Re: [Harp-L] ASCAP Lawsuits

[Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

We only play originals, we just didn't write 'em. 

Thanks Jerry, 
http://www.thebluesambassadors.com/ 
http://www.myspace.com/bluesambasador 
http://www.facebook.com/bluesambassadors#!/pages/The-Blues-Ambassadors/189384179665?ref=ts 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Kumpe" <bkumpe@xxxxxxx> 
To: "Ken Deifik" <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 4:07:14 AM 
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] ASCAP Lawsuits 

Ken D. said: "only playing your own originals won't do the unlicensed club 
owner lick of good if you are a member of ASCAP or BMI. You are not 
supposed to play your licensed material at a club that doesn't pay for 
licenses." 

We have a local coffee house poetry and open mic venue that makes you bring 
a complete playlist in advance with written proof that everything on it is 
either original or public domain and they may even ask for a disclaimer 
affidavit that you have not plagiarized your material. Kinda takes the 
spontaneity out of just showing up with your guitar or harp and doing a 
number of two for the heck of it. Definitely not the coffee house scene of 
my youth. 

For amateur songwriters with dreams of writing a hit or two, the ASCAP/BMI 
license is more of a curse than a blessing. Basically, if you license the 
material you give up your own performance rights to it assuring that unless 
the venues pay a lot more than you're probably worth as an amateur 
songwriter your work will NEVER be heard publicly, even at the local coffee 
shop. No wonder indies are calling it the "Music Mafia." It's basically 
play by their rules or stay home. 

Bill Kumpe 
Tulsa, OK