Performance Rights revisited, 2009
Submitted by ken on Wed, 04/15/2009 - 4:09pm
I got the call again in March to participate in the Performance Rights Lobbying Fly-In in Washington, D.C. I had a week to book my ticket but with the economy in a slump getting a flight was easy, though not as cheap as they are now. I arrived at the Capitol Hilton just in time for the pre-dinner mixer. I met AFM members from all over the country and got to reunite with Hal Ponder, Ben Falk, Linda Patterson, some new friends from Austin and Houston and some old friends from Nashville.
Representatives from NARAS, AFTRA, RIAA, recording studios, entertainment attorneys and my fellow AFM members were briefed on the effort this year over dinner. During this economic down turn it's more important than ever to make Congress realize that they can help bail out not just large banks but through passage of a Performance Rights Act, they can help out musicians and performers. Legislation is long over due, the over-the-air broadcasters have had a free ride using our hard work to fill their pockets! Songwriters get their share; publishers get their share; why not the perfomers and musicians?
I've not heard a convincing argument against this legislation other than that the NAB will not collect a small portion of billions they collect each year in advertising revenues. It is important this year that you call your elected representatives in congress and urge them to support HR848 and S379. Visit the websites below to contact your Representatives and Senators.
As Charlie Parker would suggest, "Now's The Time."
Later
Ken Skaggs