Posted by Dead Wax Records on June 11, 2009 at 01:21:15:
WXRT-FM's Lin Brehmer distances himself from 'Lin Brehmer' royalty e-mail
WXRT-FM 93.1 morning man Lin Brehmer used his Facebook page on Wednesday to distance himself from an e-mail the station sent under his name asking listeners to lobby Congress in opposition to a bill that would require broadcasters to pay additional royalties for songs they air.
The controversial proposal, which would pay recording labels on behalf of artists, would be in addition to the royalty songwriters receive for airplay. Radio historically has enjoyed an exemption from performance royalties, which Internet, television and satellite outlets pay.
"If you have received an e-mail from my place of business concerning a political action and it is allegedly from me, rest assured I did not write the e-mail; I never read the e-mail; and I certainly never endorsed the e-mail before it was sent to over 100,000 listeners," Brehmer wrote on his page. "It's just something they do. Send out e-mails and sign my name to them without my knowledge. I will always be on the side of the musicians."
Brehmer's message to Facebook friends follows a blast e-mail parent CBS Radio sent Tuesday, supposedly from him, urging WXRT listeners to "join 93XRT in speaking out against the Performance Tax!"
Asked about the e-mail and Brehmer's online response, Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio Chicago, said he would have to investigate the matter. Brehmer was unavailable for comment.
Echoing the National Association of Broadcasters' party line, the note to listeners said that the controversial royalty requirement "could force some of your favorite radio stations, including 93XRT, to limit the amount of music played." The e-mail argued "it would not be good for artists, radio stations or more importantly, the millions of music lovers, like you, listening to free radio every day."
It is hardly as simple as all that, and outsiders are on both sides of the debate.
Radio airplay has been seen as something of an advertisement for the artists and labels over the years, and the lack of royalties was thought to be offset by the exposure broadcasters gave the artists and music, spurring sales of recordings and concert tickets. But changes in the music business have threatened traditional revenue streams and given them incentive to find new cash elsewhere.
Whether a performance royalty for radio is the answer isn't entirely clear.
What is certain is Brehmer wants his fans to know that he's not lobbying them on the issue.