"Had a great day in D.C. supporting @GRAMMYAdvocacy during #GRAMMYsOnThe Hill. The fight for fairness continues to ensure that those who make music are heard" –eight-time GRAMMY-winning engineer/mixer Manny Marroquin, Conversations In Advocacy #52
Each year, the music community rallies on Capitol Hill for the Recording Academy's GRAMMYs On the Hill to connect with Congress and express the importance of creators’ rights. This year's Advocacy Day on April 10 brought out a litany of artists, producers, songwriters, and industry members to meet with lawmakers and discuss policy that affects their livelihood every day.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are proud to stand with ALL music creators! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRAMMYsOnTheHill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRAMMYsOnTheHill</a> Advocacy Day is a true testimony that we must continue to stand with those who create the soundtrack to our lives. <a href="https://t.co/cUbQGZCXDg">pic.twitter.com/cUbQGZCXDg</a></p>— GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy/status/1116102898553905152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The turnout from creators was impressive, from GRAMMY winning artists such as Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm, to GRAMMY nominees Mario and Linda Perry, to Broadway superstars Brandon Victor Dixon and Kristin Chenoweth, to name just a few. On the evening before Advocacy Day, the GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards honored Chenoweth with the Philanthropist Award, as well as Yolanda Adams with the Creators Leadership Award and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for their decisive roles in last year's Congress getting the Music Modernization Act across the finish line and signed into law.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/RepArmstrongND?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepArmstrongND</a> for taking the time to meet with <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonVDixon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonVDixon</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DarylPFriedman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarylPFriedman</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JJ_Hairston?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JJ_Hairston</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/alexandria386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexandria386</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/JerielJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerielJohnson</a>. We appreciate your time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRAMMYsOnTheHill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRAMMYsOnTheHill</a> <a href="https://t.co/ljvrt2ORSL">pic.twitter.com/ljvrt2ORSL</a></p>— GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy/status/1115975728468721664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As music emanated up the steps up the Capitol Building and into its hallways, elevators and offices, the festive spirit of creativity and talent reminded our lawmakers of the crucial role music plays in our culture, setting the perfect backdrop for a discussion on the issues closest to music creators. For the music community, Advocacy Day makes all the difference.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After sitting down to talk about the realities of making music in America alongside <a href="https://twitter.com/RealLindaPerry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealLindaPerry</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KChenoweth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KChenoweth</a> gave a surprise performance for <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderHoyer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeaderHoyer</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRAMMYsOnTheHill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRAMMYsOnTheHill</a> <a href="https://t.co/shbMiPdNHC">pic.twitter.com/shbMiPdNHC</a></p>— GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy/status/1116033499926941696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
"GRAMMYs on the Hill clearly has an impact and makes a difference," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "It is no coincidence that just one week after last year's Awards and Advocacy Day, the Music Modernization Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives, paving the way for the bill to later be signed into law. Through the continued dialogue between music creators and Congress, we are ensuring a viable future for music makers."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great day in DC supporting <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GrammyAdvocacy</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrammysOnTheHill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GrammysOnTheHill</a>. The fight for fairness continues to ensure that those who make music are heard. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/protectmusiccreators?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protectmusiccreators</a> <a href="https://t.co/tnzMDdlL6e">pic.twitter.com/tnzMDdlL6e</a></p>— Manny Marroquin (@MMMixes) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMMixes/status/1116476405120823297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day is considered Capitol Hill's largest policy event for music, and shows the Recording Academy does so much more for the music world throughout the year beyond honoring excellence at the annual GRAMMY Awards. To learn more about the Academy's ongoing Advocacy efforts, get informed on the latest issues and policy affecting music creators and learn how you can take action to join the movement.
