WASHINGTON – Whether it’s Taylor Hanson, Maggie Rose or Grace Potter, their message is clear: the entertainment industry needs to value intellectual property and approach artificial intelligence with caution. The three musicians were among the advocates at this year’s annual Grammys on the Hill, which pairs the music industry with Congress to champion artists’ rights.
“This is well beyond music,” Hanson said on the red carpet. “It’s people’s likeness. It’s creativity. If you’re a video designer, if you’re a painter, if you’re a programmer, if you’re an actor, if you’re anyone, if you’re walking down the street … we want a future that values people’s intellectual property.”
Potter sees value in the curiosity attached to using AI, but cautions “it’s really what we do with it.” She hopes for “a future in which everybody is protected and in which we can honor and use the incredible technology and development that’s pushed us forward while also acknowledging the fact that it came from somewhere. It’s not just stardust.”
Key Themes at Grammys on the Hill
The event highlighted the importance of protecting artists’ rights and ensuring that intellectual property is respected. This year’s focus was on the broader impact of the Recording Academy’s policy-driven initiatives, marking the 25th meeting held on April 21 at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C.
During the 90-minute gathering, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. María Salazar (R-FL) were recognized as Congressional Honorees for their efforts in crafting the NO FAKES Act. This bipartisan bill, introduced in 2024 by Salazar and senators Coons, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), has yet to be passed into law.
“My job is to protect, not only business owners or the private sector, but to protect those who need protection, the artists,” Salazar said. “If all you have is your voice, your likeness, your face and someone can steal it in a moment, you need protection. It’s how you pay your rent, how you make a living. Music has no political parties.”
Attendees and Performances
Among the members of Congress, present and past, in attendance were: Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Linda Sanchez, D-California; former Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland; and former Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont.
Along with the messages being spoken, musical performances dotted the night. Rose and Potter joined for the roots rocker “Poison My Well” – Rose armed with a guitar and tinted glasses, Potter sleek in black and silver sparkly heels – which inspired a crowd clap-along of the Grammy-nominated song.
Molly Tuttle displayed impressive fretwork on her acoustic for the bluegrass jam “San Joaquin” while Cordae sat on a stool and loosely rapped through the slinky “Lord is Coming,” which he featured on with H.E.R. in 2018, and “Bad Idea.”
“This is a much livelier crowd than I was anticipating,” he joked.
Closing Thoughts
The closing sentiment, before a joyous performance of “You Are Good” from Israel Houghton, came from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.
“Music is a force. It heals. We celebrate with it in ways like nothing else that can bring us together,” he said. “We’re in a time where there is so much division and uncertainty. There are voices that encourage mistrust and breed fear, but music cuts through all of that and reminds us of our shared humanity.”
