Music Groups Unite to Again Ask Congress to Provide Relief from Toll of Pandemic 24 Nov 2020
A united music community today sent a letter to congressional leaders highlighting the growing devastation to the live music industry due to COVID-19. The letter urged that they immediately pass legislation to provide additional relief desperately needed by the many artists, musicians, engineers, producers, and venues who bring live music to the public.
The organizations said in a joint statement: “There is no denying that COVID-19 has truly tested the nation, and it has had a devastating effect on our country’s music industry. The live music business – once a sign of a thriving community and a draw to our cultural and commercial centers – has gone tragically silent. The music community remains grateful for Congress’s bipartisan relief efforts earlier this year, but more must be done soon to avoid a level of loss that could devastate artists, musicians, engineers, producers, venues, and everyone in the music industry for a generation.”
In the letter, the groups specifically ask Congress to (1) renew and extend Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation; (2) pass the RESTART Act; (3) fix the CARES Act by passing the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Act; (4) expand the Saves Our Stages Act; (5) expand employer retention tax credits and pass a 100% COBRA premium subsidy; and (6) pass the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act and the HITS Act.
The coalition has routinely called on Congress to act--sending letters to leadership throughout the spring and summer as well as organizing MusicCovidRelief.com, a central repository to help the music community access aid.
The full letter with signatories is below and attached.
November 24, 2020
Dear Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer and Leader McCarthy,
There is no denying that COVID-19 has truly tested the nation, and it has had a devastating effect on our country’s music industry. The live music business – once a sign of a thriving community and a draw to our cultural and commercial centers – has gone tragically silent. The music community remains grateful for Congress’ bipartisan relief efforts earlier this year, but more must be done soon to avoid a level of loss that that could devastate artists, musicians, engineers, producers, venues, and everyone in the music industry for a generation.
First, Congress must renew and extend existing benefits that have proved indispensable, including the weekly funding provided through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Congress must also act to pass the RESTART Act, to build on the short-term relief provided by the Paycheck Protection Program.
Second, Congress must fix an unintended error in the CARES Act by passing the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Act. Mixed earners, or gig workers with a minimum amount of W-2 income, have been excluded from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and overly burdensome PUA documentation requirements are out of step with the workplace realities of the gig economy.
Third, with no clear direction on when safe public gatherings may resume, Congress must expand the current form of the Save Our Stages Act and pass it to provide sufficient assistance for small venues and multi-use publicly owned venues. 77% of people in the live events industry have lost 100% of their incomes, including 97% of 1099 workers. These people work at venues of all sizes and in a variety of capacities – whether it be full-time, part-time, or on the side as a gig worker. With uncertainty surrounding the resumption of live events, most of these workers are still struggling to make ends meet. Providing direct financial relief to the workers of all venues is critical to keeping local communities afloat. Indeed, dollars spent to keep venues open have a multiplier effect, as live music brings patrons to hotels, restaurants, and other small businesses that are also struggling to survive. Expanding Save Our Stages to include all different types of live events workers – and not excluding them simply for where they work – will help revitalize our economy at the ground level.
Fourth, Congress must do more to ensure workers can keep their job-based healthcare plans during this pandemic. We believe Congress should expand employer retention tax credits and pass a 100% COBRA premium subsidy to ensure that job disruptions through no fault of their own don’t cost Americans their health as well as their livelihoods.
Finally, Congress must ensure that tax relief reaches musicians and workers in the performing arts by passing the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act and the HITS Act.
Like many in 2020, our community has come together to speak with one voice to ensure that we all can enjoy better days in the future together. We hope that with your leadership, Congress, in the upcoming lame duck session, will take this clear opportunity to save American music, culture, and countless small businesses. Thank you for your consideration.
Academy of Country Music
Artist Rights Alliance
Broadcast Music, Inc.
