SAG-AFTRA Podcast: ‘Fighting to Get Music Creators Paid Fairly’

Recording artists and creators not receiving compensation for airplay on terrestrial, or FM/AM, radio has been a long-standing issue within the music industry. But legislators, music coalitions and unions, including SAG-AFTRA, are working to remedy the issue through the American Music Fairness Act. The AMFA is a bipartisan bill that would guarantee music creators, including recording artists, singers, producers and others, compensation for radio play in domestic and international markets. The bill would also provide small and nonprofit broadcasters and local radio stations across the country with protections against conglomerates. 

SAG-AFTRA General Counsel Jeff Bennett and former U.S. Rep. and musicFIRST Chairman Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., join podcast hosts SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to discuss the work being done to address this important issue. Bennett and Crowley discuss how the radio industry’s business model has directly affected the incomes of music creators and the factors that are influencing the need for change. Together, the group reflects on the importance of passing AMFA through collective action and the positive change this stands to bring to radio’s current landscape. 

To hear interviews from other union recording artists and singers, click here. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts and Tune In.

Photo: Congressman and chairman of musicFIRST Joe Crowley at the announcement of the American Music Fairness Act on June 24. Photo by Steve Pierce/musicFIRST.

The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.