Editor’s Note: Updated Monday, Sept. 9, to add the full A Songwriters & Composers Town Hall - Threats & Opportunities for the Songwriting Community video.

The Recording Academy is proud to present the 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall, set to premiere as a livestream event on the Recording Academy's Membership YouTube channel Monday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET. Presented by the Recording Academy's Songwriters & Composers Wing, in collaboration with our Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy & Public Policy team, the event, titled A Songwriters & Composers Town Hall - Threats & Opportunities for the Songwriting Community, will dive deep into the current landscape of the craft of songwriting and explore the evolving trends, emerging opportunities and potential challenges that lie ahead for the community.

An essential learning event for the music industry, the Town Hall will explore the current state of the songwriter and composer industry and provide creators with the latest information and best practices they need to advance their careers. The Town Hall will comprise four informative and impactful panels exploring the leading issues impacting the craft of songwriting today, including conversations about digital streaming royalties, artificial intelligence (AI), songwriting and publishing contracts, and more. The panels will feature Recording Academy executives, including Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., as well as leaders in the songwriting and composing industry who will share their insights on the trends and developments shaping the future of songwriting and tackle pressing issues.

The Recording Academy will also address several of these key topics during our upcoming Music Advocacy Day, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Taking place Tuesday, Oct. 1, Music Advocacy Day, presented by our Advocacy & Public Policy team, is the largest grassroots music advocacy effort in the nation, connecting Academy members with their respective congressional representatives to voice issues vital to the music community and directly influence music policy at the congressional level. Recording Academy members must register for Music Advocacy Day by Friday, Sept. 6, to participate. (Non-members can also contribute to the cause by reaching out to their legislators through the Recording Academy's music advocacy action page.)

Ahead of the A Songwriters & Composers Town Hall event next week, we've put together a thorough guide explaining the topics and introducing the speakers we'll highlight at the event.

Watch the A Songwriters & Composers Town Hall - Threats & Opportunities for the Songwriting Community in full below.

When Is The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall?

The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall will take place Monday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET.

How Can I Watch The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall?

The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hal will air as a livestream event on the Recording Academy's Membership YouTube channel. Following the livestream, the Town Hall event will be available to stream in full on the Academy's YouTube channel and on GRAMMY.com.

Who Is Speaking At The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall?

Speakers and moderators at the 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall will include an array of Recording Academy executives and industry leaders in the  craft of songwriting, including:

Featured Panelists

  • Julian Bunetta, Songwriter

  • Ruby Amanfu, Two-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter

  • Steph Jones, Songwriter

  • Guy Blake, Partner, Granderson Des Rochers, LLP

  • David Israelite, President/CEO, National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA)

  • Kris Ahrend, CEO, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

Moderators

  • Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy

  • Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, Recording Academy

  • Susan Stewart, Sr. Managing Director, Songwriters & Composers Wing, Recording Academy

What Are The Key Panels At The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall?

The 2024 Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall will feature four panels exploring the leading issues impacting the songwriting and composing communities today:

Opportunities For Songwriters

Harvey Mason jr. and publishing attorney Guy Blake highlight opportunities for songwriters, including songwriting and publishing contracts, AI and more.

A Conversation With The NMPA

Todd Dupler and David Israelite discuss the ongoing issues regarding streaming royalties and the impact on songwriter payouts. Israelite is the president and CEO of the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA), a trade association for music publishers and their songwriting partners that aims to protect, promote and advance the interests of music creators. 

A Conversation With The MLC

Susan Stewart and two-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and recording artist Ruby Amanfu interview the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) CEO Kris Ahrend to discuss resources offered by the MLC and their ongoing advocacy efforts for creators' rights and fair compensation.

A Conversation With Songwriters

Filmed at the MLC office in Nashville, Tennessee, this panel features Susan Stewart and Todd Dupler chatting with multi-genre songwriters/producers Julian Bunetta and Steph Jones, who share practical advice for songwriters.

What Is The Songwriters & Composers Wing?

Launched in March 2021 during the 2021 GRAMMYs, the Songwriters & Composers Wing elevates, supports and advocates on behalf of all songwriters and composers within the Recording Academy's membership and the industry at large. The Songwriters & Composers Wing provides opportunities for recognition, networking and collaboration for creators in the songwriting and composing fields and amplifies their unique role in policy discussions that seek fair compensation for these crafts. Learn more about the Songwriters & Composers Wing and follow them on Instagram.

What Is The Advocacy & Public Policy Department?

The Recording Academy's Advocacy & Public Policy department fights for creators' rights year-round and works tirelessly to keep music makers, fans and policy makers informed and passionate about our causes. Through its work with governmental and policy leaders, the Advocacy team has played an integral role in the passage of multiple bills and initiatives aimed at protecting music creators and the industry at large. Learn more about the Recording Academy's key advocacy legislation and policy issues, annual campaigns and initiatives, and action efforts.

Make sure to watch A Songwriters & Composers Town Hall - Threats & Opportunities for the Songwriting Community to learn how to thrive in today's ever-changing music environment and songwriting and composing industry.