The 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards is sponsored by City National Bank and benefits the GRAMMY Museum.

The Recording Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill will kick off Washington, D.C.'s biggest week in music on Tuesday, April 30, with the 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, followed by Advocacy Day on Wednesday, May 1, and the first-ever Future Forum on Friday, May 3.

For more than two decades, the Recording Academy has returned to Washington, D.C., to advocate for equality, fairness and justice in music law and celebrate the intersection of music and politics by honoring congressional leaders and music creators who lead the fight for creators’ rights.

This year, the Recording Academy GRAMMYs on the Hill music honoree is nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow. A powerhouse of activism and philanthropy, Crow co-founded the Recording Artists' Coalition in 2000 to champion creators' rights with previous GRAMMYs on the Hill honoree Don Henley. Her relentless advocacy efforts span congressional testimonies and artistic expressions like her recent song "Evolution," and her fervent support of a plethora of charitable causes.

The awards will also honor Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN.)

Cornyn and Klobuchar are the congressional honorees being recognized for their stalwart support of creators and their collaborative efforts championing key policies in support of the music community. Together, they have championed the Save Our Stages Act, which provided $16 billion to venues closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest ever U.S. federal investment in the arts. This year, they are working to reform live event ticketing through the Fans First Act. 

Read more: GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards 2024 Honorees Announced: Sheryl Crow, Sens. John Cornyn & Amy Klobuchar

As this year's GRAMMYs on the Hill draws near, discover all you need to know about the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards Dinner, Advocacy Day and Future Forum during Washington D.C.'s biggest week in music.

What Is GRAMMYs on the Hill?

GRAMMYs on the Hill is a three-day event consisting of the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, Advocacy Day and this year's premiere event, the Future Forum. 

Over the course of these events, music creators come together with members of Congress to advocate for the passage of legislation that will further improve those rights while celebrating those who have been exceptional in their support of music maker's rights.

At the Awards Dinner, the Recording Academy honors an individual or group from the music industry who has used their reach to advocate for, and take positive action in support of, advancing creator's rights. These honorees have gone above and beyond fighting for their peers. Additionally, the Recording Academy honors two elected officials who have been leaders in advancing creator's rights by supporting legislation and passing policy that benefits music creators.

During GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, the Recording Academy brings recent GRAMMY winners and nominees to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their staff. Throughout the day, these artists utilize meeting time to tell their stories and urge congressional offices to take action on key issues facing the music community.  

This year, the Recording Academy is expanding GRAMMYs on the Hill to include one more day of programming on May 3 that will explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in music and its ethical implications and future applications. The inaugural GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum will explore one of the music industry’s most pressing topics today — the impact of artificial intelligence on human creativity and connection. Programming will include engaging panel discussions around leveraging the potential power of AI and the ethical and political implications of this new technology.

Who Are Some Past GRAMMYs on the Hill Honorees?

For over 20 years, GRAMMYs on the Hill has recognized the achievements of people making an impact on creator's rights. Past honorees include: 

Music icons:

• 13-time GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams

• Five-time GRAMMY-winning duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

• Four-time GRAMMY Winner Yolanda Adams

• Two-time GRAMMY winner Garth Brooks

• 15-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys

• Three-time GRAMMY winning group Zac Brown Band

• Seven-time GRAMMY winner John Mayer

• Four-time GRAMMY winner Missy Elliot

• Four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban

• Three-time GRAMMY winner Kelly Clarkson

• Five-time GRAMMY winning group Lady A

• Three-time GRAMMY winner Gloria Estefan

Congressional Honorees:

• Then-Vice President Joe Biden

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

• Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

• Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

• Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

• Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)

• Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

• Former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

• Former Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

• Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)

What Has Advocacy Day Accomplished?

PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act: In 2022, the Recording Academy worked closely with our GRAMMYs on the Hill honorees, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in the House of Representatives. And shortly following meetings during GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom TIllis (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

The bill, which directs the State Department to use music and music-related global exchange programs as a tool to build cross-cultural understanding and advanced peace abroad, was ultimately signed into law by President Biden in December 2022.

Music Modernization Act: In 2018, Rep. Bob Goodlatte brought the Music Modernization Act to the House floor during GRAMMYs on the Hill.

