2024
August 9, 2024: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signs HB 4875 into law after it unanimously passed the state legislature. HB 4875 modernizes Illinois's existing Right of Publicity law to specifically address the challenges artists face from AI-generated creations and digital replicas. Members of the Recording Academy Chicago Chapter testified in favor of the bill in March and traveled to Springfield in April to discuss the importance of safeguards for artists in an evolving digital landscape.
July 31, 2024: Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduce the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act in the United States Senate with the endorsement of the Recording Academy. This legislation would provide a national standard to protect creators' likenesses from being used without their consent, giving them control over their digital personas and offering recourse for unauthorized use by holding individuals, companies, and platforms accountable.
July 20, 2024: In a landmark victory for creators, the U.S. Copyright Office issues a new rule that protects the termination rights of songwriters. Specifically, it ensures that songwriters who reclaim their copyrights from their publishers will receive streaming royalties for those works through The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). The Recording Academy first began working on the issue in 2020.
May 15, 2024: Just two weeks after GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, the House of Representatives passes the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act, by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 388-24. The House-passed TICKET Act brings transparency to the ticketing marketplace by implementing all-in pricing and takes major steps toward ending the harmful practices of speculative ticketing and deceptive websites.
May 3, 2024: The Recording Academy holds the inaugural Future Forum during GRAMMYs on the Hill Week, an innovative event to explore the most pressing issues facing music. Focused this year on the impact of AI on the music community, the event consisted of a series of panels where industry professionals and policy experts discussed both the threats and opportunities presented by AI.
April 30-May 1, 2024: Academy members convene for GRAMMYs on the Hill in Washington, DC, during which the Recording Academy honored 9-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX), for their support of the music community. On Capitol Hill, advocates urged Congress to enact protections for artists from AI fakes and ticketing reform. The Recording Academy also partners with the White House for a first-ever roundtable with key leaders in the Biden Administration.
March 21, 2024: Governor Bill Lee signs the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security (ELVIS) Act into law, making Tennessee the first state to establish protections for artists from exploitation by AI. This historic milestone sets a precedent for future AI legislation at the state and federal level. The Recording Academy worked closely with Tennessee lawmakers and a coalition of artists and industry groups in crafting the bill, which was introduced in January 2024, and continued to heavily support the ELVIS Act as it moved through the legislature and was signed into law.
February 2, 2024: Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. testifies before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property during GRAMMY Week. The special field hearing, held in Los Angeles just days before the 66th GRAMMY Awards, was titled "Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part II – Identity in the Age of AI" and focused on the No AI FRAUD Act, which is endorsed by the Academy. Mason jr. discussed how the Recording Academy is adapting to the changing AI landscape while continuing to celebrate human creativity and artistry. GRAMMY winner Lainey Wilson also testifies.
2023
December 7, 2023: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduce the Fans First Act with the support of the Recording Academy, which helped craft and shape the legislation. This bill would improve the live event ticket marketplace by enhancing transparency in ticket sales, protecting consumers from counterfeit or speculatively priced tickets, and holding those who engage in deceptive ticket sale practices accountable.
October 6, 2023: The Recording Academy’s annual District Advocate Day program expands with the first ever virtual GRAMMY Advocacy Conference. The Conference featured lawmakers, government officials, Academy members, and industry leaders discussing key music policy issues. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFgcBxGngYk
September 28, 2023: The Recording Academy partners with the U.S. Department of State to launch the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative at an event hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and featuring Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. Established by the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, the initiative will promote peace, diplomacy, and democracy around the world through music. The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative includes the American Music Mentorship Program, which brings international artists to the United States to be mentored by Academy members.
September 2023: The Recording Academy commemorates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop in Washington. On September 9, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted an event at the Vice President’s residence to celebrate the anniversary in partnership with the Academy’s Black Music Collective. The celebration follows the passage of resolutions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate recognizing the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. On September 13, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) held a press conference in coordination with the Academy to celebrate the House resolution’s passage. The Senate resolution, sponsored by GRAMMYs on the Hill honorees Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), also designates August 11 as “Hip-Hop Celebration Day” and November as “Hip-Hop History Month.”
August 2, 2023: Louisiana becomes the second state to enact a law to protect creative freedom by limiting the use of creative works as evidence in criminal court cases. The Recording Academy worked closely with Louisiana lawmakers to pass the state’s version of the Restoring Artistic Protection Act into law and engaged members of the Academy’s Memphis Chapter throughout the year to advocate in support of the legislation.
