BREAKING NEWS: House Has The Votes To Block Performance Royalty Bill

[BBS Value Tour]

There are 218 votes lined up to block the passage of the controversial Performance Royalty Bill that radio has been fighting...

Performance Royalty Foes Reach Majority In House

The NAB is expected to announce the recruitment of at least four more sponsors to the Local Freedom Act, which would raise the total of representatives against the Performance Royalty bill at 218 or more -- a majority in the House of Representatives.

Sources told ALL ACCESS that Congressman BOB INGLIS (SC) was the 218th co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 49, The Local Radio Freedom Act. At the very least, this should prevent the Performance Royalty bill from being considered by the full House.

More details as they come in....

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THE FLIPSIDE...

Performance Fee Fight Comes To Motown

I'd first talk about how we repair the damage done to artists. And I would not repair the damage by giving the money that they were robbed to the thief that robbed them.

Performers such as DIONNE WARWICK, DUKE FAKIR, SAM MOORE and MARTHA REEVES attended a town hall meeting in DETROIT TUESDAY over whether singers should get royalties when their songs are played on the radio.

"This is basically allowing those dollars -- that are rightfully ours -- to be paid to us ... I will not allow them to take advantage of me," said WARWICK.

Rep. JOHN CONYERS JR. (D-DETROIT) is the point person pushing a bill through that would have radio stations to pay royalties to artists when their music is played over AM and FM radio. CONYERS, told SUSAN WHITALL of THE DETROIT NEWS, "Music and culture is the other part of what makes you a human being. I never met anyone who didn't believe that artists and performers shouldn't be compensated. Have you? This is what we're struggling with. We're here to determine how we move past this."

The bill was passed through CONYERS' House Judiciary Committee in mid-MAY, but supporters argue that it's not on the fast track to a vote, and there is still time for discussion and negotiation.

The Rev. AL SHARPTON was the lone radio voice on the panel, and told THE DETROIT NEWS. "I don't know anyone who is opposed to the compensation that has been due artists historically," SHARPTON said. "I'd first talk about how we repair the damage done to artists. And I would not repair the damage by giving the money that they were robbed to the thief that robbed them."

The public forum, "Awareness for Fairness" was held at WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY.

Greater Media/Detroit Stations Voice Their Opposition

"The effects of a performance tax would be catastrophic, potentially forcing stations out of business, causing additional job cuts in the radio industry, stifling airplay for new artists, harming community organizations that need radio for support, and harming the listening public who depend on local radio like 101 WRIF, 94.7 WCSX and Magic 105.1," said GREATER MEDIA/DETROIT Market Manager JOHN GALLAGHER.

GREATER MEDIA/DETROIT is urging voters to learn more about how, in the midst of these hard economic times, why the performance fee would hurt radio stations that play music. They've posted a video on YOUTUBE that you can view here. Also visit http://noperformancetax.org/ for more info.
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source: AllAccess.com

WHAT SAY YE?

[Damien Willis]

Thank goodness. This "Performance Tax" would cripple small radio stations (like the company I work for), who are already feeling the terrible effects of the economic downturn. It is the record company's job to pay their artists. It is radio's job to give them FREE publicity and "advertising," in the form of airplay. This is just another attempt by the record companies--in their refusal to admit that they are operating on a model that doesn't work anymore--to shirk their responsibilities. And my hat's off to the Representatives who stood behind free, local radio. Bravo!

[patsy]

I agree with you 100%!

[Bradley"Sidekick"Walker]

Either cut the artist In whats due too them or Radio Cut Out! Artist have to live also they give us music to listen too, We know that Music sooth the soul. Pass The Bill! STop Playin! Or we just see you at the polls.

[BBS Value Tour]

Just an observation: the performance tax will eliminate most urban and small radio stations, simply because they will not be able to afford to operate.

The people who will be left who can afford to pay chances are won't play much of our music, definitely nothing they don't have ownership of.

Since, competition of other radio stations will be eliminated, this will create somewhat a monopoly of radio stations, and TRULY only those who can pay will be able to get play.

So, where are our artists in this formula? Maybe, we just need to be more innovative in finding a real solution that works for artists and radio. Is this bill the only option?

Just a question; just an observation

[Damien Willis]

If this bill passes, radio stations across the country will begin charging the labels and artists for the promotional support they are currently providing for FREE. If the labels want to change the nature of the symbiotic relationship that currently exists between the radio and record industries, the labels can expect the promotional support that FREE, LOCAL RADIO provides them (and their artists) to come to an end.

Again, it is the LABEL'S job to pay the "performer." Radio is already paying the songwriters, via ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.

And I'm not sure where Dionne Warwick is coming from; she has more money than ANYONE in the small broadcasting company that I work for. (If she is looking for any handouts from radio, perhaps she should write her OWN songs.)

[Dr. F. A. Young, Esq.]

Kill the Labels eliminate the middlemen radio stations that all feed off the artists and have locked artists down in contracts that provide them peanuts. It is one of the forms of economic slavery that have robbed Black artists for generations.

The failure of Black artists and athletes to come together and leverage their collective power is the main cause of their oppression and lack of benefiting economically from the various new forms of Intellectual Property (IP) rights and residual/back end income etc.

Street artists and Black Market/Underground market - indies are all in rebellion - they have left and are leaving the plantation. When you are ready to leave the plantation click here. In the - in between time view this:

[James "Prez" Carter]

Interest,wow!