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Songwriter Forum => The Bar => Topic started by: mihkay on July 17, 2019, 11:03:59 PM

Title: Others covering your songs?
Post by: mihkay on July 17, 2019, 11:03:59 PM

Hi guys.
I'm running an Open Mic at my local Bistro which has recently decided to go to having only original, or free to use songs. While I and others are happy with this, because as songwriters, we are no longer competing with the "kareoke" aspects of a normal open mic night, there are a few of the regulars that don't write their own material that are feeling a bit lost.
I kind of joked that I had loads of songs that they could sing, but my writing style doesn't really lend itself to the "younger" and the "show tune" performers. But this got me thinking.
If I was happy to have my songs covered by amateur performers for free, would anyone else? Or what would a reasonable fee be for the use of one of your songs in a live environment?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Martin

Title: Re: Others covering your songs?
Post by: CaliaMoko on July 18, 2019, 03:04:43 AM

In the U.S. payment is handled by the PROs. As long as the venue is paying their licensing fees (and if they aren't, the PROs come after them) AND as long as each songwriters has signed up with a PRO, they will get paid. I suspect someone has to submit playlists to the PROs, so they know which songs have been performed.

Title: Re: Others covering your songs?
Post by: mihkay on July 18, 2019, 10:04:59 AM

Yes, in the UK we have the PRS to do the same, however I license my work through Creative Commons and so it is free for others to use as long as it is attributed to me as the writer. The PRS is just an expense for the venue that is not required for my work to be performed by anyone. 8)
I understand that we'd all love to make a living writing songs, but for some of us it is just a hobby and it's to those people I'm reaching out.  :)

Title: Re: Others covering your songs?
Post by: Viscount Cramer & His Orchestra on July 18, 2019, 01:08:50 PM

Any of your performers is welcome to use any of my songs.....if they really want to!
Just the fact that they wanted to would be enough for me.
I'd like to know if they do though.....and a video of the performance would give me a big kick!

Title: Re: Others covering your songs?
Post by: rightly on July 31, 2019, 11:17:54 AM

I say you should try caring less.
Let them do their Eddie vedder, Ed Sherman impersonations elsewhere.
They just don't meet the criteria of your particular venue.