April 26-27, 2023: GRAMMYs on the Hill honors Pharrell Williams, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Bill Cassidy for their dedication to creators’ rights. The following day, Recording Academy members take to Capitol Hill to speak to legislators about key issues facing the music community. The Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act is reintroduced at a special press conference held in front of the Capitol. The legislation would limit the use of song lyrics and other artistic works as evidence in court – an issue that disproportionately affects hip-hop artists.
March 16, 2023: The Recording Academy joins RIAA, SAG-AFTRA, A2IM, NMPA and other leading music organizations to launch the Human Artistry CampAIgn. This coalition was unveiled at South by Southwest with a panel of artists discussing the impact AI could have on all aspects of the music industry. The coalition promises to work to protect creators and ensure the ethical use of AI.
January 24, 2023: The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing titled "That's the Ticket: Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment" which focused on issues in the ticketing marketplace that hurt both consumers and artists. The Academy worked closely with hearing witness Clyde Lawrence of the band Lawrence on his testimony.
2022
December 23, 2022: President Biden signs the Promoting Peace, Education, and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act into law, which was a legislative priority for the Recording Academy in 2022. The new law aims to use music and music-related global exchange programs as tools to foster cross-cultural understanding and promote peace internationally.
December 7, 2022: The American Music Fairness Act, which would establish a performance right for sound recordings broadcast on terrestrial radio, passes the House Committee on the Judiciary without objection. The action marks the most significant movement on the issue since 2010.
October 6, 2022: Nearly 2,000 Recording Academy members came together for the Recording Academy’s first District Advocate Day in three years. Through nearly 200 meetings, Academy members reached 75% of Congress and covered 45 states (including the District of Columbia) advocating for pro-music legislation including the HITS Act, PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, American Music Fairness Act, and the RAP Act.
September 30, 2022: Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 2977, the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, into law, marking the first of its kind to be enacted on a state level. This comes after the Recording Academy spent much of 2022 working with California State Assembly and Senate members to help ensure its passage and in turn protect artists from having their creative expression used against them in a trial.
September 22, 2022: Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduce the American Music Fairness Act in the Senate. This introduction exhibits the bipartisan and bicameral support for establishing a terrestrial performance right for sound recordings and ensuring that all creators are compensated for their work when played on AM/FM radio.
July 27, 2022: Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act into the House of Representatives. The RAP Act, which is the first of its kind on a federal level, intends to protect a creator’s right to free expression by limiting the use of lyrics and other creative works as evidence in federal court.
June 16, 2022: The Copyright Claims Board (CCB) officially began accepting copyright cases following the implementation of the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act, which was signed into law in 2020 and received strong support from the Recording Academy and its members.
June 15, 2022: After years of effort from the Recording Academy, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed the Allen Toussaint Legacy Act into law. Named after the late Louisiana music legend Allen Toussaint, the law protects a person’s right to publicity by requiring third parties to get permission from an individual or from their family before using their image and likeness for commercial purposes.
May 12, 2022: Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced S. 4195, the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in the Senate less than two weeks after the Recording Academy advocated for the House version, H.R. 6498 during the GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day.
April 27th & 28th, 2022: After three years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GRAMMYs on the Hill returned for its 20th anniversary honoring Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), and 5-time GRAMMY winners Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The day after the Awards dinner, GRAMMY winners and nominees took to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress to advocate for pro-music legislation.
January 25, 2022: Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the bipartisan PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in the House of Representatives. The new bill would use music and music-related global exchange programs as a tool to build cross-cultural understanding and advance peace abroad.
2021
November 19, 2021: One month after Behind the Record Advocacy Day, the House of Representative passed the Build Back Better Act which included the HITS Act, a bill the Recording Academy helped craft to incentivize the production of new sound recordings and provide new opportunities for artists and producers struggling with the ongoing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 14, 2021: Recording Academy Members met virtually with nearly 200 congressional offices during the first-ever Behind the Record Advocacy Day to advocate for the HITS Act and the American Music Fairness Act.
June 24, 2021: With the help of the Recording Academy, Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) introduce the American Music Fairness Act, which would establish a domestic performance right for sound recordings on AM-FM radio.
March 11, 2021: President Biden signs into law the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which addresses many of the complex challenges facing creators recovering from the pandemic. ARP extends unemployment assistance for gig workers and mixed earners, provides direct relief payments to most Americans, adds additional funds to critical small business programs including PPP and Shuttered Venue Operator Grants, and provides emergency funding to the NEA.
