ASCAP acts to stifle new musical talent from getting a hearing

[JohnyCanuck]

Nice Work ASCAP: Convinces Yet Another Coffee Shop To Stop Promoting Local Bands
from the all-about-the-money dept

We see nearly identical stories every six months or so, but Chris Curvey has sent in the latest involving the various US collection societies -- ASCAP, BMI and SESAC threatening a little coffee shop into canceling all live music, after demanding a performance license, despite the fact that the coffee shop only has local, unsigned bands playing, with a promise that they won't play any cover songs. It's the same old story that we hear over and over again. The venue insists that only unsigned bands are playing, and they're not playing ASCAP music, and ASCAP says that it doesn't matter. You need to pay up just in case a band happens to hum someone else's song:

"I am 100 percent in compliance," Hopper said. "I'm not charging cover at the door. I'm not paying the bands, and they are just playing songs they wrote. They essentially said to me, 'We don't care. We have this low-end licensing fee you must have because there is a chance your band might play a cover song.' "

This has been happening all over the country, and the end result is actually causing massive harm for up-and-coming artists. That's because these kinds of coffee shops and small bars that used to be where most musicians would get their start via open mic nights, are now banning all music to avoid having to pay these licenses. It means there are fewer places for musicians to have a chance to perform in front of a live audience. ASCAP/BMI/SESAC claiming that they're helping artists is a flat out lie. Their mission is really to support the largest acts at the expense of smaller acts, and ridiculous demands on coffee shops like the one above contributes to that situation. They even admit it at times, when you catch them talking candidly.

http://techdirt.com/articles/20100518/2341299481.shtml

[tinymontgomery]

1. If they did this in the 60's

Dlyn, the beatles etc wouldn't be around.

[Odin2005]

2. "Regulations" are NOT always a good thing.

They can be just as often twisted into a method for the Big Boys to crush the little guys.

[Tsiyu]

3. The music Industry

became as soulless and dead as the rest of our corporate entities did

most of the vultures who sucked off the talent and goodwill of musicians have been shut out of the same predatory system they helped create (because new talent create and market their own CDs now and because the pablum the Big Labels tried to over-hype as "great music" only sold to teabaggers and other low-musical-expectation types) so they're going after the little folks now, like mafiosi getting protection money or something

now, unless you're some famous musician's kid or you're dead and they found some old unreleased tapes of yours, or you're in your sixties and proven, the labels aren't interested

this is for the best- musicians should be in charge of their own destinies

the music industry in its death throes is sad to watch :sarcasm:

underground is the way to go lol


tsiyu, proud member of the mountain music underground

[Dawson Leery]

9. As you said.

ASCAP is looking more like the RIAA. They are looking for money.
ASCAP is in no position to make this judgment. Reminds me as to why I oppose all corporate bailouts.

[Dawson Leery]

4. Sounds like extortion.

[Occulus]

5. Someone should organize musical flash mobs right in front of the ASCAP offices

Wouldn't it be nice to rub their faces in it by having 200-300 people flash mob their offices, sing a major ASCAP member hit a capella, and then disperse into the crowd?

I'd love to see that.

[musiclawyer]

6. I agree with the sentiments but note that

anyone who is a serious unsigned musician ( with a label at least) already has signed with one of the socs for their own protection, and is either plays local gigs for chump change, festivals, or doesn't play live at all ( such as myself) prefering to just record and promote on-line sales. It's the true amateurs and newbies who are hurt because it becomes difficult to play or they never get to find out if they have the chops to play in front of people.

[Dawson Leery]

7. How can you tell the local coffee shop that they

must pay fees regardless of what is performed?

[Ron Green]

8. It's disgusting that this guy's not paying the bands.

I'm just as upset by proprietors of restaurants, lounges and coffee houses who exploit musicians by "giving them a showcase."

If they're good enough to allow onto your stage, they're good enough to be fairly paid.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. I'd like to see a flash mob sing something that's public domain.

Like "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" ferinstance.

Or all classical stuff before the 1920s.