The Recording Academy is gearing up for Music Advocacy Day, its new name for District Advocate Day, set for October 1 with Mark Ronson as this year's Music Advocacy Day Artist Ambassador. A letter signed by Ronson was emailed Thursday (Sept. 5) to the 22,000 members of the Recording Academy, including GRAMMY U voters, professionals and students, urging them to join him in this pan-Hellenic rally.
“The music industry is changing faster than ever, and with those changes come challenges—whether it's navigating the impact of artificial intelligence or dealing with the issues of ticketing live events,” Ronson wrote. “But these challenges are also our opportunities to shape the future of music.
“Music Support Day is your unique opportunity as an Academy member to share your views on policies to prevent the misuse of AI, protect your voice and likeness, and stop predatory ticketing practices to make sure we creators get paid fairly.”
Ronson was in Washington, DC on May 1 for the Academy's Grammys on the Hill Support Day, when Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. met with the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.), among others.
“I've seen firsthand the impact of sharing our stories with the people who represent us,” Ronson wrote in that letter. “These conversations helped lead to meaningful results on Capitol Hill, including the passage of the ticket bill in the House and the introduction of the NO FAKES Act in the Senate. Now, on Music Protection Day, we can build on the progress we've made and talk to congressional leaders back home in our local communities to make sure they hear our concerns.”
Recording Academy members can register for Music Support Day by checking their inbox for registration information or by contacting their local chapter. But they don't have much time to act. Registration closes on Friday (September 6). The Academy notes that non-members can also get involved by contacting their legislators through the Academy's music advocacy action page.
Key issues Academy members will be addressing with legislators in their cities this year include:
Artificial intelligence: Defending the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act, which is designed to protect Americans from fraudulent AI copies.
Reform tickets for live events: By supporting the Fans First Act, legislation that protects artists and consumers from deceptive practices, provides transparency and restores integrity to the ticket market.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Music Protection Day, which the Academy calls the largest grassroots music advocacy movement. On last year's Music Protection Day, more than 1,700 Academy members participated in nearly 100 meetings with lawmakers, according to the Academy.
Music Protection Day has helped achieve many legislative victories. Efforts in previous years led to the Music Modernization Act, which reformed music licensing for the streaming era, and the Save Our Stages Act, which provided much-needed financial support to music venues affected by the COVID pandemic -19. In addition, advocacy efforts helped pass the CASE Act and the Better Online Ticketing Act (BOTS), further protecting both music creators and consumers.
Ronson, 49, has won eight Grammys, including two for record of the year — one as producer of Amy Winehouse's “Rehab” and the other as artist and co-producer of his own megahit “Uptown Funk!” with Bruno Mars. He also won an Oscar for writing the Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper hit “Shallow” from A star is born.
Here is the full text of Ronson's letter to members of the Recording Academy:
“If there's one thing I've learned from my years in the studio, it's that music has the power to move mountains. It's more than just beats and lyrics. it is the heartbeat of our culture. That is why I am reaching out to you today about something that interests me.
October 1st marks Music Protection Day, a day where we, as creators and members of the Recording Academy, gather across the country to ensure that our voices are heard. The music industry is changing faster than ever, and with those changes come challenges — whether it's navigating the impact of artificial intelligence or dealing with the issues of ticketing live events. But these challenges are also our opportunities to shape the future of music.
In this time of industry transformation, I am honored to serve as this year's Music Pride Day Artist Ambassador and work with you to inspire positive impact in our community. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak with lawmakers in Washington, DC during the GRAMMYs on the Hill, and I saw firsthand the impact of sharing our stories with the people who represent us. These conversations helped lead to meaningful results on Capitol Hill, including the passage of the ticket bill in the House and the introduction of the NO FAKES Act in the Senate. Now, on Music Protection Day, we can build on the progress we've made and talk to congressional leaders back home in our local communities to make sure they hear our concerns.
Support Music Day is your unique opportunity as an Academy member to share your views on policies to prevent the misuse of AI, protect your voice and likeness, and stop aggressive ticketing practices for to ensure that we creators pay fairly. Today, you represent the millions of artists and producers – your peers – who need safeguards and protection. The Recording Academy will be with you every step of the way to provide resources and guidance.
I know how busy life is, but this is a time where our voices can really make a difference. If you haven't signed up for Music Protection Day yet, I urge you to do so. We are a community of innovators and pioneers, and together, we can protect human creativity for generations to come.
I look forward to championing the cause with you,
Mark Ronson”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/mark-ronson-recording-academy-2024-music-advocacy-day-ambassador/
