> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Musicians Rally Behind FCC Chairman In Advance Of Net Neutrality Vote - URL: https://www.hypebot.com/artists-rally-behind-fcc-chairman-in-advance-of-net-neutrality-vote/ - Published: 2015-02-24T11:59:00.000Z - Updated: 2015-02-24T11:59:00.000Z - Description: Musicians and creative cultural contributors rallied behind Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, in an open letter thanking him for his unwavering commitment to strong net neutrality rules, penned prior. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/02/artists-ral - Author: Guest Author - Tags: DIY Advice & Tips, Indie Music, Music Business, 24 (TV series), Acoustic music, Al Franken, Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie, Facebook, Federal Communications Commission, Future Of Music Coalition, net neutrality, Tune-Yards, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:28 **[![Imgres](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb07f710dc970d-150wi "Imgres")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb07f710dc970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com)Musicians** and **creative cultural contributors** **rallied behind Tom Wheeler**, [Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%5Fof%5Fchairmen%5Fof%5Fthe%5FFederal%5FCommunications%5FCommission?ref=hypebot.com "List of chairmen of the Federal Communications Commission"), in an open letter thanking him for his unwavering **commitment to strong net neutrality rules,** penned prior to the Commission's vote on **February 26th.** The letter, **co-organized by [Future of Music Coalition](http://www.futureofmusic.org/?ref=hypebot.com)** (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians and composers, follows an impassioned statement is made earlier this month by Casey Rae, CEO of Music Coalition (FMC): “Musicians and other creators should feel proud of what we have achieved on behalf of our own communities, as well as Americans of every background and political persuasion. For years, thousands of artists and independent labels have stepped up and made the case for an open and participatory Internet where lawful content, sites and services have a chance to thrive. **Everyone should have the opportunity to build a business, to engage audiences, to speak freely and contribute to our collective culture**. If reports are correct, the FCC has taken a bold and necessary step to uphold these basic freedoms." [![Write](http://a2.typepad.com/6a01901b9a0100970b01b8d0dc8a12970c-150wi "Write")](http://a2.typepad.com/6a01901b9a0100970b01b8d0dc8a12970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com) Signed by **R.E.M., Death Cab For Cutie, Kathleen Hanna, Jeff & Spencer Tweedy, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, OK Go, Joe Perry, Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman, Jasiri X, The New Pornographers, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, Jeff Mangum & Astra Taylor of Neutral Milk Hotel,** and many others – the letter reads as follows: Dear Chairman Wheeler: We write to you at a crucial moment for net neutrality, as we probably don’t have to remind you. We understand that your position can be thankless and that it is difficult to take a stand for what is right when there is so much pressure from powerful interests and their political allies. As musicians and composers, we want to thank you for moving forward with strong net neutrality rules. As so many creators have already noted, reclassification under Title II is the best way to ensure that the Internet remains open for us to build businesses, reach audiences and earn a living in what is a challenging marketplace for creative content. You certainly have our appreciation. And we urge you to remain steadfast in your efforts to keep the Internet a viable platform for creative entrepreneurs. Without clear and enforceable rules that let us compete alongside the biggest companies, our ability to create and innovate will be threatened, if not extinguished. Please don’t be fooled by those trying to turn this issue into a partisan grudge match. Not only do recent polls show that some 80 percent of conservatives back your plan, the creative community—which includes folks of all political dispositions—is equally supportive. The reason is simple: creators of all genres and backgrounds will benefit from the protections your proposal would enshrine. Net neutrality is not only a powerful engine of creative expression and civic discourse, it is the very oxygen