At what point are the musicians the artists? Consider the Wrecking Crew or the Funk Brothers. They played as a band on more hits than the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, U2, and several more self contained recording bands combined. Yet they didn't make near the money individually. Then there are the Nashville A Teams.

Over the years, there are a handful of musicians who are responsible for the songs the world whistles, hums, and dances to. More than any group of writers, even Tin Pan Alley, a relatively small group of people have been responsible for a tremendous percentage of popular music. Yet, per person and per hit song the writers get a much larger share of the pie. Even the artists get a much bigger opportunity to capitalize on the publicity afforded by a hit song.

So, if the artists get a share of the performance fees (and logically, why shouldn't Kenny Chesney get paid by radio for playing a Kenny Chesney song?) then at what point to the musicians become artists? Interesting question. We'll see how it shakes out.

If it is decided that musicians get to share in the PRO cut, then I would predict that just as the artist right often cowrites, knocking out many songwriters, the artists would simply record with their road bands which might not be bad for the musicians.

Marc, I don't undersand this statement:

"BMI,ASCAP, etc. are looking at it as an additional way that radio is going to go away."

Do you mean that the PRO's are trying to get rid of radio?



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