ASCAP acts like a shakedown for protection racket way too often and as mentioned above has shut down a number of venues. Folks who are not aware of how the music industry works get scared off by the tactics used. We had been cosponsoring an open mic at a local bookstore that also used to have paid live music.   After they were threatened, and yes threatened is the right word, by an ASCAP representative, we tried a couple months of insisting anything had to be public domain or written by the performers which set well with a singer-songwriters but the trad stuff still made them nervous and we kept looking at any new face as a possible ASCAP stooge.

Every once in a while the ASCAP folks do the rounds, and several venues for music dry up. The latest one is and Irish Session where folks have been sternly warned that they may not to do any recently composed tunes, it all must be traditional with some serious vintage to it. This so effectively puts an end to so much of what a session should be about, sharing tunes, drawing in new people, just enjoying The music without having to worry " did so and so write this or is it traditional? "

/ end rant. Good luck with your quest Genie

Joanne in Cleveland