Singer Lyle Lovett wants performers to be paid for radio play

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Four-time Grammy winner Lyle Lovett tells Congress musicians should be paid when their work is played on the radio.

He's urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to consider legislation requiring commercial radio to pay royalties to performers when their songs are played. Songwriters already receive such payments.

Lovett says musicians are extremely influential in "bringing a song to life" and are very much a part of the creative process.

He appeared on behalf of the musicFirst Coalition. Other witnesses said Internet, cable and satellite radio already pay fees to performers and musicians, along with songwriter royalties. But commercial AM and FM radio stations do not.

The CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting, who operates 23 radio stations, says the existing model works because the promotional value of free airplay drives consumers to purchase music.