The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors, which the RIAA says "create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legally sold recorded music in the United States." The RIAA headquarters is in Washington, D.C. 

The RIAA was formed in 1952. Its original mission was to administer recording copyright fees and problems, work with trade unions, and do research relating to the record industry and government regulations. Early RIAA standards included the RIAA equalization curve, the format of the stereophonic record groove and the dimensions of 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm, and 78 rpm records. 

The RIAA says its current mission includes: 

Since 2001, the RIAA has spent $2 to $6 million each year on lobbying in the United States. 

The RIAA also participates in the collective rights management of sound recordings, and it is responsible for certifying Gold and Platinum albums and singles in the United States. 

Cary Sherman has been the RIAA's chairman and CEO since 2011. Sherman joined the RIAA as its general counsel in 1997 and became president of the board of directors in 2001, serving in that position until being made chairman and CEO.
Does the RIAA have lobbyists?
How much does it spend annually on that?
Is it behind the certification of Gold records?
What other certification might an album receive?
Can singles get those distinctions as well?
Who is the current chairman?
Who is CEO?
Did he hold those titles in 2010?
Was he ever a lawyer for the organization?
When did he first join?
What does RIAA stand for?
Who is represented by them?
Are distributors included in the organization?
Would Capitol Records be represented by them?
Are its offices in New York?
Where at then?
Was it around during the jazz age of the twenties?
When did it first come into existence?
Did they deal with copyright issues?
What was something else they did for the recording industry?
yes
the RIAA has spent $2 to $6 million each year on lobbying
$2 to $6 million each year
 the RIAA has spent $2 to $6 million each year 
yes
and it is responsible for certifying Gold and Platinum albums
Platinum
Platinum albums
yes
albums and singles
Cary Sherman
Cary Sherman has been the RIAA's chairman
Cary Sherman
Cary Sherman has been the RIAA's chairman and CEO
no
since 2011
yes
Sherman joined the RIAA as its general counsel
in 1997
Sherman joined the RIAA as its general counsel in 1997
The Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America
the recording industry in the United States
represents the recording industry in the United States
yes
Its members consist of record labels and distributors
unknown
unknown
no
The RIAA headquarters is in Washington, D.C. 
in Washington, D.C.
The RIAA headquarters is in Washington, D.C. 
no
The RIAA was formed in 1952
1952
The RIAA was formed in 1952
yes
original mission was to administer recording copyright fees and problems
research relating to the record industry and government regulations
do research relating to the record industry and government regulations