Ascap ? Bmi?

[mark4man]

People,

What's the deal with joining ASCAP (or BMI, for that matter)? Are they airplay unions? Should you join one, or both? Which one is better? Is it really necessary?

Reason I ask ???

The CD is almost complete; & I want to make sure the band has all the bases covered.

Also: can a “musical group” join...or do the individual musicians within the group have to join (& do all the group members have to be airplay union members for the group to be viable & have their music played)?

Thanks,

mark4man

[erosconpollo]

Performance rights organizations like BMI or ASCAP are for songwriters (and publishers), primarily. If you've written a song that's likely to get air play or live performance by other musicians, you should probably join one (NOT both -- that will just confuse things!). Not that you're likely to see any performance royalties unless it becomes pretty popular.

Anyway, it's free to join BMI (where I am) as a writer (publishers have to pay, I believe) and register your work with them. They do provide other services, networking, advice, and so on to their members.

[mark4man]

erosconpollo,

Thanks, man.

mark4man