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Cover Band Rules

Speaking of things like this...how many of you ever belonged to the union? Back in the 60's,70's and 80's you couldn't even play the Moose clubs,American Legion,VFW,Eagles or Joe's corner bar without belonging around here. They had their tentacles in everybody's pocket. Nowadays these youngsters have never even heard of the Musicians Union.

I rememeber this one time back in the early 80's we rolled up extremely late to our gig. Jacob Stein, a rep from the American Federation of Music, asked us if we were carrying our union cards. I wasn't in any mood for this bs, as we were running very late, so I told him he was going to mighty funny trying to eat corn on the cob with no effing teeth. Long story short, this was enough to convince him to talk the owner and put us on contract waivers that night.
 
Speaking of things like this...how many of you ever belonged to the union? Back in the 60's,70's and 80's you couldn't even play the Moose clubs,American Legion,VFW,Eagles or Joe's corner bar without belonging around here. They had their tentacles in everybody's pocket. Nowadays these youngsters have never even heard of the Musicians Union.

And they kept wages higher.
 
Also wanted to note that at no point did I say not getting paid is ok. To say I did is doing a bad job of mind reading. What I'm saying is the business model has to change over time. Of course they don't really need to money at this point I'm sure, but they deserve what they deserve.

Their business model doesn't have to change. They don't want free exposure to get more free exposure. They want to get compensated. Again, if exposure is better than getting paid, start playing out at your local club for free exposure.

They were one of the higher earning bands back in the 1970s. They are still one of the biggest earning bands in 2020. I'll take their business acumen over yours any day.
 
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I rememeber this one time back in the early 80's we rolled up extremely late to our gig. Jacob Stein, a rep from the American Federation of Music, asked us if we were carrying our union cards. I wasn't in any mood for this bs, as we were running very late, so I told him he was going to mighty funny trying to eat corn on the cob with no effing teeth. Long story short, this was enough to convince him to talk the owner and put us on contract waivers that night.
Ba-dum-pish!
:D:smug::laugh::roflmao:
(Thank you. I'll be here all week. Try the salmon!)
 
Their business model doesn't have to change. They don't want free exposure to get more free exposure. They want to get compensated. Again, if exposure is better than getting paid, start playing out at your local club for free exposure.

They were one of the higher earning bands back in the 1970s. They are still one of the biggest earning bands in 2020. I'll take their business acumen over yours any day.

I can only speak for myself. I'd pay to see them live but I'm not forking over $$ for the recordings other than streaming.

Nearly everything else your saying is guesswork and assumptions.

But I'm done with this.
 
I rememeber this one time back in the early 80's we rolled up extremely late to our gig. Jacob Stein, a rep from the American Federation of Music, asked us if we were carrying our union cards. I wasn't in any mood for this bs, as we were running very late, so I told him he was going to mighty funny trying to eat corn on the cob with no effing teeth. Long story short, this was enough to convince him to talk the owner and put us on contract waivers that night.

I think we've all played places where showing up and asking for money isn't a wise decision.
 
This issue of a venue paying fees for ACAP etc. emerged for me for the very first time (in a long "weekend warrior" career) about a year ago.

My covers band was booked for a Saturday night at a new venue for us. Earlier that week the local newspaper had a story about how a local venue had gotten busted for not paying the required fees.

The venue we were playing at a few days later let us get through a few of the covers we did, and then asked us to stop, tear down, and go home. It was clear that the manager/owner had gotten spooked by the news story that week.

Still don't know why he didn't raise the issue before we set up! It was clear we played covers.
 
Where, may I ask, is that?
Now it is "was that," in Springfield Missouri. Three or four grocery stores had beer/wine bars and cup holders on the shopping carts so you could sip a pint while shopping, and either before, during or after, they would have live music in the corner of the store set aside for the beer bar and hot buffet, or have another pint at the bar, or all the above. Of course, the buffets are also gone, although you can get pre-made hot food in individual cartons for consumption on premises.
 
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I have encountered this situation many times during my 5 decades of playing. I won't get into all the details.

I hire many bands (both cover bands and original acts) for municipal and non-profit organization festivals and we have to pay for ASCAP and BMI licenses for events that are one weekend a year.

By the way, funeral homes have to pay for ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC licenses to play recorded or live music at funerals.
 
Several advantages to being AFM Union. Back in the"80's that in case of a disagreement between the band and the employer. the case is litigated din New Jersey most clubs don't want to travel to NJ to fight their case. I was Union from 1964 until about 1990 and then got my "Gold" card - lifetime member after 25 years; don't pay dues anymore but still active in the union. I was business agent for our local in Northern Illinois - we were quite lenient and allowed out of towners to get a "Travelling" permit. The BA in Peoria, however was quite tough - strong union town; you better have had a contract and card. check their site for other advantages Home - American Federation of Musicians
I was a member for a couple years in Springfield in the 90s. I think pretty much the only union gigs by that point were musical theater and probably the symphony.