Gene Simmons Will Speak to the Senate
According to the Hill, Gene Simmons, the famous bassist and vocalist from KISS, will testify before the U.S. Senate on December 9, 2025. He will speak in support of the American Music Fairness Act, a proposed law that would require radio companies to pay artists when their music is played on traditional FM or AM radio. This hearing is seen as an important moment for the music industry.
Why Simmons Supports the Bill
Simmons explained that after spending his entire career in music and entertainment, he understands how important fair compensation is for artists. He believes the American Music Fairness Act is good public policy and said that artists deserve proper payment for their creative work.
He looks forward to speaking with both Republican and Democratic senators about why this law matters for current and future musicians.
“Having spent my career in the music and entertainment industry, I understand the vital importance of this issue,” Simmons said. “The American Music Fairness Act represents sound public policy. Artists must be properly compensated for their creative work. I look forward to meeting with both Republican and Democratic Senators to discuss why this legislation is crucial for thousands of present and future American recording artists.”
This hearing is major because it marks the first Senate discussion on radio royalty laws in more than ten years. The last hearing on this issue was in 2009. The bill is bipartisan and is led by Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee and Representative Darrell Issa from California. Supporters say the law would fix a long-standing problem in artist compensation.
The Radio Loophole Problem
Radio stations generated 13.6 billion dollars in advertising revenue last year, but artists did not receive any payment from their songs being played on terrestrial radio. This gap in compensation is known as the radio loophole. Many musicians and industry groups argue that it is time to close this loophole and ensure artists are paid fairly.
Simmons is joined by more than 300 well-known artists who signed a letter to Congress earlier in 2025 urging lawmakers to pass the American Music Fairness Act. The Recording Academy, the musicFIRST coalition, and several community broadcasting organizations also support the bill. These include the Alliance for Community Media, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, and the Prometheus Radio Project.
Who Will Testify
Gene Simmons will testify alongside Michael Huppe, the President and CEO of SoundExchange. SoundExchange is a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes digital streaming royalties. Their testimony will highlight the wide support for the bill and emphasize the need for fair compensation across all forms of radio and streaming.
