Fifty-eight major recording artists, led by KISS frontman Gene Simmons, are pressing Congress to pass the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) before a regulatory shift in Europe cuts off nearly $300 million in annual radio royalties for American performers.
The United States remains one of only four nations, alongside Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, that does not require terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay performers when their music is broadcast. While a 2020 European Court of Justice ruling temporarily forced EU radio to pay American artists, the European Commission is now moving to reinstate material reciprocity, meaning those payments will stop unless the U.S. closes its own loophole.
A Looming Royalty Cliff
In a letter delivered to congressional leaders this week, the 58 signatories warned that the European Commission’s action will sever a critical income stream for American musicians. The letter was spearheaded by Simmons, who stated:
“The European Commission is moving to cut off nearly $300 million in annual royalties to American artists. This is not a distant threat, it’s a direct consequence of the United States’ failure to pay artists for radio play. We are one of only four countries in the world, alongside Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, that refuses to compensate performers for AM/FM radio airplay. Congress must act now to pass the American Music Fairness Act and protect American music.”
Star-Studded Signatories
The letter features signatures from a broad cross-section of the music industry, including:
- Aerosmith
- Barbra Streisand
- Belinda Carlisle
- Billy Idol
- Bonnie Raitt
- Boyz II Men
- Carly Simon
- Carole King
- Celine Dion
- Cyndi Lauper
- Darius Rucker
- Darryl “DMC” McDaniels
- David Foster
- Dee Snider
- Def Leppard
- Don McLean
- Duran Duran
- Foreigner
- Gavin Rossdale
- Gene Simmons
- Gloria Estefan
- Gloria Gaynor
- Hootie & The Blowfish
- Huey Lewis
- Jackson Browne
- James Taylor
- Jason Aldean
- Jason Mraz
- Jefferson Starship
- Jelly Roll
- Joan Jett
- Josh Groban
- Julian Lennon
- Katharine McPhee
- Kool and the Gang
- LeAnn Rimes
- Lee Ann Womack
- Lee Greenwood
- Lil Jon
- Lisa Loeb
- Master P
- Mariah Carey
- MC Lyte
- Melle Mel
- Mickey Guyton
- Mike Love
- Mýa
- Nancy Wilson
- Peter Frampton
- P!nk
- Randy Travis
- R.E.M.
- Sammy Hagar
- Sarah McLachlan
- Smokey Robinson
- Steve Miller
- TLC
- Tori Amos
Beyond the Headliners
The letter emphasizes that the potential loss of European royalties would not only affect marquee names. Session musicians, backing vocalists, and independent creators depend on these payments as a vital part of their income. The American Music Fairness Act aims to close the terrestrial radio exemption that has allowed U.S. broadcasters to avoid paying performance royalties for decades.
Bill Protects Small Stations
The legislation includes provisions designed to shield grassroots and community broadcasters. Small stations with annual revenue under $1.5 million would pay a nominal annual fee, while non-commercial and religious stations would face even lower costs, ensuring that the royalty obligation does not threaten local radio operations.
With the European Commission poised to pull the plug on hundreds of millions of dollars in payments, the letter urges Congress to act without delay and pass the American Music Fairness Act.
