Money for Nothing?
In our current economic state, do wealthy musicians really believe we’ll be sympathetic to them demanding more money? Apparently, as celebrity musicians from across the country banded together Tuesday on Capitol Hill to discuss “musicFIRST,” a coalition that hopes to make corporate radio pay to play their songs.
The musical all-stars included Sheryl Crow, Dionne Warwick, Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, Patti LaBelle and Emmylou Harris, each fighting to receive compensation every time one of their songs is played on the radio.
Patti LaBelle chipped in, “We’re being pimped! That’s exactly what we’ve been. I’ve gone for so long hearing my own voice on the radio… I never thought I’d be standing up here asking for my money.”
Contemplating backlash from corporate radio, a visibly exhausted Will.i.am said, “I got a text from my friend. It said ‘Hey they played your song 10 times on the radio in two hours.’ So do I stick my neck out? I do.”
-Ryan Freeman
Dionne Warwick takes a smoke break during her visit to the Hill.
(Photo: Mark Wilkins)
