joining ASCAP or another PRO

[brianbotkiller]

Hi guys,

 

I'm a drummer/songwriter/composer, I have solo work, and a band, wherein I am the drummer. I'm at a point where I believe I need to join a PRO because I am beginning to get radio play, and other attention I am getting requires that I be a part of a PRO before I can push forward on new opportunities.

 

My question is this; I am in a band, wherein we all write/compose the songs - the lyrics are primarily done by the lead singer. I have read things that say that ASCAP is only for "the songwriter" - but does that mean that if I am "just the drummer", I can't join ASCAP or another PRO? Technically, we all write the songs, anyway, so as I understand, we can all join ASCAP either way - but I'm still curious.

 

I also know that you can join ASCAP as a publisher. This would make sense for myself, as I run a small record label and release my work via it - but my band, however, is not currently signed, so our publisher is very literally ourselves. We are planning on registering an LLC and placing the band underneath it - but what I wonder about publishing (and I've asked ASCAP this, and am awaiting an answer) is if I need to have a business entity set up for the band in order to get everyone into a PRO, or if I should just have each member register as a songwriter and also as their own publisher. Most everyone I work with also has other projects, so it seems to me that each member should register as their own publisher.

 

Or do I even need the publisher part? I know you can register as one or both with ASCAP, and it's only $35 with each . With BMI, it's cheap on the songwriter part, but very expensive on the publisher part.

 

If anyone has some thoughts on this, I'd be very grateful. I am working very hard to push my career to the next level right now, so this is something I have to do. For those that will likely bring it up; yes, I know that SESAC doesn't have any fees; they also don't bother to answer emails, whereas ASCAP does. BMI's fees have pushed me towards ASCAP. If you have constructive criticisms I can use in making this choice, however, I will take them.

 

Thanks guys.

[brianbotkiller]

I should also note that I don't particularly care for some of how ASCAP interacts with the general listener part of the music biz, but they are, after all, a necessary thing in the music industry.

[Inazone]

 

I also know that you can join ASCAP as a publisher. This would make sense for myself, as I run a small record label and release my work via it - but my band, however, is not currently signed, so our publisher is very literally ourselves. We are planning on registering an LLC and placing the band underneath it - but what I wonder about publishing (and I've asked ASCAP this, and am awaiting an answer) is if I need to have a business entity set up for the band in order to get everyone into a PRO, or if I should just have each member register as a songwriter and also as their own publisher.

 

 

Bump, because I'm in this situation as well, especially curious about the "business entity" part as it pertains to publishing.

[BlueStrat]

I went with ASCAP.

 

If you don't have a publisher, you are the publisher of your own material. I assigned myself a publishing company name and registered that.

[brianbotkiller]

 

I went with ASCAP. If you don't have a publisher, you are the publisher of your own material. I assigned myself a publishing company name and registered that.

 

 

Great, thank you for the info! Here's what I just got from ASCAP, as well:

 

To join ASCAP you may fill out the writer and/ or publisher application here: http://www.ascap.com/about/howjoin.aspx

 

Writing members are the people who create the music (lyrics,composition, production, beats, instrumentation, arrangements etc)

Publishers are the person/company responsible for getting the music placed on radio TV etc. If you are not signed to a publishing company chances are you should sign up as both a writer and a publisher.

 

You may set up your account as a sole proprietorship or an LLC - it depends on where you want your earnings to go.

 

 

##

 

So really, the only question if you're in a band is if you all want to register as your own publisher, or if you want to create an LLC to house the band's income, and register that as your publisher.

 

In my case, I can do both, because as I say, I have my own little label that I attach all my solo work to.

 

However, with the band, I believe that we are going to register an LLC for the entirety of the band, for the purposes of taxes and the like.

[daddymack]

How were the copyrights filed for the band's music?

[brianbotkiller]

 

How were the copyrights filed for the band's music?

 

 

 

The last album was copyrighted under the band's previous label, DSBP.

 

The current record will be copyrighted under the upcoming LLC name.

[daddymack]

but whose name is on the songs...because that will directly effect the publishing $

[brianbotkiller]

but whose name is on the songs...because that will directly effect the publishing $

 

On the previous record, it's the two brothers. On this new record, it's "vertigo venus", or everyone in the band.