Radio performance payments are for using songs that have owners and are not in public domain. the reason that 50 percent pf the money is for the labels is because the labels own the songs (in addition to the recordings). They get to be owners of the songs because if you are a songwriter and want your music recorded you have to give your songs to a label’s publishing arm.

But don’t think for a moment that the other 50 percent goes to the songwriters. Of that share of the gold pot, 90 percent goes to the publishers who own the songs, obtained by way of a scam, where the songwriter gives up his/her rights to the songs in exchange for about 5 percent of collected – many times nothing – royalties. The exceptions are the few “display” songwriters that make a reasonable amount of money because they are to be displayed – on the board of the so called “composer” performance societies – or because they have smart lawyers and accountants working for them.

I dont recall when I got my last royalty check worth going to the bank for depositing. I was scammed too.

Isn’t that they way it is now? I mean when was the last time you tuned in to your local radio station and heard a local band (unless they have signed with a major label) I spent 10 years in radio in the 70’s & 80’s payola was the norm,That’s whats so confusing to me now.I think the record cartel is shooting theirselves in the foot on this one. Radio is the RIAA’s Best friend The whole thing is absurd. Also I might add the average american is not fallin’ for this. It’s really hard to watch Music First complain about how much they are hurting when you can switch to Mtv and see these same artist showing off their elaborate homes and fleet of exotic cars when most of us have to bust our bunns to make ends meet.

Heh .. that’s been happening for years.
The majors pay stations to keep certain stuff high on the rotation.
It’s called Payola.
Unsigned, independent artists can’t afford to pay a radio station to be heard, so
the are left out in the cold.

The most popular form of payola works like this …..

You hear the DJ announce prominently the Name of the artist and the song that is just starting.
By doing that, the song can be considered a paid ‘advertisement’.
This loopholes through existing payola laws.

The main point is, if Radio charges to play songs, ONLY the major labels will be able to afford it.
That’s kindof what the majors want.

Nope, It was Fred’s: I’d neglected to include his by-line.

Sorry, Fred.

Cheers!