Musicians want radio stations to pay to play tunes

Evening Citizens,

Here is something that is really pissing me off. Read and I will explain after:


"Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and other entertainers on Tuesday urged Congress to force radio stations to pay performers when their music is broadcast.

Satellite radio, Internet radio and cable TV music channels already pay fees to performers and musicians, along with songwriter royalties. AM and FM radio stations do not pay performers' royalties, just songwriters.

"People deserve to be paid when somebody else uses their property," Hancock said.

He and the other musicians, including Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle, appeared at a news conference on Capitol Hill on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. The group is pushing legislation that would require radio stations to pay musicians royalties similar to those paid to songwriters.

The National Association of Broadcasters, which opposes the measure, said a fee would put thousands of radio jobs at risk. The association also argues that stations drive listeners to buy music and concert tickets.
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"NAB welcomes an honest debate over whether radio stations or the record labels have historically been a 'better friend' to musicians," Dennis Wharton, the organization's executive vice president, said in a written statement.

Hancock said people tune in to the radio because of the music.

"Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio," he said.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced bills that would make radio stations pay the artists when their songs get airtime.

Advocates say the bill accommodates smaller commercial stations, which could pay $5,000 a year. Public radio, college stations and other noncommercial stations could pay $1,000. Larger stations' rates would be set through a government regulatory board, which would determine the fair market price for the use of the songs. The smaller stations could also choose to have their rates set by the board.

Warwick said she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years.

"I think now is about time that I do get paid," she said."
http://nobosh.com/sr/musicians-want-radio-stations-to-pay-to-play-tunes/186388/


Ok Citizens Please allow me to explain why this is complete and utter bullshit. As a member of the Radio Community, let me assure you that it is hard times in the radio business, meaning Layoffs left and right. As far as I am concerned, this is just greedy artists that are looking to squeeze another dime out of a source that has created them.

Herbie Hancock said that "Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio,", Horse shit! If it wasnt for radio Herbie, Nobody today would know who you are. You should be so lucky that Chris Farley (R.I.P.) mentioned you in Tommy Boy! Radio has done nothing but Skyrocket 99% of all popular musicians.

Dionne Warwick claimed she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years, and that "I think now is about time that I do get paid,". Guess what,If you're music has been played around the world for 48 years, I would put my paycheck down (Which is from a radio station) THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GETTING PAID!

Will.I.am- You are already on my shit list for being an accessory to murder of one of the suppose to be greatest movies of the summer, Wolverine so you need to back off right now! Without Fergie you music career is going to die a long and horrible death and unfortunately you bringing me along for the ride.

Citizens, I agree that you should get paid what you are owed. I think this is overstepping your boundaries. When you get charged 300.00 dollars for 2 Brittany Spears tickets or 100.00 tickets a piece for Earth Wind and Fire, that is crap. I severely doubt any of these artist are hurting for money and if they are, that is their own damn fault for squandering away their small fortune when they had it. I will end it with the following quote from my mother that I always heard growing up, " Failure to properly prepare on you part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

Destructibly Pissed,
FuRyan