U-S Senator Concerned About Music Artists Being Exploited

Senator Marsha Blackburn has been vocal about her concerns regarding payola in the radio industry, particularly focusing on what she sees as exploitative practices by some radio stations toward artists. In January 2025, she sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the agency to investigate and address what she described as a "pervasive" issue in the music broadcasting world. 

Her primary worry centers on reports that certain radio stations—particularly those owned by large conglomerates—might be pressuring artists into performing at station-sponsored events, like festivals or concerts, either for free or at significantly reduced rates, with the implicit understanding that refusal could lead to reduced airplay or blacklisting.

Senator Blackburn

Blackburn’s concern builds on a long-standing debate about fairness in the music industry. She argued that this practice, if true, amounts to a modern twist on payola—the illegal act of exchanging undisclosed benefits for airplay—except in this case, the "payment" is the artists’ unpaid or underpaid labor rather than cash. 

She pointed to anecdotal evidence from artists and industry insiders who claimed that stations sometimes tie airplay decisions to participation in events, effectively holding airtime hostage unless artists comply. This, she contended, not only exploits artists—especially emerging ones who rely on radio exposure—but also deceives listeners who assume airplay reflects genuine popularity or merit rather than behind-the-scenes deals.

Her letter specifically called out the power imbalance between large radio companies, which control vast networks of stations, and independent or up-and-coming artists who lack the leverage to negotiate fair terms. 

She suggested that stations might be using their influence over the airwaves to strong-arm artists into these arrangements, potentially violating FCC sponsorship identification rules. These rules require broadcasters to disclose any compensation or consideration given in exchange for airplay, ensuring transparency for the public. Blackburn worried that if stations fail to disclose that an artist’s festival performance is linked to airplay, it constitutes "covert manipulation," undermining both artist autonomy and listener trust.

Blackburn’s push wasn’t entirely new—she’s long been an advocate for Tennessee’s music community, given her state’s deep ties to the industry through Nashville’s country music hub. 

Her January 2025 letter built on earlier efforts, like her support for the 2019 AM/FM Act, which aimed to ensure fair royalty payments for artists. However, this time, she framed payola as an urgent enforcement issue, pressing Carr to use his authority to investigate and penalize violators. She also tied her concerns to broader cultural and economic themes, arguing that protecting artists from predatory practices supports free markets and creative integrity.

Shortly after her letter, the FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory in early 2025, warning stations against coercing artists into free performances under threat of airplay cuts and reminding them of their legal obligations.