Independent Music Industry Calls for Action by SoundExchange

Independent Music Industry Calls for Action by SoundExchange

Delayed Royalty Resolution Leaves Artists and Labels Unsure

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dozens of artists and independent labels whose creativity fuels more than 40% of online music today called on SoundExchange to quickly offer royalty rate proposals that will enable Internet radio to survive and build a sustainable industry.

The following statement was released today on behalf of independent artists and labels supporting the SaveNetRadio campaign:

"Our music has found a home, an audience, and a fan base online, and particularly through Internet radio. Internet radio is one of the great music discovery tools for fans of all artists and all genres. In addition to promoting our music Internet radio pays royalties -- a great combination.

"It has been several months since thousands of artists and millions of Internet radio fans called on Congress to help, and yet we appear to be no further toward a permanent solution now than we were then. The uncertainty of Internet radio's future harms artists and independent labels as we prepare tour schedules and album promotions for 2008. Net radio is a significant part of our marketing strategies, but that seems to be lost in the continuing fight over royalties.

"We like being paid for Internet radio performances, but we benefit from high royalty rates only if net radio services can afford to stream our music. If services are bankrupted by high royalties, they play no music and pay no royalties -- and we lose. As the intended beneficiaries of sound recording performance royalties, we reject this outcome. We urge SoundExchange, on behalf of the independent artists and labels they represent to find a reasonable and lasting solution as soon as possible."

   List of artists and labels:    James Austin                           Melissa Greener   White Pine, TN                         Austin, TX    Bob McDonald                           Family Junction   Boynton Beach, FL                      Boston, MA    Amy England                            Steph Deskins   Nantucket, MA                          Belle, West Virginia    Steve Stern                            Rene Lebre   Goodlettsville, TN                     Tampa, Florida    Randy Howard                           Mophonics   Calhoun, GA                            Los Angeles, CA    Joey Allcorn                           Soapbox Hero   Columbus, GA                           Santa Paula, CA    Paul Knowles                           Nate Query (The Decemberists)   Berkeley, CA                           Portland, OR    Jim Bruno                              Eyeball Records   Daly City, CA                          Ridgewood, New Jersey    Duane Stailey                          Desert Paradise Records   Leonard, TX                            White Pine, TN    Maggie Martin                          Saustex Media   Petaluma, CA                           San Antonio, TX    Effron White                           Fillee Music   Fayetteville, AR                       Lubbock, TX    Wink                                   Big Barn Records   Keziah, NC                             Berkeley, CA    Harry                                  Sticker Freak Records   Bodine, TX                             Fayetteville, AR    Annie Dinerman                         Boss Koala Records   New York, NY                           Denver, CO    Jack Ely                               Jack Evans (Jack Zen)   Portland, OR                           Katonah, NY    Mother Jones Band                      Austin Bradley   Los Angeles, CA                        Memphis, TN    Christian Andreason                    Chris Baker   Bellaire, TX                           Belton, TX    Christopher Cato                       Oscar Richardson   Spring, TX                             Baton Rouge, LA    Rennie Rene J. Foley                   Wes Tucker   Shreveport, LA                         Arlington, VA    F. M. Smith                            Mary A. Lee (Buddacrush)   Chicago, IL                            Houston, TX    The Dave Kain Group                    James Bohn   Peekskill, NY                          Grafton, WI    Joe Koger (Terratoo)                   Becky Chase, Ken Lyon Brian Burke   Lake City, FL                          (Foxtrot Zulu)                                          Pawcatuck, CT    Alby Odum                              Stephan Catenacci   Seneca, IL                             Royal Oak, MI    Jimmy Duvall                           Eddie Jones (Radial Angel)   Fredericksburg, VA                     Oklahoma City, OK    Richard Zeier   Hollywood, CA    Denise Barbarita   New York, NY  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: SaveNetRadio

CONTACT: Jake Ward of SaveNetRadio, +1-202-420-8056

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Profile: International Entertainment