Royalty supporters try new strategy.

With prospects dimming for passage of the proposed Performance Rights Act, those who believe radio should pay a royalty appear to be trying a different tactic: negotiations.  Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers (D-MI) are hoping some public pressure will bring the NAB to the negotiating table with the music industry.

They've released a letter to the National Association of Broadcasters and Music First Coalition offering to broker a deal between the labels and radio — and asking both groups to send representatives to appear on Capitol Hill on November 17.  But the talks seem to tilt in one direction, led by supporters of the fee with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) playing a key role.

The NAB says it's willing to talk — but its message will be how damaging the fee will be to hometown radio stations.  NAB EVP Dennis Wharton says, "We would hope that any discussions would also include the nearly 300 members of Congress who oppose the RIAA-backed bill."  There are now 252 House and 27 Senate co-sponsors of non-binding resolutions opposing a radio royalty.

The Music First Coalition isn't giving up the fight though.  Executive director Jennifer Bendall says, "We have always said we are ready to sit down with NAB and others in the music radio business to create a performance right that is fair to artists, musicians and rights holders and fair to radio."  One Washington insider says the music industry's push for negotiations may be a sign they aren't likely to get the royalty bill passed.