Another hearing is being held today by the House Judiciary Committee on the Performance Rights Act, which would require radio stations to pay royalties for the music they play. Smashing Pumpkins’ founder Billy Corgan is scheduled to testify in favor of the bill, as will RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol. Other artists such as will.i.am, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock and Emmylou Harris have previously joined the musicFIRST Coalition on Capitol Hill to lobby in favor of the Performance Rights Act.

A resolution that opposes the Performance Right Act - called the Local Radio Freedom Act - has now been signed by nine more lawmakers, bringing the total bipartisan support to 144 House members. Reps. Corrine Brown (FL), Ander Crenshaw (FL), Artur Davis (AL), Jo Ann Emerson (MO), Jack Kingston (GA), Solomon Ortiz (TX), Bill Posey (FL), Tim Ryan (OH) and Rob Wittman (VA) have all added their support.

Meanwhile, Jacobs Media has launched a radio industry campaign to send a message to Congress and musicFIRST that radio generates money for the music industry and should not be charged a fee for playing music. Jacobs Media is asking all music stations to take digital photos of every gold and platinum single and album that labels have awarded them, and e-mail them to gold@jacobsmedia.com. This photographic collection of thank-you's from the record industry, underscoring radio's support and contributions, will be posted at jacobsmedia.com/goingforthegold and will be sent to the NAB for delivery to Congress.

"The NAB is on board for this all-industry campaign," comments President Fred Jacobs. "This coming week, we’re asking all music stations to take 30 minutes to send a message to Congress and musicFIRST about the absurdity of this performance fee/tax issue. It is a contradiction for the music industry to suggest that radio has been cheating artists out of royalties and fees, while they have consistently thanked radio for its contributions."