Radio Stations May Soon Have to Pay Artists for Playing Their Music

For years artists have benefited from the exposure provided by AM and FM stations playing their music. The stations have licensing agreements that pay royalties to music publishers and songwriters to play that music — but the performers are left out of that equation. Now, recording artists are rallying together to change that, led by iconic R&B band Boyz II Men who went to Capitol Hill to meet with some of the most powerful members of Congress. NBC’s Ryan Nobles reports for TODAY. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/radio-stations-may-soon-have-to-pay-artists-for-playing-their-music/

[Yes. I know this is confusing as you always thought that radio paid “the artist” for playing their music. No. Radio pays THE WRITER(S) of the songs, not THE ARTIST. Easiest example: Dolly Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” so she gets paid by radio stations every time the song is played. However, neither Dolly – as “the artist” – or Whitney Houston – as “the artist” – gets paid!]

Photo: Dolly Parton