OK! Good discussion! I figured out where the $2.47/day figure comes from! It's $900 divided by 365 days, and like I said, this figure seems palatable if my proprietors could PAY it by the day, or the week, or the month. Both of these places I work are pretty new, so I doubt they should owe any retroactive assessment. So I don't get the demand for a grand up front.

I mean, If ASCAP knew they were using music before now, why didn't they bill them as soon as they found out? Or if they did bill them as soon as they found out, then retroactive fees ought not apply because they would have no proof. But, again, I'm trying to get insight into a process that I have no direct participation in.

It's a bit harsh to call my employers to task for being stingy; these are small, privately owned, new businesses, just trying to find their way. They are also very nice people that I have developed a good working relationship with, based on mutual respect. They are the best gigs I've ever had, a good match for my style, and they weren't easy to find. So I don't see blowing them off and working elsewhere as a viable option for me.

I'm considering offering to take a pay cut at my weekly gig to cover ASCAP. I'd rather do that than lose the gig altogether...

We'll figure it out. Wish me luck. And thanks again for your thoughts.


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I will always disappoint people who expect me to be ordinary.

I will always disappoint people who expect me to be ordinary.