Hi all,
As an ASCAP member (both publisher and writer), I have been following this thread every other day or so...Here in Buffalo, I have heard complaints from a couple of venues where I have attempted to solicit a booking about PRO's wanting not only live music fees, but also fees for having the TV's volume on. The TV one really got me because those licences are already paid by the broadcast networks. As well, they have complained about PRO's wanting a fee payed for the entire establishment based on table capacity, even if it's a multiple roomed venue and the music is only being performed and audible in one room.

In any case, I have been able over the last 3 years to be awarded what is called an ASCAPlus Award. I have to submit either by paper form or email, songs I have written, where they have been performed, CD releases, and by what artist. Basically, as a performing singer songwriter, this amounts to just me, leaving my award at $200.00 per year. Now I realize, as Brian has mentioned that a single performance of a song is only rated at fractions of a cent. However, there is something wrong with the system in not acknowledging the struggling writer. How does it help the singer songwriter that mainly performs all of their own material??? For example, I performed on a local TV show back in March of this year and the producer of the show asked for my PRO info, song titles and songwriter info, so that she could submit cue sheets. Realistically, I wasn't expecting penny one from that TV appearance in terms of any type of additions to my quarterly ASCAP check. The thing that gets me is that it was submitted and when I get my ASCAP statements, it says that there has been no reported activity of my songs. How much activity IS activity? Maybe they need to come up with some sort of scale that works in a reverse direction, where if you're a struggling writer with minimal activity, the percentage of royalty rate is higher than that of a hit song that is getting multiple nationwide plays per week. At least the struggling writer would feel as if their work was worth something. I realize that the way the system is now, it is the easiest way for things to get done...the PRO members receiving the most airplay, record sales etc...are the most obvious to track. However, for the performing singer songwriter who is out on the road playing 100-200 dates a year, and getting very marginal airplay on indie and college radio, they're kinda left hanging, and frustrated with a couple of hundred bucks a year in performance royalties. Brian, when you mention how little Danny and Sara received for a HIT song, it can make one wonder if it's even worth the aggrevation...

Anyway, Happy New Year to all...
Davey O.

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Davey O. Music (ASCAP)
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Davey O. Music (ASCAP)
http://www.daveyomusic.freehosting.net
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