Maren Morris

Maren Morris

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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Maren Morris, Adam Levine Join Groundswell Of Support For Music Modernization Act

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From world-famous artists to tech companies, music advocacy organizations and conservative groups, support for the Music Modernization Act continues to gain momentum
Renée Fabian
Advocacy
Aug 1, 2018 - 3:24 pm

Following the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval, there has been unprecedented rallying from artists, songwriters and other music creators in support of the Music Modernization Act. Among them are creators such as Jason Isbell, Maren Morris, Travis Tritt, OneRepublic, Steven Tyler, and Adam Levine.

"Urgent! All songwriters and music publishers should urge their U.S. Senators to support the bipartisan #MusicModernizationAct," wrote Tritt. "Let's make our voices heard to insure that all songwriters are paid fairly."

As the Music Modernization Act awaits its day for a full vote in the Senate, this week Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) jumped in on the action to support the bill as well.

"There's not a 'spirited marketplace' currently in place for matching songwriter royalties," Hatch tweeted. "There's a broken system in which a handful of actors do a bad job, leaving struggling songwriters out millions of dollars that are owed to them."

While music creators have long advocated for legislation that pays industry professionals their fair share, the MMA has gathered an unprecedented chorus of widespread support across a diverse group of organizations and companies, including the Recording Academy, record labels, publishers, ASCAP and BMI, songwriter groups, unions, streaming services, broadcasters, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the NAACP, and conservative groups such as Americans For Tax Reform, Freedom Works, the American Conservative Union, and Citizens Against Government Waste.

There's a reason why the MMA has gone so far without a dissenting vote, sailing through the House of Representatives without a hitch: The bill is a true compromise, and every step of the way has brought together diverse opinions across party lines, across the House and Senate, and across stakeholder groups.

The biggest update to music legislation in the past 40 years, the MMA takes several steps to preserve the well-being of music in our culture. This includes measures that ensure a fair market standard royalty rate, so all music creators are paid fairly for their work, including legacy artists by closing the pre-1972 loophole. No one entity is getting their dream bill, but every affected party stands to benefit, especially music creators.

As consumer music consumption rapidly moves to digital streaming services, the MMA has never been more important. Now that the bill has unanimously passed the House of Representatives and the Senate Judiciary Committee, it's time to take the MMA across the finish line with a full vote from the Senate to ensure all music creators are paid fairly.

Tell the Senate to support the Music Modernization Act!

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com

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Major Music Reform Package Introduced By Bipartisan Senate Coalition

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The new comprehensive music package has strong bipartisan support
Brian Haack
Advocacy
May 11, 2018 - 4:35 pm

As the man once said, "The times they are a-changing."

After decades of stalled efforts to amend unfair and outdated music licensing laws – many of which have languished unchanged for decades, leaving creators hanging in the breeze – real progress in fixing the state of music law finally appears to be fast approaching.

Today, creators everywhere have great reason to be hopeful as Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), along with the support of an impressive group of legislators from both sides of the political aisle including Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mike Crapo (R-Id.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) David Perdue (R-Ga.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Roy Blunt (R-M.), has officially introduced a package titled the Music Modernization Act (MMA) for review by the U.S. Senate.

The comprehensive reform proposal combines elements of four previously-introduced pieces of legislation – the original songwriter-focused Music Modernization Act; the Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, & Important Contributions to Society Act, or CLASSICS Act; the Allocation for Music Producers, or AMP Act; and the Fair Play Fair Pay Act. A similar unified music package has already passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous 415 – 0 vote after previously passing  the House Judiciary with a likewise unanimous 32 – 0 vote.

Having been introduced to the Senate, the MMA is expected to be the focus of legislative hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 15.

"Today’s introduction is an important step toward enacting historic reform for our badly outdated music laws,” said Senator Hatch of the bill. “For far too long, our old-fashioned, disorganized way of collecting and distributing music royalties has resulted in songwriters and other content creators being paid far too little for their work. It’s also exposed digital music companies to significant liability and created overall uncertainty in the music marketplace. As a songwriter myself, I know how important these issues are. That’s why I’m so pleased we’re taking this significant step today to bring fairness and certainty to our music laws."

The Recording Academy's Chief Industry, Government, & Member Relations Officer Daryl P. Friedman applauded today's introduction, saying, "As the organization that represents music’s creators, the Recording Academy is grateful for the introduction of this comprehensive package.  The Academy’s songwriter, performer, producer and engineer members in every state will advocate for passage of the Music Modernization Act, and they thank Senators Hatch, Grassley, Whitehouse, and all the original cosponsors for their support of music makers."

With such a widespread groundswell of bipartisan support for these equitable reforms to music licensing laws that have been allowed to remain unchanged for a generation, it is imperative that the Senate recognize the direction the winds are blowing and enact change that protects an industry that provides nearly 2 million American jobs.

