bob,

Yes, I've slaved on many stages and I've written many songs. I've also had buddies who have written songs that are some of the most popular "bar" songs of all time, I'll bet you have too. I'd rather see them, or their families, get the money than have the venues erode the current performance rights.

I think the venues need to pay. If you think it's trickle-on economics, so be it.

I think the venues need to pay both the pickers and the writers, they pay the soft drink guy, they pay their liquor license, let them pay the piper, otherwise, don't put in music. If they are going to use the cost of a BMI license as an excuse to lower my fee, they'll use something else as an excuse next week. Let them try to pay less for beer.

As far as the problem of getting the pay going to the writers who actually wrote the songs performed on any given night, it sure seems like it's an unwieldly task, but that doesn't mean the clubs should get off the hook. As technology gets better, we might be able to figure out equitable distribution, but not if we give up our rights.

If some clubs that don't care enough about music to pay for it go under, maybe the ones who do care will be more successful. The best gigs I've had have been with entrepeneurs who like musicians.

When the music business is tough for so many reasons, that's not the time for musicians to trim away at other musicians' (even pencil wielding ones') means---that's the time for us to stick together. We're all in this (fill in the blank.)

As I've said before, I agree with Brian. The PRO's could do a better job educating the venues and the general public. A couple of little venues are getting out ahead of the PRO's in the media battle. A little more money spent on this might go a long way.

By the way, bob, I tend to write and debate cleverly. I know this is unfair. Did it piss you off? Then I succeeded. If not, I'll keep trying.

All the Best,
Mike



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Mike Dunbar Music

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music