General Music Chat

Can someone who is a member of ASCAP tell me something about them?
Only respond if you are a member, please.
If I register works with them, what can they do for me? Will they get my work 'out there,' or are they just for my protection. That's surely a good thing.
Is there anyone with any expereinces, good or bad, who'd care to relate their reactions?
Please only respond if you are a member.
Thanks

I have been a member for almost 10 years. I have a membership as an artist and a publisher (you should do the same if you are producing original music).

They are a great watchdog group for seeing that you get the proper fees or royalties for your work. They have assisted me personally in this several times- once even when my music was literally stolen to use in promo ads for an FM rock station contest clear out in Amarillo TX. But promotion,nah. They have some promotional tools on their site you can check out, but frankly I don't think that's their forte. I would only join them if you have original music published out there that could be used without properly compensating you.

Thanks.