Christian Music Trade Association
Church Music Publishers Association Action Fund
Country Music Association
Gospel Music Association
Music Artists Coalition
Music Managers Forum - US
National Music Publishers Association
Production Music Association
Recording Academy
Recording Industry Association of America
SESAC
Society of Composers & Lyricists
Songwriters of North America
SoundExchange
Southern Gospel Music Guild
The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers
The Living Legends Foundation, Inc
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Inc
NEWS & PRESS
Shazam predictions for 2021
Shazam is unveiling its 2021 predictions through a new playlist of 50 songs from up-and-coming artists who are poised to make a splash. The Shazam Predictions 2021 playlist is exclusively available on Apple Music worldwide at apple.co/ShazamPredictions2021 - More than 200 million...more
Flo Milli is Spotify's latest Global Radar artist
Spotify’s global emerging artist development program, RADAR, has announced its latest artist partnership for the US: the Alabama-born, Atlanta-based, fast-ascendingrapper Flo Milli. Her 2020 breakout mixtape, Ho, why is you here ?, which has been streamed over 192 Million times on...more
Patreon connects with UK music managers through new Associate Partnership with the MMF
The Music Managers Forum (MMF) is delighted to announce an all-new Associate partnership with global membership platform Patreon.The partnership will enable the MMF’s community of more than 1,000 UK-based managers to join exclusive events and training with Patreon’s UK team,...more
The largest network of featured artists in Europe is expanding:
Join the Featured Artists Coalition to enjoy new membership benefits and help us amplify the artists' voice The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), the UK artist trade body and not-for-profit organisation, serving a diverse, global membership of creators at all stages of...more
Evidence session: Economics of music streaming
Tuesday 19 January, 10.00 Watch LIVE on parliamentlive.t MPs call in top record labels Sony, Warner and Universal in music streaming inquiry Senior executives from Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music will face questions from the DCMS Committee in the third session of its inquiry...more
BMG acquires Mick Fleetwood recorded catalogue interests
BMG is proud to announce it has acquired outright Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood’s interests in the band’s recordings.The deal gives BMG Fleetwood’s royalty interest in over 300 recordings including all of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits including ‘Dreams’, ‘The Chain’,...more
Musicians' Union General Secretary demands support from the Prime Minister for British musicians planning to tour the EU
The General Secretary of the Musicians' Union (MU), Horace Trubridge, has today written to the Prime Minister highlighting the barriers facing British musicians seeking to tour the EU in the post-lockdown era. The letter highlights the bureaucracy and costs that will...more
Dead Can Dance members sign to UK Label Atlantic Curve
- LISA GERRARD & JULES MAXWELL – from legendary band Dead Can Dance- New signing to Atlantic Curve label- 'Burn' album to be released May 7th, 2021 – produced by James Chapman (MAPS) Atlantic Curve, the London-based label which is...more
IMPALA appoints Vick Bain and Arit Eminue to provide diversity and inclusion training for members
IMPALA has initiated a new three-year collaboration with Vick Bain from vbain consulting and Arit Eminue of DiVA Apprenticeships to provide diversity and inclusion training to members. Promoting a diverse and inclusive European independent music sector is a key priority for IMPALA’s task force which has been...more
Hipgnosis acquires Shakira catalogue comprising 145 songs.
The Board of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, the first UK listed investment company offering investors a pure-play exposure to songs and associated intellectual property rights, and its Investment Adviser, The Family (Music) Limited, are pleased to announce that the Company...more
Round Hill Music announces publishing acquisition with Billy Duffy
The Cult Songwriter & Guitarist Agrees To Back Catalogue DealRound Hill Music has announced the acquisition of the classic back catalogue of Billy Duffy, songwriter and guitarist with acclaimed UK rock greats The Cult. The Cult gained a dedicated following in...more
FIFA introduces innovative music strategy
FIFA introduces innovative music strategy including new podcast series featuring Liam Payne and world's leading football players and musicians FIFA launches FIFA Sound, a strategy to connect with audiences worldwide through shared passions of football and music First season of FIFA PlayOn...more
Sony/ATV signs Jamie Cullum to worldwide deal
Today, Sony/ATV Music Publishing UK announced it has signed award-winning singer, songwriter, jazz musician, and radio broadcaster Jamie Cullum to a global publishing agreement.Jamie Cullum is one of the UK’s top jazz artists/songwriters, known for crafting hit songs across genres...more
AIM Sync Award nominee shortlists announced
Nominees revealed for both ‘Music Supervisor of the Year’ and ‘Independent Sync of the Year’The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced the nominee shortlists for the AIM Sync Awards, celebrating the ever-increasing use of independent music in the sync...more
Universal Music Publishing Group signs Louis Bell to exclusive, global administration agreement
UMPG acquires hit songwriter-producer’s catalogUniversal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), a leading, global music publisher, today announced that six-time Grammy Award-nominated songwriter and producer Louis Bell has been signed to an exclusive, global publishing deal. He is a three-time consecutive nominee...more
The FAC announces the first round of Artist Ambassadors in 2021 including Anna Calvi, Adam Devonshire of Idles, Kano & The Fall’s Brix Smith
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), the UK artist trade body, is delighted to announce fourteen new Artist Ambassadors from a diverse range of backgrounds, helping to grow the organisation’s community and amplify it’s message of fair representation for artists.We are...more
AIM Calls for Joint Action Between UK and EU on Travel Agreements Post-Brexit
As the realities of restriction of movement for musicians and crews between the UK and the EU start to become apparent, there have been accusations from both sides that negotiators rejected reasonable arrangements to facilitate touring. As a result, both...more
