this also applies to music performed live by a band doing covers.
not primarily music being played over the radio alone.
just because you buy the sheet music to 'stairway to heaven' does not mean you can play it in public, by note or by lyrics without paying a fee to the ascap.
and it's baloney.
know several 'live music' clubs that have been burned on 'covers'.
most restaraunts now no longer sing, 'happy birthday' using the traditional tune... and yes I understand that the brownies organization got burned for some camp fire songs.
wow.
No it doesn't. You don't know what you're talking about. Live music has always been free from legalities.
Why is it "baloney" that a writer would expect to be paid for his work?
And BTW, I suspect HAPPY BIRTHDAY is in the public domain and the reason for the different versions in restaurants has everything to do with personalizing it to promote that establishment and nothing to do with ASCAP.
MM