Musicians & Publishings

[Gemini]

It's a simple question that I have for everybody who has been recording music and, "Doing their thing."

How many of you actually own your publishings & actually register your works?

I been filming a documentary on independent artist and I hear these stories of how big they're gonna do it, or are doing it, but as soon as I ask about publishings, there is dead silence.

The sad part is, most expect to blow up & then worry about it. I can tell you right now, that's like walking into a gun fight with no bullets in your gun.

 

[hustlematic1]

I own all my shit and have owned it since my first album back in 99. I'm a student of this shit and I know that publishing is the long-term after the records stop selling money. I absolutely insist on owning my copyrights and publishing and suggest everybody do the same.

 

[MikeyG]

Good shit Hustlematic put us up oN more of ya publishiNg game my homie.

 

[ROB RIZE]

i copyrighted my phoenix rizing with the us copyright office tho it takes up to 2 yrs to finalize and im doing my own publishing company and am also registered with ASCAP most ppl dont bother tho but i wanna do this right

 

[Tear Gas]

Ascap and copywright your work.

 

[threefoe]

Was registered with ASCAP until I actually sat down with James Leach the VP of SEASAC and got my own publishing company formed through them. They pay 35 cent more than ASCAP and actually work on getting you music placed as opposed to ASCAP who will do absolutely nothing for you unless you're a superstar.

 

[Gemini]

Was registered with ASCAP until I actually sat down with James Leach the VP of SEASAC and got my own publishing company formed through them. They pay 35 cent more than ASCAP and actually work on getting you music placed as apposed to ASCAP who will do absolutely nothing for you unless you're a superstar.

True, but ASCAP has added new things to help the underground artist by paying for small venues who are not ASCAP licensed. Either way, it's better to have your ass covered than to have nothing at all. I been an ASCAP member since 2001 and I've seen them add a whole lot, but it takes a lot of reading and keeping up with this shit. Read the emails they send, the fliers & invites in the snail mail, go to the site and read what's the news, call them and ask questions.

I can't complain, I've gotten a few royalty checks (no, not anything worth bragging about), but that's more than the average artist who claims they about their bread & planning on getting rich. The point they miss is, if you get rich, you need and want to stay rich!

Fuck that, paying for a show, or doing a show for promotion. If I do a big show and open for a big name, or if I rock a small show at a bar & grill, you better believe I'm gonna do the online / paperwork to get my money from ASCAP.

It's 2010! WAKE UP FOLKZ!

 

[hustlematic1]

Yeah publishing is where it's at. I've been with ASCAP as a writer since 1999 as a publisher since 2001. It's actually pretty easy once you understand what you need to do. I remember I had to send them a letter or something with 5 different publishing company names in order of preference. I got lucky and got the first one I listed. It's actually pretty cool. Now ASCAP has a member services section on their website where you can register your works real easy and without a lot of hassle. I do have to admit that ASCAP does pretty much nothing as far as exposing your music. But they do have a lot of resources, exclusive discounts for everything from rental cars to health insurance etc.

Plus they have conferences like We Create Music where you get a good discount on admission. Like Gemini I've received some royalty checks but nothing to write home about at this point. I just love owning my music. I figure with all the 50s, 60s, 70s etc music you hear in movies, TV shows, and commercials somebody is gettin paid. And more than likely it AINT the person you hear on the song. I just feel like if I'm able to create music over time something might hit. Something might get used on some film or something years from now. I want either me or my family to get paid for it. Plus with technology the way it is now you never know whats next. I bet ppl in the 60s didnt think their songs could but used in a video game. Look at Grand Theft Auto for example. Those radio stations on that game were playing music from years back and somebody got paid for it. I want that person to be me (god willing I'm alive) or at least my family gets that money. One of my ultimate goals is to pull a Michael Jackson and buy and sell compositions. Mike owned the Beatles entire catalog and half of Sony's catalog when he died. Those songs were what made Michael a billionaire.