXSW

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The future looked bright in Texas at this year's conference and festival as our music community demonstrated it is coming together like never before
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Mar 22, 2019 - 3:23 pm

"SXSW was the place to be again this year, and Advocacy issues generated excitement as well as packed audiences at the festival's conference and the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter Block Party"—Conversations In Advocacy #49

The SXSW Conference & Music Festival were held March 11–17, 2019 in Austin, Texas, and the Recording Academy and its Advocacy team were there to amplify issues that matter to the community of music creators. Highlights included a block party put on by the Academy’s Texas Chapter and a panel on music copyright and the MMA, which included the Academy’s Senior Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, Todd Dupler as a speaker.

On March 14, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) joined the Texas Chapter Block Party, speaking to the crowd about his support for the Music Modernization Act, what he called the most significant music copyright bill in 40 years. Doggett also reaffirmed his support for establishing a performance right on AM/FM radio, as he noted he was the first Texan to cosponsor the Fair Play Fair Pay Act during the 115th Congress. Academy members and their guests were enthusiastic to hear Doggett championing the importance of correcting this age-old injustice to deny musicians’ compensation for their work.

On March 15, the Academy’s Todd Dupler joined a panel for the conference's "Copyright at the Crossroads: The Present and Prognostications." Billed as "a hard-hitting, copyright-focused panel on the impact of current legal and technological developments affecting the present and future music industry," a full house followed closely as the panelists discussed such weighty issues as the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Fourth Estate decision — a critical set-back for timely enforcement of creative rights. Artificial intelligence and holograms were also front-and-center, not just as burgeoning areas, but also because both have already taken firm hold in the music industry. Other topics included digital first sale doctrine, copyright terminations and the implementation of the MMA's comprehensive copyright reform — a progress we must ensure continues successfully. As Dupler observed, we are trying to "modernize an 8-track copyright law for a digital streaming music world."

After reflecting on the week at SXSW and the many conversations he had with songwriters and artists, Dupler penned an advocacy blog post regarding the ongoing controversy over streaming services and royalty rates.

2018 was a year of unprecedented accomplishment and the music community is poised to build on last year's momentum in 2019. Texas' SXSW helped show what we have going for us as we move ahead to next month's GRAMMYs on the Hill.

Momentum For Music Creators Continues With Recording Arts & Sciences Congressional Caucus

"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.

 
Spotify

Photo: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/Getty Images

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Songwriters Take On Digital Giants Over Royalties

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Spotify is standing tallest against higher royalties but Amazon, Google and Pandora have their back – what does this mean for songwriters?
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Mar 15, 2019 - 10:59 am

Amazon, Google, Pandora, and Spotify chose to appeal a recent royalty increase by the Copyright Royalty Board for songwriters, leading to spirited reaction and rebuttal from songwriters and publishers. As news of the appeals appeared on March 7, songwriter advocates such as Songwriters of North America along with the National Music Publishers Association swiftly responded in defense of the much needed royalty raise.

"[Without] songs these tech companies have nothing to stream/sell. Shameful," said Recording Academy Los Angeles board member and hit songwriter Justin Tranter. "For the first time in 110 years songwriters get an increase in royalties based on how much the music business has changed in that time, and this is how tech companies react. Wow."

A subsequent blog post from Spotify defending their decision to appeal was torn down by NMPA on March 12. Spotify tried to turn down the volume by offering a carefully parsed statement endorsing remuneration for musicians and songwriters in general. The NMPA went through the statement point by pointdismantling them, especially Spotify’s complaints about licensing "scope."

"It is unfortunate that Amazon and Spotify decided to file an appeal on the CRB's decision to pay American songwriters higher digital mechanical royalties," said Nashville Songwriters Association International Executive Director Bart Herbison. "Many songwriters have found it difficult to stay in the profession in the era of streaming music. You cannot feed a family when you earn hundreds of dollars for millions of streams."

Clearly there will be more discussion and debate ahead as court dates approach and company statements seek to persuade the public. The ability to have its determinations supported in court is essential to the CRB's power, and such tests are usually unavoidable. The tech companies who appealed first will have an awkward time trying to argue that their objections are independent of their supposedly deep commitment to see musicians and songwriters get paid fairly, someday, somehow, just not following the CRB's most recent determination.

Little Big Town, Lawmakers Champion Music Modernization Act: 2018 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards