[Dixielandjazz] Public Domain Songs

[David Richoux]

Steve, and all.

The problem usually comes from the ASCAP or BMI "agent" assuming that  
"any and all" live performers have (or eventually will) play songs  
that are in the non-PD category. The enforcers have a lot of weight  
they can press on restaurant, bar, and club owners - they don't know  
and don't care much about songs in PD (or new songs that are written  
and performed by bands that are not "protected" by ASCAP/BMI.)  As I  
understand the rules, even PD songs that have been slightly modified  
and recorded by covered artists are then considered not to be PD  
anymore. Also, the name of a song could also confuse an enforcer: "All  
By Myself" is a 1921 PD song, but it also is the name of a totally  
different song done by Celine Dion...

"And That's Jazz" has lost several long running gigs in the SF Bay  
Area because the owners didn't want to pay thousands of dollars in fees.

Dave Richoux

On Jun 23, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Stephen G Barbone wrote:

> Might have sent this to the wrong Dixieland Jazz List address at  
> about 1:30 PM and noticed it is not on the 3 PM Digest. Sorry if it  
> gets posted twice
>
> Dave Gravatt asks about Public Domain songs as ASCAP threatens his  
> gig.
>
> Dave:
>
> Songs published prior to January 1 1923 are Public Domain. See the  
> below link for a Public Domain List:
>
> http://www.pdinfo.com/list.php
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>
> PS. There are lots of Dixieland songs on this site, search by letter
> _______________________________________________