Follows father's legacy
WASHINGTON -- Continuing her father's legacy of fighting for all musicians, Nancy Sinatra will urge lawmakers Wednesday to approve legislation giving all musicians a royalty for songs aired on traditional radio.
In 1988, Frank Sinatra pushed for legislation instituting a performance royalty, and Wednesday his daughter is expected to do the same a decade later during a congressional hearing on the Fair Performance Right on Radio legislation, according to the MusicFirst Coalition.
In a letter to artists and musicians dated Dec. 12, 1988, Frank Sinatra wrote: "We are of the opinion that legislation has not been enacted in part because recording artists have not been aware of the problem, while others with vested interests have lobbied heavily for the defeat of such legislation. We believe that with a unified effort from fellow recording artists, we may be able to pass such legislation."
The MusicFirst coalition is comprised of the record labels, musicians and other music industry organizations that is pushing for legislation sponsored by Reps. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
While Nancy Sinatra will testify on the legislation a number of musical performers plan to make their voices heard Wednesday (HR 6/11).
Dave Navarro, Sugarhill Gang, Whodini and Kristine W are among the artists and musicians in Washington supporting the bill.
Wednesday's hearing is an indication that things are getting hot in the copyright arena as the Copyright Alliance, a broad-based copyright industry group also is planning a push for the IP-PRO bill that sets up a "copyright czar" that is scheduled for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing June 17.
