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For those of us who's career is songwriting, I am glad that ASCAP, BMI & SESAC exists. They helped put shoes on my kids feet. I'm not rich, I'm not a millionaire. A family man of humble means who likes to right music and does it as a living.

Peace

I would think most writers legitimate enough to recieve a check would know the difference between write and wrong

I also run a restaurant that offers live music; is it necessary to have ASCAP, BMI and SESAC?? that seems pretty ridiculous! Can someone coach me on the requirements??

Originally Posted by jef nicks

After 7 years in business, I am coming to the realization that the cost of complying with the three music licensing outfits is going to force me to discontinue live music, and probably the use of CD recorded music in my dining room. Anyone out ther care to comment?

Restaurant owners pay half of minimum wage to servers then over time they have forced these same low paid employees to act as bus people, cashiers, janitorial etc. Now this person wants music on the cheap too. Jeez, it's people like this that is what's wrong with the world, they want as much as they can get for what they are selling, and don't want to pay anything of it out to the people who do all the real hard and/or creative work.

Until you're a restaurant owner and have the burdens of expenses left and right, top and bottom you'll never know the financial challenges us mom & pops businesses face. It's NOT easy and we're not trying to get a whole lot for nothing. We're trying to offer (eaters) a whole for for as little as possible. If we succumb to the extortive threats of these vampires, some of us would have eliminate offering music, raise prices or layoff workers in order to sate the thirst of these leeches who only give crumbs to the actual artist. Most of money that they collect is absorbed within themselves. Please have some familiarity before portraying small businesses as "freebee mongers".

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Restaurant owners pay half of minimum wage to servers then over time they have forced these same low paid employees to act as bus people, cashiers, janitorial etc. Now this person wants music on the cheap too. Jeez, it's people like this that is what's wrong with the world, they want as much as they can get for what they are selling, and don't want to pay anything of it out to the people who do all the real hard and/or creative work.

You are completely incorrect I own a restaurant and we pay our employees 30% of gross and our artist we love to pay well even add feeding them and drinks for them playing.
Now because of the vultures of BMI and others we cant pay them what they are worth because of all the fees they want. So for your coment not all restaurants are like that we enjoy supporting our local band of all kinds now we will probably quit because it is total ######## I will fight. They better come in and lisen cause the price is totally incorrect.

Touché “easy to say”
In the last 40 years I have washed dishes, cooked, managed and now sell food to restaurants. I am also in a working band as a hobby.

A successful restaurant will net 1% after labor, food, utilities, licenses, lease, equipment and taxes, provided no one burn’s, steals, comp’s his food, hours or anything else.

As a musician, I would be more than happy to never perform any material the original artist would like me to not perform.
After food & beverage (at the event), transportation, equipment matenience and upgrades (or depreciation) and band practice location rental, what goes in the bank is a (-) number.
My job supplements my hobby.

It looks like the real money is in being a LEACH. You don’t have to produce, buy or maintain anything; you just collect off the backs of others.

Originally Posted by jef nicks

After 7 years in business, I am coming to the realization that the cost of complying with the three music licensing outfits is going to force me to discontinue live music, and probably the use of CD recorded music in my dining room. Anyone out ther care to comment?

I use sirus radio from dish network 29.95 a month