Music icons spanning generations and genres are rallying behind the American Music Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to close a 100-year-old loophole allowing major radio corporations to play music without paying artists. The effort, spearheaded by Grammy-winning R&B group Boyz II Men, coincides with the 14th Annual World Radio Day, a global celebration of radio’s role in fostering change and community.
The American Music Fairness Act, introduced last week in both the Senate and House of Representatives, would require large radio broadcasters to pay artists for airing their music, while protecting small, local stations with minimal fees. Currently, the U.S. is one of the only democratic nations in the world—alongside North Korea, Cuba, and Iran—that does not compensate artists for radio play.
Boyz II Men, whose timeless hits like End of the Road and I’ll Make Love to You have dominated airwaves for decades, met with top lawmakers on Capitol Hill today, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). The group delivered a letter signed by a star-studded coalition of artists, including Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Lil Jon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariah Carey, Miranda Lambert, Ozzy Osbourne, P!nk, Reba McEntire, and Stevie Nicks, among others.
“This is an issue about right and wrong,” said Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris. “Artists—including background vocalists and musicians—work hard to create music that brings joy to millions. It’s outrageous that big radio companies are able to make billions of dollars each year in ads while denying royalties to the performers whose music attracts listeners in the first place.”
The letter, addressed to congressional leaders, highlights the stark inequity in the current system. While streaming services and digital platforms pay artists for their work, AM/FM radio stations have long exploited a legal loophole to avoid compensating performers. This not only harms American artists domestically but also costs them nearly $300 million annually in lost international royalties, as foreign countries withhold payments in retaliation for the U.S.’s lack of a performance royalty.
“When I was starting out, radio offered free promotion for artists looking to make it,” said Carly Simon, whose classics like You’re So Vain remain radio staples. “That’s no longer the case. In the digital age, fewer and fewer Americans are discovering new music on the radio. Instead, AM/FM is making billions of dollars each year in ad revenue without compensating the artists whose songs they play. This needs to end.”
Under the bill, nearly two-thirds of radio stations would pay $500 or less annually for unlimited music, ensuring that small, community-focused broadcasters are not burdened. Meanwhile, corporate radio giants would finally be required to pay artists their fair share.
The legislation has garnered widespread support from a diverse coalition, including broadcasters like the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and the Alliance for Community Media, as well as major labels, independent artists, and unions. Notably, every U.S. administration since President Jimmy Carter has advocated for a performance royalty for artists.
“Today, the community of music artists is speaking with one voice,” said LeAnn Rimes. “Performers spend hours, days, weeks, months, and even years working on the songs that make up the soundtracks of our lives. They should be rewarded for that work by the radio corporations that play their songs on the air.”
Public opinion is also firmly on the side of artists. A recent poll commissioned by the music First Coalition found that 73% of Americans believe it’s unfair that artists don’t get paid for radio play, with support for congressional action outweighing opposition by a 6-to-1 margin. For legends like Randy Travis, who testified before Congress last year about the financial struggles faced by artists, the bill is a lifeline.
“It’s time for our nation to align with the rest of the developed world and ensure that hard-working music artists are paid fairly,” the artists’ letter concludes. “We appreciate your support and consideration of this much-needed legislation.”
With the backing of some of the biggest names in music and bipartisan support in Congress, the American Music Fairness Act could finally bring the U.S. in line with global standards, ensuring that artists are paid for the music that fuels one of the nation’s most beloved mediums.
For more information on the American Music Fairness Act, visit [First Coalition’s website].
