MMA PASSES SENATE, BIZ WHOOPS IT UP

The Senate passed the Music Modernization Act (MMA) by unanimous consent on Tuesday, following the passage of the companion version of the bill in the House by a vote of 415-0 in April. The MMA now awaits reconsideration by the House and signature by the President.

NMPA President/CEO David Israelite (pictured) and Board Chairman Irwin Robinson could hardly contain themselves when the vote went down.

“Today is a momentous day for songwriters, artists, composers, producers, engineers and the entire industry that revolves around them,” Israelite enthused. “The Senate vote marks a true step forward towards fairness for the people at the heart of music who have long been undervalued due to outdated laws. This was a long and complex process, but ultimately the music industry has come out stronger and more united than ever. We commend Senators Orrin Hatch, Lamar Alexander, Chuck Grassley and Senate Leadership for swiftly moving this bill to the floor. Now, we anxiously await the House’s final approval of the MMA and seeing it signed into law.”

“The Senate’s passage of the Music Modernization Act is the most exciting development I’ve seen in my career,” industry veteran Robinson exclaimed, temporarily deafening several NMPA staff members. “Songwriters have suffered long enough, and this bill will allow them to be paid fairly by the streaming companies that rely on their work. We got to this point because of the advocacy of hundreds of music creators who rallied behind the MMA and who will drive the future of the music industry. I look forward to seeing the MMA become law and watching the songwriters, composers, artists and producers who will greatly benefit.”

"The unanimous backing of the MMA by the U.S. Senate shows what can be achieved when a diverse group of parties puts aside its differences and works together for the music industry’s greater good," exulted Sony/ATV boss and king of all publishing Marty Bandier. "This is a significant victory for all rights holders and we are confident that once the bill goes back to the House it will pass and become law shortly. It will go a long way to ensuring that songwriters and music publishers will be fairly compensated for their contribution to the streaming revolution, which has transformed music into a growth industry once again.”

Quotes from other industry mucky-mucks began pouring in immediately.

"The passing of the Music Modernization Act by the Senate is a huge turning point," said Harvey Mason Jr., Recording Academy National Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. "This vote says loudly and clearly that music and those that create it are valued by our government and its citizens. We are all so thankful for this step to ensure music makers are compensated fairly."

“Today’s unanimous passage of the Music Modernization Act in the Senate represents a Herculean industry-wide effort to promote and celebrate songwriters and ensure their right to a sustainable livelihood," proclaimed ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. We applaud Senators Hatch, Alexander, Grassley, Feinstein, Whitehouse, Coons and the entire Senate for recognizing the value music has in both society and our hearts.”

“American songwriters work tirelessly behind the scenes to create the music that fans all over the world enjoy, "ASCAP Chairman/Prexy Paul Williams, himself no slouch as a songwriter. "Today, we made history by joining together and working for Senate passage of the Music Modernization Act, bringing us one step closer to a music licensing framework that reflects how people listen to music today. We urge the House of Representatives to swiftly pass the Senate bill, so the President can sign it into law and music creators can begin to see the benefits of this critical reform.”

Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM added, “SiriusXM is a platform that respects and actively supports artists and all music creators, and we are delighted to have reached this agreement to help pass this bill.”

And Irving Azoff said, “This is a monumental occasion for artists and songwriters who are now assured—in law—that they will receive their deserved royalties. We are proud to be a part of this critical consensus and the ongoing fight for artists’ rights.”