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RESPECT: HONORING THE GREAT WOMAN SONGWRITERS OF OUR TIME

RESPECT: HONORING THE GREAT WOMAN SONGWRITERS OF OUR TIME

Friday, March 18, 2022

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They formed the soundtrack of my life. Carole. Aretha. Dolly. Stevie. Joni. Carly. Ellie. Chrissie. Cynthia. Laura. Karla. These women songwriters, with their stellar bodies of work, made unforgettable names for themselves. So much so that we’re actually able to identify them on a first name basis.

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    Advocacy, May 3, 2023

    The Writers Strike

    The writers are on strike. I feel hopeful, vicariously excited, anxious, and totally jealous. I mean, I’m a writer too....

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    Advocacy, March 31, 2023

    VARIETY: Songwriters Have Been Waiting Five Years for a Whopping $700-$800 Million in Royalties: Here’s What You Can Do to Help

    If you love songwriters and hate the many ways songwriters are underpaid, paid slowly, or not paid at all, please read the following: There is over a quarter billion dollars of mechanical-royalty income related to songs that were streamed between 2018 and 2022 that has not been paid — and there is no guidance on when it will. Sign the petition: https://bit.ly/phonoiii

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    Advocacy, January 6, 2023

    Billboard: Hundreds of Artists Push for Copyright Rule Change On Streaming Royalties: ‘We Stand Together’

    Don Henley, Sheryl Crow, Sting and a slew of other musicians are throwing their support behind a new federal copyright...

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    Education, December 8, 2021

    Songwriting Advocacy 101: CONSENT DECREES

    The “Consent Decrees” that affect songwriters are court-approved federal agreements between the Department of Justice and ASCAP & BMI. When these...

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    Education, December 8, 2021

    Songwriting Advocacy 101: Streaming & Digital Media

    —The new media in the digital world are combining various income types and it can get confusing. —There are two...

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    Education, December 8, 2021

    Songwriting Advocacy 101: Publishing Deals

    There are many different kinds of publishing deals and you should never sell or give away your publishing without careful...

    READ MORE

Video Resources

    A Day Without Music

    Songwriters are prohibited by a 1980’s NLRB [National Labor Relations Board] ruling from being able to unionize, so they can’t......

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    Gently Down the Stream

    What’s the best way for songwriters to get across a lot of complicated information about why they aren’t getting paid......

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    Standing Up For Songwriters: A Journey Through Recovery

    SONA’s attorney, mentor, and “kraken”, Dina LaPolt gives an inspiring TED-talk on how songwriters became the most vulnerable members of the music creator community and what can be done to protect them and uphold the value of...

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External Resources

    Songwriters of North America Launch Global Search for ED, Retains Sound Circle Management in Interim

    Advocacy focused non profit, Songwriters of North America (SONA) has retained Sound Circle Management (SCM) for strategic services while conducting a diligent search for its next Executive Director. Interested candidates should send their resume to [email protected]

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    California Restricts Use of Rap Lyrics in Criminal Trials After Gov. Newsom Signs Bill

    In a big win for creative expression, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which restricts the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court in California.

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    Music Week x Girls I Rate presents: Mentor Me – Autumn Rowe

    Legendary songwriter Autumn Rowe has collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest names including Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Zendaya, Ava Max, The Knocks, Leona Lewis, Tori Kelly and Kali Uchis, and wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Happiness, featuring Alexis Jordan.

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    Music Publishers, Streaming Services Avoid Another Battle Royale by Setting Royalty Rates for Next Four Years

    After a grueling, hard-fought and ultimately victorious legal battle over streaming rates for the years 2018-22, the National Music Publishers’ Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Digital Media Association today have announced a settlement with streaming services for certain mechanical streaming rates in the U.S. for the years 2023-2027: 15.35%.

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    California Rap Lyrics Bill Clears Final Vote, Heads to Governor for Signature

    The new law would require judges to weigh whether allowing prosecutors to cite rap lyrics will "inject racial bias" into a criminal case.

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    Grammy-Winning songwriter Autumn Rowe

    Autumn Rowe has worked on songs for artists like Jon Batiste, Dua Lipa, Diana Ross and Cher Lloyd

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Help songwriters fight for our rights. Explore the different Advocacy issues we’re working on right now.

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