I caught wind of an interesting story making headlines in the recording industry this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement regarding artists’ rights to collect royalties from songs played on the radio. This echoed earlier declarations by the Obama administration demonstrating support for musicians and performers.

“Okay,” I thought as I read along, “This is all good stuff…great, even!” But then I remembered that before I get too over-the-moon about what Politican X said this month, I like to dig a little deeper and discover what’s really going on…and what’s just a bunch of bull!

Apparently, in conjunction with this spirit of alliance was an interesting quote from Pelosi:

“There has to be a fair way to deal with this, because many of these performers are women, are minorities, are people coming into it. The ones who need this the most are not the most successful and wealthy among them, they are the people starting out in it.”

Hmm now THAT is a little strange! Funny how suddenly musicians are divided into two different subgroups: the hobos and the fat cats. While all of the so-called blue blooded musicians are doing fine and don’t deserve any performance royalties, women, minorities, and other untouchables should be entitled a standard amount. Does that really make any sense?

If Pelosi wants to support the Performing Rights Act and the Obama administration’s advocacy of it, then more power to her! Musicians always need more kudos. But what’s the point of christening a certain type of musician more deserving of royalties than another? Isn’t being a musician and working hard good enough – and reason enough to dole out a percentage of the profits? If you ask me, the idea of ANY musician being robbed of commissions is just completely disingenuous. Or am I being too picky?