With the return of Music's Biggest Night to New York, music's top recording artists and emerging talent will converge on the Big Apple. Meanwhile, an important House Judiciary Committee hearing has been scheduled against the backdrop of GRAMMY Week, putting the future livelihood of music creators center stage.
Addressing these topics and more will be a panel comprising of Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow alongside music creators representing all facets of the music industry, including GRAMMY-winning performer Booker T. Jones, GRAMMY-nominated artist Aloe Blacc, GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Tom Douglas, and platinum-selling producer/engineer Mike Clink.
Pushing the momentum forward following last week's announcement of the music industry uniting to support key copyright legislation, a full House Judiciary Committee field hearing will take place during the congressional recess week in New York City on Friday, Jan. 26, two days prior to the 60th GRAMMY Awards.
Marking the continuation of a pledge by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to address copyright law during his tenure, the hearing will center on music reform, including topics such as the pitfalls with regard to the current copyright system and recommendations on how Congress should modernize outdated copyright laws.
Specific bills that are likely to form the basis of the discussion include the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, the Music Modernization Act of 2017, CLASSICS Act, and the Allocation for Music Producers Act.
The Fair Play Fair Pay Act is a comprehensive bill that addresses several key issues for music creators, including the establishment of a performance right at terrestrial radio. The Music Modernization Act aims to create a single licensing body to administer the mechanical reproduction rights for all digital uses of musical compositions.
The CLASSICS Act would establish royalty payments for pre-1972 sound recordings. And the AMP Act will codify into law the practice of paying royalties to studio professionals such as producers and engineers.
The GRAMMY Week hearing marks the latest in a series of positive developments for music reform in 2018, including last week’s statement from over 20 music organizations in support of a broad slate of music legislation as well as the recent elevation of Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) to Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Subject to the same rules and procedures as if it took place on Capitol Hill, a field hearing is held outside Washington, D.C., in a locale more relevant to the hearing's subject matter. With all eyes and ears on music during GRAMMY Week, New York couldn't be a more appropriate home for this particular hearing.
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