WASHINGTON, DC -- A bipartisan resolution recognizing the promotional value of free radio airplay was introduced late yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution was introduced by Reps. Gene Green (D-TX) and Mike Conaway (R-TX) and cosponsored by 51 additional members of Congress.
"Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings," read House Concurrent Resolution 244.
Commenting on the resolution's introduction, NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said, "NAB salutes Reps. Green and Conaway and their House colleagues for formally recognizing radio airplay's enormous value to both record labels and recording artists. The undeniable fact is that radio airplay is a musician's greatest promotional tool and generates millions of dollars in revenue annually for RIAA-member companies and performers."
Cosponsors of the resolution include:
Arcuri,
Mike (D-NY)
Bean, Melissa (D-IL)
Berry, Marion (D-AR)
Bonner, Jo (R-AL)
Boozman, John (R-AR)
Brown, Henry (R-SC)
Camp, Dave (R-MI)
Cardoza, Dennis (D-CA)
Carter, John A. (R-TX)
Chabot, Steven (R-OH)
Cole, Tom (R-OK)
Crenshaw, Ander (R-FL)
Davis, Geoff (R-KY)
Dent, Charles W. (R-PA)
Ellsworth, Brad (D-IN)
Emerson, Jo Ann (R-MO)
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ)
Goode, Virgil H., Jr. (R-VA)
Granger, Kay (R-TX)
Graves, Sam (R-MO)
Green, Al (D-TX)
Hoekstra, Pete (R-MI)
Johnson, Eddie B. (D-TX)
Jones, Walter B. (R-NC)
Kind, Ron (D-WI)
Kingston, Jack (R-GA)
Lampson, Nick (D-TX)
Manzullo, Donald A. (R-IL)
McHenry, Patrick T. (R-NC)
Moore, Dennis (D-KS)
Murphy, Chris (D-CT)
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX)
Ortiz, Solomon (D-TX)
Pearce, Stevan (R-NM)
Pence, Mike (R-IN)
Poe, Ted (R-TX)
Pomeroy, Earl (D-ND)
Rahall, Nick (D-WV)
Ramstad, Jim (R-MN)
Rogers, Mike
D. (R-AL)
Rogers, Mike J. (R-MI)
Ruppersberger, Dutch (D-MD)
Ryan, Tim (D-OH)
Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Shuler, Heath (D-NC)
Shuster, Bill (R-PA)
Souder, Mark E. (R-IN)
Turner, Michael R. (R-OH)
Wicker, Roger F. (R-MS)
Wilson, Joe (R-SC)
Wynn, Al (D-MD)
On numerous occasions, both record label executives and artists have recognized the promotional value of free radio airplay. Such statements include:
|
"Country
radio, thank you so much for being our mouthpiece. You know what we
do means nothing if it never gets played, and no one gets to hear it." "I can't even believe that this is real... I want to thank country
radio. I'll never forget the chance you took on me." "I
have yet to see the big reaction you want to see to a hit until it goes
on the radio. I'm a big, big fan of radio." "Radio
has proven itself time and time again to be the biggest vehicle to expose
new music." "It
is clearly the number one way that we're getting our music exposed.
Nothing else affects retail sales the way terrestrial radio does." "That's
the most important thing for a label, getting your records played." "Radio
helped me a lot. That's the audience. I can't see them, but I know they're
there. I can't reach out and touch them with my hand, but I know they're
there." "If
a song's not on the radio, it'll never sell." "Air
play is king. They play the record, it sells. If they don't, it's dead
in the water." "I
am so grateful to radio. Their support has truly changed my life, and
I hope they know how appreciative I am for that." |
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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