WASHINGTON, DC – - Fifteen additional lawmakers have recently expressed their support for a bipartisan resolution recognizing the promotional value of free radio airplay. The resolution, introduced in late October, now has 119 co-sponsors including its authors, Reps. Gene Green (D-TX) and Mike Conaway (R-TX).
"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.
As of December 11th, 66 House members have added their signatures to the list of lawmakers supporting the resolution, including:
Ross,
Mike (D-AR)
Foxx, Virginia (R-NC)
Whitfield, Ed (R-KY)
Everett, Terry (R-AL)
Spratt, John (D-SC)
Simpson, Mike (R-ID)
Walberg, Tim (R-MI)
Stupak, Bart (D-MI)
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV)
Loebsack, Dave (D-IA)
LaTourette, Steve (R-OH)
Hall, Ralph (R-TX)
Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY)
Thompson, Mike (D-CA)
Bishop, Rob (R-UT)
Hayes, Robin (R-NC)
Tiberi, Pat (R-OH)
Oberstar, James (D-MN)
Rogers, Harold (R-KY)
Barrett, Gresham (R-SC)
Latham, Tom (R-IA)
Sires, Albio (D-NJ)
Michaud, Mike (D-ME)
Gingrey, Phil (R-GA)
Cramer, Bud (D-AL)
Jordan, Jim (R-OH)
McHugh, John (R-NY)
Carnahan, Russ (D-MO)
Lewis, Ron (R-KY)
Akin, Todd (R-MO)
Moran, Jerry (R-KS)
Walsh, Jim (R-NY)
Westmoreland, Lynn (R-GA)
Space,
Zack (D-OH)
Petri, Tom (R-WI)
Edwards, Chet (D-TX)
Donnelly, Joe (D-IN)
Wilson, Charlie (D-OH)
Barrow, John (D-GA)
Rehberg, Dennis (R-MO)
Braley, Bruce (D-IA)
Campbell, John (R-CA)
Franks, Trent (R-AZ)
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (R-WA)
Tiahrt, Todd (R-KS)
Young, Don (R-AK)
Mica, John (R-FL)
Johnson, Sam (R-TX)
Burton, Dan (R-IN)
McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)
Cleaver, Emmanuel (D-MO)
Myrick, Sue, (R-NC)
Paul, Ron (R-TX)
Clay, William Lacy (D-MO)
Bishop, Sanford (D-GA)
Broun, Paul (R-GA)
LoBiondo, Frank (R-NJ)
Matsui, Doris (D-CA)
Price, Tom (R-GA)
Johnson, Tim (R-IL)
Castle, Michael (R-DE)
Miller, Candice (R-MI)
Aderholt, Robert (R-AL)
Hulshof, Kenny (R-MO)
Boswell, Leonard (D-IA)
Sullivan, John (R-OK)
The original 51 co-sponsors 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."
-- Rascal
Flatts, Vocal Group of the Year, Country Music Awards, 2007
"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."
--
Taylor Swift, Horizon Award (for best new artist), Country Music Awards,
2007
"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."
--Richard
Palmese, Executive Vice President of Promotion, RCA, 2007
"Radio
has proven itself time and time again to be the biggest vehicle to expose
new music."
--
Ken Lane, Senior Vice President for Promotion, Island Def Jam Music
Group, 2005
"It
is clearly the number one way that we're getting our music exposed.
Nothing else affects retail sales the way terrestrial radio does."
--Tom
Biery, Senior Vice President for Promotion, Warner Bros. Records, 2005
"That's
the most important thing for a label, getting your records played."
--
Eddie Daye, recording artist, 2003
"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."
--
B.B. King, recording artist, 2002
"If
a song's not on the radio, it'll never sell."
--
Mark Wright, Senior Vice President, MCA Records, 2001
"Air
play is king. They play the record, it sells. If they don't, it's dead
in the water."
--
Jim Mazza, President, Dreamcatcher Entertainment, 1999
"I
am so grateful to radio. Their support has truly changed my life, and
I hope they know how appreciative I am for that."
--
Jo Dee Messina, recording artist, 1999
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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