Sorry to say bro its true about the 50 bucks. I am a member of ASCAP and have never heard of a venue charging for the royalties of a live performance. I do have a remedy however, Just start charging...for the charge that way you leave none the worse. Seriously, the whole "screw the musicians" thing is getting out of hand and really needs to be addressed by a union of some sort. This is like calling a doctor or a plumber over to do work for you then charging THEM to be there. Does that make sense??? Musicians spend a lot of time learning and perfecting a craft, and really deserve to be compensated for there prowess. In some cases they go to school make this a career. Its not always easy to miss holidays and games and anniversaries to do what they love to do, and yes we love doing it, but its still our job. That's it for my soap box moment. thanks for listening.
Thanks for the info Isaac. I knew it would be you to step forward and comment on this subject.
Sure is a shame that Mak's has such a good thing going and might ruin it by charging this unheard of fee. My understanding is that most bands play for the door there at Mak's..is that true? Also, if I understand you correctly, you are suggesting that she charge the fans at the door an fee to cover the royalties fee? I would suggest that if the band plays for the door, that the band charge an extra buck to cover the fee which would more than compensate the cost and Mak's not make the extra money. Just a thought.
On a side note...I have seen the videos of Gus at TCU and U of H. Congrats bro..looks like he is really committed and has a chance of receiving an education at the same time!!
Hes doing great looks like Houston is the front runner in the scholarship race!
as far as the maks deal yes it would be the only way to resolve that issue is to raise the price at the door. Now Im not saying thats whats going to happen but it would be a possibility.
Man, I am a little confused....she is charging the bands 50 dollars to play? and saying the money is going to pay "song writer" royalties? How does anyone know that the song writers are getting this money? This is the first time that I have heard of this, thats pretty messed up....there has to be another way that 50.00 dollars can be collected...
Hes doing great looks like Houston is the front runner in the scholarship race!
as far as the maks deal yes it would be the only way to resolve that issue is to raise the price at the door. Now Im not saying thats whats going to happen but it would be a possibility.
U of H is really making big strides in their football program....got a new stadium coming also, It will be a good school for him to attend....wish him the best of luck where ever he may go....
Here is what i found in regards to this subject...
Performance Royalties
How are performance royalties tracked and calculated? Remember that performance royalties are tracked and paid out by the performance rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and SoundExchange.
The royalty trail begins when the song is registered with one of the three performing rights organizations mentioned above. Once a song is registered, it becomes part of that PRO's collection and is available to all of its users. Most of those users have a "blanket license" to use any or all of the PRO's music, however some users license on a per program basis and only pay for the music they actually use. (This is good for users who don't use that much music.) The PROs deduct money for their operating expenses and the rest goes to the songwriters and publishers.
PRO customers include just about anyone who plays music in a public place -- even those who play "hold" music for their business. These include television networks, cable television stations, radio stations, background music services like MUZAK, colleges and universities, concert presenters, symphony orchestras, Web sites, bars, restaurants, hotels, theme parks, skating rinks, bowling alleys, circuses, you name it -- if they play music, they have to have a license and pay royalties.
Thats pretty interesting info Junkie, thanks for that insight, but does it say how much a licence costs? cuz if she charges 50.00 per band, per weekend, than that amounts to 2600.00 per year...
Thats pretty interesting info Junkie, thanks for that insight, but does it say how much a licence costs? cuz if she charges 50.00 per band, per weekend, than that amounts to 2600.00 per year...
Bro....that is a whole subject of it's own according to the little research I did but here is the basic answer...
The annual rate depends on the type of business. Generally, rates are based on the manner in which music is performed (live, recorded or audio only or audio/visual) and the size of the establishment or potential audience for the music. For example, rates for restaurants, nightclubs, bars and similar establishments depend on whether the music is live or recorded, whether it's audio only or audio visual, the number of nights per week music is offered, whether admission is charged and several other factors.
