PHOTO CAPTION: Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, and Shawn Stockman visited Congress on World Radio Day to discuss the need for the American Music Fairness Act with Democratic and Republican lawmakers. (Photo credit: Respective Collective/Amanda Belawski)
SoundExchange, an unabashed supporter of artist rights and fairness for all creators across the music industry, is celebrating yesterday’s delivery to the U.S. Congress of a letter signed by more than 300 recording artists supporting passage of the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). Legendary, 19-time platinum-selling, four-time GRAMMY® -winning R&B group Boyz II Men was on hand in Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and deliver the letter – which demands legislators take action to require broadcasting corporations compensate recording artists for the use of their music on AM/FM radio – on World Radio Day.
While on Capitol Hill, Boys II Men members Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris sat down with NBC’s Ryan Nobles for an exclusive interviewabout AMFA and the need to pay artists when their music is played on AM/FM radio. That interview is slated to air next week on NBC’s Today morning show.
Artists spanning eras and genres that have signed on to the letter that Boyz II Men shared with lawmakers include Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Becky G, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Carole King, Celine Dion, Darius Rucker, David Foster, Elvis Costello, Gene Simmons, George Strait, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Jewel, Joan Jett, Josh Groban, Lil Jon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariah Carey, Matchbox Twenty, Miranda Lambert, Ozzy Osbourne, P!nk, Reba, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, TLC, Train, Weezer and more. View the full text of the letter and all of its signatories at musicfirstcoalition.org.
The members of Boyz II Men met with key lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), to discuss the critical need for AMFA legislation.
“We are thrilled and humbled by the outpouring of support AMFA has garnered among recording artists who recognize the inequities of laws that allow corporate broadcasters to make billions in advertising revenues while not paying a dime to those who make the music,” said SoundExchange President & CEO, Michael Huppe. “It’s particularly poignant that Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris delivered this letter to Congress on World Radio Day – because radio’s enduring appeal is something to be celebrated, but not at the expense of the hard-working professionals who create the sounds that fill the speakers. Artists must be compensated fairly for their work and AMFA will make that happen.”
Artist Quotes About AMFA
“We’re proud to be on Capitol Hill today meeting with lawmakers and asking them to pass the American Music Fairness Act,” said Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris. “This is an issue about right and wrong. Artists – including background vocalists and musicians – work hard to create music that brings joy to millions. It’s outrageous that big radio companies are able to make billions of dollars each year in ads while denying royalties to the performers whose music attracts listeners in the first place. We hope that Congress will listen to the voices of artists and pass this bill.”
“Today, the community of music artists is speaking with one voice,” added LeAnn Rimes. “Performers spend hours, days, weeks, months, and even years working on the songs that make up the soundtracks of our lives. They should be rewarded for that work by the radio corporations that play their songs on the air.”
“When I was starting out, radio offered free promotion for artists who were looking to make it,” added Carly Simon. “That’s no longer the case. In the digital age, fewer and fewer Americans are discovering new music on the radio. Instead, AM/FM is making billions of dollars each year in ad revenue without compensating the artists whose songs they play. This needs to end. I’m proud that so many artists are speaking out today in favor of the American Music Fairness Act.”
