In a Digital Music News op-ed titled "The Laws Governing Music Creators' Compensation Are Unfair And Outdated," current GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter PJ Morton takes on the established system that routinely deprives musicians of fair compensation for their work.
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As a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, vocalist, and now indie label owner, Morton's primary concern is up-and-coming artists struggling to stay dedicated to music.
A self-professed lover of vintage instruments and vinyl, Morton pointed to millions of tech-savvy consumers sweeping up the iPhone X and subscribing to multiple content services, while often also listening to broadcast radio.
"What's not so great is vintage laws," emphasized Morton. "With technology vastly outpacing these systems, what we're seeing is gaps in copyright law, unfair rates and loopholes that allow corporations to profit off the work of creators without paying performers a cent."
Several issues top the list of "vintage laws" hurting potential livelihoods, but Morton's particular focus is H.R. 1836, the Fair Play Fair Pay Act of 2017. While being played on AM/FM radio remains a goal for musicians, zero compensation for radio play hurts rising young talent precisely when they need it most. The listening public will benefit from that goose egg transforming into fair compensation since it would help music creators sustain full-time professional careers.
Morton added, "Support behind these important music issues is the highest it's ever been. Now is the time for the 115th Congress to act."
The GRAMMY nominee concluded, "My fellow artists and I support these reforms, and I hope you will as well…It's the right thing to do."
