[FAR-West] Ascap vs Bmi vs Sesac?

[Meridian Green]

Rachel,

Here's one thing you (and any BMI writers and/or publishers) should 
be aware of.

If you earn less than $250 a year as a BMI songwriter or publisher 
you won't get a check. At the end of the end of any calendar year in 
which you earn less than $250, the money disappears back into the BMI 
coffers. Your royalties do not accrue until you are owed $250 and 
then BMI sends you a check. Nope. They delete your earnings at the 
end of each calendar year. The minimum royalty payment was $100 but 
as of 2008 the new minimum is $250.

To collect earnings of less than $250 a writer and/or publisher must 
enroll for direct deposit of your BMI earnings into your bank 
account. Oddly enough, once you set your payments up on direct 
deposit, BMI will mail you a hard copy of your royalty statement with 
something that looks just like a check but is non-negotiable.

Go  to BMI's General Information page and scroll to the bottom 
"Frequency Of Royalty Payments" to read more.
http://www.bmi.com/career/entry/C1518

Download the Direct Deposit form for Songwriters and Publishers by 
clinking on the link below.
http://bmi.com/career/

In addition to deciding which PRO you should also be sure to sign up 
for Sound Exchange as a performer and, if you own your record, a 
sound recording owner.

Good luck and may your mailbox be full of money!

Meridian Green

http://www.meridiangreen.com
http://www.bobgibsonlegacy.com



>So I actually have my new album in hand!  SEVERAL days before the CD
>release party!  "Patience Pays" is ready to go and I'll be doing a radio
>promo push over the next several weeks.
>
>I suppose it's time to join a performing rights organization but I can't
>figure out which direction to go.  I've tried to research it, make an
>educated decision but after reading about it in several forums and
>reviewing both BMI and ASCAP, I am still no where as far as decisding
>what's best!
>
>So I'm turning to my beloved FAr Westers.  Whatcha think?  I am a solo,
>touring artist and expect that radio airplay will be where the most action
>will be for me.
>
>Hope all is well in your corner of the world, I am planning to arrive in
>Phoenix by schoolbus and am looking forward to seeing many of you on my NW
>tour on the way there.  I'm puttin it all together now.
>
>Love to hear your 2 cents on this PRO thing.
>Much love & repect,
>Rachel
>
>"Patience Pays" CD release party Apr. 12th Billy O's in Ventura!
>Sample tracks at: http://www.rachelsedacca.com/music.html
>http://www.myspace.com/rachelsedacca
>EPK? http://www.sonicbids.RachelSedacca
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