ASCAP TAKES CAPITOL HILL

Songwriters and composers will head to Capitol Hill on Thursday (9/21) for ASCAP’s annual “Stand With Songwriters” Advocacy Day with the goal of protecting the rights of American music creators and defend the value of music in the age of AI.

“True music comes from deep within our souls; it’s human-first, heart songs, revealing and often healing our human condition,” ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams said. “Now we need Congress to put humans first, stand with songwriters and protect our rights to our own musical works. Don’t give them away to AI.”

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthew added, “Artificial intelligence is moving at the speed of light and we need lawmakers to act now. We fully embrace innovation but only innovation coupled with regulation that protects the rights of creators.”

ASCAP members will urge policymakers to adhere to the six key principles for AI that were unanimously adopted by the ASCAP Board of Directors earlier this year: putting creators first, consent, compensation, credit when creators' works are used in AI-generated music, transparency and global consistency.

ASCAP songwriter and composer advocates going to Capitol Hill will include Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Pasek &. Paul, producer Cirkut, Williams and ASCAP board members Bob Bruderman, Desmond Child, Marti Cuevas, Sharon Farber, Dan Foliart, Ree Guyer, James M. Kendrick, Evan Lamberg, Michelle Lewis, Alex Shapiro, Jonathan Singer and Jimmy Webb.

ASCAP has invited its members from all 50 states to join the effort, with email activations and opportunities to engage across its social media channels all week long. We're told Rep. Lauren Boebert will be unable to attend as she’ll be at the theater.