Lovett To Testify In Favor Of Performance Royalties

Lyle Lovett

Four-time GRAMMY winner and TEXAS icon LYLE LOVETT is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, as the music industry continues its push for a royalty for over-the-air broadcasts.

LOVETT is expected to testify in support of the royalty for the MUSICFIRST (FAIRNESS IN RADIO STARTING TODAY) COALITION, which is comprised of artists groups including the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSN. OF AMERICA, SOUNDEXCHANGE, THE RECORDING ARTISTS COALITION and THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC.

The music and broadcast industries are in a pitched battle over institution of the royalty.

Unlike other countries, terrestrial broadcasters have traditionally paid songwriter royalties to performing rights groups ASCAP, BMI and SESAC and royalties to the publishers, but have been exempt from performance royalties similar to those levied on digital broadcasts and other music delivery systems.

Some peoople in the music industry think that allowing broadcasters to escape paying a performance royalty is unfair. Broadcasters argue that the promotional value gained by playing music on the radio more than offsets any royalty that performers and record companies would receive.

By bringing LOVETT in to testify, the music industry gives the issue another recognizable face with who commands respect. Previously, JUDY COLLINS and SAM MOORE (of SAM & DAVE) testified before Congress.

Coincidentally, broadcasters are also attempting to use country musicians to their advantage. On the same day MUSICFIRST was trumpeting LOVETT's appearance the NAB was pointing to artists testimonials that aired the night before during the COUNTRY MUSIC ASSN. Awards.

CMA winners like KENNY CHESNEY, CARRIE UNDERWOOD and the group RASCAL FLATTS praised Country music stations for airplay during the broadcast.

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