Throughout the Advocacy Day, our advocates met with congressional offices urging them to support this bill, which included provisions to improve compensation for songwriters, help pre-1972 legacy artists get paid by music streaming services, and recognize producers and engineers in music copyright protection. 

In the months following GRAMMYs on the Hill, the bill was unanimously passed by the House and Senate. On Oct. 11, 2018 the historic bill known as the Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (aka Music Modernization Act) was signed into law.

Who Do The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, Advocacy Day and Future Forum Benefit?

The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards Dinner, sponsored by City National Bank, is a charitable event benefiting the GRAMMY Museum. The GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day and this year's Future Forum, in partnership with the Human Artistry Campaign, benefit the music industry and the public at large by advocating for their rights and interests.

What Will The Recording Academy Be Advocating For At This Year's GRAMMYs on the Hill?

• No AI FRAUD Act: Protecting the image, likeness and voice of individual creators from AI fakes through legislative measures such as the No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate’s No FAKES Act discussion draft. 

• Fans First Act: Reforming the live event ticket marketplace to better protect artists and fans through legislation including the Fans First Act and a similar House bill, the TICKET Act.

While the Recording Academy's Advocacy Team tirelessly tackles these critical issues throughout the year, this year's Advocacy Day and Future Forum serve as a significant and impactful continuation of these ongoing legislative efforts.

Be sure to stay engaged for opportunities to participate remotely during this year's GRAMMYs on the Hill.

Ticketing Reforms Make A Big Leap In Maryland: Here's What You Need To Know

The Recording Academy just took a musical ride through Capitol Hill — and lawmakers were listening.

At GRAMMYs On The Hill 2024, which just wrapped, GRAMMY winners and nominees and music professionals visited lawmakers to advocate for legislation advancing music creators' rights.

The Recording Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill is the signature music event in Washington, D.C. Therein, music creators and congressional members convened to celebrate our progress in the music space, illuminate the issues the music community is currently facing, and advocate for concrete change.

GRAMMYs on the Hill 2024 comprised three marquee events: the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on Tuesday, April 30, which this year honored nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow and Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day on Wednesday, May 1, Capitol Hill's largest and most prestigious legislative event for music; and the inaugural GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum on Friday, May 3, which explored the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music community.

In 2024, the Recording Academy is focused on two critical issues affecting the music industry and fans the world over: AI fraud and live event ticketing reform. A number of key pieces of legislation are being furthered toward these efforts, including the No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft — which aims to safeguard the image and likeness of artists everywhere.

The Fans First Act and the TICKET Act represent the most comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen the live event ticketing marketplace and continue to protect fans, artists, and independent small businesses.

With that in mind, here were some inspiring quotes from the biggest annual week in music advocacy!

"What I love about music, of course, is that it is a universal language that connects people to each other. It has no borders or boundaries, and it's an important way for us with our differences to find common ground. We need more of that here in Washington, D.C."
— Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

"Everything in life boils down to the human experience. We can't allow anything to get in the way of connecting with each other. We've seen what disconnect feels like, and I'm going to say we have not, as one race, the human race, we have not yet seen how truly powerful it can be when we stay connected."
—Michael Trotter Jr., The War and Treaty

"Music is powerful, not just when we listen to it passively, but also – and especially – when we participate in it. There's something innate within us that responds to music. Music forges connection and community in a unique way that nothing else can. Music is a gift that taps into and reveals something about our shared humanity and that collective communal experience is something that AI can never replicate or replace.
—Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, Recording Academy

"Now that music is back — concerts are back big time — [we need to prioritize] the important job of working across the aisle to bring common sense rules to online ticketing, all in price disclosures, so people know what they're getting, a ban on these speculative tickets when people don't even have a ticket and they're pretending that they're selling ones, strengthening the protections against bots and ensuring all fans have access to reliable show and safety information no matter where they bought their tickets.
—Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

"In this room, we know that music brings people together. It can be a powerful force and a source of common ground. That's why the mission of the Recording Academy is not only to celebrate the music we all love, but to lift up and protect the people behind the music too. Music is irreplaceable, which means the people behind the music are irreplaceable."
—Harvey Mason jr., CEO, The Recording Academy

"If you cannot understand that music is a physical thing that connects all of us, through the thing that is in all of us, which is spirit and soul. It is the energy that moves your body. It is the energy that keeps a tree alive. It is what some people will call God. For me, inspiration, God, energy, it is all the same thing because it exists everywhere on the planet, but it does not exist in a computer."
—Sheryl Crow

The 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were sponsored by City National Bank and benefited the GRAMMY Museum.

