[Dixielandjazz] CD costs

[Edmetzsr at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/2/2006 3:49:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Vaxtrpts at aol.com writes:

Recording/Studio
Musicians
Art work
CD pressing
CD  cases
Etc.......................
Most of us (again especially big bands)  never recoup all the costs of  
recording, even selling CD's at $15  each.



Mike, how about the new one (at least to me) - mechanical licenses? We're  
doing a new CD with the Bob Cats which requires me to obtain mechanical licenses 
 from publishers/administrators, assuming you can even find them, which will 
add  nearly $2.00 to the cost of each CD. All of the major replicators (CD 
Production  Houses) now make it mandatory to have mechanical licenses before they 
will  commit to stamping out copies. The lawyers seem to have won again. My 
concern is  that it will lead to even more piracy and illegal copying.
    Further, I'm seriously considering starting a  movement to require 
festival promoters to make it mandatory that all new CDs  being offered for sale at 
their festivals require evidence that the CDs were  produced in compliance 
with the new licensing laws. Why should I be required to  have a $2.00 per item 
cost, when the CD next to mine on the sales table,  produced by a fly by night 
replicator, not have it? Fair is fair, isn't it.  Stay tuned. 
    I've just spent two solid weeks of my time  wrestling with this issue - 
yes, that's at least 80 hours. I know of only one  other band now active on the 
festival circuit who is in compliance at this time.  Any feedback?
    Hope to see you in Monterey next month.    Ed Metz