z>>  In other words, I don't know
z>>how ASCAP/BMI knows if a band plays a Pink Floyd tune or not,
z>>which would determine if PF is owed royalties.  In all my years
z>>of bar-band playing, I never thought to ask.
ASCAP/BMI/SESAC doesn't keep a running 'tab' on the particular songs being 
played with live musicians or even with a in-house p.a.  system.  THere's a 
flat fee paid per month or quarter depending on how the club owner and the 
representative of the particular performing affiliate.
The only 'tabs' that get kept as far as clubs, bars, etc. (besides the 
obvious bar tab), is the songs played on a juke-box - and that the jukebox 
owner, (who isn't usually the club owner) is responsible for paying.
A song by song for live presentation isn't done.
 JE> In San Antonio, there was a ruckus a while back about all
 JE> that - now, if a business owner has music that's piped into
 JE> the place (DMX, whatever) then the business has to belong to
 JE> the special arm of either Ascap or BMI (as you suggested)
 JE> that would allow them to do such a thing.
That will change if the BONO bill (or anything similiar that the Senate may 
come up)  becomes law.  As it sets, the BONO bill will cost songwriters 
millions of dollars in royalties by freeing up restaurants, clubs and other 
venues from having to pay those performing affiliate fees and therefore no 
royalties will come in to be disbursed between the published songwriters.
Nancy
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