Seems everyone (or almost) agrees that the venue is resposible for paying the copyright fees. I'm not quite sure how Fred could be off the hook since he is the one doing the picking and croonin'. How is a restaurant owner responsible for every guitar picker's selections?

I do not want Fred to get out of paying his honest dues. He is a good boy scout and wants to properly reward the various muses who have inspired him. Besides, if someday he should write a hum-dinger of a song he would like to have his fellow folk singers acknowledge his creativity. "Do unto your fellow folk song writer/singer as you would have them do unto you" is the code our Fred lives by. However, having some intimate experience with more than one Federal agency has Fred just a little nervous about launching forth with no actual experience. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. Your opinions are greatly appreciated.