Martin Epp on Facebook, 10/16/25: I sent my latest release, “Angéle”, out to a lot of my musician friends as I usually do. That’s basically what I’m on here for, is to share music, network, and enjoy my friends’ posts and hopefully post things they enjoy and find interesting.
I get a reply from this PAB saying, “Is your album photo AI”? …”Yes”… and he goes on to diss me for not being an “artist”.
I said, “Ok, but what did you think of the song”?
“I’m not listening, you probably created it with AI, too (even though Jeff Scott Soto, Phil X, and Derek Sherinian played on it and are mentioned in the credits).
I told him, Good luck, pal, you’re going to need it.
I have been a writer and artist for 50 years. The only time I have found it necessary to be a dick is if someone is one to me first and, even then, I’ll usually give them the benefit of the doubt..
Notice to all young and inexperienced musicians: no matter what a badass you may think you are, (and there’s always 1M+ that are better), other musicians are your best chance at networking. Everyone is a potential fan/follower. Treat them that way. All you have to do is not be a dick.
The attached photo is why I use an AI image on my music. I’m 65 yo and have a bad attitude.
Laurie Dameron Loses Job Because the Venue Wasn’t Licensed by ASCAP, BMI, etc.
From Laurie Dameron: Bad News! LOST MY JOB DUE TO ASCAP
I’ve lost my regular monthly gig at [a vemue] due to ASCAP harassing them over music licensing. I can’t tell you how many music gigs I’ve lost due to this over the years.
ASCAP and BMI are Performance Rights Organizations (PRO’s). ASCAP stands for American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. I have all of my albums and music registered with them. This makes it possible to collect royalties. It’s way too hard to explain. But the artist’s that collect royalties are the one’s that get tons of radio airplay like Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Beatles, and let’s not forget Taylor Swift and all the newbies!
So even though ASCAP claims licensing venues is so important so they “can pay their musicians”, us little musicians don’t see any of that money. It’s absolutely unfair the way it’s all set up. And the venues I’ve lost work at because of this have told me how “nasty” ASCAP is in their emails and threats to fine them.
I actually obtained an email address and phone number for the ASCAP representative that was contacting a venue and had a conversation with him last week. He was not nice. I tried to be as nice as possible and that I was inquiring how they calculate how much to charge these smaller venues like restaurants and small coffee shops. I told him I’m just one of his members that’s trying to understand how it all works. He refused to give me a ballpark figure on how much licensing is. I tried to talk about how we smaller artists don’t see any revenue. He responded by saying he knows – he works three jobs to be able to pay the bills. I guess ASCAP doesn’t pay him much for his thankless job!
I had met with a fellow musician in Denver about this years ago. We wanted to try to do something about it. I actually spoke with a lawyer and he told me to not waste my time as ASCAP is too big and we’d never accomplish anything.
I’ve considered giving out the contact info for the ASCAP rep that I spoke with in my newsletter as I have a lot of music colleagues on this list. I’d love to hear from some of you with stories on how you’ve lost work due to this or any correspondence you’ve had with your PRO’s. I’ve actually not heard of BMI going after venues. Maybe I should do some research on them?
I’m so hoping you’ll give a listen or purchase the new song and let me know what you think! We musicians create music and hope it has a good effect on folks! If you purchase first Fridays of the month, artists keep all revenue!
[Barb’s note: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc., fees are determined by the “fire code” and size of the building. Every building will be different. Also, there is no “one day only” fee as we all know that venues will try to “fudge” and run events on other days. In other words, you cannot purchase a license for Saturday only as someone will try to run music events on other nights. “Blanket” licenses are available so the ASCAP rep may have been trying to collect for all of the PROs.]Photo: Martin Epp now