My apologies Ron, I don't think I was accurate in what I was trying to say.

I am fully aware, and agree with, the idea that if I was to personally profit from my singing of a published work that I would owe the one who created and published the work. This is only fair and right. Personally I would be honored to be good enough to write a royalty check. It won't happen to me in this lifetime. If I was to write a book I would expect the same from those who might profit from quoting or using my book in a beneficial manner.

I am only wondering why, if the books are created to be useful in learning and performing the songs, is it therefore wrong to do so in a public (or even in a not so public) arena? There seems to be a legal double bind here - its okay to buy the book and learn from it, but wrong to perform what you've learned? I'm just speaking of charity events and sing arounds. If it is illegal to publically perform a piece of music in one setting, what suddenly makes it legal and acceptable in another?

I was never accused of being too smart, and I wouldn't be convicted even if I was.

Freightdawg