ViolaTribe

Dear Friends…It is time to make current performers rights legislation OUR ISSUE.  It is extremely important that we tell ALL of our friends across the nation (not just in Nashville) that we need their help by contacting their congressmen and women and letting them know that we need for them to support this legislation.  This is urgent!!

DO YOU KNOW???…

·        That there is an estimated $70-$100 MILLION each year in foreign radio airplay royalties held for US musicians?

·        That since the US does not have a reciprocal royalty, we are being denied payment of those foreign royalties?

·        That the US is one of the only major economies that does not have a radio airplay royalty?  That list includes China, Iran and North Korea!!

·        That creating music is one of the few truly American industries coveted by the rest of the world?

·        That if we can urge Congress to pass current performance rights legislation, we will not only receive US royalties, but also the millions of dollars already waiting for us from other markets?

·        That radio broadcasters are claiming this will put small broadcasters(especially minority stations) out of business…even though there is a sliding scale based on revenue with a  (very) minimal flat rate for small stations?

·        That this is an intellectual property issue that connects working musicians, artists and producers to the copyright of the recording and that copyright is extremely important for our future?

·        That this has been portrayed as a record label issue, when in fact it should be a performer issue….OUR ISSUE!

For more information and an easy button for e-mailing your congressional representatives go to www.musicfirstcoalition.org.

If you have trouble getting to the site …google congress and find out how to reach your representatives.