"All we're seeking is a fundamentally fair radio performance right for the artists and musicians who've created the music that we enjoy listening to on the radio," said Marty Machowsky, a spokesman for a music community coalition.
Since the act was introduced in 2007 -- and reintroduced in Congress in February -- Sheryl Crow, Nancy Sinatra, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, Billy Corgan and other performers have appeared on Capitol Hill to voice their support.
The Performance Rights Act is getting more playtime than in previous Congresses. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) recently said the bill would be a priority for the committee this summer. In May, the House Judiciary Committee approved the act after adding an amendment to protect smaller and noncommercial broadcasters by creating a sliding-scale fee.
Still, more than 200 lawmakers have signaled their opposition to the legislation by co-sponsoring the Local Radio Freedom Act, a nonbinding resolution introduced in February that declares opposition to "any new performance fee, tax, royalty or other charge on radio for music airplay."
Nonetheless, Machowsky detects progress, not only in Congress but also from the intensifying opposition from broadcasters. "If you look at the level of angst on the other side -- the amount of radio airtime they are devoting to this issue, either through advertising or commentary by on-air personalities -- it's really indicative of the progress we're making," he said.
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ksherry@tribune.com
