Critical issues such as the passage of the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act, to help establish a national standard for protecting creators’ likenesses against unauthorized usage by artificial intelligence. This piece of legislation would also hold accountable any company, individual and platform that facilitates the unauthorized distribution of AI-generated replicas, enforcing artists’ agency over their voices and visual likenesses.
Since its inception, Music Advocacy Day has played a significant role in advancing legislative measures to benefit music creators. Last year, the event witnessed participation from over 1,700 Academy members who engaged in nearly 100 meetings with lawmakers, setting the stage for significant policy introductions and revisions. These interactions have spurred several legislative milestones including the introduction of the Fans First Act, enhancing transparency and accountability in ticket sales, and the passage of the PEACE Through Music Act, promoting global peace through music diplomacy.
Music Advocacy Day has been instrumental in the success of several legislative victories. Efforts from previous years have led to the enactment of the Music Modernization Act, which reformed music licensing for the streaming era, and the Save Our Stages Act, which provided crucial financial support to music venues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, advocacy efforts contributed to the passage of the CASE Act and the BOTS Act, further protecting music creators and consumers alike.
Key Music Advocacy Day Legislative Milestones and Victories:
- PEACE Through Music Act, 117th Congress (2021-2022): Members championed the passage of the Act to promote peace abroad through international music exchange programs. Shortly after District Advocate in 2022, the legislation passed, and President Biden signed the PEACE Through Music Act into law.
- COVID Relief & Save Our Stages Act, 116th Congress (2019-2020): Recording Academy Members effectively pushed Congress to allocate billions in COVID relief to keep small music businesses and artists afloat, including the historic passage of the Save Our Stages Act in 2020 that was a focus of the Recording Academy’s “Summer of Advocacy” leading up to District Advocate Day in August.
- CASE Act, 116th Congress (2019-2020): The Summer of Advocacy also pushed Congress to pass the CASE Act, which was signed into law by President Trump in December of 2020.
- Music Modernization Act, 115th Congress (2017-2018): Recording Academy members participating in District Advocate Day galvanized Congress to modernize music licensing laws for the streaming age, culminating in the 2018 passage of the Music Modernization Act.
- Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, The 114th Congress (2015-2016): Then known as GRAMMYs in My District, Recording Academy members successfully advocated for the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act to be signed into law by President Obama.
Music Advocacy Day continues to champion the rights and interests of music creators, ensuring their contributions are recognized and protected in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.