Inside The 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards: Sens. Cornyn & Klobuchar, Sheryl Crow Honored For Their Fight For Music Creators

The GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards returned to D.C. on April 30 and united lawmakers and artists in an unparalleled celebration of music and human connection. The star-studded event, taking place once again at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, began with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

The genre-defying electroacoustic duo Arkai took the stage, held their violin and cello, and laid into a reharmonized "The Star-Spangled Banner." Like any exceptional musical performance, it hit like a gale force of humanity. It also showcased how human creativity has always embraced new technology with stirring and inspiring results. 

The power of music to help us reconnect with our humanity provided the foundation for two issues the Recording Academy spotlighted during the evening. The first is the need to protect the image, likeness and voice of individual creators from AI fakes through legislative measures, such as the House's No AI Fraud Act and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft.

But thanks to the threat to likenesses and copyrights that is AI, music's essential humanity is under siege. Ticketing, too, is being hijacked; accordingly, the second issue on the docket is reforming the live event ticket marketplace to better protect artists and fans through legislation including the Senate's the Fans First Act and the House bill the TICKET Act.

And as always, when an existential threat for artists surfaces, the Recording Academy is there to defend its global community of music makers.

Prior to Arkai's thrilling performance, a host of music's best and brightest gathered in front of a step-and-repeat to express their feelings on AI and ticketing in 2024. One was TV producer, musician, and Recording Academy member Candiace Dillard Bassett, who had the honor of hosting the GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards.

Bassett conceded there are a lot of components of AI that are "beneficial to our everyday lives." However, "If it's not being contained, then it's a danger. It's abusive," she said. "As creators, we deserve to have our likeness and our images. It's very simple.

"The biggest challenge is knowing that the artists' economy can be really diminished by technology," said three-time GRAMMY winner and three-time nominee, poet J. Ivy.

GRAMMY-winning jazz singer Sara Gazarek noted the importance of artists themselves raising their voices — not just tech giants and the like. "Not just business owners and CEOs and people who are set to profit from some of these things," she said, "but really the ones who are representing culture and the human side of what it is that we're doing."

And Todd Dupler, the Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer at the Recording Academy, put it gravely: "We've already seen the technology get to the place where people can have their voice or their image manipulated in ways that they would've never approved of or would never have never intended somebody to see."

On the topic of ticketers' rights, artists were equally vociferous.

"You can only garner the trust of your fans once," said two-time GRAMMY winner, singer/songwriter Lauren Daigle, noting her $40 shows have ballooned to $400 thanks to intercepting bots. "I feel like it's time for change. We need to create legislation that's going to stop this from happening."

This year's Best New Artist nominees, the War on Treaty, concurred. "Based on where their paychecks land, I think that that's a difficult conversation," said their Michael Trotter Jr. "I think that we should remember the human. I think we need to remember that art touches everyone and that we need to do everything we can and make it as accessible as it can."

"We need our fans, and they need us to give an exchange," said thrice-nominated rapper Rapsody. "We can't take advantage of their fandom and their pockets."

"It's a bipartisan issue," concluded Dupler. "Everybody understands how important live music and live events are for our community, and so we're optimistic that we can get something done."

And with that, the audience took to their feet for Arkai's patriotic performance. 

As mentioned, Bassett led the program as master of ceremonies with aplomb. The gestalt of GRAMMYs On The Hill 2024 was to honor Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who've reached across the aisle to protect the music community.

Sen. Cornyn, a dogged fighter against ticket predation, was the first to receive his GRAMMYs On The Hill Award.

"What I love about music is that it's a universal language that connects people to each other, across borders, across boundaries," he said. "This bill takes the power out of the hands of the bots, the bad actors, and puts it back in the hands of the people that make live shows so special."