Plus she extended the dance to five hours what the hell is wrong with this lady.we aint no juckbox to be playing for four hours and 1 hour break.thats play 2 hours rest 1 and play 2 more hours.this ladys got issues Maks was an awsome place to jam but not anymore.hope no one goes anymore so she can learn her lesson.Ive also heard alot of out of town bands arnt going to perform at Macs anymore.
How are performance royalties tracked and calculated? Remember that performance royalties are tracked and paid out by the performance rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and SoundExchange.
The royalty trail begins when the song is registered with one of the three performing rights organizations mentioned above. Once a song is registered, it becomes part of that PRO's collection and is available to all of its users. Most of those users have a "blanket license" to use any or all of the PRO's music, however some users license on a per program basis and only pay for the music they actually use. (This is good for users who don't use that much music.) The PROs deduct money for their operating expenses and the rest goes to the songwriters and publishers.
PRO customers include just about anyone who plays music in a public place -- even those who play "hold" music for their business. These include television networks, cable television stations, radio stations, background music services like MUZAK, colleges and universities, concert presenters, symphony orchestras, Web sites, bars, restaurants, hotels, theme parks, skating rinks, bowling alleys, circuses, you name it -- if they play music, they have to have a license and pay royalties.
You do know, however that this means Play Back of said songs, not actual live performances. If a live performance were to be charged then you would eventually have to pay the band for their rendition of the song in question. Her juke box is what should be paying the 50 bucks and since were one of the playbacks involved then wheres our cut?!? lol...its really all a moot point since we as musicians have no union or anything to help us in legal situations like these.
well she claims to be paying out for royalties but infact she is stacking her money to pay for her beer license. why should anyone help her with that ! thats a part of running a business and expenses. she has also said she was going to start charging for parking real soon so get ready people its coming. And just one last tip always have somebody of your own working the door cause whe nobody is looking irma let me and my wife in the door for free cause we have been long time customers i know its not right but i offered to pay and she refused.
wow thats crazy.. i guess thats why some bands aren't playing there anymore?? i've gigged all over houston.. with different styles of music and thats never happen to me
I'm going into the eye of the storm ajajajaja. For real shes doing that? lmao..well that license really does cost a good penny when you first purchase it but annually I'm not sure...
I'll ck that out this weekend and keep you all informed brothas.
she needs to fix her parking lot first before she can charge for parking and put more lighting, the so called security guards that walk around eat all night and talk on the phone ain't going to cut it
The best way to voice your opinion about this is to not go to Maks anymore......cant afford an extra .25 cents for beer? consider quitting drinking....If it bothers you so much....then go up to Irma and tell her about it....tell it like it is....dont sugar coat it....
For all musicians Maks is NOT charging any Royalty Fees. The so called $50.00 does not have anything to do with any songwriter royalities, who ever is saying this is very misinformed. If any musician would like information regarding the $50.00 you can call the owners Joaquin and Irma at 713-227-5405. Mak's has been in busy for 25 years and have had conjuntos play there through out the years. For the past 3 to 4 years we've had the privileage of having some of the top conjunto performers at Mak's and yes thay have received the door at 100% without any complaints from the owers wheather they make any profit themselves. Now as we all know how the economy is Mak's also has bills to pay like everybody does, Has anybody wonder how these bills get paid? if the musicians are collecting 100% of the door and the sales at the bar are low how can Mak's survive? My understanding alot of clubs do not give 100% of the door, and alot of musicians get paid a set fee. Mak's is trying to survive in this economy taxes, licenses, utilities etc. all have to be paid if not what will happen to Mak's? It's unfortunate how rumors begin. Any one who has a business knows all that has to be done to keep the business going and if changes have to be made they will. Prior to any gigs all information is discussed with the musician and they either agree to play or not.
As stated above anyone with any questions please call/or come by Mak's Icehouse and speak with Joaquin or Irma.
especially the night T5 and Bernardo played! it was standing room only and had to be boarderline over occupied! I was there when David told the guys that Irma told him that the 50 bucks were for royalties!
I was the one that actually posted the question as to whether or not that was maybe why they cancelled. Sorry didnt realize I didnt post my name. It was just a question! I was not trying to start rumors. I love mak's!!