Music Industry Discussion

I'm in the process of starting a Tribute band. We're older guys who just want to have some fun and make a little money in the process.
I was thinking when we got a website to put some audio and/or video files on it. I was told by some that either you can't do that or have to make small samples instead of full songs. So I figure I have three options.
1. Get a lawyer and get a hold of the artist's management and negotate a deal.
2. Don't put songs on the website or small samples of them.
3. Ignore it and do what I want, figuring I'm just too small time for them to go after.
So I was wondering. What would you all do in my position? Have any of you gone thru this stuff and how'd it work out?

Tis my understanding If you. #1 Dont sell the songs.
#2 Give credit to the original artist when displayed or played.
You are safe.
You can play all the cover songs you want in a venue as long as you give credit to the artist. You can even get paid to do so.
You cannot sell CD's or get paid for downloads of songs you dont own, unless you have a contractual agreement with the owner.
Some of the other guys may have a better understanding. But that is it in a nutshell.

all of the above is correct. you cannot sell any material without permission from the artist. This actually also goes for the use of imagery. Dont use any original imagery on your website. Keep it clean and original and dont sell copies! then your safe.