..much more than just an awards show
The Recording Academy hosted it's 20th annual GRAMMYs on the Hill April 18 and 19 in Washington, providing a unified push to support the Music Modernization Act and usher in concrete reforms for all music creators. I was honored to be among the 100 delegates invited by the Recording Academy to take part.
Here are some of the highlights:
- GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards Dinner on April 5 honored Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.) for their leadership on improving creators’ rights and their unwavering support of music licensing reform.
- GRAMMYs on the Hill Honoree Little Big Town was given the Creators’ Leadership Award for their support of the Academy’s advocacy priorities and their work with MusiCares and other philanthropic efforts.
- During the Awards reception, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) discussed plans to bring the MMA to the floor with their joint co-sponsorship.
- Dozens of Members of Congress joined the stage with LBT for a special performance of “Boondocks” during the GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards.
- Nearly 100 music creators participated in GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day on April 19 to thank members of the House Judiciary Committee for their support of the MMA, as well as meetings with House leadership and other key caucus leaders to ensure their support of the MMA when it came for a full floor vote.
Advocates also met with more than 25 Senators to outline the Academy’s priorities to pass similar music licensing reforms in the Senate, including key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and leaders from both parties.
- Participants included a range of accomplished performers, songwriters and producers across multiple genres, geographic regions, and career levels, accounting for 55 GRAMMY wins and more than 180 nominations.
- Media activities for GRAMMYs on the Hill generated 259 total media hits throughout the GOTH campaign, achieving 144.8 million impressions. Coverage included ABC News, The Hill, The Washington Post, and Billboard, and broadcast segments by Entertainment Tonight and SIRIUS XM’s POTUS Politics program.
- Digitally, GRAMMYs on the Hill was supported by Academy members and music fans across the country who generated more than 3,000 messages to Congress in support of the MMA.
- And last but not least, one week after GRAMMYs on the Hill, the House unanimously passed the MMA, with Chairman Goodlatte remarking on the floor how the advocates were instrumental in bringing the bill to a vote.
You can find more coverage of GRAMMYs on the Hill in the Washington Post, ABC News and The Hill as well as on the Academy’s website.
