The introduction of the Music Modernization Act (S. 2823) in the Senate was indeed music to the record industry’s ears, raising a chorus of support. Among those to lend positive comments:

Steve Bogard, Nashville Songwriters Association International President

“The Music Modernization Act, Classics Act and AMP Act will together create the most comprehensive and important copyright reform package the United States Senate has considered in decades. This group of bills, which will also be called collectively the Music Modernization Act, gives songwriters, artists and music producers essential tools to achieve fair marketplace royalty rates in the digital era.  The Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) would like to thank Chairman Grassley and Senators Hatch, Whitehouse and Coons for their leadership in guiding this important legislation.  We also want to note the tireless efforts of Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander, who has worked for months on the reforms contained in this bill that will benefit present and future generations of songwriters.”

Michelle Lewis & Kay Hanley, Executive Directors, SONA

“Operating out of Los Angeles, the hub of the music industry, Songwriters of North America (SONA) advocates for thousands of songwriters, composers, artists, and producers living in Southern California and across the nation. We are songwriters and we strongly support the passage of the Music Modernization Act introduced yesterday by music creator champion Senator Orrin Hatch which will streamline the licensing of our songs and give us fairer royalty rates. The MMA will put an end to the broken system through which songwriters have lost countless dollars and will finally update licensing laws to properly value their work. We applaud our leaders in the U.S. Senate — Senators Hatch, Grassley, Whitehouse, and all of the 15 other original cosponsors who have spearheaded this vital effort, and we look forward to working with Senate lawmakers until the nation’s songwriters and music publishers achieve fair marketplace royalty rates in the digital era.”

Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Industry, Government, & Member Relations Officer, Recording Academy

“As the organization that represents music’s creators, the Recording Academy is grateful for the introduction of this comprehensive package.  The Academy’s songwriter, performer, producer and engineer members in every state will advocate for passage of the Music Modernization Act and they thank Senators Hatch, Grassley, Whitehouse, and all the original cosponsors for their support of music makers.”

David Israelite, National Music Publishers’ Association President & CEO

“The introduction of the Music Modernization Act package in the Senate is a massive step forward for songwriters. Senators Orrin Hatch, Chuck Grassley, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lamar Alexander, Chris Coons, John Kennedy, Kamala Harris, Bob Corker, Dick Durbin, Johnny Isakson, Patrick Leahy, Mike Crapo, Doug Jones, Thom Tillis, Bill Nelson, Shelley Moore Capito and David Perdue have done music creators a great service by sponsoring a music licensing package which will help not only songwriters and composers but also producers and legacy artists. The bill improves both how and how much songwriters are paid while increasing transparency and enabling digital music platforms to thrive. The MMA represents unprecedented consensus around necessary updates to how music creators are valued, and we look forward to seeing it become law.” 

Elizabeth Matthews, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers CEO

“After a unanimous vote to pass the MMA in the House, we are thrilled to see such ardent, bipartisan support for music creators in the Senate. This legislation is critical to ensuring songwriters have a pathway to fair compensation so they can sustain their livelihoods and create the next great songs. We applaud the leadership of fellow songwriter Senator Hatch, along with Senators Alexander and Whitehouse, for spearheading this effort in the Senate and to Chairman Grassley and all other co-sponsors for being champions of American songwriters. We look forward to the Senate’s vote and eventual passage of the MMA.”

Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of Internet Association

“It’s past time we brought mechanical licensing into the digital era.  An updated mechanical licensing system will promote innovation, benefit consumers, and ensure artists are fairly compensated for their works. We commend Chairman Hatch, Chairman Grassley, and the other  MMA sponsors for taking on this critical issue and modernizing music streaming in a meaningful way.”

Mike O’Neill, Broadcast Music Inc. President & CEO

“BMI applauds the introduction today, by Senators Hatch and Grassley, of the Music Modernization Act. This legislation represents an unprecedented collaboration among music creators and users, and represents an historic opportunity to make meaningful music licensing reform which will benefit America’s creative communities.”

Mitch Glazier, Recording Industry Association of America President 

“The strong momentum behind these common sense music licensing reforms continues to build, and that’s very encouraging news to the entire music community.  We are stronger together.We’re grateful for the leadership of Senators Hatch, Grassley, Feinstein, Kennedy, Coons, Alexander, and all of the cosponsors who have brought this legislation in the Senate, along with musician advocates and our digital partners who have worked tirelessly to forge this consensus package.  Today we are one step closer to realizing a more just music marketplace for artists, songwriters, and their label and publisher partners.”

Chris Harrison, DiMA, the Digital Media Association CEO

“Streaming music services create better value for consumers, creators and copyright owners. We welcome the introduction of the Music Modernization Act in the Senate, and thank Senators Hatch (R-UT), Whitehouse (D-RI), Alexander (R-TN) and Coons (D-DE), in addition to Chairman Grassley (R-IA), for their efforts to bring the entire music industry together on a positive path forward. By turning away from a complicated and broken system of the past, the music industry has an opportunity to harness the power of greater efficiency and transparency to benefit consumers and creators alike.”

Michael Huppe, SoundExchange President and CEO

“On behalf of the 150,000+ music creators represented by SoundExchange, we are grateful to Senator Hatch for building this consensus legislative package that will benefit the entire music ecosystem. Taken together, the elements of this legislation will strengthen and protect the rights and interests of creators—the artists, songwriters and producers whose music enriches our lives, and it will improve engagement between the creative community and the digital services whose businesses rely on their work. We look forward to working with the sponsors and the entire community of stakeholders that built accord on this package to make it law.”