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| Wanyá Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men perform in Las Vegas on Aug. 31 |
Feb. 13, 2025, 5:00 PM GMT+6
Music Icons Urge Congress to Pass Bill Ensuring Royalties from Radio Play
WASHINGTON — More than 300 recording artists, including some of the biggest names in the music industry, are urging lawmakers to pass a bill that would require terrestrial radio stations to compensate them for airing their songs.
In a letter to congressional leaders obtained by NBC News, music legends such as Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Jelly Roll, Lil Jon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Mariah Carey argue that they are missing out on billions of dollars in royalties they rightfully deserve.
“For decades, corporate broadcasters have exploited an outdated legal loophole to generate massive advertising revenue from free music,” the letter states. “Each year, AM/FM radio stations play nearly a billion songs, raking in billions in ad dollars while refusing to pay a single cent to the artists behind the music.”
The artists are calling for swift passage of the American Music Fairness Act, a proposed law that would establish a revenue stream for performers. While terrestrial radio stations currently pay royalties to songwriters and music publishers through performing rights organizations, performers themselves receive no compensation—unless they are also credited as songwriters.
Radio industry groups push back, arguing that both artists and broadcasters benefit from radio airplay. They contend that additional royalties would place a heavy financial burden on struggling stations, potentially harming local outlets that provide critical news, emergency alerts, weather updates, and entertainment.
“Imposing new royalty fees could financially cripple many local radio stations and negatively impact the millions of listeners who depend on them,” the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters said in a statement.
The bill includes exemptions for small and independently owned stations, allowing them to pay as little as $500 annually for unlimited music play. Supporters argue that in the digital age, free radio airplay benefits broadcasters far more than artists.
“When I was starting out, radio was a great promotional tool for new artists,” said singer-songwriter Carly Simon. “That’s no longer the case. With streaming and online platforms, fewer Americans discover music through AM/FM. Meanwhile, big radio corporations make billions in ad revenue without compensating the artists whose songs attract listeners. This must change.”
In addition to the letter, R&B group Boyz II Men will take their message directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, meeting with members of both the House and Senate on Thursday.
“It’s outrageous that major radio companies make billions from ads while refusing to pay the artists whose music draws in audiences,” said Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris in a joint statement. “We urge Congress to stand with artists and pass this bill.”
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