Bob,

I will fax you the documents as I don't have a scanner at GPAC.

Tania


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Boyer [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Music Licensing

Michael,

That's kind of what I found working in a licensing cooperative for
photographers years ago. I'm well aware of the need for licensing
organizations and royalties systems for artists but I'm also personally
aware of how lesser known artists get screwed by these kind of
organizations.

I am however, thinking a boycott of music that is licensed through BMI
may
be in order. We just tell the artists that we'll hire them as long as
they
only perform music licensed by ASCAP or other organzations.

Just my next .02. Seriously, we need more information and we do need to
come
up with a response. Tania, can you scan to email at your shop? If not,
fax
me a copy of your letter and I'll scan it into a pdf for distribution to
all. That will at least get us started.

The fax number here is: 423.425.4632.

FWIW, our license is apparently only campus-wide, not system wide. I've
got
to track it down to the Provost's office since that's where it landed a
few
years ago and has been administered by since then.


Thanks,

Bob


Robert Boyer
Patten Performances Director
UTC Fine Arts Center
615 McCallie Avenue, Dept 1351
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423.425.4379
www.utc.edu/finearts

-----Original Message-

----
From: Tennessee Presenters, Board & Agents [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On
Behalf Of Michael Jefry Stevens
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Music Licensing

THis is an interesting discussion.  IN theory it sounds great.  BMI is
raising it's artist's licensing fees.
But in practice, BMI does not pay most artists' very much at all.   
This is one of the reasons I quit BMI and joined GEMA in Germany, where
I
get money for recordings, performances, radio broadcasts, etc.  FOr jazz
artists, BMI pays a lump sum every year to the artist which normally
includes all royalties and starts at about $500 per year.  Most of the
BMI
money goes to BIG NAME ACTS and CLASSICAL COMPOSERS.
So whether they double their fees or triple their fees or whatever the
likelihood that your average working artist will see any more money is
slim
and none.
Just my humble opinion.
Michael

Michael Jefry Stevens
1766 Autumn Ave
Memphis, TN 38112
901 276 6544
[log in to unmask]

On Jul 30, 2009, at 8:13 AM, Shimmin, Mimi (Parks) wrote:

> I would like to interject a comment here. Whatever their business 
> methods may be, the purpose of the licensing organizations is to 
> collect artist's fees for the use of their work. Without artists none 
> of us would be in business. This is a complicated and long running 
> issue-we definitely need to gather all of the information we can and 
> reach a consensus before we do anything.