[jester536]

Probably not the place for this thread...but figured most of the participants are performers. I've recently been getting a little heat form the owner of a venue that I play at. He's concerned that we need to get licensed with ASCAP and stop playing covers. As I understand it, the venue is the party that needs to be concerned with ASCAP...not the performer. The guys kind of a tool...he's actually said things like..."just make it sound kinda original". None of that would alleviate him of his responsibility...correct? Thannks guys.

[tcsned]

Yeah, that's on the club. They really need to pay the same if they play music on a stereo too.

[jdsmodulus]

Being in the "cover/tribute band" genre I have run into this before as well. Some bar/venue owners take this seriously others not so much, they do need to be a member to have music for money in their establishment. As far as the band goes if you play GD music exclusively I am of the understanding that the core 4 have agreed to give the music away when they are done with it. Meaning yes you can charge money to play in your band and noone is going to sue you. If you played in a Mettalica tribute band this might be different. I also think it has to do with how much your talking, if your playing in bars or a club as opposed to theaters and sheds.

[tcsned]

this was on ASCAP's site:

"Some people mistakenly assume that musicians and entertainers must obtain licenses to perform copyrighted music or that businesses where music is performed can shift their responsibility to musicians or entertainers. The law says all who participate in, or are responsible for, performances of music are legally responsible. Since it is the business owner who obtains the ultimate benefit from the performance, it is the business owner who obtains the license. Music license fees are one of the many costs of doing business. "

soucre: http://www.ascap.com/licensing/licensingfaq.html

[JonnyBoy]

I agree Tcsned, the musicians are the attraction for the bar to facilitate a lot of alcohol/food sales, since we are getting the door charge, it behooves us to hit the local colleges with artwork/signs, advertise the bar options (2fers, 1/2 price well, coupons, happy hour etc..) and try to draw the crowd. The way I look at it, for us to try and get a good turn out I am doing a lot of professional pavement marketing that he pays nothing for. Bring that up if he try's to make you feel like you're mooching off his hard earned money. He knew the game when he bought the bar. I wouldn't think a successful bar owner doesn't know or understand his operating obligations.... A band is a symbiotic relationship that works both ways, not just one, and in the end its win/win.
Now he does have the right to say, I only want original bands to save that money and if you don't comply I can't have you play a full cover band scenario unless you foot the bill for that, but he won't get any good bands doing that, sounds like he thinks he's got you by the balls. But I would explain the freedom involved in the Dead's culture and maybe research that fact a little to make sure it applies to performing also. There may be someone that still wants money from it.

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

I am very curious what it would cost a venue for a license and subsequent renewals. I just can't imagine it being anything a sensible business owner would pass on. Tell him your friend in the liquor business knows how insane his margins are on food and drink so he can STFU about it and pony up.

[JonnyBoy]

I am very curious what it would cost a venue for a license and subsequent renewals. I just can't imagine it being anything a sensible business owner would pass on. Tell him your friend in the liquor business knows how insane his margins are on food and drink so he can STFU about it and pony up.

Yhea!! Or you'll put black mamba poop in his Vodka!