Top recording artists ask Congress to pass a bill requiring radio royalties

• Top recording artists are asking lawmakers to pass the American Music Fairness Act. They want radio stations to pay them for the rights to play their music.
• Three hundred musical artists and groups spanning myriad genres signed the letter to Congress.
• The members of Boyz II Men were scheduled to speak with lawmakers Thursday on behalf of the group.

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Hundreds of music artists, including Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Ozzy Osbourne and Stevie Nicks, are calling on Congress to pass a bill that would require radio stations to pay them for the rights to play their songs.

In a letter delivered Thursday, Feb. 13, to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., more than 300 entertainers asked lawmakers to pass The American Music Fairness Act.

The artists said the legislation would close an “antiquated loophole” and ensure music creators are paid for their work.

“Music creators work incredibly hard to make the sound recordings we all know, love, and value,” the letter states. “However, the U.S. continues to be the only Democratic nation in the world where artists like us are not paid when our music is played on AM/FM radio.”

What do radio stations say about the bill?

Organizations representing radio stations have argued that broadcasters and artists each benefit from the exposure gained from playing songs. 

They’ve also said royalties paid through licensing agreements are already expensive and the bill could raise costs for the struggling radio industry.

The proposal’s goal is to ensure small stations can continue broadcasting affordably, suggesting nearly two-thirds of radio stations would pay $500 or less annually for unlimited music.

Who else signed the letter?

Other artists and groups spanning myriad genres signed the letter, including Celine Dion, P!nk, Jelly Roll, Carly Simon, Aerosmith and Boyz II Men.

The members of Boyz II Men were scheduled to meet with lawmakers Thursday about the bill.

“This is an issue about right and wrong. Artists — including background vocalists and musicians — work hard to create music that brings joy to millions,” Boyz II Men said in a statement. “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.”

Several different versions of the American Music Fairness Act have been introduced over the years, but the bill has yet to get a vote at the committee level.