Hi All,

Just got this in my inbox from Tim, the founder of Pandora. Though GrooveShark is my lova from anotha motha, I feel Tim’s message is important for all free music streaming sites. Read his note below and call Chuck Schumer! Fight for your right to listen freely!

Hi, it’s Tim -

I hope this email finds you enjoying the arrival of fall with a great Pandora soundtrack.

I’m writing today to ask for your help on some issues that affect internet radio and the artists whose music we play.

The radio royalty system as it stands today is fundamentally unfair both to Internet radio services like Pandora, which pay far higher royalties than other forms of radio and to performing musicians, who receive no compensation when their music is played on AM/FM radio. There is a very important vote in the Senate this coming Thursday, October 15th, on a piece of legislation that represents a potentially major step forward in correcting both of these issues – establishing both a more level playing field across all radio and ensuring that artists are fairly compensated.

We, along with the artists whose music we play, strongly support this new legislation called the Performance Rights Act (S. 379) and hope that you’ll lend your voice to this effort. Here’s a link for more information on the bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.379:

Please take just a minute to call the number below and ask Senator Charles Schumer to vote for the Performance Rights Act (S.379).

Senator Charles Schumer

(202)224-6542

It’s very easy to do, and I can tell you from our own experience that it really does make a difference.

This issue is near and dear to me. Before founding Pandora, I spent ten years as a working musician. I’ve always believed performers should get fairly compensated for the value they provide to radio so I really appreciate your help.

Thank you very much for your support.

Cheers,

Tim

Tim
Founder