From Radio Business Report…
There is no doubt in the mind of a musician who was displaced to Little Rock from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina that all artists, including musicians, are underappreciated. But Ted Ludwig isn’t sure that getting a performance royalty from a radio station would be better than simply getting ON the radio station. He realized that the name recognition necessary to make a comfortable living as a performing artist mainly comes from radio.

Gannett’s CBS KTHV spoke with an exec with local radio group Crain Media, who knows that his stations help get musicians’ names out there. He also knows that the imposition of performance royalties will make being able to do that a much dicier proposition.

“All companies are going through a hard time and the more that they put a burden on us as far having to pay for these fees the harder it’s going to get for everybody involved,” Crain’s Sonny Victory told KTHV.

RBR-TVBR observation: The Ted Ludwig Trio has two CDs out, and is hardly a household name. What would be better, a tiny check months down the road from the labels – if they can find him – or some free spins on local radio that may help inspire people to attend his local appearances?

The Ted Ludwig trio is not a household name – is it not obvious that the free promotion is worth light years more than Ludwig would be able to pay with his royalty check, which would most likely amount to less than a dollar?

Labels and big name acts are the only ones who will benefit from PRA. The losers will be radio, any musician who is not an established headliner, and fans of both music and music on radio.

We just returned from our annual trip to Washington DC and lucked out with some great spring weather and a glimpse of the cherry blossoms. We spent a beautiful day on the Hill and we met with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and legislative aides for Senator Judd Gregg and Congressman Paul Hodes. 

I was accompanied by Diane Sutter of WZMY TV, Ray Garon of Saga Communications (WZID, WMLL and WFEA) and Joe Graham from Clear Channel (WGIR AM/FM). On the agenda was Retransmission Consent, SHVERA (Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act), the DTV Transition, FM Chips in cell phones and the Performance Royalty Tax.  As usual, we received a great deal of support from our delegation on a number of these issues.  The members and their staffs were also interested in gaging the status of the broadcast industry and how Granite State stations are doing from a business standpoint. All in all, another successful trip to DC with continued great dialogue between your Association and our members of Congress.