Spanish broadcasters to battle performance fees

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Univision’s syndicated Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo will be the star attraction as Spanish broadcasters appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning to explain to lawmakers and staffers what singer Jack Ely wants cash for “Louie Louie” and the NAB has more backers for the Local Radio Freedom Act.


Ely says he’s heard on each and every Oldies radio station in the world twice a day, but it totally uncompensated for it. All he has to show for his contribution to the song is a check for $5K. Meanwhile, the composer’s heirs are still receiving royalties.

The NAB brought its total number of senatorial co-sponsors to six by adding four, including Sam Brownback (R-KS), Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Enzi (R-WY), and Benjamin Nelson (D-NE). The House is up to 184, with new additions Dan Boren (D-OK), John Campbell (R-CA), John Duncan (R-TN), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Ron Paul (R-TX), and William “Mac” Thornberry (R-TX).

A number of top execs from Hispanic radio groups will also press the case against the royalties being sought by major record labels. Included on the panel will be:

* Eddie “Piolín” Sotelo, Host of the No. 1 Morning Show, Piolín por la Mañana on Univision Radio

* Amador Bustos, Chairman and CEO, Bustos Media, LLC

* Tony Calatayud, National Director of Salem Espanol, Salem Communications

* Maria De Leon, Owner and Operator, Gaytan Broadcasting, LLC

* Frank Flores, Vice President and General Manager, SBS

* Marcelo Gaete, Vice President Public Affairs, Entravision Communications

* Rafael Grullon, President and CEO, Top Line Broadcasting

* Alfredo Plascencia, President and Chief Executive Officer,  Lazer Broadcasting

* Norberto Sanchez, President and CEO, Norsan Multimedia

* Gary Stone, President and COO, Univision Radio

* Miguel Villarreal, Vice President and Market Manager, Border Media Partners

* Moderated by: Francisco Montero, Co-Managing Partner with the law firm of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth

RBR/TVBR observation
: Why is Ely’s gripe with radio and not with the record companies who stiffed him in the first place? When is the shameful relationship between artists and labels going to get its day on the Hill?