IF radio needs to pay the artist then the artist should come work for the radio stations. If I put a lot of work into building my house, and sell it I get paid for the work I put into it. If the new buyer turns around and re-sells it do I get a cut? How about everytime the house get sold do I get a cut? Thats is what this is looking like to me.

It's amazing how naive the record labels are. Who do they think generates all the interest in their stable of artists that leads to downloads, in store purchases, and concert ticket sales? Radio airplay...duh!!!!

I hope the RIAA spends its last cent trying to convince folks that the sun rises in the west. The RIAA is in its death throes, moving ever closer toward extinction. Artists and musicians are starting to understand how much of a friend the radio industry has been to them, and how poorly they have been treated by the labels over the years. They are also becoming aware of how unnecessary the RIAA and its member labels really are. The production, promotion, marketing, and distribution of music was once the sole dominion of the RIAA labels. That is no longer true, and the RIAA knows it. The term "twist in the wind" comes to mind.

Wouldn't you want to be paid for your hard work!? RADIO NEEDS TO PAY THE ARTISTS!

All intelligent listeners of radio that understand the payment, and it is a payment and not a tax, believe that the bill to pay royalties to the musicians who made the record what it is should be passed. PLEASE READ "How Stuff Works -How Music Royalties Work". It is an excellent explanation of how the royalty system works and who gets the royalties. The one group of people who NEVER get mentioned in royalty payments are the musicians. They are the artists that make the song what it is. They are the ones that give it life and make it a hit. They are also the only ones that get paid by the hour or song and do not get to share in the success if that song gets mega airplay. This is not a "tax". Nobody wants a tax. This is not for the record companies or the other big business. It is for the little guys, the musicians. The ones that are working in the trenches every day trying to scratch out a living just like everyone else. Just like you. Please help pass the performance royalty bill by contacting your senator and congressman.