Mike,

I was at both ASCAP and BMI last week and they are struggeling with the same debate. We have a struggling market where no one is wanting to pay for anything and they are having trouble collecting as it is. If more restrictions and requirements come along, they will simply change formats to avoid even more taxing of the income. And a little bird told me that Clear Channel may be filing for bankruptcy next week. The downfall of the automakers take away a lot of advertising revenue.
BMI and ASCAP are trying to concentrate more on Ring Tones, and finding places like Gyms that use music to try and make up for downfalls that are coming everywhere like a freight train.
Look for the next government bailout to come soon which means control of content. In addition, there are bills working through congress to police the Internet as well.
And look for artists except for the very top of the heap to stop recording any outside songs. Musicians are paid up front for everything they do and assume no liability for failure. they are still paid. Artists and writers are not.
An artist derives the majority of his or her income through merchandising. Touring is very expensive. So T-shirts, hats, etc. have been the main way to make income for many artists. Brooks and Dunn, Gretchen Wilson make around $200,000 per night on that. But there are very few of those size artists.

MAB