ASCAP/BMI???

[Doublehelix]

Benefits and drawbacks for songwriters to join these groups?

Trying to decide if this is the right path for my young songwriting son.

[TheReal7]

I would like to hear opinions as well. thumbsup

[indie]

BMI.

My partner and I did a little test...she was with ASCAP. We co-write everything 50/50,
my checks we're always more. She switched to BMI. The LA writer relations people are the BOMB.
Micah

[robmix]

Originally Posted by indie

BMI.

My partner and I did a little test...she was with ASCAP. We co-write everything 50/50,
my checks we're always more. She switched to BMI. The LA writer relations people are the BOMB.
Micah

And everyone I know in the same situation has had the opposite happen to them to the tune of 100's of thousands. BMI also has restrictions on switching. You're stuck there. ASCAP was created by writers for writers. BMI, created by the Broadcasters, is like giving a fox the keys to the chicken coop. If you're writing huge R&B songs that are charting, BMI might be worth it for a while as they give bonuses, but if you're at the bottom of the food chain you're going to get short changed - those bonuses have to come from somewhere.

[Albert]

What I've heard over the years is that if you are doing the singer/songwriter thing ASCAP is better, and if you are doing the film/TV thing BMI is better. For that reason I'm a member of BMI.

I'd be curious to know what ASCAP would be collecting for me versus BMI, but as far as I know there is no way to get a comparison other than switching organizations or doing what Micah and his writing partner did.

[I Lurk]

Isn't Curve an ASCAP member ?

[largeunit]

BMI

[RKrizman]

Well then.

[composer]

Do both.

I know many composers that has dual memberships...

One persons name in BMI, the other (g/f, wife, family member) has the other then they use which ever seems to be the most pressing.

Film Score, maybe BMI, etc, etc.

There is nothing wrong with have two publishing companies either, this really is the best way, start a publishing company with both under different owner, writer names.

peace.

[henryrobinett]

I was a member of Ascap. I switched to BMI for no good reason except ot was more user friendly for me. I can't give you a price comparison because I never made money when I was with ASCAP. All my checks have been BMI.

[tzujan]

I had a miserable experience at BMI. From 1993-1995 I was not paid on over 200 pages of music cues sheets! It was estimated to be $30-$40K in losses. After speaking to several attorneys none of them would take it on because their potential percentage was too small for the time and resources that it would take to go after BMI. In addition, I would have to drag my client, a cable tv show, into the mess. I bugged BMI over the issue for years and finally gave up. I have been with ASCAP ever since and they have been wonderful! BMI stands for BROADCAST MUSIC INCORPORATED. They were established to represent the broadcasters where ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) was created to protect the writers and publishers. Many people say that IF you get paid from BMI it will be a little more, however if there is an issue they will leave you in the cold.

Here is another perspective on the issue:

Our Friends at BMI

[RKrizman]

I've been an ASCAP member for 20 years or so, mostly but not always happy about it, but I've made great money. To me BMI has been less user-friendly, but I have other writer friends who swear by it. In short, I think they have continually played catch-up with each other over the years. I recommend you pick one and go in with the idea of creating a long-term relationship. In either one you'll have to be a squeaky wheel to get good service. Somehow it seems like bad advice to invent a ficticious name in order to join both. You want them to be straight with you, right?

OTOH, it's perfectly okay to have a publishing company with each.

-R

[JpB]

SESAC

[indie]

Originally Posted by robmix

And everyone I know in the same situation has had the opposite happen to them to the tune of 100's of thousands. BMI also has restrictions on switching. You're stuck there. ASCAP was created by writers for writers. BMI, created by the Broadcasters, is like giving a fox the keys to the chicken coop. If you're writing huge R&B songs that are charting, BMI might be worth it for a while as they give bonuses, but if you're at the bottom of the food chain you're going to get short changed - those bonuses have to come from somewhere.

I know, I've heard the same too...but all I know is our experience. We had a song (not a huge hit) that went to 17 on the HotAC chart and I always received more...strange but true.

[shack jonz]

BMI. The NYC BMI office is great and my ASCAP experience was pure misery...Couldn't get a call returned for anything. My $.02. No comparison here.

[natpub]

We've been happy with BMI for our little publishing thing.

[ozraves]

Originally Posted by tzujan
Here is another perspective on the issue:

[URL=http://velvetrope.starpolish.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Cats&Number=486009&Forum=Cats&Words=BMI&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=486009&Search=true#Post486009

Our Friends at BMI[/URL]

A very interesting read. Thanks for the link.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by robmix

And everyone I know in the same situation has had the opposite happen to them to the tune of 100's of thousands. BMI also has restrictions on switching. You're stuck there. ASCAP was created by writers for writers. BMI, created by the Broadcasters, is like giving a fox the keys to the chicken coop. If you're writing huge R&B songs that are charting, BMI might be worth it for a while as they give bonuses, but if you're at the bottom of the food chain you're going to get short changed - those bonuses have to come from somewhere.

That's why I'm an ASCAP member, I never understood why anyone would join the "enemy".

Ed

[84K]

All Hail ASCAP