Contact Your Senators: Tell Them To Support Comprehensive Music Reform

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Lawmakers and the Academy celebrate together
Photo: Recording Academy

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Successful Year for GRAMMY Advocacy Culminates at Celebration in New DC HQ

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A bipartisan bash brought together music's creators and top lawmakers at our new Advocacy offices in the nation's capital
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Dec 19, 2018 - 4:09 pm

The Recording Academy's hard work on Capitol Hill has paid off in 2018 with real progress, and the time to celebrate has come! On Dec. 12, the GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, Julia Michaels, joined the GRAMMY Advocacy staff, lawmakers, Congressional staff and stakeholder groups—over 200 guests in total—for a holiday open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Recording Academy's new offices in downtown Washington, D.C. The new space is intended to be a home for Academy members visiting the nation’s capital, and help better unite the policy community—in bipartisan fashion—with the music creator community.

Julia Michaels at the GRAMMY Advocacy open house.

“I want to thank the Recording Academy for being here in DC to represent those of us who make music” --GRAMMY nominee Julia Michaels at the GRAMMY Advocacy open house.

This special unity was on display throughout last week’s celebration, including during the official ribbon cutting ceremony that brought together musicians like Michaels and Academy Trustee and singer/songwriter Tracy Hamlin with lawmakers Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Hoyer, who was recently elected Majority Leader for the 116th Congress, addressed the crowd praising the Academy for its efforts and successes in Washington.

Earlier in the festivities, Michaels had a bipartisan visit with Reps. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Norma Torres (D-Calif.). McCarthy will be the top Republican in the House next Congress and continue to serve alongside the aforementioned Hoyer as co-chairs of the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus. Their bipartisan partnership on behalf of music led to 2018's historic victory when the Music Modernization Act was signed into law after having unanimously passed Congress.

Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), and Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) also joined in to celebrate with us. D.C.-based producer, engineer and songwriter—and recent GRAMMY nominee—Matt Squire entertained the crowd on Pro Tools, demonstrating how a song is brought to life as a recording, from start to finish. Michaels also addressed the importance of what happens after that, bringing the creative process full circle in context for the crowd.

The year of progress we've had and the passage of the Music Modernization Act are so important because the professionals who create the music we all love — the music that unites us — have to make a living to pour their time and talent into their craft successfully. Cheers and more to come in 2019—with a new home in D.C.!

GRAMMY Advocacy In Action: The Music Modernization Act & Beyond

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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

Rep. Doug Collins and Daryl Freidman

Rep. Doug Collins and Daryl Freidman

Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

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Final Passage Of Music Modernization Act In The House Brings Copyright Reform Closer

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Next stop for copyright reform is the White House, for President Trump to sign the legislation into law
Philip Merrill
Advocacy
Sep 26, 2018 - 8:54 am

The U.S. House of Representatives began a new era in music copyright with its passage of the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, the final version of the MMA which returned to the House for approval in its final modified version. Its next stop is the White House, where all that remains is for President Donald J. Trump to sign the MMA into law.

"The trajectory of the Music Modernization Act has shown the power of music creators to effect real change," says Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "From its unanimous approval in the House of Representatives in April, to its passage in the Senate last week, we have seen unprecedented advocacy from the music community. With today's final passage of the bill in the House, we are one step away from the most sweeping music copyright reform since the 8-track tape era, and we look forward to this being signed into law."

The years leading up to this breakthrough began with a call to action in 2014 that has now been fulfilled, when Portnow told Congress it was time for unified music licensing reform. The Recording Academy and other stakeholders in the music community came together to produce 2018's unprecedented unity, an agreement on the principles now embodied in the MMA.

This unified support, combined with activism from the Recording Academy’s members and other music creators, and leadership frommembers of Congress like Reps. Collins, Goodlatte, Nadler, Issa, Jeffries, Crowley, and Rooney, and Senators Hatch, Grassley, Feinstein, Alexander, Coons, and Whitehouse, created the consensus that made unanimous passage of the MMA possible.

Our music reflects so much of what is special about America and with this legislation, the music business' many stakeholders can look forward to new rules of the road with benefits that will pay off for generations. Producers and engineers have been recognized and will now receive statutory protection for the first time ever. Artists whose work first appeared prior to 1972 will now be protected and receive compensation for online spins, and all recording artists will benefit when government rate-setting relies on a fair market standard.

Songwriters also benefit from this fair market standard while ASCAP and BMI will now have the opportunity to secure fairer compensation for their songwriters. And a new mechanical licensing clearinghouse will bring transparency and efficiency for royalty payments when works stream online.

The MMA is a historic achievement, yet one more step remains, as the many successful communities that come together in today's music ecology look to the President to finalize all the work that has led to this unprecedented consensus and sign the MMA into law.

Thank Your Lawmakers For Completing This Historic Achievement