YES ASCAP is trying to kill my little coffee house with my little stage and my little want to only play original music and supporting our little music scene here in little Sacramento.
So I own a small coffee house in Sacramento with a small stage including a piano. Having been a musician myself, who played only small venues, I wanted to support the local music scene and have only original music played here. We wanted to be a place where our customers could come and know that they are hearing original fresh new sounds and for the musicians to know that they are supported and people want to hear their creations. In comes ASCAP, threatening, sending emails and contracts, harassing until we are in tears and in fear, and now face having to rip out our stage or pay the piper for tunes we aren't playing. We also have art on our walls and I wonder, are we going to have to start paying museums for works that are original, but inspired by the masters? Where does it end, do I have to close my beloved shine or face a lawsuit? Where do bands and artists have to play when every place is watched by ASCAP and the likes, just waiting to pounce to make sure they get their money for nothing, and forcing closure of some and dead air cafes with no music? How do we fight their lies - make them prove their claims - keep our doors open and a place for up and comers to play? How is this happening to my beloved shine when all we wanted was to have a place for people to come and enjoy original creations by local talent wanting to share with others?
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ASCAP killing local music scene
YES ASCAP is trying to kill my little coffee house with my little stage and my little want to only play original music and supporting our little music scene here in little Sacramento.
ASCAP threatening us to pay or stop
So I own a small coffee house in Sacramento with a small stage including a piano. Having been a musician myself, who played only small venues, I wanted to support the local music scene and have only original music played here. We wanted to be a place where our customers could come and know that they are hearing original fresh new sounds and for the musicians to know that they are supported and people want to hear their creations. In comes ASCAP, threatening, sending emails and contracts, harassing until we are in tears and in fear, and now face having to rip out our stage or pay the piper for tunes we aren't playing. We also have art on our walls and I wonder, are we going to have to start paying museums for works that are original, but inspired by the masters? Where does it end, do I have to close my beloved shine or face a lawsuit? Where do bands and artists have to play when every place is watched by ASCAP and the likes, just waiting to pounce to make sure they get their money for nothing, and forcing closure of some and dead air cafes with no music? How do we fight their lies - make them prove their claims - keep our doors open and a place for up and comers to play? How is this happening to my beloved shine when all we wanted was to have a place for people to come and enjoy original creations by local talent wanting to share with others?