I went to see a local songwriter perform at a "pizza place" last week. They were hit with an $800 bill from ASCAP last week and are shutting down their music. The place seated at most 30 people. House concerts, open mics, and places that seat less than 50 should not be billed, PERIOD, end of discussion. To call this place a dive was being generous, the AC was busted on a 95 degree day, the floor tiles were coming loose, there were only two customers besides me, one of whom was a very talkative drunk. Three PRO's, and you HAVE to pay all three, including SESAC whose billing and collections are seen less frequently than UFO's. If Folk Alliance negotiations on this are not successful, folks SHOULD approach the lobbyists of the National Restaurant association or lobby congress themselves. You DO NOT create a vibrant musical community by taxing places where beginning performers can play out, PERIOD, end of discussion.