'It costs $25 bucks to join ASCAP--one time fee.'

That's if you are a composer, author or publisher. Years ago I filled out a form for a not-for-profit. We did six concerts a year with audiences of 200-300. The ASCAP fee was at least $200 per year. We just told them we did public domain music and never paid anything.

By the way, at that time, the band could do a ASCAP number if they were ALSO selling media (tapes, CD,'s) that had the song. Apparently getting the permission to record the song also covered getting permission to perform it. Makes sense.