>>I’d heard enough accounts of bar owners who’ve been shaken down by goons in suits who wouldn’t take no for an answer at paying up BMI/ASCAP protection fees.<<
I know one of those bar owners. The Ascap guy literally pounded his fist on the counter demanding that she fork over - are you ready for this - $800 a month!
She only has “originals” bands and this far has refused. It’s been about two years.
They will try to look at bands’ set lists and look for a “louie louie” or something among the bunch.
Also they will insist that if a tv is on, a commercial could come on with some song they own, ergo you pay.
None of the money gets back to the artists who are impacted.
It’s about collection, not payouts.