The Recording Academy’s District Advocate program is the largest grassroots advocacy movement for music and its makers. Held annually in the fall, Recording Academy members visit the local district offices of their elected representatives to discuss issues affecting their livelihoods and careers, including fair compensation and free expression for artists, songwriters, performers, and studio professionals. Additionally, participants will be given opportunities to engage with lawmakers in a series of calls-to-actions across social media and other platforms to ensure effective activism.

All active members of the Recording Academy are eligible to participate, including Voting, Professional, and GRAMMY U members.

For Recording Academy members, being part of District Advocate is more than just showing up to a meeting on District Advocate day. Being an advocate means staying active in the weeks leading up to the meetings to help advance key priorities through social media and calls-to-action on specific legislative issues.

All meetings are scheduled by the Recording Academy’s Advocacy & Public Policy team in Washington, D.C. A representative from the Academy will reach out to you directly with your meeting times as soon as it has been scheduled. Advocates are asked to reserve all of District Advocate day in their calendars to accommodate schedules until the meeting is booked. Please note: In some cases, due to an elected official’s busy schedule, meetings may not be confirmed until the day before. Your flexibility is greatly appreciated.

Members of Congress have busy, often-changing schedules. Academy staff will be working on scheduling a meeting time and will strive to notify you as soon as possible once the time is finalized. However, until a meeting is secured with the office, we do ask that you hold the day and remain flexible.

The Recording Academy strives to schedule in-person meetings whenever possible. However, the Academy will remain flexible and accommodate virtual meetings as necessary when required by a congressional office. In the case of a virtual meeting, Academy staff will provide the virtual meeting details (such as a Zoom link).

Meeting with a staff member is just as important as meeting with your Senator or Representative. Staff are the eyes and ears for their bosses and can influence their decisions on policy making.

Your home address is required to match you with the correct lawmaker that represents your local district. Your phone number is necessary in case your meeting group leader needs to contact you with any last-minute scheduling changes or conflicts. We may also send text messages with relevant information and/or action items for participants leading up to District Advocate day and beyond.

Yes. The Academy will provide you with everything you need prior to your District Advocate day meeting, including talking points on the important legislative issues and a social media guide with tips to help amplify your efforts—you will be fully equipped to be an effective advocate.