United States

You're questioning BMI's validity?
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Go to their page, and read for yourself . . .

I question anyone's validity or perhaps motivation when something is "free". Even my own! So I guess I will just have to do as you suggest and read for myself.

From what I understand BMI is very valid. I'm just not sure of the differences between BMI and ASCAP. Our publisher specifically asked us to use ASCAP, so I was just wondering if RM knew what those differences were. Whether one offered more protection in different areas, etc..

If it's not a cut and dry answer, then I wouldn't ask RM to do the research I shoud be doing myself. But thanks for the response RM.

Thanks Sans.
Moving is knocking the gears around in my head quite a bit.
Sorry folks.

Formed in 1939 as a non-profit-making performing right organization, BMI was the first to offer representation to songwriters of blues, country, jazz, r&b, gospel, folk, Latin and, ultimately, rock & roll. .
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Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.
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You can question BMI's validity if you want, but you'll just be making yourself look silly.
BMI represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers with more than 6.5 million works.
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Chet Atkins, Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels, Billy Cox, TOTO, Booker T. & .The MGs, The Crickets, Duane Eddy, Al Kooper . . .
and
a lot more musicians and bands thought it was worth it.
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BMI is Free, ASCAP is $35. Hell - I don't need to 'sell' BMI . . . they've been around since before everyone here was born.

Other differences, too - but do your own research.

Actually, there's a thread on this here somewhere, from 2007 or 2008 . . .

RhythmMan
Why yes sir I'll take a piece of that pie. I often feel these days that people working for nothing but getting donation support are the most worthy provided they can get enough support.

After all they have nothing to lose but credibility while others still, lose payments. I'll wager that anyone reading that will make the right choice?

Thanks RhythmMan, cleared that up in my small hemisphere greatly.

Cheers.

Chippy.

I dont mind looking silly, it's all part and parcil to the whole genie gig.
Besides only a fool does not question his surroundings. I may be silly but I aint no fool.

It's all good.
Also - both BMI and ASCAP are great places to learn about the music business.
Many excellent articles and pointers.

BMI is a performing right organization that protects the copyrights of songwriters & music publishers when their music is played for the public (radio, tv, cable, internet, live concerts, hotels and any other business that choose to publically perform music)

By the way, BMI was also good enough for: Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, James Brown, Elvis, John Lennon, Black Eyed Peas, Alison Krauss . . . it's a real 'who's who in the music business . . .

Now I am worried. Half those people are broke or dead.

LOL

Here I am being serious, trying to help folks who are actually interested . . .
So - ok; make jokes, - but all those artists got paid a whole lot more often by being in a performing arts organization.
But, yeah so, ok - I guess a real lot of folks on this site will never join any performing arts organization; so I'll siddown and shuddup.

Well Alan, I tell ya true I bees hangin on yer every word.
But I cant help to make a joke here and there.
I am a smartass.
I come from a long line of smartasses.
My dad is a smartass.
And his dad before him.
It dont mean I aint payin attention n lernin stuff.

Glad to hear it, S.P.
Alan