Oldies Music anybody?

So, the last couple of years, I've slowly built up a hobby providing oldies music at car shows. Lot's of fun
and people just love it. I even evolved my collection to include contemporary soft rock and a little rap to
some Country or a mix. Depends on the venue and the age of the crowd.
It's grown to a pretty big system where I was able to provide music to a 5 block area in a downtown venue.
It's kinda neat as all of my speakers are wireless and are completely self powered and have a half mile
range. Pretty cool.
While I was at a recent show, I met a lady who operates the tavern we held the show in front of and started chatting.
She says, " I play oldies music to the folks all the time as most of them are our age but I sure hate to spend the money on the license every year".
"License", I thought!
After doing some research I find that even though I don't charge anything at the shows, I've been engaged in wholesale copy write violations.

No kidding.
I've read a couple of articles on the subject so I know allot more now.
One of the best I've seen is in a Seattle paper at this link;


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...royalty08.html


Well, to make a long story short, It looks like you can't even stand up in a public restaurant and sing "happy birthday" without a copy write violation or play music through an "on hold" phone system.
Pretty crazy.
Anyway, I Joined BMI and now have a Promoter/Presenter License and can legally play any copy write music in the BMI catalog in a public venue.
I've had to remove some of the non covered stuff I have but most are covered.
The rest are covered by ASCAP and one other.

I personally think that charity stuff should be exempt but I also feel the artists and composers should be paid.
Shit! I'd want to be paid for my work, and with all of the ease of downloading now days, perhaps this is the only way they can collect on the Artists behalf....I dunno...

I've tried to ask some of the DJ's at the shows I bring my car to about how they handle this "hot potato" and get answers that range from "fug off" to "it's the promoter or organizers problem".
Doesn't seem to be to much sympathy for the artist.
Most of the folks that organize these events don't have a clue about this issue and could be putting themselves at very serious financial risk according to the article.

Well, since then, I've got myself properly licensed and just mind my own business.

What have you guys experienced?

DT

A lot of the venues I have had the privledge to attend, were giving beer for 'donation', live band playing whatever music they liked, and playing loud.

Only problem was the cops getting called cause the wet T shirt contestants were taking their tops off. ( right side of a major hiway )...

And where is this show? Can I attend? I'll bring lot's of beer!!!!

DT

Myself, I would like to see popular music become public property after a set number of years. How about 20 years as a starting number?

The alternative, for me, would be to stop playing the music of artists who get TOO greedy. They should be pleased that people appreciate their talent and contribution to us as a people, instead of "ransoming" our love for their music all the way to the grave.

the owner of the 50's ice cream parlor/ diner near my house, used to hold cruise in's... they stopped when she got busted for doing the same thing... from what I heard. $1k in fines, and she would have to pay $3k for the rights to the music she played