on my way!

[Part On!]

Hi All,
I'm about as new as a newby can be. I just ordered my pc rack system from Hoster yesterday (with back up drives, and Suite 4.0), and I'm very excited. I'm not only new to Hoster, I'm also new to the DJ/KJ business. Here are a couple of questions for anyone who is willing and able to help.

1. All of my music is coming off of cds that I purchased, so, what do I need to keep with me in case BMI or ASCAP show up in the place I'm playing?

2. Since I will be running everything off the p.c. (OTSDJ included), what spare part or extras should I keep in the van with me?

3. OTSDJ is offering a special on upgrade to 2.0, the only major difference I see is the sync between music and lights, do you reccomend I pay the extra $150.00 for future upgrade to 2.0?

Again, I really appreciate you people taking the time to help me in getting started, hopefully I can someday soon give back some wisdom to this forum.

Party On!

[mikedomi]

All of my music is coming off of cds that I purchased, so, what do I need to keep with me in case BMI or ASCAP show up in the place I'm playing?


THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN REALLY DO UNTIL IT HAPPENS IF IT EVER DOES
AND THEN AT THAT POINT IF THEY ARE REALLY PUSHY THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TOO THE CLUB TELL THEM IF THEY WANT TO SEE YOUR DISC COME BACK AT THE NEXT SHOW

I HAD THEM SHOW UP ONE TIME TOLD THE GUY IF HE DID NOT HAVE A COURT ORDER TO GET OUT OF MY FACE

NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN WAS OVER A YEAR AGO SO DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU OTHER THEN WHAT I POSTED UP TOP

[Beavis]

i agree mike,

i would tell them the same thing......come back with the court order and a police escort !

[PastMember]

There seems to be some confusion on exactly what the role of the "performance societies" (ascap, bmi, seasac) actually is and how far they can go.

They can NOT ask to see your discs, equipment or anything else. That is NOT their function. (Well, they can "ask" all they like.... you are under NO obligation to show them anything.)

BECAUSE:

They license the "establishment"... NOT a "person". You cannot get an "ascap license"... only your business (with a stationary address) can... and it better be where the music is performed. And NO.... you cannot license your DJ or KJ business.... it doesn't work that way.

Their licenses are for different types of entertainment and there are different licenses for each one:

1. if your club has a live band: that's one license
2. if your club has a disc jockey OR karaoke (or both): that's ANOTHER license
3. if your club has a Jukebox: that's another license (handled by the J.L.O. or Jukebox Licensing Office - an office sponsored by ascap, bmi and seasac to share expenses and economize on effort)

There are a number of other licenses as well depending on whether your club has large screen TV's (with audio), the number of them, etc...

All licensing fees are based on the actual number of SEATS IN THE CLUB. Smal clubs will pay the minimum fees (around $360.00/year for karaoke from ascap) and larger establishments will pay more....

And YES, it is possible for ASCAP to demand a license from your club.... and THEN BMI walking in behind them and demanding another license with SEASAC following a close third and demanding their license fees as well.

If any of the performance societies really want to push it... they CAN and will win if they want to persue any club in court. The double-edged sword here is that it would cost much more than a license fee to persue it.