of a free and competitive marketplace built on technological and cultural innovation. And artists are drivers of both. Artists have endured tremendous consolidation in the media marketplace that has limited opportunities for many to reach audiences and earn a living. We are sure that you probably don’t need to be reminded, but we’ll mention it anyway: there is a public interest imperative in preserving an [open Internet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net%5Fneutrality?ref=hypebot.com "Net neutrality") and the creative sector is a huge part of this interest. It is our creativity that enriches culture and inspires the world in countless ways. The Internet is one of the greatest amplifiers of our contributions to society, and society benefits from access to a diverse array of lawful online content. While we await details of the specific provisions in your proposal, we are confident that you have chosen the proper framework with which to proceed. We know that you will face political opposition and coordinated attacks from well-funded corporations. But isn’t it cooler to have us on your side than some giant ISP? We think so. And we’ll step up to defend your plan because we know it’s the right call, and we know you understand the importance of making it. So we thank you, Chairman Wheeler. For listening to our perspectives and making some tough but crucial decisions. Now let’s get this thing over the finish line so that today and tomorrow’s artists can continue to enrich our culture and achieve excellence on our own terms. Alastair Brown, Northcape Alec Ounsworth, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Amanda Palmer Anni Rossi Benji Rogers, Pledge Music Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe of R.E.M. The Blow Bottle Rockets Brett Lyman, co-owner of M’lady’s Records, Machu Picchu Records; musician, Hive Dwellers Britt Daniel, Spoon Califone Cheston Knapp, writer/editor Chris Funk, Nate Query, Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists Christina Perri Curt Sydnor Damon & Naomi Dar Williams David Bazan David J., Bauhaus Death Cab for Cutie Devotchka Dick Huey, Founder/CEO, Toolshed Downtown Boys Erin Mckeown Flobots Franz Nicolay Geoff Hing, Defiance, OH Harry & The Potters Jasiri X Jeff Mangum & Astra Taylor, Neutral Milk Hotel Jeff Parker, guitarist/composer/jazz musician/member of Tortoise Jeff Rosenstock Jeff & Spencer Tweedy Jello Biafra Jill Sobule Joan of Arc Joe Perry, Aerosmith Billie Perry Joe Plummer, Modest Mouse, The Shins Joe Steinhardt, Don Giovanni Records John Askew, Producer/Engineer Jon Solomon, WPRB / Comedy Minus One Records Kathleen Hanna Kathi Wilcox, The Julie Ruin, The Casual Dots Ken Stringfellow & Jon Auer, The Posies Ken Umezaki, Fifth of Bourbon Kimya Dawson Kiran Gandhi, Drummer, M.I.A. Kronos Quartet / Kronos Performing Arts Association Kurt Wagner, Lambchop Laura Ballance, bass player/ songwriter for Superchunk, label owner, Merge Records Laura Veirs Lee Ranaldo, Sonic Youth Martin Perna, Antibalas Merrill Garbus, tUnE-yArDs Michael Wells, Dir. of Ops & Digital Light @ In The Attic Records, Michael Slaboch, Producer / Sound Engineer Mirah Nato Green Neil Gaiman The New Pornographers Nicole Atkins Oliver Kalb, Bellows OK Go Priests Radiator Hospital Rebecca Gates Rocky Votolato RVIVR Sean Meadows, Everlasting the Way Sohrab Habibion, Obits Spoonboy Speedy Ortiz Storm Large Sundials Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Tift Merritt Tim Kinsella Tony Perez, Editor, Tin House Books Tucker Martine, Producer/Engineer Wayne Kramer, MC5, Jail Guitar Doors Will Johnson Vijay Iyer Related articles [![](http://i.zemanta.com/326307041_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/02/future-of-music-coalition-embraces-real-net-neutrality-.html)[Future Of Music Coalition Praises FCC Moves Towards Real Net Neutrality](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/02/future-of-music-coalition-embraces-real-net-neutrality-.html) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/326809391_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/future-of-music-coalition-welcomes-new-growth-phase/)[Future Of Music Coalition Expands To Help Musicians](https://www.hypebot.com/future-of-music-coalition-welcomes-new-growth-phase/) [![](http://i.zemanta.com/326106588_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/bandsintown-launches-free-artist-analytics-tool/)[Bandsintown Launches Free Artist Analytics Tool](https://www.hypebot.com/bandsintown-launches-free-artist-analytics-tool/)