We just had a gig cancel. Now I've had gigs cancel before for various reasons: sickness, groom backed out of wedding, plumbing problems at club, etc, but this one was a first. The person who hired us called me and told me was so sorry, but he had to cancel us because he was being threatened by the Performance Rights Organizations, including BMI, ASCAP & SESAC. They were demanding thousands of dollars for the rights to have music from their artists played at his venue. This is not something new which is happening, but it's the first time it's happened to me.In these tough economic times, the performance rights organizations are more vigorously protecting their artists by trying to "go after" the places where music is played, be it by live band, DJ or even radio. I can understand that. On the other hand, they're choking off the chances that starving or lesser known artists have to play music, hone their craft and make a little pocket change.
I have to think this aggressive campaign is aimed more at getting additional revenue for Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks & The Rolling Stones (not to mention BMI, ASCAP & SESAC) than it is for Lew Jetton. Ironically, I'm SIGNED TO BMI, and they've helped me in the past, but by the same token, I have a house payment coming up, and I could have used that money. I know they're "protecting" me, but it hurts.....it hurts me.....in the pocketbook.
3 comments:
Lew... I used to make a nice living playing a few local restaurants near Black Mountain, NC... places that were less than five or six miles down the mountain... those same venues have discontinued "live music" & one place, a barbecue has stopped using any music... they figured out it was easier for them to show sports on two big screens at each end of the restaurant, than to pay BMI & ASCAP's exorbitant fees. Thank you BMI, ASCAP.... I now have to drive 75 - 100 miles to fill those nights on my schedule.....
My name is Dan White I am a working muscian as well and have had the same problem the rich want to be more rich and the working man has to pay for it. i write my own music and have had to pay bmi to play my own stuff before because they said they would prosicite me for it because my following was high enough so i called a lawyer and he took care of it but to have to go through the hassel of all of it sucked.it almost takes the love for perfoming outa your heart with a sledge hammer
Wow! I don't see how an aspiring musician stands a chance in today's environment. The internet is killing entertainment as we know it, from movies, to music, to television etc;
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