FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT, LARGEST GRASSROOTS MUSIC ADVOCACY EFFORT TAKES PLACE COAST TO COAST
Today, almost two weeks after the Music Modernization Act (MMA) became law, more than 1,500 Recording Academy™ members from coast to coast will participate in the largest grassroots initiative for music in the nation—District Advocate day. Songwriters, performers, musicians, and producers throughout the music industry will meet with their members of Congress in their home districts, as well as numerous candidates in key districts, to provide insights on upcoming legislative issues and remind legislators that music creators live, work, and vote in their districts.
As the only organization representing all music creators, and no companies, the Recording Academy’s District Advocate day works to bring music issues to the forefront of legislators’ minds. Meetings will celebrate the passage of the Music Modernization Act, with music creators thanking those who helped to pass the historic legislation, as well as address legislative issues likely to come up in the 116th Congress. These issues include:
- Protecting music creators in international trade deals
- Ensuring independent creators have an efficient means to enforce copyright
- Modernizing the copyright office
- Funding for the National Endowment of the Arts and music education
- Resolving the long-standing FM radio royalty issue
“This year, a record number of creators found their voices as advocates. The result of that engagement was passage of the landmark MMA,” said Daryl P. Friedman, the Recording Academy’s Chief Industry, Government & Member Relations Officer. “Now, as we prepare for a new Congress with a large number of open seats, creators will remind incumbents—and candidates for seats from both parties—that their work has value in every district in the country, and their voices must continue to be heard.”
District Advocate day participants include GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist Mindi Abair; GRAMMY-winning producer Peter Asher; singer, songwriter, and producer Mondo Cozmo; songwriter Sue Ennis; performing artist, songwriter, and producer Emily Estefan; GRAMMY-winning producer, engineer, and mixer Frank Filipetti; GRAMMY-winning musician, songwriter, and member of Lady Antebellum Dave Haywood; GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz; GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer Linda Perry; country singer Maggie Rose; GRAMMY-nominated rapper Paul Wall; and more than a thousand other music professionals.
District Advocate day, along with the Recording Academy’s annual GRAMMYs on the Hill® in April, are credited with helping to pass the Music Modernization Act into law. These advocacy events connect music creators with their members of Congress to educate them on music legislative issues, and highlight how these laws impact music professionals in every district, and how they are important conduits, especially in advance of a new Congress.
For more information about District Advocate day and Recording Academy initiatives, visit www.grammy.com/action.
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music’s history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards®—music’s only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world’s leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
For more information about the Recording Academy’s ongoing advocacy work, visitwww.grammy.com/advocacy, follow @GRAMMYAdvocacy on Twitter, and “like” GRAMMY Advocacy on Facebook.