Mercury Studios announce If These Walls Could Sing - the first feature length documentary on the world-famous Abbey Road Studios directed by Mary McCartney
If These Walls Could Sing is produced by multi award-winner John Battsek (One Day In September, Searching For Sugar Man, Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars) as Mercury inks new development deal with Battsek’s Ventureland The documentary will form the centrepiece...more
ADA Benelux strikes deal with Disruptive Records
ADA, Warner Music’s independent artist and label services division, has struck a distribution deal with Disruptive Records, an independent label that specialises in music tailored to specific moods from chill house to lofi hip-hop and which is also home to...more
Veteran agent Ryan Farlow joins Arrival Artists
Arrival Artists Expands Its Roster with the Addition of Agent Ryan Farlow Recently formed talent agency Arrival Artists announces the addition of veteran agent Ryan Farlow to its fold, with clients including Andy Shauf, Connan Mockasin, Charlie Cunningham, Enter Shikari, Georgia,...more
Amy Wheatley and Negla Abdela promoted at Ministry Of Sound
Amy Wheatley named Managing Director, Negla Abdela becomes General Manager Sony Music UK announce that Amy Wheatley has been promoted to Managing Director and Negla Abdela has been promoted to General Manager at Ministry of Sound. Both executives will report to...more
Kwame Safo joins PRS Foundation as Grants & Programmes Manager for the organisation's industry funds
Kwame will oversee the management of flagship funds including PPL Momentum Music Fund, International Showcase Fund and Hitmaker PRS Foundation, the UK's leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, announces today the appointment of Kwame Safo as Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry...more
Round Hill Music announces acquisition of Jim Vallance catalogue
Round Hill Music has announced the acquisition of the back catalog of Canadian songwriter Jim Vallance. Born in British Columbia in 1952 Jim Vallance is perhaps best known as the songwriting partner of fellow Canadian musician Bryan Adams with whom he wrote...more
Groundbreaking Artist Songwriting Camp Announced
Distiller Records and Ostereo Team Up with Six Featured Artists for Week-Long Virtual Writing Session Reverend & The Makers, Sophie & The Giants and Fanny Andersen Among Artists Participating Alongside Producers & Topline Specialists Given the restrictions and social distancing measures...more
2020 Canada year-end report highlights
Link to MRC Data Report HERE THE YEAR IN GLOBAL On Sept. 14, Billboard and MRC Data unveiled the first two authoritative rankings of the top songs globally: the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excluding U.S. charts. “WAP” by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion led the inaugural...more
Musicians' Union expresses anger at leaked news that Government rejected EU offer of visa-free travel for touring musicians
The Musicians' Union (MU) has reacted with alarm to the news that the UK Government rejected an EU offer of visa-free touring by British musicians. Having been reassured by Ministers for many months that the creative arts, and the music industry...more
MMF statement on suggestions that UK Govt rejected visa-free touring in the EU
Annabella Coldrick, CEO of MMF"Last February, the Home Secretary stood up in the House of Commons and claimed that the situation for British musicians touring Europe would be completely unchanged, and that touring routes would operate as they do now. A...more
Eurosonic Noorderslag Returns in Digital Form for 2021
Next week marks the start of the annual festival and music conference Eurosonic Noorderslag with a line-up featuring Norwegian act Sassy 009 and Rimon from the Netherlands*, both of whom have also been nominated in the Music Moves Europe Talent...more
Lockdown streaming drives entertainment sales to £9bn – and fastest growth rate since records began
Video streaming and downloads up nearly 40%Games market exceeds £4bn for the first time Music scores best result since 2006 Locked down Britain turned to digital music, video and games in record numbers in 2020, increasing entertainment revenues by 16.8% to a record £9.05bn, according...more
Warner Chappell Music France appoints Michèle Domi as Senior Artistic Director
Warner Chappell Music France, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announces the appointment of Michèle Domi as Senior Artistic Director. She will be based in the company’s Paris office and report to its Managing Director Matthieu Tessier. Michèle...more
THE HEADLINES
BMG acquires Mick Fleetwood catalogue; Round Hill Music acquires Billy Duffy catalogue (see Deals)
EU insists it was the UK government's choice to end visa-free touring for musicians (see News)
Indie executives launch Exceleration Music (see Business)
Merlin expands relationship with Apple Music (see News)
Tidal reports rise in revenue, plus $50m loss for 2019 (see Business)
Hipgnosis acquires Shakira catalogue (see Deals)
US judge upholds entire $1bn copyright infringement penalty against ISP Cox Communications (see International)
Olivia Rodrigo's 'drivers license' sets streaming record (see News)
Government refutes EU visa touring story (see News)
Spotify is one of the most underappreciated growth stories of the next decade (see Analysis)
Amy Wheatley, Negla Abdela promoted at Ministry of Sound (see Business)
Government said to have rejected an EU offer of visa-free touring by British musicians (see News)
Old Town Road declared biggest song in RIAA history (see News)
Analyst downgrades Hipgnosis after concerns about the fund’s valuation methodologies and cash flow profile (see Analysis)
ERA figures: Music streaming revenues bigger than entire 2016 market (see Analysis)
How streaming killed our music tribes (see Features)
The music of David Bowie now on TikTok (see Digital)
Warner invests in gaming platform Roblox (see Business)
Pa Salieu wins BBC Music Sound of 2021 (see Media)
Streams and vinyl enjoy positive growth in US for 2020 (see News)
DCMS Select Committee told some music festivals could be called off (see News)
Hipgnosis acquires 50% interest in Neil Young’s catalogue (see Deals)
UK Music report highlights actions government must take to support live industry (see News)
Spotify 'becomes a hub for bootlegs of popular songs' (see Digital)
Hipgnosis acquires Lindsey Buckingham catalogue (see Deals)
BPI figures for 2020 highlights strong year for streaming, and what it takes to cut through (see News)
Questions remain for touring after Brexit trade deal (see News)
Hipgnosis acquires Jimmy Iovine catalogue (see Deals)