Still, if I wrote "happy birthday" and knew it was being played every night at most of the nightspots in the U.S., I'd sure want my PRO collecting from those owners.

The problem, as I see, with fair collection is one that may be made more equitable with technology. I'm just afraid that by the time the technology is in place to ascertain a close estimate, we will have given up the right to do so.

I, also, remember the time when every club had a BMI, and ASCAP sticker in the window. When I owned a club, we paid the fee and didn't really think about it. Sure, it would have been nice not to pay it. It would be nice not to pay a liquor license too.

Why don't the clubs pay for the music and go after the liquor taxes, they're REALLY unfair! Most places in the U.S. the club owner pays a tax when they buy the liquor, then they pay a tax when they sell a drink---where they are taxed on the retail price of the drink---they get taxed on the ice, the mix, the orange juice, and the bartender---not just the price of the liquor. But, do we get chain letters about clubs having to pay the unfair liquor tax? No, they go after the easy target...the musician and his advocate.

I think the system is very unfair to the small songwriter, but guess what? It always will be. Guaranteed. If we change the way it's done now, the small songwriter still won't get anything, but then the big songwriter will get less. And, anyone who thinks this will mean musicians will suddenly start making more money is being unrealistic. The club owners will look for their next victory, and they'll go after the easy target once again Why, for example, shouldn't the musician pay them for playing their venue? The musician makes money by selling their cd's, the club, by presenting the musician to the public, makes it possible for the public to find and buy their cd's. The club helps the musician be successful, why shouldn't the club share in that success? After all, those clubs who don't get paid by the musicians will quit offering music. I can hear the arguments right now, and I can see the musicians lining up to side with the clubs.


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