Always a topic of interest here, and I always learn something new.

My basic approach to recording songs is to contact anyone who composed the tune and/or the lyrics and offer to pay them the standard royalties of $80/1000 CD's printed, in exchange for their permission. I seldom sing what I record exactly as it might be copyrighted. In fact most times I will alter a line or even rearrange verses, or the melody. But I think it's important to credit the folks who created the song, or adapted it from a traditional song in some significant way.

I feel the same way about people who wish to record songs that I've composed or songs I've adapted from old nautical poems. They should ask for permission, offer royalty payment, and credit me for my work. And I don't expect them to sing it exactly the way I do but it would be nice if it bore some resemblance!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble