BMI and ASCAP licensing!

About a year ago I contacted a small coffee shop in Puyallup regarding me singing there.  Everything was cool and then they referred me to their music policy.  It stated that the licensing fee to play music affiliated and licensed through BMI and ASCAP was outrageous and they weren't going to pay for one.  So, long story short, if you're a musician who wanted to sing at their coffee shop you couldn't sing any song licensed through BMI or ASCAP.  Now if that wasn't enough they also insisted that if it was a song you wrote it couldn't be copyrighted either.  

Well as far as me singing there I was out on all three counts.  First, I'd never sing one of my songs that wasn't copyrighted.  Second, I'm an ASCAP publisher and a few of the songs I sing, and have recorded, are licensed through ASCAP.  And third, I'm a BMI publisher and songwriter, so, most of the songs I sing are licensed through BMI.

Now just recently I've been contacted by an establishment willing to book me so they referred me to their music policy.  They are licensed ONLY through ASCAP and can't have any BMI songs performed there. 

Does this make me frustrated, not a chance.  I became a BMI songwriter in 1981 and ever since then BMI has rallied congress and the world, just as ASCAP has, for my rights as an affiliated member.  Every song that I've licensed through BMI, that I've recorded, cost me more money than I'll probably make on them.  The gear involved in recording the song, manufacturing the CD, setting up internet distribution costs money.

I've heard from establishments that claim buying a license to play live, or recorded,  ASCAP and BMI music is too high.  I won't tell you the absurdly low price I've heard establishments pay, because they did some research.  I'll just say that if I don't play another gig again because my songs are licensed through a performance organization designed to protect my rights and collect money due me, then I'll be happy to never sing another gig again.

Well, that's my 2 cents.

Monroe Massacre!

The first week of the year started out pretty good, great in fact. The end of the week and now the beginning of week two looks bleak.

About 5 miles from MSU my car started giving me problems but I made it to Monroe and was able to sing for the men at the Monroe Minimum Security Unit.  Afterward I got in my car and headed down the road to the main street.  I almost made it to the highway entrance when it was apparent I had to turn around and park the car.  For some reason my wife handed me the cell phone, earlier before I left, so I could call if I had any problems.  She was a bit surprised to get a call from me that I indeed had problems.

The car wasn't going anywhere Saturday night and my wife had to enlist the help of a friend to drive from Puyallup and pick me up in Monroe and then back to Tacoma.  We got back about 12:30 am Sunday morning and went back up today around noon.  We've decided to forgo a funeral service for the car and it's now living up to it's name, Found On Road Dead.  

2010 was a real good year for me singing at all the places I was able to share my music.  I've been truly blessed by all the people I've met, both performers and audience goers.  But, the fact is most of the gigs were more or less volunteer performances.  I've realized that in 2011 I simply can't afford to do that anymore.  Perhaps this is the year for me to begin gearing up and record another CD.

Well, for now, I'm needing to suspend any future performances so my wife and I can focus on our needs, such as; rent, food, elec, you know the basics.  It's been a tough few years but I'm sure God has a plan.  I just don't know what it is yet.

The year of 2010 and the beginning of 2011

Wow, it's been a busy first week of 2011 for me.  I wanted to post on the 31st but didn't get a chance.  Some exciting things are coming up for 2011.  One of them is certainly the  18th Annual Washington State Christian Talent Contest.

You can check out videos of the past Grand Prize Winners on YouTube here. You can view tons of pictures from past finalists and Grand Prize Winners, along with Contest info here.  The official site is www.ChristianTalentContest.org but you can find out on all 3 sites when, where and how to sign up.

This Saturday January 8th, also Elvis' birthday, just happens to be the birthday of my sons.  But no they're not twins.  Jerry Jr. (Jay) was born in 1978 and Alexander was born in 1996 and yep both on the same day.  So, I want to wish them a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY(S)!

I'll be in Monroe singing through Prisoners For Christ Ministries on Saturday and I look forward to it every time I minister in song there.  Then I'll be in Forks on the 15th singing through Prisoners For Christ Ministries too.

So, again if you're a songwriter, singer, dancer, etc then you should check out the Christian Talent Contest and tell them Jerry sent you.

Some notable deaths in 2010

If I learned anything in college it was that the history books are filled with the names of those who have died.  For those of you who are from my generation you'll remember all, if not most, of those I've listed below who have died in 2010.  The oldest listed died at 100 and the youngest died at 42.  Regardless of their time here on earth the one thing that stands out for me is that death is inevitable.  I know where I'm headed

Art Linkletter dies at age 97

Barbara Billingsley dies at age 94

Dennis Hopper dies at age 74

Dixie Carter dies at age 70

Edith Shain dies at age 91

Fess Parker dies at age 85

Gary Coleman dies at age 42

Gloria Stuart "Titanic" actress dies at age 100

Harold Gould dies at age 86

James Gammon dies at age 70

James MacArthur dies at age 72

Jill Clayburgh dies at age 66

Jimmy Dean dies at age 81

John Forsythe dies at age 92

Kevin McCarthy dies at age 96

Lena Horne dies at age 92

Leslie Nielson dies at age 84

Lynn Redgrave dies at age 67

Merlin Olsen dies at age 69

Mitch Miller dies at age 99

Patricia Neal dies at age 84

Pernell Roberts dies at age 81

Peter Graves dies at age 83

Robert Culp dies at age 79

Teddy Pendergrass dies at age 59

Tom Bosley dies at age 83

Tony Curtis dies at 85