As most venue owners know, you can't play music for your customers' enjoyment without paying a licensing fee to BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC -- the three performing rights organizations that cover pretty much the gamut of commercially-available music for public performances.ASCAP has gone after 26 venues in 17 states for non-payment of these licenses, with hefty fines the likely result. New York's Hiro Ballroom and Chicago's O'Hare Gaslight are the only ones on the list that rang a bell with me; the varied nature of the list makes it clear that ASCAP is trying to send the message here that no matter where your bar, nightclub, restaurant, or other venue is, ASCAP reps are listening.
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