January 15, 2021: Billboard recognized the Academy’s advocacy in action, which resulted in Congress including key provisions to support creators in the end-of-year COVID-19 relief package. The article’s in-depth analysis compartmentalized the Academy’s efforts into “four strategic pillars”: in-house lobbying, grassroots mobilization, celebrity influence, and coalition-building.
2020
December 27, 2020: President Trump signs a second comprehensive COVID relief bill into law, extending and enhancing benefits to freelance music creators. The omnibus bill also contained key copyright improvements including the CASE Act (small claims copyright court). After more than nine months of advocacy by thousands of RA members, more help was finally on its way for struggling creators.
December 3, 2020: After Academy members lobbied for the HITS Act during District Advocate day and throughout the fall, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduce a companion bill in the Senate, demonstrating its growing support.
July 30, 2020: Working directly with the Recording Academy, Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Ron Estes (R-Kansas) unite to introduce the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act, which would allow an individual to fully expense the cost of new studio recordings on their taxes, up to $150,000.
March 27, 2020: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump signs the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law, which included pandemic unemployment assistance for eligible self-employed workers, created new Small Business Administration loans for self-employed workers, and established a $75 million supplemental fund for the NEA.
2019
November 21, 2019: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) unite to introduce the AM-FM Act (Ask Musicians for their Music Act). If enacted into law, this bipartisan and bicameral bill would finally establish a public performance right for all creators on terrestrial radio.
October 22, 2019: Less than three weeks after making the CASE Act (H.R. 2426) a top legislative priority for District Advocate day, the House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 410-6. The pivotal legislation provides independent artists, songwriters and creators with a more effective means to defend against copyright infringement.
July 18, 2019: The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the CASE Act (S. 1273) out of committee and sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
July 5, 2019: As required by the Music Modernization Act, the U.S. Copyright Office designated the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to manage the new blanket mechanical license and handle royalty collection and distribution. In making the designation, the Copyright Office cited the Recording Academy's comments frequently in its Final Rule, noting how the Academy’s input informed its decision-making process.
April 9, 2019: At the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) applauds the Recording Academy and its members for the "tireless advocacy work of artists...for the aid of America’s music professionals” in the passage of the Music Modernization Act. During the evening, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Calif.), along with artists Yolanda Adams and Kristin Chenoweth, were honored for their leadership on behalf of music creators.
2018
Dec. 12, 2018: GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Julia Michaels and local producer Matt Squire joined lawmakers, Congressional staff and stakeholder groups—over 200 guests in total—for a holiday open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Recording Academy's new advocacy office in downtown Washington, D.C.
Oct. 11, 2018: The Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act is signed into law by President Trump. Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow attended the White House bill signing ceremony and was given a special thanks by the President. The Recording Academy, its members, and a host of other music stakeholders worked together to secure final passage of the bill and bring music licensing laws into the digital age.
Sept. 18, 2018: After months of direct grassroots activism by Recording Academy members and the music community to clear away opposition, the Music Modernization Act passed the full Senate by unanimous consent.
June 28, 2018: One month following the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on music licensing, the Committee voted unanimously to pass the Music Modernization Act (S. 2823), sending the bill to the full Senate for a final vote before going back to the House.
May 15, 2018: Following the unanimous passage of the Music Modernization Act in the House of Representatives, the Senate Judiciary Committee held its first hearing on comprehensive music licensing reform. Speaking on behalf of the Recording Academy, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter and Academy Trustee Justin Roberts highlighted provisions of the MMA that will benefit producers and engineers and urged Senators to pass MMA for the benefit of all music creators. Joining Roberts as witnesses were two of his fellow Recording Academy members, GRAMMY-winning legend Smokey Robinson and four-time GRAMMY winning songwriter Josh Kear, who both testified in support of the bill.
April 25, 2018: Just one week after GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards and Advocacy Day, the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447) passes in the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote of 415-0. The bill was introduced with bipartisan support on April 10, 2018 by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R- Va.) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) The legislation represents the biggest update to music legislation in 40 years.
April 10, 2018: House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R- Va.) and Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D- N.Y.) introduce the Music Modernization Act (H.R. 5447) one week before GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards and Advocacy Day. A victory for all music creators, the bill brings music licensing into the 21st century with one comprehensive piece of legislation, a position advocated by the Recording Academy™ since 2014.
March 22, 2018: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), along with Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), introduce the AMP Act in the Senate, showing bipartisan and bicameral support for passing music copyright reform legislation. This bill marks the first time U.S. legislation would protect the rights of the studio professionals who help create the essence of the recordings we love by codifying their right to collect royalties into law.
