Thread: What music is NOT under BMI/ASCAP ?

I'm still confused about all the licensing issues, but let's just say I don't want to have to pay ANY agency for the right to teach with belly dance music. (I don't mind paying the performer, though.)

So is there a list somewhere (or can we make one) of songs/cds/musicians who are not part of the BMI/ASCAP scheme? Is there "safe" music out there?

Shira suggested Mary Ellen Donald's "Gems of the Middle East" -- what else?

Tim Rayborn/Solace

Hollywood Music Center's music
The band Sirocco (Uncle Mafufo and Suleyman)
Brothers of the Baladi

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Hollywood Music Center's music
The band Sirocco (Uncle Mafufo and Suleyman)
Brothers of the Baladi

Do you have to pay for the use of HMC's music?

Originally Posted by yeli

Do you have to pay for the use of HMC's music?

I know someone who uses their music in class, and also buys CD's wholesale from them to sell to her students. They're quite happy to let her use their music in class because of the fact that she drives sales for them.

They also gave her useful advice when ASCAP came sniffing around asking for money. They were very helpful.

HMC music is not part of the cult?! That's fantastic!! I have just about every CD they've produced.

But John B's "Jamileh" -- isn't that on an HMC CD, or was that on one of his self-produced ones? And we've already discussed how that one is licensed.

I guess I'd be safe if I picked an HMC cd and just checked to see if any of the songs I want were in the BMI/ASCAP catalog?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :)

What about Suhaila's cd's?

i dont think Suhaila's CD are...we always use her music to perform to or to or teach with as her students here in San Diego, she has not said anything to us.

You can go onto the BMI website and search their files:
BMI.com

I had to do that for a restaurant gig that my band played once a month. Nothing in our repertoire was listed, not even Caravan by Duke Ellington. Songs are copryrighted as well as recorded music, so even live bands are subject to the BMI shakedown. Actually, the band wouldn't have had to pay, the restaurant owner would, and their profit margin was so narrow they couldn't afford to do so. They only had live music once a month, it's not like they were a regular nightclub or live music venue.

BMI told them they couldn't even have a radio turned on without paying BMI!

You can use Americanistan music, probably just about any belly dance music without offending BMI.

Just go to their website and type in the artist, song title, or composer/songwriter and you can find out for sure.

I'm trying to think of an appropriate acronym for BMI. Bastard Music Impresarios? Big Mean Idiots? They really hassled and threatened our poor little restaurant owners.

You can use my CD "Golden Days Enchanting Nights" free for teaching and performing, even if a video is made as long as the video is for your personal use. However, if you make a video or compilation CD for commercial sale which includes any of the tracks, I request that you license it for that purpose and pay a small fee. Oh yeah, it's not covered by BMI/ASCAP.

Originally Posted by dunyah

I'm trying to think of an appropriate acronym for BMI. Bastard Music Impresarios? Big Mean Idiots? They really hassled and threatened our poor little restaurant owners.

How about Bastard Music Intimidators? I dunno, nothing really comes to mind. But ASCAP is easier: American Scammers Compelling Atrocious Payments.

Sands of Time is not with either BMI or ASCAP.

There are only 4 albums so far, but others are forthcoming. Leila of Cairo's albums are also not with them either.
Yasmin

Originally Posted by zorba

How about Bastard Music Intimidators? I dunno, nothing really comes to mind. But ASCAP is easier: American Scammers Compelling Atrocious Payments.

..l;,..l;,

Can you please give me some information on what the fee would be for commerical use of your music, and how does it work? dkhoss@cox.net
thanks,

Originally Posted by leylalanty

You can use my CD "Golden Days Enchanting Nights" free for teaching and performing, even if a video is made as long as the video is for your personal use. However, if you make a video or compilation CD for commercial sale which includes any of the tracks, I request that you license it for that purpose and pay a small fee. Oh yeah, it's not covered by BMI/ASCAP.

so lets say if I want to work with the live band and the band is playing Aziza or Enta Omri or Set El Hosen for me for my commercial DVD production. How do I get information if this is legal and where I will be paying this fee or if there is such legal fee? Do I still go to BMI or ASCAP and find out if the original composer was listed in their list?

Originally Posted by turkishdancer

Do I still go to BMI or ASCAP and find out if the original composer was listed in their list?

yes

I found Enta Omri composed by Abdel Wahab, since he was the original composer of the music, it is registered under his name. There is a phone number that I need to contact.

Originally Posted by turkishdancer

Can you please give me some information on what the fee would be for commerical use of your music, and how does it work? dkhoss@cox.net
thanks,

PMing you.

Jalilah's series is by Piranha.

Also it seems like CD baby has alot of belly dance music on emusic.com

Originally Posted by ssipes

Jalilah's series is by Piranha.

Also it seems like CD baby has alot of belly dance music on emusic.com

My CD will be on emusic.com (from CDBaby) soon. CDBaby and emusic are distributors, not music publishers, and do not own rights to any of the music they sell other than as retailers.

Shira, is EMI related to BMI, do you know? Thanks!

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

Shira, is EMI related to BMI, do you know? Thanks!

They are different.

BMI is a sort of union of music composers and lyricists, and it represents them in going after places that play music to demand royalties. For example, it targets restaurants, dance studios, retail stores, etc.

EMI is a company that sells music. They work with a lot of the Middle Eastern pop artists to put their music on CD, and market it.