MR. MRAZ GOES TO WASHINGTON

The Recording Academy has set 10/2 for its sixth annual District Advocate Day and named Jason Mraz as its first-ever District Advocate Ambassador.

On 10/2, approximately 2,000 Academy members—all professional music creators—will sit down with their member of Congress in hundreds of districts across the country to showcase how music is a vital component of the local economy and needs protection.

Some of the key issues music creators will discuss with congressional representatives include:
Encouraging passage of the CASE Act, which enables independent artists and songwriters to protect their work against infringement through the creation of a small claims copyright court;
Establishing a performance right on terrestrial radio;
Encouraging the Department of Justice to ensure fair compensation for songwriters during its review of the consent decrees that regulate how songwriters are paid;
And protecting arts funding and music education.

"As the people who write and record the nation’s soundtrack, we have a responsibility to unite in support of one another and ensure that music as a career, and an art form, is protected for the next generation of creators," Mraz said. "Last year, we proved that advocacy works with the passage of the Music Modernization Act. We need to continue that momentum and resolve some of the outstanding issues to ensure proper compensation and protections for all music creators."

The Recording Academy’s new President/CEO Deborah Dugan sent out an email last week asking Academy members to join the District Advocate Day efforts.

She wrote, “I come from a background of advocacy—harnessing the power of grassroots voices to create a movement. So I’m excited to bring my activist sensibility to the Academy to fight for music makers. The issues facing music creators are critical; songwriters, performers, and studio professionals must receive fair pay for their work. And much of how you get paid is determined by Congress.

“That’s why Congress needs to hear directly from us.

“We’ll do all the planning, prep you on the issues, and set up your meeting. All you have to do is show up and let your representative know about the issues that matter to music makers, such as the ability to enforce your copyrights, the right to get paid fairly by media giants, and ensuring funding for arts and music education.

“There is simply no substitute for engaging directly with your legislator, as we saw with the Music Modernization Act, a comprehensive law that improved compensation for all music creators. Your voice will be amplified by thousands of music creators in hundreds of congressional districts across the country. Join me in this movement.”