Jan. 26, 2018: The House Judiciary Committee holds a field hearing in New York City, titled “Music Policy Issues: A Perspective From Those Who Make It,” surrounding the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Members of Congress hear from Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow and a diverse panel of distinguished music creators including Academy Trustees Mike Clink and Booker T. Jones, along with Aloe Blacc, Tom Douglas, and Dionne Warwick. The hearing sets the stage for significant progress towards updating current music legislation.
Jan. 8, 2018: Fulfilling a Recording Academy vision for legislative unity, the Academy joins a broad coalition of 20 music organizations to support key music legislation pending in Congress. Artists, songwriters, labels, publishers, and performing rights organizations unite to endorse music licensing bills including the Music Modernization Act, the CLASSICS Act, and the AMP Act, and to express their strong support for resolving the lack of a performance right on terrestrial radio. This action marks a significant step forward towards creating a fair and updated marketplace for music creators.
2017
Oct. 18, 2017: District Advocate day makes history by uniting more than 1,600 Recording Academy Members from all 50 states to meet with their members of Congress in their home districts. Academy members discuss topics of importance to the music creator community, including support for the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, the AMP Act, and reform for songwriters. District Advocate is the largest grassroots advocacy day for music in the country.
July 27, 2017: Just two months after local Academy members commemorated the first Louisiana Music Industry Day at the state capitol, Gov. John Bel Edwards signs the Louisiana Music Industry Investment Act into law. The legislation boosts Louisiana’s music and sound recording industry through a modification of state tax credits.
June 15, 2017: SB 1343 is signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The Academy’s Texas Chapter lobbied for the bill, which updates the state’s anti-piracy law for the digital age to protect the Texas music industry, during its biennial state advocacy day earlier in the year.
May 31, 2017: Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signs the Georgia Music Investment Act into law, which provides a refundable tax credit of up to 20% for qualifying music productions in Georgia. The Academy’s Atlanta Chapter, along with Georgia Music Partners, worked hard to shape and pass this legislation for more than seven years.
May 5, 2017: President Trump signs into law a federal spending bill for FY 2017 that increases funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by $2 million. The White House had previously requested a cut in funding for the NEA. In April, support for the NEA was one of the key legislative priorities of GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day and was the focus of Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow’s remarks at the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards.
April 26, 2017: The House of Representatives passes H.R. 1695, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act, by an overwhelming vote of 378 to 48. Just weeks earlier on April 6, H.R. 1695 was a key legislative priority of GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day and over 100 Recording Academy members blanketed congressional offices to secure support for the bill. H.R. 1695 is an important first step towards modernization of the U.S. Copyright Office.
April 5, 2017: Keith Urban, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) are honored at the 2017 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. During the Awards reception Sens. Collins and Udall agree to co-chair the Senate Cultural Caucus together, securing key leadership in the Senate to support the NEA and the arts.
March 30, 2017: The Fair Play Fair Pay Act, which aims to modernize music licensing laws, is reintroduced by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), showing a continued bipartisan effort in Congress to support music creators.
Feb. 6, 2017: Reps. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) reintroduce the AMP Act (Allocation for Music Producers Act) at the Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing event in Los Angeles during 59th GRAMMY Week. The bill would ensure producers are recognized in copyright law.
2016
Dec. 14, 2016: President Obama signs the BOTS Act into law following Senate passage of the bill on November 30 and final passage by the House of Representatives on December 7. Academy members lobbied for the bill at GRAMMYs in My District.
Sept. 12, 2016: The House of Representatives passes H.R. 5104, the Better Online Ticketing Sales (BOTS) Act. Introduced by Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and endorsed by the Recording Academy, the BOTS Act would protect music fans and artists by cracking down on ticket scalpers that use computer hacking software to circumvent security measures employed by ticketing sites.
April 13-14, 2016: Zac Brown Band, Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) are honored at the 2016 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on April 13. The next day, 200 GRAMMY advocates went to Capitol Hill for 80 meetings with members of Congress. The most successful GRAMMYs on the Hill to date, the event was attended by such high-profile music creators as Smokey Robinson, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge, Eddie Money, and many others. Read more at GRAMMYs on the Hill.
