Beach Boys Veteran Urges Trump to Back American Music Fairness Act
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Love, a founding member of the Beach Boys, has joined a growing chorus of musicians urging President Donald J. Trump to support the American Music Fairness Act, a bill designed to close a significant loophole in the U.S. music industry that currently denies many artists fair compensation for radio airplay. The legislation, introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), seeks to require large radio broadcasters to pay royalties to performers when their songs are played on AM/FM radio stations.
For decades, American musicians have faced a disparity in how they are compensated for their work. While songwriters receive royalties for radio plays, performers—including background singers, session musicians, and band members—have been excluded from receiving payments for terrestrial radio broadcasts. This contrasts with many other countries that mandate payments to performers for radio airplay, resulting in an estimated $300 million in royalties earned by U.S. artists being held overseas due to the absence of reciprocal laws.
Love, who has witnessed the evolving music industry over the past six decades, highlighted the importance of fair remuneration for all contributors to the music creation process. “For every star you know, there are thousands of hardworking musicians who bring those songs to life,” he said. “They deserve to be paid fairly for their work, especially when their music is generating billions in advertising revenue for radio conglomerates.”
The American Music Fairness Act aims not only to ensure fair pay for artists but also to protect small and independent broadcasters from undue financial burdens, striking a balance between supporting musicians and maintaining diverse radio voices. This approach reflects a growing recognition among lawmakers that the current system is outdated and fails to reflect the realities of the modern music economy.
President Trump’s previous support for musicians was evident during his first term when he signed the Music Modernization Act, a landmark law that updated copyright protections for the digital era. That legislation helped artists receive fair compensation for streaming and digital downloads, marking a significant step forward for music creators. However, as Love points out, the fight for equitable pay is far from over.
The rise of artificial intelligence and the use of music to train AI products without permission or compensation further complicate the landscape, underscoring the urgency of legislative action. “Our music is being used to build AI without our consent,” Love said. “We need laws that protect our intellectual property and ensure that artists are not left behind in this new technological frontier.”
Supporters of the American Music Fairness Act argue that closing the radio loophole will not only benefit musicians but also bolster the American music industry as a whole, preserving the cultural heritage embedded in the nation’s songs. The bill has garnered backing from over 300 performers, including country stars Jason Aldean and Billy Ray Cyrus, reflecting widespread industry consensus on the need for reform.
The legislation’s progress will be closely watched by artists, broadcasters, and policymakers alike. If enacted, it could unlock millions of dollars currently withheld overseas and set a precedent for fair treatment of performers in the digital age. For more information on the bill and its sponsors, visit the official pages of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Music Modernization Act remains a foundational step in protecting artists’ rights, but the call from musicians like Mike Love highlights the ongoing need to adapt laws to the changing dynamics of the music business. As the debate continues, the eyes of the American music community are on the White House, hoping for leadership that champions fair pay and respect for the creators who shape the nation’s sound.
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