Thank you Richard but the present situation is that we seem to have something with a devastating legal effect, being exercised without such a definition.

I have found that most of the legal minds I have recently spoken to, know a lot less about informal musical gatherings, than even I know about the law.

Is it possible that musicians and licensees may actually be more qualified than lawyers, to determine what a performer is, or what controls are placed on their livelihoods and right of cultural expression?

Lawyers would certainly more qualified to enable any definition arrived at, to have legal effect.

Perhaps you could inform us what the Section 182 definition of a performer is? This law is the only reason such a definition is required and according to some interpretations, would appear to be anyone who makes music anywhere?

The licensee pays the performer, the customer pays the licensee. The definition really is that simple.