JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Under BMI's radar.

I have been a member of BMI for about 4 years now. I am registered as a songwriter and I have my music publishing company registered with them as well (ManoReza Music).

Recently I have been getting what I believe to be royalty generating "airplay" for my music, but BMI does not pick any of it up as I see nothing in my royalty statments (online).

Examples of my music being used are:

- Trusonic (background music service, I recieved a check from them and I know they report to BMI.
- A Texas radio station, the DJ confirmed my airplay by sending me the playlist that included my song.
- Live 365: Beyond Bop Radio has played my music, again confirmed by playlist and onwer
- Licensed Podcast: The Smooth Groovers Review has played more than one of my songs in their podcast. They are licensed and pay royalties to the PRO's.

I tried to contact BMI via their online support emails and got no response despite multiple attempts from multiple emails (and the response was not present in the spam blocker or junk folders). I also called BMI and the person I spoke to did a "search" and found no royalty payments due under my song titles. They suggested that I write a letter to their Writers/Publishers Relations division. I did that and again, no response.

I don't want to switch to ASCAP, espcially after the large fees I have already paid BMI to have my publshing company affiliated ith them, but I do want some kind of accountability of my earnings.

I don't know if the areas in question have just not generated enough earnings to be on the radar, but I would at least like some sort of real response from BMI.

Any suggestions?

i'll follow this thread with interest...my guesses are 1.trusonic has paid you a license fee to use the music, that's all you'll get from that. 2. live 365- that's internet radio right?- probably won't see anything from that 3.licensed podcast- again there are alot of internet plays that are slipping through the cracks with all the pro's and it will take a few years for them to get a handle on this media/royalty issue in this medium...you even call it a licensed podcast-should there be a license fee from the broadcaster paid directly to you? 4. the dj confirming your spin- when was the airplay and how many times- 1 station won't amount to enough to probably generate a check for you- the sad part here to me is BMI is not very responsive or informative to you so you understand each issue. i would find out who your artist rep is for your area, develop a rapport with them so they know who you are, be professional and persistent without being a pain in the ass...i have a question about your large fees paid to BMI to have your publishing company affiliated with them- didn't know there was a fee- when i set mine up through ASCAP it was all free- those folks stand to make a good deal of $ off of us if we hit it sometime in our careers?...good luck, i'll check back in on this to see what others have to say...moker

Moker, thank you for answering. Yes, I think I just haven't generated enough to make a dent, however the lack of communication from BMI is the real issue.

As far as fees, yes I understand ASCAP is free. BMI charged about $25 in set up fees for the individual songwriter affiliation and I think it was over $100 for my publishing company. The figures could be different now but that is what I remember. Anyway, for $100 + I expect someone to at least answer my emails about royalty questions. When I first signed up they were great. They would answer any question, call, fax, whatever. The communication black out I am describing is just within the last 6 months.

Welcome to JPF, manoreza,

I'm an ASCAP writer, so I don't have any first hand info with BMI, but I'd recommend to do as Moker said, find your representative.

Yes, you're probably not making a dent yet, but you're certainly owed a response.

All the Best,
Mike

Good Luck, Manoreza:

Before I get started, welcome to JPF. I'm an ASCAP songwriter and publisher. From my perspective, you won't get much help from them either, even after you go through the slow, painful switching process. The way they are set up, they work hard for the big dogs and let the rest of us pups fend for ourselves. Like you, I can't get anyone to respond to an e-mail. We obviously don't register on their radar at this point in our "careers."

Mike Dunbar has provided you with good advice. Give it a try and see if you can locate your personal Rep.

Dave

Welcome to JPF, Manoreza!

Although I am no longer in the game, I did spend over 20 years in radio and TV. Things may have changed since I was active, but here is how it worked with BMI as of 5 years ago: Each TV and radio station filled out a log showing all music played during two one-week periods each year. With only one broadcast station playing your song, the chance of your song getting airplay during one of the logging periods would probably be pretty slim.

BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC all work in pretty much the same way. The good news is, you are at least getting some broadcast exposure and that is more than a lot of us can say. Keep plugging away and don't give up.

I am a member of SOCAN who is affiliated with BMI. Each only does spot checks with radio. If you get picked up in a check, you will get paid, if not you don't get paid. I've gotten a few dollars from airplay in Canada, but only pennies from airplay in the USA. A lot more stations in the US as compared with Canada, lesser chance of getting picked up in their spot checks.

Thank you all for your welcoming messages and your thoughtful responses. I see I am going to really like being a member here.

I am very pleased that there are venues that find my music good enough to play, but it's clear from what you guys are saying that I can not expect any "love" from BMI until I get major rotation.

So I've got work to do!

Thanks again.

If you know the time/date/info of one of your spins, you can report it to BMI to insure payment.

I think the PROs use some kind of percentage formula that gives payouts in general to the songs that are spun the most? That's why those of us with fewer spins don't get shares of the live venue licenses etc. If anyone has more details on this chime in please.

Don't dismiss the power of play on one station though. There's only one rock station in my small rural market. We got enough play on that one station to earn about $100 and get lots of fans to boot. Not huge money, but pretty good for one station.