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Hi - you should join Socan. Upon acceptance (you have to qualify), you can choose to be affiliated with either Ascap or BMI. It's free to join.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'll try to help, as I went through this a couple years ago

cheers
Vikki F. (Socan, Ascap)

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Vikki Flawith, Canadian Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher
Vikki on Soundclick
Vikki on MySpace
My ZaNy cRaZy Blog

Sample my *F*O*L*K* CD

Hi, yes I did. A lot of publishers belong to both, if not, you can switch. You could check with Socan and see what they say if you're not sure.

cheers
Hummin'bird

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Vikki Flawith, Canadian Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher
Vikki on Soundclick
Vikki on MySpace
My ZaNy cRaZy Blog

Sample my *F*O*L*K* CD

Hi. Just thought you might like to know, when I put that question to someone in SOCAN -- which affiliation in the U.S. is better -- I got a reluctant answer, but a definitive one for me.

A BMI and ASCAP affiliate who co-wrote a song published in the U.S. got paid at different times. The BMI writer got the royalties before the ASCAP writer.

So, the advice was: unless I have a need to change to ASCAP, don't.

Now, always interested in this topic, I noted with absolute delight a small blurb in Peter Spellman's new and BRILLIANT (I might add) e-book on music marketing (http://www.mbsolutions.com) that he had this to say about ASCAP or BMI:

* * *

"A common question among songwriters and musicians is whether there is any difference between BMI and ASCAP. Generally, both organizations offer similar payment rates and follow similar rules. If you have a hit song, you'll probably receive the same incme from either organization. Some differences are as follows:

1. ASCAP charges annual dues ($50 for publishers and $10 for writers); BMI does not charge annual dues but charges publishers a one-time fee of $25.

2. BMI surveys various "low-wattage" college and public access stations.

3. ASCAP and BMI both offer instrument insurance, and medical and dental insurance.

4. ASCAP has a credit union which offers financial benefits.

* * *

Now, insofar as I remember, I don't recall having to pay any affiliation fee. And some of these benefits are irrelevant to affiliates, I think.

But the bit about surveying 'low-wattage' and public stations looks good to me, especially if you're targeting campus radio in your marketing scheme.

Finally, I saw a rather distasteful discourse about the methods that ASCAP uses in recruiting members in the U.S. -- highly aggressive. It didn't interest me at all.

I've always been impressed by their flash, but wondered why Tracy Chapman and several other songwriters I respect have opted for BMI. Peter Spellman took some of the mystique out of it.

Good luck.

LL.

Orderly Bazaar Records & Publishing
http://www.orderlybazaar.com

I am, of course, a member of SOCAN, and only affiliated with BMI. SOCAN is the performing rights organization for Canadians. You want to make a presence in your own arena and be part of the larger community of writers, as well as lend support to the lobbying organization for Canadian music.

LL.

Orderly Bazaar Records & Publishing
http://www.orderlybazaar.com

And if you join SOCAN - Songbridge is affiliated with them as a partner and we offer discount memberships to SOCAN members.

Email jreid7@sympatico.ca or myself
kathy@thesongbridge.com and we'll explain more about the discount.

~ Kathy

http://www.thesongbridge.com

Hmm - that link to Peter Spellman's new and BRILLIANT (I might add) e-book on music marketing (http://www.mbsolutions.com) is a dud

Still seeing that link to mb solutions dead?

However no matter.



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