Musician Lobby could kill black radio
India Lowry
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: Entertainment
Over two dozen recording artists including Marry J. Blidge, Lalah Hathaway,Dave Matthews Band and Freggie have signed
a petition to encourage congress to pass a Performing Rights Act.
This bill would require radio stations to pay royalties to the musicians and the producers every time their music is
played on air. Most artists see their music being played on the radio as free promotion for the singers and producers who often reap the benefi t's of their song's recognition.
Owner of Radio one Cathy Hughes reported to Essence magazine that she was against the Performing Rights Act.
"It won't put Radio One out of business, but we are fighting this for the brothers and sisters who aren't large enough to fight for themselves. Th is act would immediately put a
third of Black radio stations out of business and severely affect my subsidized formats like my talk radio and gospel
satiations."
However, the artist that support this petition see it as unfair, unjust and un-American that they are not being paid for listeners to hear the music on the radio. But is it considered unfair, unjust and un-American to pay artist royalties on free advertisement that may run small
businesses out of business for playing the music that their (the artist) fans love?
a petition to encourage congress to pass a Performing Rights Act.
This bill would require radio stations to pay royalties to the musicians and the producers every time their music is
played on air. Most artists see their music being played on the radio as free promotion for the singers and producers who often reap the benefi t's of their song's recognition.
Owner of Radio one Cathy Hughes reported to Essence magazine that she was against the Performing Rights Act.
"It won't put Radio One out of business, but we are fighting this for the brothers and sisters who aren't large enough to fight for themselves. Th is act would immediately put a
third of Black radio stations out of business and severely affect my subsidized formats like my talk radio and gospel
satiations."
However, the artist that support this petition see it as unfair, unjust and un-American that they are not being paid for listeners to hear the music on the radio. But is it considered unfair, unjust and un-American to pay artist royalties on free advertisement that may run small
businesses out of business for playing the music that their (the artist) fans love?
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Bryan Calhoun
Bryan Calhoun
posted 3/03/10 @ 11:26 AM EST
Some big corporate conglomerates have been trying to scare the public, artists and small stations with threats of what the Performance Rights Act would require. (Continued…)
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