WHEN IT COMES to looking out for its interests in Washington, D.C., the music business has been famously fractious — less like an empire than a loosely linked group of city-states, with record labels, music publishers and creators lobbying with, and then sometimes against, one another.
During the past decade, however, partly to counter the rising influence of Silicon Valley, the industry’s varied sectors have come together, along with The Recording Academy, which has helped mobilize its members: performers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others. Leading that charge is Daryl Friedman, the academy’s chief industry, government and member relations officer. In much simpler terms, he is music creators’ Man in Washington.
“We’re stronger on grass-roots [mobilization of our members],” says Friedman, talking over lunch in a private room at restaurant…
