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Gene Simmons Presses Radio Royalties at White House Ahead of Senate Testimony

The KISS co-founder is backing the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act to make AM/FM stations pay performers, with a rare Senate hearing set for Tuesday.

Overview

  • Simmons is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee on Dec. 9 in support of the American Music Fairness Act.
  • He will testify alongside SoundExchange president and CEO Michael Huppe, a lead advocate for paying performers when songs air on terrestrial radio.
  • The rocker previewed his case from the White House briefing room on Dec. 5, telling reporters artists should be compensated when their music is played.
  • The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Darrell Issa, would align AM/FM radio with platforms that already pay and includes provisions intended to protect small broadcasters.
  • Support has grown through a coalition of more than 300 artists and the upcoming hearing would be the first Senate session on the measure in more than a decade.