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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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November
20, 2007
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Dennis
Wharton
202-429-5350
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CONGRESSIONAL
SUPPORT DOUBLES
FOR LOCAL RADIO FREEDOM ACT
--
104 members of U.S. House recognize free radio airplay's promotional value,
oppose RIAA-backed fees on local radio --
WASHINGTON,
DC -- Fifty-one additional lawmakers have expressed their support for
a
bipartisan resolution recognizing the promotional value of free radio
airplay. The resolution, introduced in late October, now has 104 co-sponsors
including its authors, Reps. Gene Green (D-TX) and Mike Conaway (R-TX).
"Congress
should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge
relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio
station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business
for such public performance of sound recordings," read House Concurrent
Resolution 244.
As
of November 20th, 51 House members have added their signatures to the
list of lawmakers supporting the resolution, including:
Ross,
Mike (D-AR)
Foxx, Virginia (R-NC)
Whitfield, Ed (R-KY)
Everett, Terry (R-AL)
Spratt, John (D-SC)
Simpson, Mike (R-ID)
Walberg, Tim (R-MI)
Stupak, Bart (D-MI)
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV)
Loebsack, Dave (D-IA)
LaTourette, Steve (R-OH)
Hall, Ralph (R-TX)
Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY)
Thompson, Mike (D-CA)
Bishop, Rob (R-UT)
Hayes, Robin (R-NC)
Tiberi, Pat (R-OH)
Oberstar, James (D-MN)
Rogers, Harold (R-KY)
Barrett, Gresham (R-SC)
Latham, Tom (R-IA)
Sires, Albio (D-NJ)
Michaud, Mike (D-ME)
Gingrey, Phil (R-GA)
Cramer, Bud (D-AL)
Jordan, Jim (R-OH) |
McHugh,
John (R-NY)
Carnahan, Russ (D-MO)
Lewis, Ron (R-KY)
Akin, Todd (R-MO)
Moran, Jerry (R-KS)
Walsh, Jim (R-NY)
Westmoreland, Lynn (R-GA)
Space, Zack (D-OH)
Petri, Tom (R-WI)
Edwards, Chet (D-TX)
Donnelly, Joe (D-IN)
Wilson, Charlie (D-OH)
Barrow, John (D-GA)
Rehberg, Dennis (R-MO)
Braley, Bruce (D-IA)
Campbell, John (R-CA)
Franks, Trent (R-AZ)
McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (R-WA)
Tiahrt, Todd (R-KS)
Young, Don (R-AK)
Mica, John (R-FL)
Johnson, Sam (R-TX)
Burton, Dan (R-IN)
McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)
Cleaver, Emmanuel (D-MO) |
The
original 51 co-sponsors of the resolution include:
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Arcuri,
Mike (D-NY)
Bean, Melissa (D-IL)
Berry, Marion (D-AR)
Bonner, Jo (R-AL)
Boozman, John (R-AR)
Brown, Henry (R-SC)
Camp, Dave (R-MI)
Cardoza, Dennis (D-CA)
Carter, John A. (R-TX)
Chabot, Steven (R-OH)
Cole, Tom (R-OK)
Crenshaw, Ander (R-FL)
Davis, Geoff (R-KY)
Dent, Charles W. (R-PA)
Ellsworth, Brad (D-IN)
Emerson, Jo Ann (R-MO)
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ)
Goode, Virgil H., Jr. (R-VA)
Granger, Kay (R-TX)
Graves, Sam (R-MO)
Green, Al (D-TX)
Hoekstra, Pete (R-MI)
Johnson, Eddie B. (D-TX)
Jones, Walter B. (R-NC)
Kind, Ron (D-WI)
Kingston, Jack (R-GA)
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Lampson,
Nick (D-TX)
Manzullo, Donald A. (R-IL)
McHenry, Patrick T. (R-NC)
Moore, Dennis (D-KS)
Murphy, Chris (D-CT)
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX)
Ortiz, Solomon (D-TX)
Pearce, Stevan (R-NM)
Pence, Mike (R-IN)
Poe, Ted (R-TX)
Pomeroy, Earl (D-ND)
Rahall, Nick (D-WV)
Ramstad, Jim (R-MN)
Rogers, Mike D. (R-AL)
Rogers, Mike J. (R-MI)
Ruppersberger, Dutch (D-MD)
Ryan, Tim (D-OH)
Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Shuler, Heath (D-NC)
Shuster, Bill (R-PA)
Souder, Mark E. (R-IN)
Turner, Michael R. (R-OH)
Wicker, Roger F. (R-MS)
Wilson, Joe (R-SC)
Wynn, Al (D-MD)
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On
numerous occasions, both record label executives and artists have recognized
the promotional value of free radio airplay. Such statements include:
"Country
radio, thank you so much for being our mouthpiece. You know what we
do means nothing if it never gets played, and no one gets to hear it."
-- Rascal
Flatts, Vocal Group of the Year, Country Music Awards, 2007
"I can't even believe that this is real... I want to thank country
radio. I'll never forget the chance you took on me."
--
Taylor Swift, Horizon Award (for best new artist), Country Music Awards,
2007
"I
have yet to see the big reaction you want to see to a hit until it goes
on the radio. I'm a big, big fan of radio."
--Richard
Palmese, Executive Vice President of Promotion, RCA, 2007
"Radio
has proven itself time and time again to be the biggest vehicle to expose
new music."
--
Ken Lane, Senior Vice President for Promotion, Island Def Jam Music
Group, 2005
"It
is clearly the number one way that we're getting our music exposed.
Nothing else affects retail sales the way terrestrial radio does."
--Tom
Biery, Senior Vice President for Promotion, Warner Bros. Records, 2005
"That's
the most important thing for a label, getting your records played."
--
Eddie Daye, recording artist, 2003
"Radio
helped me a lot. That's the audience. I can't see them, but I know they're
there. I can't reach out and touch them with my hand, but I know they're
there."
--
B.B. King, recording artist, 2002
"If
a song's not on the radio, it'll never sell."
--
Mark Wright, Senior Vice President, MCA Records, 2001
"Air
play is king. They play the record, it sells. If they don't, it's dead
in the water."
--
Jim Mazza, President, Dreamcatcher Entertainment, 1999
"I
am so grateful to radio. Their support has truly changed my life, and
I hope they know how appreciative I am for that."
--
Jo Dee Messina, recording artist, 1999
About
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates
on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations
and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications
Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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