ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:10 PM

More (or less) to the point, we're standing first (and 2nd, 3rd, etc) in line to buy this CD, my friend!

This is great news.

Dani

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:27 AM

Until fairly recently the single person outside the heriarchies of collecting organisations who knew most about BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, Harry Fox, etc (broadly, the America collecting societies) and where the bodies were buried was the legendary bass player Les Hurdle. I notice his bio which used to be easy to find seems to have disappeared from the net (unless you dig deeper than I). I thought he was still alive, although he is by now of a considerable age.

Will the AFofM not guide you in this? Local 47 used to be one of the most activist.

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:04 AM

Thanks everyone. It looks like 2 for ASCAP. I still can't see any major differences, any others with any advice.

Thanks
Barry

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 01:19 AM

I like ASCAP--they have a lot of programs for their members, including workshops and songwriter showcases--I am working on theatrical projects at the moment, and ASCAP has a very active musical theatre section--

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 12:52 AM

Refresh once more

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 02:11 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI or SESAC why join & which one
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 11:05 AM

I am an ASCAP member, both as a performer and as a publisher. They have a great website and the services offered through the site are good. You can sort out all you need to know to register your publishing entity and your works.

I looked at BMI too. Many Celtic and Folk performers use BMI, but many are ASCAP members. I chose ASCAP because they seemed to have a broader industry footprint, they've been a big player for a very long time and they had the services I needed. As far as I know, ASCAP and BMI are the big guys in the industry and that can be an important factor. I want my published works to be available to multiple media outlets; radio, tv, film and recently MP3 services. ASCAP seemed to me to be most flexible in this regard.

I have been a member since 2000. I think they are a good choice.

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI OR SESAC why join & which on
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 02:48 AM

Barry,

Suppose that a few radio stations and internet sites like one or two of the songs you wrote. And they play those songs lots. Performing Rights organizations (SOCAN in Canada) monitor broadcasts and collect money from the stations that play your material. They give that money to you. All three you mentioned are good. You can Google each organization, do some reading, ask a few questions and then decide.

Suppose--just for the hell of it--that some TV show decides a song you wrote needs to be played at least once in every show they do (OK, I did say 'suppose', but sometimes dreams DO come true). That is mucho bucks. If you belong to a PR organization, they will collect the cash on your behalf. By not joining you could lose one shitload of money.

Say the gains are more modest. Let's say you'll make a few hundred in the first year and only $80/year in the next five. You got some reason you don't want six or seven hundred dollars?

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI OR SESAC why join & which on
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 03:13 PM

They may have charged before but the site says no cost to join & no yearly dues. They all seem to have no charges.
Thanks Phil

Barry

Subject: RE: ASCAP, BMI OR SESAC why join & which on
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 02:42 PM

ASCAP charges a fee to join. BMI does not. Belonging to none of the organizations myself, I can't really tell you which would be better.

Subject: ASCAP, BMI OR SESAC why join & which on
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 01:48 PM

I'm finishing up my 1st CD & Oasis says that I'm best off to join one of these performing rights organizations before I complete it. I don't do much performing & though I do write some songs with the music I don't write alot of stuff. I have copyrights though on the songs I wrote. On the CD I do have 1 song & my partner wrote 2 of the songs & the music & chorus for another. I'll probably join one but which is the better I've no clue & I don't have a clue as to whether or not my partner should join too?
Any advice or explanation or help would be most welcomed.
Thanks in advance

Barry