[Dixielandjazz] ASCAP / BMI - The right to play music.

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/12/04 4:14:15 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
barbonestreet at earthlink.net writes:

> For a good explanation of the way it is in the USA, see the below web
> site.
> 
> http://www.woodpecker.com/writing/essays/royalty-politics.html
> 

Well, I am no professional barrister, unless Jailhouse lawyer qualifies me 
but I checked out the above website and read the entire article and find 
absolutely no fault with any of it, and it clearly states the situation as I have 
learned it over the past 40 years working in all aspects of this business.

My honest recommendation to any and all musicians on this list, unless you 
are Kenny G, or his caliber of income producing player, is to ignore ASCAP and 
BMI and SESAC at every opportunity.  Should you ever have the misfortune of 
having them drop in on you and threaten to sue you, just tell them to go ahead 
and then tell them you are a musician earning the normal musician wages and even 
they are not foolish enough to think you have deep enough pockets to extract 
more than a pittance of beer money from.  Tell them you play Dixieland and 
they will probably ask you where your tip jar is on the way out the door.

Don't forget to tell them to not let the door hit them in the ass on their 
way out, and ask them if they at least bought a drink in the establishment to 
support the payment of their license fee they collect from the place. :)


I hold them in about as much esteem and awe as I do the IRS, and there really 
is not a lot of difference in the two organizations.  AVOID THEM BOTH AT 
EVERY OPPORTUNITY!
They are a colossal waste of time and energy and do not even understand their 
own workings, but are very adept at intimidation if you allow it.  I choose 
not to be intimidated.


Cheers,

Tom Wiggins