Thinking About Next Step

[co2bruce]

I have been thinking about doing an open mic night. See if I have what it takes to preform in front of a small group. Is there any licensing requirement (ascap/bmi) or can I do a cover or 2. Is there a difference if I get paid? (Can’t imagine anyone would pay me for this talent)

[Mbroady]

First, open mics are a pay to play gig

IMHO….
If there is a licensing issue, for an open mic, that is on the venue not the player. Also, if you’re just starting off don’t let one open mic decide your fate. Keep going back till you feel comfortable. keep working on your playing and ability to play and sing for people. (can’t hurt to take (vocal) lessons if you want to sing for others)

Also a WNC-Waynesville person. Some decent open mics in Asheville

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by co2bruce

I have been thinking about doing an open mic night. See if I have what it takes to preform in front of a small group. Is there any licensing requirement (ascap/bmi) or can I do a cover or 2. Is there a difference if I get paid? (CanÂ’t imagine anyone would pay me for this talent)

It is normally the venue that needs/has the music licence rather than the performer - at least that's the case in the UK. So doing covers is not a problem.

[Mandobart]

Regarding licensing fees to the Publishers Rights Organizations (PROs) - ASCAP, BMI, SESAC; here is information I received straight from ASCAP and BMI when I contacted them:

These licensing fees are the responsibility of any venue that is open to the general public and has any type of music (live, recorded, TV, etc.). The fees are based on the venue's capacity and how many times a year they have music. Whether or not the venue or performers get any money at all is irrelevant.

In theory this applies to any bar, restaurant, school talent show, concert, etc. This does not apply to private parties, weddings, etc.

Many venues choose not to pay the licensing fees. Many get by with this for a time. We had a thriving open mic scene in my area 10 - 20 years ago. Various agents acting on behalf of the PRO's contacted the venues in our area about fees. Some people paid them. Some worked out deals. Some stopped having music and some closed down altogether. Some insist that performers only play their own original (non-licensed) material or Public Domain music (basically a song written 100 years or more ago).

But the performer is never on the hook for these fees.

[co2bruce]

Thank you for a thorough explanation. I need to work on vocals or get a singer as chemo has left my voice shredded. Right now I sound like a cross between Dylan and Tom Waits ��. You all are great for the fast replies.

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by co2bruce

Thank you for a thorough explanation. I need to work on vocals or get a singer as chemo has left my voice shredded. Right now I sound like a cross between Dylan and Tom Waits ��. You all are great for the fast replies.

Unless it’s also causing you pain that sounds like a great combo to me. Especially if you pick old folk and blues songs.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by co2bruce

Right now I sound like a cross between Dylan and Tom Waits

Sounds good to me!

But if you haven't been to that particular open mic before (and have not performed at any before) - especially if you're not feeling too confident atm - my suggestion would be to just go along and see how it works. Get to know some of the other musicians - especially if you are looking for a singing partner.

Oh, and licensing is really the last thing you need to worry about!

[MichaelPatrick]

Years back, we had a famous blues club in town that had to shut down because they weren't paying their ASCAP/BMI royalties. They had famous blues players and those coming up from across the country coming through to play shows, and every cover or variation that those great artists would play would ping a charge on royalties that the club never covered (or at least didn't for like 20 years).

The fines to the club were massive, and ultimately got the doors shut down.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by co2bruce

I have been thinking about doing an open mic night. See if I have what it takes to preform in front of a small group. Is there any licensing requirement (ascap/bmi) or can I do a cover or 2. Is there a difference if I get paid? (Can’t imagine anyone would pay me for this talent)

Hi co2 bruce
All 'rights' issues are the responsibility of the venue, not the players.

[jeanray1113]

Starting to do open mics in 2015 and it has opened so many doors. No, not paid gigs, which I dont care about and haven’t tried to get, but meeting other musicians in my area, the joy of sharing music, motivation to improve both voice and playing and increase repertoire. It was tough at first. I had awful stage fright. But everyone was kind and encouraging and I kept going back. Now, I actually enjoy getting on stage. And don’t worry about your voice. Dylan and Tom Waites have done okay.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Participating in song circles is a good way to work up to open mics.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

First, open mics are a pay to play gig

I've never had to pay to play an open mic. The ones I play you just show up, put your name on the list and wait your turn.

To me, an open mic is more of a practice than a performance. You go there to try things out. If you don't do so well then you know what you need to work on. The next week you go back and do it better.

[zuzu]

I am considering this myself. I haven't done a solo gig since 1980, I think it's about time.

As far as licensing fees, there are two sides to that coin. The fees are on the venue not the performer, but if you play originals you may be entitled to a small share of the pot the fees go into. Probably nothing there for me or most of us, but I asked the friend of a friend who tours a lot playing his originals about BMILIVE, and he said it was well worth keeping track of your originals played at each venue, though he offered no dollar figure, which, fair enough, none of my business anyhow, but did answer the question. Something to think about if you belong to BMI.