*** the following is only opinion ***

1) I still think charging venues performance fees is the right thing to do because it is a right we the people gave to songwriters and because in a larger sense it is good for everybody to support property rights type ownership of intellectual property.

2) Although I don't now believe this to be a matter of law with music, but a matter of perception, if you don't support this one leg of copyright law (performance rights), that is going to further undermine in the public's and in Congress's eyes all music rights. And Congress will be more than happy to take away more music rights if some lobby will pay them off.

3) I believe that the value of performing a cover song to the performer (and the venue)is much greater (I can give examples of much more than 3 to 1) than the value of the "endorsement" or sales the performer can generate for the songwriter and (and record label).

4) I totally believe that the PRO's control their own destiny with this. If they act like the mafia, then what Bob (and I) fear might come true, everybody says "no thanks" to live music. And it makes it more likely Congress passes more laws to take away performance payments. But, if they follow some of the suggestions Brian has pointed out, then the outcome could be much different.

Boo...my name is Doug