It's really amazing how easy it is to jump to either side of this issue.
I can relate to Bob's anguish readily, yet there is something missing to each side of the argument it seems.

I agree with Bob that a $2 charge per cover song, (paid for by the venue), would be astronomical when hiring a good cover band. This cost would have to be overcome somehow, and it would likely come out of the band's paycheck. (assuming there is one) This is not a good solution for musicians.
On the other side of that, many bands or artists can easily pinpoint their setlists and the minor amount of covers they perform.
For the most part, Bob's suggestions ring true in that his performance of a popular hit song brings reminder and tribute to that recording. When a CD is sold by the orignial artist, all is well..the system is working, and people are being entertained.
Any other artists who opt to actually record that popular song also pay the piper as it is.
Yet there is a complete lacking of recognition to the many indie artists who may have songs out there, accessable and usable, perhaps without a commercial CD available, (at least without major distribution or radio play) and these people live to garner a little cash from their efforts and creations. It's hard to argue with that.

The entire scheme of charging restaurants and such for background music played overhead has always been sickening to me. I feel that anyone who goes to their favorite restaurant should simply enjoy the atmosphere and shut up. Congress needn't be involved here. there's honestly not enough going on here to relate to performance rights to matter, and it's an extreme money-grab in my mind. A restaurant will fold because of bad food and bad service, generally, and the choice of overhead music is a minor issue. In fact, I doubt most people can remember anything they heard overhead during their last dining experience...let alone at Wal-mart.

All said, it's a huge topic. And the involvement of Congress is the most effective way to insure the *wrong* people will be collecting money from any decisions rendered.

-gary