Feb. 2, 2016: Recording Academy launches the GRAMMY Fund For Music Creators, a political action committee that provides a new opportunity for Academy members to advance their interests on important policy matters by offering tangible support to those members of Congress who support music creators. Signing on as GRAMMY Fund Ambassadors are singer/songwriter Anita Baker; songwriter Evan Bogart; songwriter/percussionist Sheila E.; singer/songwriter/producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, songwriter/producers Jimmy Jam, Rodney Jerkins and Harvey Mason Jr.; and songwriter/guitarist Nile Rodgers. The launch received significant media attention, including a story in the The New York Times.
2015
Oct. 14, 2015: Recording Academy's second annual GRAMMYs in My District draws an unprecedented 1650 registrants to the historic grassroots advocacy event. Participants hold face-to-face meetings in cities across the country with members of Congress in their home districts to discuss ways to achieve fairness for music creators, specifically via support for the Fair Play Fair Pay Act and the AMP Act. GRAMMYs in My District is supported in an op-ed written by Steven Tyler, Aerosmith frontman and founding member of the GRAMMY Creators Alliance, who calls for copyright reform. The goals of GRAMMYs in My District are outlined in a Roll Call commentary that day by Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Industry, Government & Membership Officer for the Recording Academy, titled "Hey Congress! Like Music? Let’s Pay Creators."
April 27, 2015: Recording Academy announces a strategic integration of its Member Services and Advocacy & Industry Relations departments. This new alignment supports the Academy’s mission to provide avenues for creators to be connected, active, and involved in all aspects of the music community, while also providing an enhanced experience in all areas of membership. To reflect the department's increasing role as a thought leader in Washington, Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, announces that the department will now be known as Advocacy & Public Policy.
April 13-16, 2015: Recording Academy’s leadership is present in New York on April 13, 2015, to support the introduction of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act (H.R. 1733). The bill is announced to maximize the efforts of the GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day three days later. It was introduced during a MusicFIRST press conference by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Two days later, Congressman Nadler is honored during the 2015 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards, along with Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and 15-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, co-founding member of the GRAMMY Creators Alliance. On GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, April 16, 2015, some 200 GRAMMY advocates ask for congressional support of H.R. 1733 during more than 75 meetings with lawmakers across Capitol Hill.
March 19, 2015: The Allocation for Music Producers Act (H.R. 1457) is introduced by Congressmen Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.). The AMP Act would establish the producer’s right to collect the royalties they are due and formalize SoundExchange’s current, voluntary practice.
March 9, 2015: Recording Academy creates a Managers Think Tank as part of the recently launched GRAMMY Creators Alliance. The Managers Think Tank includes some of the nation's most prominent talent and business managers to advise the Creators Alliance on issues impacting the music creator community.
Feb. 8, 2015: Recording Academy launches the GRAMMY Creators Alliance, a coalition of the nation's greatest songwriters, performers and studio professionals to serve as a powerful voice to advance pro-creator legislation. The GRAMMY Creators Alliance is announced on the 57th annual GRAMMY Awards telecast by Neil Portnow, CEO/President of the Recording Academy, with GRAMMY winners Jennifer Hudson and Ryan Tedder.
Jan. 13, 2015: Recording Academy presents a Welcome 114th Congress event featuring GRAMMY nominees The Band Perry at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. Presented in cooperation with the Congressional Recording Arts & Sciences Caucus, the celebration attracted the largest turnout yet for an Academy event on The Hill, with more than 60 Members of Congress and congressional staffers on hand to see The Band Perry perform their hits and speak about their commitment to creators’ rights. The Perrys then meet privately with congressional leadership from both political parties to further discuss advocacy issues.
2014
Dec. 30, 2014: Thanks to diligent lobbying by Recording Academy members, the American Federation of Musicians, and other stakeholders over several years, the U.S. Department of Transportation finalizes consistent and clear rules for carrying musical instruments on airplanes across all airlines. The rules go into effect on March 6, 2015.
Oct. 14, 2014: The first-ever GRAMMYs in My District grassroots lobbying campaign is launched. Through in-person meetings, as well as e-mails and phone calls, Recording Academy members let Congressional representatives in nearly 140 districts know that music creators are a vital part of their voting constituencies, and that legislators must take action on legislative issues that impact creators' livelihoods. An op/ed in Washington news outlet Roll Call, written by Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Officer of the Recording Academy, describes the key issues driving the GRAMMYs in My District campaign.
June 10, 2014: Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, testifies before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet on the issue of music licensing. Mr. Portnow is the only one of seven witnesses to represent all music creators. Before his opening statement, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) pledges to draft the MusicBus bill Portnow first proposed at GRAMMYs on the Hill 2014. The MusicBus concept is affirmed by other members of Congress during the hearing.
