Randy Travis speaks to Congress about AI and fair pay in the music industry
“There is terrible AI out there. And it is growing exponentially every day.”
On Wednesday afternoon, country singer Randy Travis and his wife Mary testified before Congress about the American Music Fairness Act and the role of artificial intelligence in music creation.
From Washington DC, Travis and his wife spoke at a hearing at 1:00 p.m. CST alongside SoundExchange CEO and President Michael Huppe.
Travis – the singer of “Forever and Ever, Amen” and seven-time Grammy Award winner – suffered a stroke in 2013 that left him with aphasia and largely unable to speak or sing.
The Travises testified before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet at a hearing titled “Radio, Music, and Copyright: 100 Years of Injustice for Musicians.”
What is the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA)?
The hearing considered a new bill, the American Music Fairness Act or AMFA (HR 791), which was introduced in the House of Representatives in February.
The new law is intended to close a 100-year-old legal loophole that allows AM/FM radio stations to avoid paying royalties to artists when their songs are played on the radio.
The law provides for compensation for artists on non-subscription radio stations with the aim of obtaining licenses to broadcast music on AM/FM radio.
What did Randy Travis and Mary Travis say to Congress?
Mary Travis served as a key witness on her own behalf and also spoke on Travis’ behalf about protecting music creators in the face of advances in AI.
In her opening remarks, she said, “We are face to face with AI technology. Artificial intelligence… I call it artistic intelligence because it has enabled Randy to release a new song using AI in the most authentic and artistic way.”
Mary Travis said that Travis’ new song “Where That Came From” is the first song ever recorded and released in a Nashville studio with the help of AI and with the consent and participation of all artists.
Since Travis couldn’t sing, he worked with singer James Dupre, one of his frequent touring partners, and his producer helped him blend Dupre’s vocals with Travis’s using artificial intelligence.
The song, which used root elements from 42 to 45 of his songs to create the AI-generated vocals, is Travis’ first new song since his stroke.
“It took us 11 months to do it… he spent months in the studio with his producer… and so the whole setting was very authentic, artistic and human,” Mary Travis said during her testimony. “It was heartfelt.”
“This is good, but there is also bad, no, there is terrible AI out there. And it is growing exponentially every day. It is estimated that there are already 179,000 songs, unauthorized songs, posted on the Internet,” said Mary Travis.
Although AI allows Travis to use his voice again, Mary Travis added that the unauthorized use of artists’ voices, such as the unauthorized use of Travis’ voice in AI, is harmful to artists in many ways.
“We asked for help to right the wrongs against established artists and create a more successful future for the next generation of artists,” she said.
“Passing the American Music Fairness Act and then carefully implementing AI protections would be positive steps to ensure artists are paid for their work,” concluded Mary Travis.
Michael Huppe of SoundExchange, a music rights organization, then made a statement.
“To put it bluntly, AM/FM radio has stolen music. Why? Because the stations hide behind outdated advertising concepts,” he said. “It’s ironic when you consider that 72% of the music on the radio today isn’t even new music,” he explained.
“To make a film based on a book, you have to acquire a license. You have to obtain the rights from Major League Baseball to broadcast a Nationals game. Both are clearly advertising,” said Huppe. “Why should it be any different with music?”
“After hearing Randy’s incredible story, I don’t know how anyone can look Randy in the eye and say he doesn’t deserve to be paid for his life’s work,” Huppe said.
During the two-hour hearing, Huppe stressed that over 200,000 songs are played on terrestrial radio and “the artists who perform these songs do not receive any money for it.”
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter for The Tennessean. Reach her at [email protected].
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