FEATURE PRESENTATION - Protect Working Musicians Act (PWMA)
Independent music creators deserve a seat at the table - Today, antitrust law keeps independent artists, songwriters, labels, and publishers from negotiating collectively with streaming platforms and AI companies over compensation, credit, and control of their work. The Protect Working Musicians Act (PWMA) would change that, allowing the independent music community to negotiate together over how their music is used and how they’re paid.
In this feature presentation, representatives from Fan Alliance, SONA, A2IM, and MMF-US explain why independent music is calling on Congress to act, and how artists and managers can help by contacting their representatives and urging them to support the bill.
Donald Cohen, Executive Director, Fan Alliance
Donald Cohen is the founder and Executive Director of Fan Alliance, a national organization that educates and mobilizes fans to support a sustainable, equitable and accessible music industry for both artists and fans. He is a long-time organizer of community and worker organizations dedicated to social and economic justice. He is a co-founder of the Rainey Day Fund that provides support to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled artists, and others who add to the rich fabric of roots music. He is on the Music Council of the Artists Rights Alliance and the advocacy committees of SONA, Folk Alliance International and the Music Media Collective.
Erin McAnally, Executive Director, SONA
Erin McAnally is a lifelong member of the music community. Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and raised in Nashville, she’s built a multifaceted career spanning A&R, production, music supervision and scoring for film and TV, publishing, and live events.
Now based in Los Angeles, Erin serves as Executive Director of Songwriters of North America (SONA) and co-owns a publishing company with her husband, Mick Utley. Together, they frequently collaborated with Jimmy Buffett, penning two songs featured on his final, posthumous album.
Beyond her advocacy work, Erin has served as a consultant and prose writer, partnering with artists, brands, and nonprofits on marketing and communications, fundraising, education, events, and operations. She developed and taught a national education program for the Artist Rights Alliance, equipping music creators with tools to protect their rights and helping the organization expand strategically. Her writing has been published in Scalawag, Bluegrass Situation, The Tennessee Lookout, Nashville Lifestyles, and Good Country.
An experienced public speaker, Erin has presented at Folk Alliance, Ivors Academy Summit, SXSW, AmericanaFest, and the U.S. Copyright Office’s Unclaimed Royalties Study Kickoff Symposium.
Chirag Patel, Senior Director Membership, A2IM
Chirag Patel is a music industry executive with experience spanning India and the US. As Senior Director of Membership at the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), he works at the intersection of independent music, technology, and business, helping music companies identify new opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and navigate an evolving industry.
Having started his career running an independent record label in India, Chirag brings a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent music businesses. His work focuses on connecting people, ideas, and businesses to drive meaningful growth and foster collaboration across the industry.
A member of the Recording Academy, Chirag is passionate about strengthening the independent music community, championing innovation, and creating opportunities for a more connected and sustainable music ecosystem.
Moderator: Sharon Tapper, Executive Director, MMF-US
The Music Managers Forum-US is the leading trade association for artist managers and self-managed artists in the U.S. Since joining in 2022, the organization has grown by over 700%, expanding from its LA and NY roots to new chapters in Miami, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Boston, Atlanta and most recently, Philadelphia. MMF-US provides vital education, advocacy, and global connections through its partnership with the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) - supporting music managers and self-managed artists across the country.
With a background in artist management, music publishing, and studio operations, Tapper has held leadership roles at Kobalt and Razor & Tie and worked with artists including The Cranberries, Slash, George Michael, and Seal.
A longtime member of the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter, Tapper served 14 years as Governor and Secretary of the Executive Committee, including six consecutive terms as Co-Chair of its Advocacy Committee. She also served for four years on the New York Board of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and co-founded NYC3, a network created to champion and support New York City’s creative professionals.
