"Radio is still the leading force of determining what songs and artists break through."
That quote came from Clive Davis, Sony Music's chief creative officer, in an interview published in USA Today. Davis is a legendary music executive who has signed recording artists like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, and Alicia Keys. Davis's quote comes in response to a question about the alleged "decline" in radio listening. For the record, local radio is heard by 234 million Americans every single week, according to a March 2009 report by Arbitron, up 2 million listeners since June 2007. The entire USA Today interview can be read online here.
Davis's remarks mirror numerous others from both record label executives and recording artists who have recognized the promotional value of free radio airplay. Such statements include:
"The first nine years was one thing -- before we got on the radio, which was a miracle. It was never meant to happen. And then the second half was really a big blur of amazement."
-- Gwen Stefani, taken from the May 19 episode of E! Entertainment Television's "The Daily 10"
"You can't take being played on the radio for granted. There are only so many spots and many great singers out there wanting one. It's a jungle out there."
-- George Strait, taken from the April 3 issue of Radio & Records
"It's worth remembering that U2, you know we broke in the United States through Boston and through radio stations like BCN and stuff like that. We depend on radio."
-- Bono, referring to Boston radio station WBCN, in an interview a WHDH-TV Boston news reporter, March 2009
"I have so many friends out there. I think back over the years now, and it's amazing how much of my life has been impacted by radio people."
-- Brad Paisley, speaking during an interview with Radio Ink's Brida Connolly, February, 2009
"Let me tell you four letters that mean a whole lot to me. Four letters that have changed the course of my career. Four letters out of 26. W-Y-C-D."
-- John Rich, Big and Rich, speaking on stage during the station's "Ten Man Jam" concert, February, 2009
"Thank You Radio!! 4 Grammy Awards Last Night!!!"
-- Lil Wayne in an email sent to radio stations across the country the day after he received four Grammy Awards, February 9, 2009
"It’s mainly radio, actually. I’ll hear a song, very often in the car, and buy the CD."
-- Paul McCartney on where he finds new music. Entertainment Weekly, February 5, 2009
"I was homeless for about a year and I went back to singing, 'cause that's what I grew up doing with my dad as a child. We made our money by bar-singing. So I was looking for a place to sing, and it was my own material. And after about a year of being homeless and doing that, a radio station played one of my songs on the air -- a bootleg. I didn't have any demos. I wasn't trying to get signed. But a record label heard it, and all the sudden it was like being Cinderella. Limousines started showing up."
-- Jewel, Grammy-nominated recording artist, NBC's 'Today,' September 2008
"Alright, let's talk about the nuts and bolts. If you win 'Nashville Star', you have to get on 200 major market radio stations. You have to."
-- John Rich, Big and Rich, 'Nashville Star,' July 2008
"I love a strong radio hit. ... That's what our job is, to have a radio hit. Without radio, we couldn't do what we do, but the job is to have a radio hit that sounds unique, and like you."
-- Jewel, Grammy-nominated recording artist, 'Nashville Star,' July 2008
"I have to thank... every DJ, every radio guy, every promotions guy, everybody who ever put up a poster for me and spread the word."
-- Alicia Keys, recording artist and Grammy winner, 2008 Grammy Awards, February 2008
"[R]adio remains the best way to get new music into the listeners' lives."
--Sony BMG Executive VP Butch Waugh as quoted in Radio & Records, January 11, 2008
"Radio is the conduit to the people, the voice of the format and the lifestyle's soundtrack.
-Sony BMG Nashville VP of Marketing Tom Baldrica, as quoted in Radio & Records, January 11, 2008
"Obviously, radio is probably the most important thing for a new rock band coming out. If you don't get yourself on the radio, then you won't draw bodies at the clubs and you won't sell records."
-- 'Another Animal' drummer Shannon Larkin, Drum Magazine, 2008
"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
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a performance tax?
A performance tax is a fee that record labels want the government to impose on local radio stations simply for airing music free of charge for listeners.
In recent years, the record labels have seen sales of albums decline as more listeners opt for digital downloads. However, radio remains the number one promotional vehicle for music - it's not responsible for the label's resistance to the digital age, and it shouldn't be on the hook to fix it. Radio already provides between $1.5 to $2.4 billion dollars annually in music sales for artists and record labels. By pushing a tax on local radio, record labels are biting the hand that feeds them.
Where does the money go?
In short, the money would flow out of your community and into the pockets of the record labels - the great majority of which are foreign-owned. The record labels would like for you to think this is all about compensating the artists, but in truth the record labels would get at least 50% of the proceeds from a tax on local radio.
How does this affect me?
If you're one of the 235 million people who listen to radio each week, a tax could reduce the variety of music radio stations play, and all but eliminate the possibility of new artists breaking onto the scene. The tax could particularly affect smaller, minority-owned stations, some of which may have to switch to a talk-only format or shut down entirely.
It also affects your community. Radio stations are major contributors to public service - generating $6 billion in public service annually and providing vital news and community information and free airtime to help local charities. If a tax were imposed, stations’ critical public and community service efforts could be reduced.
And worst of all, if you're one of the 106,000 Americans employed by local radio your job could be in jeopardy. In these troubling economic times, the last thing local radio needs is to be hit with a tax that some analysts estimate could be $2-7 billion annually.
Doesn't radio already pay for music?
Radio compensates composers and songwriters to the tune of about $550 million annually. It's widely understood that songwriters do not have the same name recognition to financially exploit themselves to make money. Performers can make money from touring and personal appearances, merchandise and other licensing and branding opportunities like perfume and clothing lines. Radio stations also pay a royalty for streaming music over the internet, for reasons that include concerns that a perfect digital copy of the music could be captured by the end user.
Congress has continually recognized that local radio is different and should not be subject to such a fee. Local radio is free, so everyone, regardless of income, can have access to it. Local radio also has to fulfill certain "public service obligations" that other platforms do not. And importantly, the free music that radio plays provides free promotion to the record labels and artists - between $1.5 to $2.4 billion annually.
How can I get involved?
There are currently two bills pending in Congress that would levy a performance tax on local radio– H.R. 848, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (MI-14) and S. 379, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (VT). Your members of Congress need to hear that you strongly oppose these bills. Utah Senate and House member contact information located below.
Capitol Hill Connection
Our lobbying efforts within the state and in Washington D.C. (Capitol Hill and with the FCC) are an ongoing effort. We really appreciate your helpfulness and support when we call on you. The future of free radio to listeners is at stake. Let your leaders know how you feel today!
Sample Senator Letter
Sample Representative Letter
| Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R) |
| 202-224-5251 |
| E-mail: senator_hatch@hatch.senate.gov |
| Website: www.senate.gov/~hatch/ |
| Sen. Robert Bennett (R) |
| 202-224-5444 |
| E-mail: senator@bennett.senate.gov |
| Website: www.senate.gov/~bennett |
| House Rep. Rob Bishop (R-1st) |
| 202-225-0453 |
| Website: www.house.gov/robbishop |
| House Rep. Jim Matheson (D-2nd) |
| 202-225-3011 |
| Website: www.house.gov/matheson |
| House Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-3rd) |
| 202-225-7751 |
| E-mail: chaffetz.ut03@mail.house.gov |
| Website: www.house.gov/chaffetz |