Watch CBS News

Kid Rock Comes To White House As Trump Signs Royalty Bill

WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — President Donald Trump is welcoming musicians including Kid Rock and country star John Rich to the White House as he signs legislation overhauling the way music is licensed and songwriters are compensated.

Trump signed the Orrin B. Hatch Music Modernization Act on Thursday. The bill won wide bipartisan support in the House and Senate and is backed by the music industry. It's named after the retiring Utah senator, who is also a musician.

Romney Campaigns Throughout Swing States Ahead Of Presidential Election
MANCHESTER, NH - NOVEMBER 05: Musician Kid Rock looks on as Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during his final campaign rally at Verizon Wireless Arena on November 5, 2012 in Manchester, New Hampshire. A day before the election, Romney was making one final push through swing states. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Also joining the president were Mike Love of the Beach Boys, singer Sam Moore and the Christian group MercyMe.

The legislation creates a new independent entity that will license songs to companies that play music online.

The nonprofit collective will then pay songwriters, including those who wrote pre-1970s classics before music copyrights protected their work.

Kid Rock played Gexa Energy Pavilion three and a half years ago, disappointing fans by losing his voice during the show.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.