News

Politics is storytelling, and every good story has a soundtrack. Members of Congress tell their stories all the time to win votes, debate public policies, and sometimes just because many of them have fascinating and unique paths to public service. At RIAA, we have the privilege to talk to public officials about music (coolest job ever, right?) and we often get to hear how music has shaped the lives of the people at the heart of our democracy. This year, we decided that these stories are too good not to share. 

RIAA is proud to announce our new series, Capitol Hill Mixtape. In these brief interviews, we’re asking members of Congress to give us a different version of their personal stories by telling us about the music that has shaped their political careers. We hope you’ll tune in, learn something you may not have known about our elected officials in D.C., and most of all, listen to some of the music we’re playing on Capitol Hill. 

We hope you’ll check out who we add to the mixtape each month, and we’re starting this week with four interviews from the summer. Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) joined us for our first episode to talk about his lifelong love of musicals and the stories they tell. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) filled us in on his favorite singer/songwriters and his plans for starting a new vinyl collection. Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) shared a touching story about helping a child meet his heavy metal hero. And Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) told us about the songs that put her in the zone for the serious moments doing the people’s work. 

We’re so grateful to these Members who joined for our first episodes and can’t wait to keep making more.

Tom Clees, RIAA