Photo Credit: Randy Travis by Tennessee Wanderer / CC by 2.0
Grammys On The Hill, music’s biggest week in Washington, D.C., kicks off this week with country legend Randy Travis leading the celebrity charge.
Hosted by the Recording Academy, Grammys On The Hill returns to D.C. from on April 8-10, uniting congressional leaders and music makers to champion creators’ rights and honor those who have helped shape a better future for music.
This year, the event will honor country star Randy Travis and United States Representatives Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Ron Estes (R-KS) for their commitment to advancing pro-music policy. On April 9, the Academy’s annual Grammys On The Hill Advocacy Day will bring together Grammy winners and nominees, along with other esteemed industry leaders, for meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss critical music policy issues.
“At this point in my life, I am fully focused on living and giving back,” said Travis. “I’ve been part of the music community my whole life — professionally, for 40 years. I am passionate about advocating to keep music an honest pursuit of art and human expression. While I remain excited about new, cutting-edge technologies, we must protect, and fairly compensate, the creative minds that give us the music — and art — that feeds our souls.”
The week of music advocacy culminates with the Academy’s second annual Grammys On The Hill Future Forum, a conference exploring critical issues impacting the music community.
On Tuesday, April 8, the Grammys On The Hill Awards will celebrate Travis and US Representatives Sanchez (D-CA) and Estes (R-KS) for their contributions to strengthening the music ecosystem and championing creators’ rights. Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists, songwriters, and producers will join music industry leaders and lawmakers in D.C. for an evening dedicated to celebrating music advocacy.
Wednesday, April 9 is Advocacy Day, where dozens of artists, songwriters, and producers will join the Recording Academy on Capitol Hill for a grassroots day of advocacy. Music makers in attendance will meet with members of Congress to advocate for the key legislative priorities impacting music creators, including:
- promoting new music through essential tax relief to independent artists and songwriters, enabling them to deduct 100% of production costs — up to $150,000 upfront, rather than over multiple years, through the bipartisan Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act
- protecting creators’ image, likeness, and voice from unauthorized creation and use of digital replicas through the NO FAKES Act
- preserving continued federal support for the arts and cultural institutions that enrich and strengthen the cultural fabric of America
Thursday, April 10 is the Grammys On The Hill Future Forum, exploring ways to help build up music communities both locally and globally. Compelling conversations will focus on the work state and local stakeholders are doing to develop and sustain music economies, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing new emerging music markets around the world.
“Grammys On The Hill plays a pivotal role in improving the lives of music creators, and we’re thrilled to see it evolve into a full week of advocacy, celebration, and learning,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “I’m excited to bring our music community and policymakers together in Washington — not just to celebrate the change-makers fighting for creators’ rights, but to unite and take action to improve the livelihoods of music people across the country.”
Since its inception, Grammys On The Hill has honored dozens of award-winning artists, including Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Pharrell Williams, Sheryl Crow, and more. The event has also recognized influential congressional leaders, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and former Speakers of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and many others.
It has led to several major legislative victories for the music industry, including the Music Modernization Act in 2018, and the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.