JDouglee wrote:I've played with cover groups on & off for many years, I've never had to pay a dime.
I think it's up to the club owner, and even then it's not a huge sum. A liquor license costs alot
more than whatever they send to BMI/ASCAP.
Royalties such as these come into play when it's radio or TV broadcasting (or CD release).
In the UK the venue where a cover band plays has to pay an annual license. The license covers liquor and entertainment.
Some of the entertainment license money goes to the Performing Rights Society and they send out staff at random to check what covers bands are performing. They somehow work out how much goes to the composers or their Estates if the composer is dead. The band never pays for royalties, the venue does.
My band (we do covers) was visited so often by the PRS that I typed up a list of our whole set, with titles and either who wrote the song or who performed it. They took the list away and did whatever they have to do to ensure the composers get their cut.
I do know many UK covers bands, however, who have never been visited at a gig by the PRS, but, believe me, it happens.
I assume it must be a similar thing in the US.
Hope that helps.
