Ep. 213: David Israelite | How Songwriters Get Paid — And Why the System Is Broken

And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

In this special episode, Ross Golan sits down with David Israelite, the influential President and CEO of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). A fierce and tireless advocate for songwriters, David has spent nearly two decades fighting for the rights, recognition, and fair compensation of music creators in an ever-evolving industry.

From spearheading groundbreaking legislation like the Music Modernization Act to navigating complex battles over streaming royalties and copyright protections, David shares a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into defending the value of songwriting. With unique insights into policy, publishing, and the business of music, this candid conversation reveals why David is one of the most pivotal figures working on behalf of songwriters today.

If you care about music creators and the future of songwriting, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

00:00 – Intro: Why This Episode Matters More Than Ever

03:40 – How Songwriters Get Paid (Explained Like You’re 15)

05:19 – The Truth About Songwriter Pay: 75% Controlled by the Government

07:28 – The Music Modernization Act: Progress or Political Cover-Up?

09:13 – The Broken System: Why Songwriters Can’t Say No

12:01 – Artists vs. Songwriters: The Industry's Unspoken Divide

13:50 – Ghostwriting, Publishing Abuse & The Elvis Tax Nobody Talks About

20:16 – Why Unionizing Won’t Save Songwriters (And What Might)

23:55 – What the CRB Is — And Why It Still Screws Creators

26:22 – Free Market vs. Rigged Game: Labels Win, Songwriters Lose

28:33 – Why Songwriters Have No Real Political Power

31:01 – Consent Decrees Explained: The 1940s Laws Holding Music Back

33:19 – Selective Withdrawals: A Strategy That Could Change Everything

39:10 – Are Big Publishers Quietly Crippling Independent Writers?

45:25 – The Power of ‘No’: The One Tool Songwriters Don’t Actually Have

46:25 – Are Labels and Publishers Working Against Each Other?

49:45 – The Billion-Dollar Boom: Why Everyone’s Selling Their Catalogs

54:37 – Final Word: Gratitude, Hope & the Fight Ahead

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