WASHINGTON, DC (CelebrityAccess) – Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz has been named the first-ever district ambassador for the Recording Academy’s sixth annual District Advocate Day, the organization announced Tuesday (Aug. 13).
Each year, District Advocate Day, which is the largest grassroots initiative for music in the U.S., brings together music creators with members of Congress to discuss issues important to the community.
Of his new role in the initiative, Mraz said in a statement: “As the people who write and record the nation’s soundtrack, we have a responsibility to unite in support of one another and ensure that music as a career, and an art form, is protected for the next generation of creators. Last year, we proved that advocacy works with the passage of the Music Modernization Act. We need to continue that momentum and resolve some of the outstanding issues to ensure proper compensation and protections for all music creators.”
Added Recording Academy president and CEO Deborah Dugan: “Behind each song, each note, each beat, there are tens of thousands of working musicians whose names you might not know but who are directly impacted by the decisions made in Washington. Through District Advocate Day, we are working with music creators from coast-to-coast, putting them face-to-face with members of Congress, reminding them that music people are a vital part of their community, and deserve to be represented, heard and protected.”
This year’s edition of District Advocacy Day is slated to take place October 2. Matters to be discussed include passage of the CASE Act, which would create a small claims copyright court for independent artists and songwriters; the establishment of a performance right on terrestrial radio; fair compensation for songwriters during the Department of Justice’s review of consent decrees; and protecting arts funding.
Recording Academy members can register now to take part. Fans and other members of the music community are also encouraged to sign up and participate online as a show of support.