April 2-3, 2014: A record turnout and strong press coverage marks the 2014 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards. A packed house at The Hamilton sees GRAMMY winners Lady Antebellum honored with the Recording Artists Coalition Award, as well as recognition for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The centerpiece of the evening is a policy speech by President/CEO Neil Portnow calling for unity within the music industry to achieve parity for all creators across all platforms, and a call for MusicBus legislation. Portnow’s speech is featured in an advance story in The New York Times, and in an editorial in Hill publication Roll Call. The next day, almost 200 Recording Academy members visit with 75 members of Congress on Advocacy Day.
March 13, 2014: Maria Schneider, GRAMMY-winning composer and member of the New York Chapter’s Board of Governors, testifies on behalf of the Academy at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet on the notice and takedown provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Maria is the only creator witness on a panel otherwise filled with corporate lawyers and law professors, and details her real-world experience of trying to protect her works from infringement online.
Feb. 25, 2014: Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) introduces HR 4079, the Songwriter Equity Act, which proposes two updates to current copyright statutes that ensure royalties for the public performance and mechanical licensing of musical compositions are paid at a fair rate. The Recording Academy's involvement is key to the SEA rollout, and to its inclusion of proper protections for artists, producers and engineers.
Jan.14, 2014: The New York Chapter hosts the first in a series of Recording Academy roundtables with music creators and Maria Pallante, the U.S. Register of Copyrights. During this off-the-record discussion, Ms. Pallante, along with Associate Register Jacqueline Charlesworth, hears directly from songwriters, performers and studio professionals from the New York Chapter about how copyright law affects their livelihoods.
2013
November 2013: Pandora abandons anti-artist legislation. A year after congressional testimony by Recording Academy Chair Emeritus Jimmy Jam and other music advocates made a powerful case against the so-called Internet Radio Fairness Act, Pandora officially ended its efforts on the legislation.
May 2013: Rhapsody becomes the first music service to adopt the Recording Academy's "Give Fans The Credit" standard for digital liner notes. The New York Times issues a report on the campaign and Rhapsody's initiative.
Feb. 26, 2013: Recording Academy Texas Chapter conducts the first bi-annual GRAMMYs At The Texas Capitol event in Austin, marking the first-ever regular Advocacy Day for Academy members held at a state capitol. Replicating the successful model of GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., approximately 30 participants met with state legislators to raise awareness of issues important to the Texas music community.
2012
Nov. 28, 2012: Recording Academy Chair Emeritus Jimmy Jam testifies before Congress. The legendary five-time GRAMMY-winning producer, songwriter and recording artist testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet at a hearing titled "Music Licensing Part One: Legislation In The 112th Congress." Jam spoke out against the Internet Radio Fairness Act, a bill that would cut artists royalties from digital radio, and he affirmed the need to establish performance rights on traditional radio. Jam was the only music creator invited to testify at the hearing. The hearing resulted in the defeat of the act in the 112th Congress.
August 2012: Recording Academy launches "Give Fans The Credit" campaign to advocate for including songwriters, non-featured performers and studio professionals' information on digital music services. Nine high-profile ambassadors join the cause, which generates significant media attention and more than 12,000 fan signatures on the petition.
June 6, 2012: Academy testifies before Congress about creators' rights. Recording Academy New York Chapter Board member and jazz musician/composer Ben Allison testified on behalf of music creators at a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on "The Future Of Audio." Allison provided a compelling argument for creator compensation and spotlighted the anomaly of terrestrial broadcasters' "free ride."
June 5, 2012: First performance royalties are paid to artists by broadcast radio. After years of public pressure from the Recording Academy and the organization it co-founded, the musicFIRST Coalition, Big Machine Label Group and Clear Channel Communications announced a groundbreaking deal to pay Big Machine artists a percentage of revenue from terrestrial radio broadcasts. Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow called the deal "a step in the right direction," but emphasized that "until every broadcaster is paying all creators for their work, we will continue our efforts to secure an industry-wide legislative solution."
Feb. 14, 2012: The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 is signed into law. The law includes a section that establishes uniformity and clarity for airline policies on carrying musical instruments on flights. The new law was passed after lobbying at GRAMMYs on the Hill by Academy members and its allies at the American Federation of Musicians, which had spent nearly a decade advocating for this issue.
January 2012: Recording Academy adds another in-house lobbyist to expand its reach on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country.