Right then, the spousal duo War and Treaty — who are about to open for the Stones in stadiums — manifested that power with a killing performance of "That's How Love is Made." ("Everything in life boils down to the human experience," Trotter declared beforehand.)

A rousing performance of gospel classic "Oh, Happy Day" followed, led by The Choir Room's Dwan Hill. Hill cajoled the capacity room of lawmakers and industry leaders to rise to their feet and share in a communal, squarely flesh-and-blood, musical experience.

Then, Tammy Hurt, the Chair of the Recording Academy's Board of Trustees, brought out an unwavering advocate — and Minnesota legend — in Jimmy Jam. He presented the second GRAMMYs On The Hill Award to Klobuchar, "for her unprecedented leadership and allyship to music and its makers."

In her witty and wide-ranging speech, Klobuchar brought the audience's memories back to Covid, and its catastrophic effect on the live music industry. "Now that music is back and concerts are back big time," she declared, "the important job of working across the aisle to bring common sense rules to online ticketing."

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. then took the stage. "Music is irreplaceable. Do you agree?" he poignantly asked the audience. "This means the people behind the music are irreplaceable — do you agree with that?

Mason was quick to point out that AI isn't all bad — in and of itself, it's not a bogeyman to defeat.

"Some of this technology, it's really exciting," he said. "It's going to be used by innovative creators to make some amazing and incredibly creative new music, I'm sure… but I'm also concerned. We've seen it used to manipulate and exploit individuals without their knowledge, without their permission.

"And that's why we're advocating for appropriate AI guardrails that will safeguard the irreplaceable human creators behind the music," he concluded, "while we lean into the promise and the possibilities of this new technology."

Daigle then took the stage to perform an effervescent "Soak Up the Sun" in tribute to the night's marquee honoree. Then Crow herself, the 2024 Creators Leadership Award honoree, took the stage in a cream-hued pantsuit. Crow performed one new song ("Evolution") and one classic ("Every Day is a Winding Road"), augmented by miles of slide guitar.

"Music is the energy that moves your body," the nine-time GRAMMY winner, 32-time nominee, and tireless advocate for creators' rights underscored. "It does not exist in a computer." Of course, computers are blessings — they're responsible for monumental music.

But it always comes back to the human — and whether through the lens of AI or ticketing, the 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were a celebration of all things we dreamt up.

The 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were sponsored by City National Bank and benefited the GRAMMY Museum.

2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill: How Sens. John Cornyn & Amy Klobuchar Support Music & Advocate For Creators' Rights

The 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards is sponsored by City National Bank and benefits the GRAMMY Museum.

Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have left significant imprints on the music industry through their legislative efforts. This week, the Recording Academy is recognizing and celebrating their contributions to advancing pro-music legislation as honorees at the 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on Tuesday, April 30, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Cornyn, hailing from Texas, has been a steadfast supporter of music creators throughout his tenure in Congress. He played a pivotal role in championing the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a crucial lifeline to venues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with a $16 billion federal relief program. This substantial funding injection marked the largest-ever U.S. federal investment in the arts, underscoring Cornyn's commitment to preserving the cultural landscape and supporting music venues nationwide. Additionally, he has been instrumental in shaping key policies that benefit the music community, including his collaborative efforts with Sen. Klobuchar on initiatives such as the Fans First Act, aimed at reforming live event ticketing to better protect artists and fans alike.

"As a Texan, a love of live music is in my blood, and I've been proud to lead the charge on legislation that helps artists, entertainers, and venues meet the needs of their fans, including the Save Our Stages Act and the Fans First Act," Sen. Cornyn said. "I want to thank the Recording Academy for honoring me, and I look forward to continue to work on behalf of performers and fans across Texas and the nation."  

Learn More: GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards 2024: Everything You Need To Know Including Mission, Goals, Honorees & Achievements

Sen. Klobuchar, representing Minnesota, has emerged as a prominent figure in advocating for music creators' rights and shaping legislation to support the industry. As a key supporter of the Music Modernization Act, she played a pivotal role in ushering in the most significant update to music licensing in over 40 years. This landmark legislation revolutionized royalty payments for songwriters, ensured fair compensation for legacy artists, and provided essential protections for producers and engineers under copyright law. And, during the COVID-19 pandemic she took the lead, alongside Senator Cornyn, in crafting the historic Save our Stages Act to ensure live music venues would remain in business for artists and fans to enjoy for years to come. 

