Open mic nights at bar lead to lawsuit from BMI over music, ask for $121,000

[HooptieWagon]

110. The amount varies.

Depending on the type, size, of venue and how often they have music. Friends of mine own a small pub with live music 3 nights a week. ASCAP determined their capacity to be 85, which is a joke...its crowded with 50. So, they have to pay ASCAP $5000/ yr. Plus $2000/ yr to BMI and another $1000/yr to SESAC. 8 freaking grand a year. And they would LOVE to clear two grand a night, as where you worked 40 years ago. They GROSS sales about half that. After paying rent, utilities, insurance, staff, and suppliers...the owners barely make any money, and that with putting in 40 or more hours per week. And they're not alone, places all over the area are struggling big time. Only ones doing reasonably well had the capital to buy their buildings before real estate prices went through the roof...so they don't have a landlord raising their rent as soon as they turn a little profit.

The bands aren't making money either. There simply aren't enough places to play (because of ASCAP etc fee gouging) to gig 4 or 5 nights a week. And the gigs are pretty low-paying often $50/person or less for a whole night's music. Almost every musician has a day job of some sort. Lucky ones have one that has something to do with music. A few are independently wealthy, or have spouses that support them. A couple gave up playing originals, and play covers for tourists at the beach bars for a little better money.

Sorry to be doom and gloom...but thats the situation here. Its tough for everybody.