Are you an independent musician tired of being left out of the conversation when it comes to the music industry? Do you want a say in how your hard work and intellectual property is handled? If you answered yes, then you are not alone. Musicians like Lester Smith who releases music under the moniker SR.Gent are taking a stand and demanding that Congress start listening to the voices of independent artists.
As a retired SGT of the US army turned musician, Lester Smith has seen the music industry undergo significant changes over the past two decades. He knows firsthand the struggles that independent musicians face in a world dominated by major labels and entertainment brands. And he’s not alone. Independent musicians make up the majority of the music industry, yet their voices are often ignored when it comes to important decisions that affect their livelihoods.
The Music Modernization Act of 2018 was a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go far enough in protecting the rights of independent musicians. That’s why Lester Smith and other independent artists are petitioning for a level of ownership of the intellectual property they create that cannot be transferred and must remain with the artist. This would give musicians more control over their work and prevent them from being taken advantage of by record labels or entities.
But the petition doesn’t just stop there. In the event that a musician dies before fulfilling an obligation, ownership of the original artist (music masters) should be returned to the musician’s estate. This would prevent the work of deceased artists from being exploited without their permission. Of course, the label or company would still have the right to recoup all the monies invested in the musician x2, but at least the artist’s work would be protected.
SR.Gent says “It’s time for Congress to listen to the voices of independent musicians. We need a seat at the table when it comes to discussions about the music industry. After all, we are the ones who create the music that people love and enjoy. We deserve to have a say in how our work is handled and how we are compensated for our efforts.”
So, if you’re an independent musician, don’t stay silent. Join the movement and sign the petition at indieartistpetition.com. Let’s make our voices heard and demand the respect and recognition we deserve. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll even get a Grammy nomination (or at least a participation ribbon).
Find us on: https://indieartistpetition.com/