2011
July 26, 2011: The first-ever advocacy day for record producers results in meetings with leading legislators and a standing-room-only panel discussion by the hit makers. The day is the culmination of a yearlong initiative to raise the Capitol Hill profile of record producers that included a GRAMMY Industry Roundtable in Los Angeles and a recording session in Washington, D.C., with leading producers and performances provided by musically talented members of Congress.
June 27, 2011: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a California law that banned sales of violent video games to minors. The video game law was first passed by the California State Legislature in 2005. It would have imposed a $1,000 fine on those who sold or rented a violent video game to someone under 18. Because the standard was vague, and the video game industry has a highly effective rating system in place, the law was overturned in 2007 on appeal. Because of mentions of "textual violence," the Recording Academy has been active on this issue given potential implications to song lyrics and joined the filing of an amicus brief with other First Amendment groups.
April 13, 2011: Eight-time GRAMMY-winning artist Don Henley is presented with the inaugural Recording Artists' Coalition Award at the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards.
April 4, 2011: The first-ever recording session of the GRAMMY Congressional Band took place at Sirius XM Radio's studios in Washington, D.C., featuring Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), vocals/guitar; Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), keyboards; Tom Rooney (R-Fla.), drums; and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), backing vocals/percussion. The band was joined by top producers and Academy Trustees Darrell Brown, Mike Clink and James McKinney. The final produced track was premiered at GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards to help demonstrate the role of the producer.
Jan. 26, 2011: GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins came to Washington, D.C., for a GRAMMYs on the Hill Musical Briefing. The briefing, the first music event in the new Congress, helped introduce the Recording Academy's Advocacy program to new legislators and their staff, welcomed back old friends, and relaunched the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus.
2010
Oct. 25, 2010: After nearly a year of negotiations and congressional outreach, broadcast leadership for the first time in history voted in favor of a proposal that that would have radio pay artists for using their work. The National Association of Broadcasters' board of directors approved a term sheet that includes the royalty payment on Oct. 25. The musicFIRST Coalition, co-founded by the Recording Academy, officially rejected the terms, noting that it was a unilateral rewrite of the deal both parties struck after seven months of negotiations. However, the coalition recognized the significance of the vote, as did the radio trades with headlines including, "NAB Ready To Pay The Piper," "Radio Board Agrees To Pay Performers For Music," and "Broadcasters Prepared To Show Music Biz The Money."
Sept. 23, 2010: Following three years of advocacy, Academy members secured a victory on Sept. 23 when the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted to protect wireless microphones in its reallocation of the "white spaces" of wireless spectrum. The order creates two dedicated channels in every market for the microphone uses and a national database that will allow wireless microphone users to register should they need more frequency. The Producers & Engineers Wing and Recording Academy's Advocacy & Government Relations office have been active on this issue since July 2007. Since then, the Wing and Advocacy office have lobbied Congress on the issue and filed documents with the FCC at crucial decision points. The campaign reached a peak in April when 250 Academy members from across the country came to Washington to lobby on the issue during GRAMMYs on the Hill.
Sept. 17, 2010: Recording Academy, along with other groups opposed to government censorship, filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, et al., Petitioners v. Entertainment Merchants Association, et al. on Sept. 17. The Academy joined a broad group of organizations, including the Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Freedom to Read Foundation, and other music organizations, including the National Association of Recording Merchandisers.
June 24, 2010: Recording Academy, in partnership with the American Association of Independent Music, coordinated Indie Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill on June 24. The lobby day, a follow-up to a GRAMMY Industry Roundtable in Los Angeles in January during GRAMMY Week, organized a delegation of 10 independent music leaders for a full day of introductory and fact-finding meetings. During meetings with Congress, the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the group explored ways U.S. independent labels and artists can increase exports without the international footprint enjoyed by the majors.
April 15, 2010: While delivering her remarks at the 2010 GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed her support for the Performance Right Act for the first time in a public statement. Pelosi said, "In coming to Congress today, you are sending a message too often lost outside the recording studio, in the political debate, or on the airwaves — that ideas, music and imagination are as valuable as any material invention. And artists deserve to be compensated for their work and rewarded for their contributions to our economy and our culture."
April 14, 2010: Longtime supporter of artists' rights Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) signs on as co-sponsor of the Performance Rights Act hours before accepting his GRAMMYs on the Hill Award. Senate Majority Whip Durbin is the number two leader in the U.S. Senate.
2009
October 2009: The Performance Rights Act passes out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
August 2009: Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter Governor and GRAMMY-nominated musician Sheila E. testified in favor of terrestrial radio royalties for artists at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Aug. 4.