"It's an honor to be recognized by the Recording Academy, an organization that uplifts performers, songwriters, and other music professionals in our country," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Music has the power to bring us together and it is something we can never take for granted. That’s why I fought to pass the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act with Sen. Cornyn to ensure independent arts venues survived the pandemic, and why we are working together to improve the ticketing experience with the Fans First Act. There's nothing like live music and concerts, and I remain committed to ensuring artists can continue to share their music with the fans who love it." 

Both Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar have actively engaged with the music community, participating in events such as GRAMMYs on the Hill and meeting with Recording Academy members to gain insights into the industry's pressing issues and priorities. Their unwavering commitment to advancing creator-friendly legislation and their collaborative efforts in shaping impactful policies underscore their dedication to supporting music creators and nurturing the vibrancy of the music ecosystem.

This year, the Recording Academy is also working with Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar to further several key pieces of legislation, including the Fans First Act, which represent the most comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen the live event ticketing marketplace and protect fans, artists, and independent small businesses.

As the 118th Congress continues its legislative work, the Recording Academy looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar, recognizing them as invaluable allies in the ongoing effort to uplift and safeguard the interests of music creators nationwide.

Academy Members Advance The Fight For Artists' Rights in State Capitals Across the Country

The 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards is sponsored by City National Bank and benefits the GRAMMY Museum.

The Recording Academy is taking the beat to Capitol Hill next week for GRAMMYs on the Hill 2024, where GRAMMY winners and nominees and music professionals will visit lawmakers to advocate for legislation advancing music creators' rights. 

The Recording Academy's annual GRAMMYs on the Hill is the signature music event in Washington, D.C., where music creators and congressional members come together to celebrate our progress in the music space, shed light on the issues the music community is currently facing, and advocate for real change. GRAMMYs on the Hill 2024 comprises three marquee events: the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on Tuesday, April 30, which this year honors nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow and Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day on Wednesday, May 1, Capitol Hill's largest and most prestigious legislative event for music; and the inaugural GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum on Friday, May 3, which will explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music community.

This year, the Recording Academy is focused on two critical issues affecting the music industry and fans everywhere: AI fraud and live event ticketing reform. Several key pieces of legislation are being furthered toward these efforts, including the No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft, to protect the image and likeness of artists everywhere. The Fans First Act and the TICKET Act represent the most comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen the live event ticketing marketplace and protect fans, artists, and independent small businesses.

"The Recording Academy is in the business of celebrating human excellence and human creativity," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. "That was the biggest concern when we crafted our GRAMMY Award policies. We understand that AI is a part of our industry and here to stay, but our awards guidelines stay true to our mission to honor the people behind the music we love so much. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a GRAMMY Award."

Today and forever, it is essential that we protect the people in music. Because music makes us human. As a nonprofit organization that supports advocacy across the music industry, the Recording Academy champions rights for all music creators — not just our Academy members. Being a music advocate means championing music creators' rights year-round, and Recording Academy members have the power to enact true change in music. 

In the guide below, learn more about the important actions and issues driving GRAMMYs on the Hill 2024, which are aimed at protecting the livelihoods of present and future generations of music creators. And learn more about the Recording Academy's efforts to safeguard human creativity and help creators navigate the use of AI across the music industry today.

Learn More: GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards 2024: Everything You Need To Know Including Mission, Goals, Honorees & Achievements

No AI FRAUD Act & No FAKES Act

Across our landscape, technology like generative AI and bot automation threaten to rob our society of human-made music, the timeless, essential craft of expression that transcends cultures and has defined what it means to be human across eons. 

The Recording Academy is leading the national conversation about AI in music, using GRAMMY Week in Los Angeles as a platform for a congressional hearing to explore how AI digital replicas threaten individual artists. 

GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day will further these efforts, with a focus on the bipartisan No AI FRAUD Act, the first federal solution with protections for all Americans who could be vulnerable to fraudulent replicas. The bill was introduced earlier this year in the House of Representatives by Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Madeline Dean (D-PA). In the Senate, the Recording Academy is also pushing for support of Senator Chris Coons's (D-DE) bipartisan effort to introduce a draft of the No FAKES Act with the strongest possible protections for individuals. 

