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Stick Handling Through The Music Business Written by Beau Davis Songwriters Articles 2nd of 5 – “How do I get someone to buy my songs?” |
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Part 1 of 5 Part 2 of 5 Part 3 of 5 Parts 4 & 5 COMBINED |
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Performance Rights
One way writers get paid is through performing rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and SOCAN. These organizations collect monies called “performance fees” from radio and TV stations, hotels, night clubs, etc. any place of business that plays commercial music. These fees are paid directly to the songwriter, while the publisher’s share is paid directly to him. Mechanical Rights ***Note: the figures for royalties used in this article(s) are 1986 rates and have changed – the numbers are very more significant now and re-evaluated every few years. Your publisher issues a mechanical license to the record company that records your song. This gives the record company the right to use your song in the manufacture and sale of records, tapes or CD’s. The license fee the record company pays for the use of your song is five cents per composition for each sale. On a ten song album the record company pays fifty cents per unit sold for “mechanical rights”. These fees are paid by the record company to various publishers involved. The publisher then pays the writer his share. Most of the larger publishers use the services of the Harry Fox Agency, Inc., a licensing agent. Their job is to make sure the publishers they represent receive all the monies due them. Harry Fox receives around 5% to collect this money. The remaining 95% is usually divided 50/50 between the publisher and the writer. Synchronization Rights So, if your song sells a million copies, you get paid for each copy – that’s “mechanicals”. If you song is played thousands of times on the radio, you get paid for each play (it’s not that simple, but you get the idea) – and that’s “performances”. If you song is put in a movie or used in a syndicated TV show, you will be paid a “synchronization fee” for the right to use it. You will still get paid “performance fees” if it’s played in public and “mechanicals” if it sold. The Plateau System I won’t go into this to much but the idea is that if you have 1,000,000 air plays from one song or your whole body of work – cumulative, your royalties will double. Think Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson – they each have reached this level with just one song. Only a fortunate few reach this level. Observation: Don’t bring the original paper sack you wrote your lyrics on. Look like a professional and type them out. Beau Davis has had 40 plus years in the music business, entertaining, recording, playing and producing concerts, special events and much more. Beau has been associated with some of the top people in the industry from both sides of the border and has learned from his associates over many years. All aspects of the music industry will be discussed over future articles. |