June 2009: Recording Academy and SoundExchange conclude discussions for streamlining digital broadcast performance royalties to producers. The discussions resulted in new procedures for ensuring efficient and accurate payment of royalties owed to producers through their contracts with artists.
May 13, 2009: HR 848, the Performance Rights Act passes out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 21-9.
Feb. 7, 2009: GRAMMY Town Hall in Los Angeles. The event was attended by Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) as well as more than 300 members of the Recording Academy and music community.
Recording Academy and Recording Artists' Coalition announce historic alliance to join forces in the advancement of music creators' rights.
2008
GRAMMYs on the Hill Gospel Brunch is held on Capitol Hill to highlight the contributions of gospel music and urge passage of Gospel Music Heritage Month (which passed a week later).
August 2008: GRAMMYs Rock the Conventions brings the message of music to the Democratic National Convention (Denver) and Republican National Convention (St. Paul). Daughtry, Everclear, and The Flobots headline the Denver event, while songwriters Alice Peacock, Joe Nichols, Brett James, and Jennifer Hanson performed in St. Paul.
June 2008: Performance Rights Bill, championed by The Academy, passes out of House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property.
2007
On the day of the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards, The Academy holds a GRAMMY Industry Roundtable in Los Angeles with leading legislators, Congressional staff, and music community leaders to discuss a campaign for the creation of a performance royalty for sound recordings played on terrestrial radio. From this discussion, the strategy for the musicFIRST Coalition evolves.
Academy calls for "truce" in Music/Technology "war" and convenes high-level Music/Technology Summit at Skywalker Ranch in California.
Launch of the musicFIRST Coalition on performance right issue on behalf of the thousands of recording artists that have been shut out of fair royalties when their music is played on over-the-air radio. Recording Academy secures Judy Collins, Sam Moore, Lyle Lovett and Recording Academy Chicago Chapter Board President Alice Peacock to testify before Congress about the issue.
Congress passes "GRAMMY Bill" House Concurrent Resolution 273. The bi-partisan resolution with more than 60 co-sponsors passed the House and Senate unanimously. The resolution recognized the achievements of the Recording Academy on its 50th anniversary.
2006
GRAMMY Industry Roundtable on education helps yield record $105 million dollar increase for arts in California schools.
Academy sets up a recording studio on Capitol Hill. Kelly Clarkson demonstrates recording process for congressional audience, and educates them about the roles of each creator in making a record.
Recording Academy presents GRAMMY Award to Senator Barack Obama on Capitol Hill. Senator Obama won the GRAMMY for Best Spoken Word Album for his 2005 recording of Dreams From My Father.
After letter-writing campaign by Academy members, Congress removed the "artist fine" provision in the Broadcast Decency Legislation. Legislation had originally raised fines to artists to $500,000 for lyrics or other free expression that may have been deemed "indecent." Final version of the bill raised fines for broadcasters (not artists) only.
2005
Academy works with U.S. House of Representatives to form Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus. The Caucus seeks to advance the rights of musicians, songwriters, singers, producers and other recording professionals by raising awareness of creators' rights in the U.S. Congress.
First GRAMMY Town Hall held. Nashville event includes Reps. Mary Bono (R-Calif.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and GRAMMY winner Clint Black. Gives Academy members opportunity to learn from and interact with leading artists and Members of Congress.
Advocacy Action @ GRAMMY.com launched. Website site allows Academy members to contact Congress about important music issues.
Academy launches annual Recording Arts Day on Capitol Hill. First-ever industry-wide advocacy day in Washington attended by every sector of music industry and its creators. The annual event would evolve into GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day.
Neil Portnow hosts first Music Leaders Retreat to bring top officers of different sectors of music community together to address issues facing the industry.
Academy leads artists amicus brief filed before U.S. Supreme Court in advance of critical MGM vs Grokster decision victory.
2004
First GRAMMY Industry Roundtable held to discuss industry issues. Academy President Neil Portnow, GRAMMY winner Dave Matthews, GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam, musician Brian McKnight, and leading business executives attend discussion. This event begins ongoing collaborative dialogue between industry creators and executives.
2003
Recording Academy part of coalition that transitioned SoundExchange into an independent non-profit collective for artists and labels. Arrangement calls for direct payment to artists and Recording Academy representation on SoundExchange board.
2000
Academy President testifies before Congress on "Work for Hire" issue, asking for repeal of anti-artist legislation. Bill repealed later that year.
1999
The Recording Academy opens an office in Washington, D.C.