Read more: How The House's No AI FRAUD Act And Tenn.'s ELVIS Act Will Protect Human Creativity

"AI increasingly affects every single one of us," said GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Lainey Wilson during her testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee during its GRAMMY weekend hearing. "We need artists to keep telling stories and connecting with fans and bringing people together authentically. We need to keep humanity in art — we cannot lose that. The No AI FRAUD Act is a great place to start."

Although AI technology holds promise, its rampant expansion without reasonable controls has resulted in real wage theft of working-class musicians and artists. We're rapidly headed toward a world of machine-made music and, worse, the disenfranchisement of millions of human music creators, the repercussions of which would be nothing short of catastrophic. The No AI FRAUD Act and its Senate counterpart establish that everyone's image, likeness and voice are federally protected and that they have the ability to enforce this right against misuse.

 "The bill [No AI FRAUD Act] establishes in federal law that an individual has a personal property right in the use of their image and voice. That's just common sense, and it is long overdue," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. "The bill also empowers individuals to enforce this right against those who facilitate, create, and spread AI frauds without their permission." 

The risks of AI are also being addressed at the state level with new laws setting a precedent for national policy. The ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security,) signed into law in Tennessee on March 21, marked a historic milestone as the first legislation in the nation focused on safeguarding the core elements of artistic identity, including voice and likeness, in the context of AI. The Academy is also working closely with lawmakers in Illinois to update the state’s laws to better protect individuals from digital replicas. 

Protecting the image, likeness and voice of individual creators from AI fakes through legislative measures such as the No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft are integral components to the Recording Academy's year-round mission. 

Live Event Ticketing Reform: Fans First Act & the TICKET Act

The human connection that forms between artists and fans through live music is at the heart of what makes music special. Today, that special connection between artists and fans is threatened by predatory online ticket resellers employing bot automation.

This year's Advocate Day will focus on reforming the live event ticket marketplace to better protect artists and fans through legislation including the Senate’s Fans First Act and a similar House bill, the TICKET Act. The Fans First Act is an active effort of this year's GRAMMY on the Hill political honorees, John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN.), who introduced the bill in 2023.

"We urge Congress to act on [the TICKET Act] quickly and continue its effort to protect both artists and fans by increasing transparency and limiting bad actors that take away from the joyous experience of live music," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.

Read more: Ticketing Reforms Make A Big Leap In Maryland: Here's What You Need To Know

Deceptive trade practices in live event ticketing hurt consumers, performers, and small businesses across the country. Artists want to protect their fans from bulk resellers, bots, and predatory practices, while stakeholders in the secondary market want to restrict the ability of artists to tour and sell tickets the way that they want.

The Fans First Act and the TICKET Act will introduce comprehensive reforms that safeguard consumers from fake tickets, price gouging, and other deceptive practices, provide transparency in ticket pricing, and restore integrity to the ticketing marketplace.

"While fans suffer because of this broken system, so do artists" declares a collective statement of support from the Fix the Tix Coalition, which includes the Recording Academy as a founding member. "Predatory resellers view tickets as nothing more than commodities to be traded for outrageous sums, throwing away the cultural and communal value they provide for our society. They exist to undermine the hard work, talent, and livelihoods of artists, inserting themselves as unnecessary and unwanted middlemen who make their money off the backs of the artists and venues who partner to make these events happen."

The Recording Academy is advocating for congress to listen to the artists on the stage and pass meaningful, bipartisan ticketing reforms that protect consumers, elevate creative economic development, and restore trust in the ticketing experience for fans and artists. In fact just this past week, more than 300 artists, including dozens of GRAMMY winners and Recording Academy members, sent a letter to Congress in support of passing the Fans First Act. 

The Recording Academy invites members to engage in one of our actions here with the hope of creating positive change in the music industry. For non-members, your support means the world. Please use your voice to advocate for the rights of creators' and fans on these key issues so we can all enjoy the music we love so much. 

House & Senate Take Critical Steps Toward Ticketing Reform: Learn How