The Recording Academy announced this year's National Advocacy Committee led by hit songwriter Sue Ennis and five-time GRAMMY winner Lalah Hathaway as committee co-chairs. The Committee comes from across the industry to serve as the voice for all music creators on policy matters, working closely with the Academy's Advocacy team to advance the rights of artists, songwriters and studio professionals in Washington, D.C. and continue to build on the momentum of the Music Modernization Act as the landmark legislation approaches its one-year anniversary.
The Committee's first order of business is the largest grassroots music advocacy day for music, District Advocate day on Oct. 2, where members across the country will meet with their local lawmakers to discuss key issues affecting music creators in the 116th Congress. Clearly, this is the time for this superb group to take action.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're thrilled to announce that music titians, <a href="https://twitter.com/sueennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sueennis</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lalahhathaway?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lalahhathaway</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/claudiabrant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@claudiabrant</a>, Terry Jones (<a href="https://twitter.com/PythonJones?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pythonjones</a>), <a href="https://twitter.com/emilylazarlodge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@emilylazarlodge</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/IamRicoLove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IamRicoLove</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/HarveyMasonjr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarveyMasonjr</a> are part of this year's <a href="https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RecordingAcad</a> National Advocacy Committee! Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/tP6ZshS1XN">https://t.co/tP6ZshS1XN</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Lsg5AtYHs">pic.twitter.com/4Lsg5AtYHs</a></p>— GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy/status/1171488484474753027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
"We are at an inflection point in the music industry," said Deborah Dugan, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "The MMA was a giant step forward, and now we need to seal the deal in protecting intellectual property and defending creators against exploitative radio practices. I can't think of a more qualified committee to take on these challenges than this one."
So who are these behind-the-scenes heroes who will champion artists' rights on Capitol Hill?
Songwriter and committee co-chair Sue Ennis lends her extensive experience in both the industry and as an Academy leader back to the front line in fight for creators' rights. An accomplished songwriter with more than 35 million records sold, Ennis is best known for co-writing more than 70 songs with Ann and Nancy Wilson of the Seattle rock band, Heart. A natural leader for this year's efforts on Capitol Hill, Ennis also served on the National Advocacy Committee two years ago.
With five GRAMMY wins and 10 nominations, Lalah Hathaway will also serve as co-chair of the Advocacy Committee. Hathaway earned her first career GRAMMY for 2013 for Best R&B Performance for "Something" with Snarky Puppy. The following three years she earned Best Traditional R&B Performance GRAMMYs for "Jesus Children," "Little Ghetto Boy" and "Angel," respectively. Most recently, she racked up three nominations for 2018 including Best R&B Album for her 2017 LP honestly.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Six years ago we created <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DistrictAdvocate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DistrictAdvocate</a> (happening Oct. 2) to bring YOU, the music community, to the local offices of your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elected?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#elected</a> representatives to voice your concerns about music <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/legislation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#legislation</a> affecting your livelihoods. Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/Rjzz4e9V7g">https://t.co/Rjzz4e9V7g</a> <a href="https://t.co/rVyQO0bsXc">pic.twitter.com/rVyQO0bsXc</a></p>— GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GRAMMYAdvocacy/status/1170472820754833409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The committee consists of GRAMMY-winning composer, producer, and singer Claudia Brant, who earlier this year took home the award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 61st GRAMMY Awards; Multi GRAMMY-nominated singer Terry Jones; Multi GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and producer Rico Love; GRAMMY-winning engineer Emily Lazar, who became the first woman mastering engineer to the first women to win Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical earlier this year; and, GRAMMY-nominated producer and songwriter, as well as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., who served as co-chair last term.
As President/CEO of the Recording Academy, Dugan will serve as ex-officio member with Chief Industry, Government & Member Relations Officer, Advocacy & Membership Daryl Friedman.
Non-members: sign up to amplify your voice for District Advocate 2019
Sharing seven GRAMMY Awards and 25 nominations among them, the Committee serves as a key conduit to the creative membership of the Recording Academy. Together, they bring a full range of expertise and insight into the process of music creation to the steps of Capitol Hill to tell their stories and advocate for their rights and the rights of all music creators. Add your voice to the chorus by contacting your Members of Congress to let them know where you stand, and get involved with District Advocate day on Oct. 2.
Let Your Representatives Know You Stand In Support Of Music Creators' Rights
