Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Aaron Richardson - Talk Radio News Service

Grammy Award winning artist Sheila E. tearfully testified before the Senate Judiciary committee on the importance of passing the proposed Performance Rights Act, legislation that would require broadcast radio stations to directly pay the musicians they feature.

“I get emotional because I see what music does for...kids. Music is my life and it is not fair what is happening,” said Sheila E.

Broadcast radio stations have not had to pay artists directly for the use of their music. While radio stations have aided artists in other ways, such as generating album sales through airplay, the popularity of satellite and internet radio, which pays artists, has left many artists requesting more.

According to Steve Newberry, who testified on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters, paying artists for the use of their music is not as easy as it seems.

“I believe that this proposed legislation will likely end local radio broadcasting as you have known it. I have never seen the economic pain that radio stations are experiencing,” said Newberry.

“The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide performers a full performance right. I’ll say that again, the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide performers a full performance right.” said Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

According to a Nielson SoundScan report, overall album sales in the U.S. peeked at 1.5 billion in 2008. The recording industry receives roughly $15 billion in revenue a year.