[Dixielandjazz] Response to - Who is BMI?

AL LEVY jazz_man at ix.netcom.com
Sun Apr 22 01:46:35 PDT 2007


Two tales. Although the Harry Fox Agency, A.S.C.A.P.
and B.M. at times go a little "nutsy" they serve a useful
purpose for the most part. None of the companies are
very efficient.
Story one: I was so fed up with 3 and 4 chord songs
in the 50's, I wrote a ditty which was thumbing my nose
at rock and roll. One chord, three nots and four words.
An agent saw it on my desk and begged to have it.
Relunctantly I said "ok".
5 or 6 high school kids recorded it. Bob Thiele was
producer for the session. Steve Allen backed it,
and Southern Music published it.
This idiotic tune made number 13 on the R&R charts.
It got 50 air plays a day in each city across the U.S.
I recieved .05c for each airplay and $25.00 for each TV
station that carried a live performance.
The recording on Hanover sold 50,000 copies.
The kids were on American Bandstand, Ed Sullivan
and a bunch of other shows.
What ever I made, it was for 30 seconds of work.
I put the 45 on top of the sheet music and framed it.
I hung it on the wall to remind myself -
"Don't ever think it's how good you are, it's the guys
out there who are selling it."
Of course... it was all paid for, "payola time".
===============
Story two:
In the 90's I became involved with notation software and
midi sequencing. As member of a computer club I
volunteered to go to the huge computer show at Javits
Center and represent the club. I brought my computer
plus a few synths. The idea was to attract people to the
booth by playing music.
Prior to the show I called A.S.C.S.P and B.M.I.
I heard that I could get a blanket contract (6 shows a year)
to play copyrighted songs. They both said yes, that was
the fact. I asked for applications. When they heard
"Javits Center" they refused saying the producer of
the show had to apply.
To get the picture - tickets were $75.00 - $150.00 each.
Lines went around the block for three or four days.
The music agencies asked for 25% of the gate + from
the producer of the show. Of course he laughed.
Next: I decided to play all pd tunes. After a while, I figured
I'd "take a chance". I played impressions of
Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Jess Stacey etal.
Nobody from A.S.C.A.P. nor B.M.I. ever appeared.
I sent both a letter when the show was over stating
the facts. 
1) I applied - they refused
2) I played the songs anyway
3) They lost, the composers lost and
as a member, so did I.
Here's the responses










Cheers,
Al
Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Teacher and Music Prep.
Please visit me at
http://alevy.com


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