Tony Bennett says it’s a ‘crime’ radio stations don’t pay performers for playing their tunes

Tony Bennett wants pay for artists on radio

WASHINGTON — Singer Tony Bennett says it’s a crime that performers don’t get paid by radio stations when their music is broadcast.

He says, “The radios don’t want to give up one penny.”

The Grammy winner’s comments came Tuesday evening at a private gathering of invited guests and lawmakers, including Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Dianne Feinstein of California, at the Capitol Visitor Center,

Bennett also performed the song “The Good Life” at the event, which was put on by the musicFIRST Coalition. The group is pushing legislation that would require radio stations to pay musicians royalties similar to those paid to songwriters.

The National Association of Broadcasters opposes the proposal, saying it threatens thousands of radio jobs.