In many European countries royalties are paid to the songwriters (authors) AND the artists (performers) but the United States’ adaptation to this practice has been anywhere between slow and un-existing (probably a result of the fact that terrestrial broadcasters are largely owned by the same greedy corporation). Interestingly in the U.S. digital broadcasters such as satellite, Internet, and cable stations pay royalties to both artists and songwriters, but over-the-air (terrestrial) broadcasters refuse to pay any compensation to the singers, musicians and session players who make those recordings.

The Recording Academy is fighting to include a new performance royalty for artists to be paid in addition to that paid to writers. Last week, The Academy and a coalition of music groups launched a major campaign to turn this call to action into a reality: The musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition seeks to end the free pass for corporate radio. We call upon all performers out there to get involved at www.musicfirstcoalition.org where you can find more information and make your voice heard in Congress.