Subject: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and ASCAP, BMI and SESAC Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 14:15:46 -0700 From: reynos Hello, Soul-Patrollers: Thank you for answering my question about compensation of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RR HoF) artists by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. The purpose of my inquiry was to supplement my knowledge of these organizations and, in particular, to discover the extent of compensation Black artists receive for their involvement in the RR HoF. Since Black people are clearly responsible for the "the rock" in "roll" and the "rhythm" in "blues" my hope is that Black artists (were) are being paid for the constant on-site playing of their music at the RR HoF. I've wanted to visit the RR HoF for some time but have been hesitant to do so without knowing first who gets paid, and why or why not. Like each of you, I'm a long-term major fan of The Dells, Smokey Robinson and so many other legendary Black and, yes, white artists. Yet, I am not inclined to support an organization if the people I value are knowingly being ripped off by an organization. For sometime now, I've been working on a personal project that, unfortunately, involves ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Frankly, its been a challenge to determine who actually gets paid, why and how. Call me crazy, but I like to know how my money is being spent before I spend it. I don't have the intimate knowledge of ASCAP, BMI and SESAC to suggest a specific alternative except for the obvious. Frank Sinatra got tired of Capital so he started his own record company, Reprise. Sinatra got many of his peers to flock to his company where, unlike the major companies, recording artists would own their masters. Prince Rogers Nelson finally got tired of Warner and started NPG Records. Bobby Caldwell ("What You Won't Do For Love") started Sin-Drome Records. As you know, Courtney Love has been waging her own battles with the recording industry. And so on and so on and so on. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are supposed to represent recording artists and, I'm sure, do provide valuable services to their members. Yet, sometimes, sometimes, if you want to be SURE you're getting treated fairly - you have to do things for yourself.  I'm so proud of The Dells and want them to receive EVERY credit due them for their musical achievements. In this regard, I'd rather pay a "royalty" fee directly to The Dells (and their lyricists and song writers like Callier, Wade, Miller, Stepney, etc.) than let a third party administrator (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) collect the funds. Clearly, in the past a direct payment structure would have been extremely difficult to put in place, but the technology does exist now to eliminate third party administrators. In the meantime, I'm waiting anxiously for nothing less than a 5 CD box set covering the entire career of the Dells. And yes, in the future I'll visit the RR HoF with the understanding that somehow, in some way, my boys, The Dells, and other artists, will get paid. Thank you all for sharing your insight. Have a great day! I welcome your feedback. Trip Reynolds trip.reynolds@yahoo.com Reynolds' Rap Sat, 11 Aug 2001 © 2001-2021 Tripoetry. All Rights Reserved. First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.