Several artists sent a statement to Congress Tuesday (Dec. 19) urging passage of the CLASSICS Act to stop older artists being taken advantage of by digital music services. The Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society Act (the CLASSICS Act), aims to make pre-1972 recordings subject to the same compulsory license laws that govern later recordings.
“Digital radio makes billions of dollars a year from airplay of music made before 1972,” the CLASSICS Act reads. “Yet, because of an ambiguity in state and federal copyright laws, artists and copyright owners who created that music receive nothing for the use of their work. The CLASSICS Act would correct this inequity and finally ensure that musicians and vocalists who made those timeless songs finally get their due. We urge Congress to pass the CLASSICS Act and other pro-artist reforms quickly.”
Artists signing the statement include:
Stelth Alexander
T Bone Burnett
Clem Burke
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Rosanne Cash
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Marc Cohn
Ry Cooder
Rodney Crowell
John Doe
Jerry Douglas
Mark Erelli
Mary Gauthier
Emmylou Harris
Debbie Harry
David Hood
Patterson Hood
Kris Kristofferson
John Leventhal
Mac McAnally
John McCrea
Bette Midler
Rhett Miller
Parker Millsap
Jason Moran
Paul Moravec
Grant-Lee Phillips
John Prine
Bonnie Raitt
East Bay Ray
Vernon Reid
Henry Rollins
Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding)
Chris Stein
Jeff Tweedy
John Paul White
Hank Williams Estate
Hal Willner
Jason Isbell
Amanda Shires
Matraca Berg
Category: Artist, Featured, Financial/Legal
About the Author
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
