Brian..

the points you make sound valid...

But...the system is not doing what it needs to do to make any of them matter..

You said near the end that songwriters should have the ability to earn off the public performances of their songs if they choose to...

Fine...but I think we all agree that songwriters like the majority in JPF are not, have not, and will not get that pay !

Not until they become major artists and have plenty of money already will they get any part of these fees being charged the venues by the PROs.
Meanwhile, the fees inhibit the ability of artists who may , in fact, promote the work of unknown writers, to get gigs.
You mentioned acts getting $100.00 a night...

Not around here, Brian..and I'll bet not in LA or Indianapolis either.
Most of the Coffee Shop or Listening Room acts around here work for, like 25 bucks and a piece of the door.
Many of them work for the door only or even for free.

Please remember Brian..I'm addressing the members of JPF.
I'm telling THEM that these fees will not put money into their pockets.

I stand by that.
Aside from Graham who is several thousand miles away, I'm still waiting to hear from a JPF member who is making any kind of money off the fees for public performance of their work.

Honestly, Brian, I am not taking this stand just to argue with you..

I think it's absolutely wrong and hurts the real workers..the musicians and entertainers while providing nothing positive for the writers. (except, as we've learned, the BIG stars)

When my songs become hits, and I'm getting money from sales and airplay that is collected due to the good work of PROs...I'll gladly accept it.

But no....I do and will always believe that taking money out of the pocket of hard working underpaid musicians and singers is wrong !

Sorry......

I guess we're just gonna have to disagree on this one.

Gee.....there's a first !

Bob Young