Justin, in all my ranting recently I forgot to answer one of your questions:
"MAB
Not wanting to delve too far into all this royalty talk, but you mentioned "you still have to employ Harry Fox agency" Didn't sesac purchase them a couple months back? Regardless how did/does that affect collecting my .72 cents? Maybe I'm asking what is their purpose? I've always just thought their little niche was producing various documents? What else do they do? Always wondered since we're talking about it...."
Not wanting to delve too far into all this royalty talk, but you mentioned "you still have to employ Harry Fox agency" Didn't sesac purchase them a couple months back? Regardless how did/does that affect collecting my .72 cents? Maybe I'm asking what is their purpose? I've always just thought their little niche was producing various documents? What else do they do? Always wondered since we're talking about it...."
To be 100% honest, I have NO IDEA if SESAC bought Harry Fox. For all I know, the way things are going these days, someone will probably buy SESAC next week. Which is kind of the point. It is nearly impossible to keep up with all these changes, buy outs, tech companies, business closings, openings, etc. I can't do it. I only deal with things I have personal relationships with. We had to work with Harry Fox years ago when we had that song in a Television movie, but that was all done through the publisher, SONY, and the television company, CBS, so I couldn't tell you what has happened.
If I get close to another television or movie cut, or placement, I'll let you know what I know, or if you get one, you let us know what you find out.
I do a few very simple things. I am concerned with writers and artists, finding who THEY are, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, how to analyze their material and abilities, how to understand the craft of writing, being succient and effective in what they are saying, understanding their audiences, making sure that what they do represents them well either in the writing, recording or performing. That they make connections and network effectively and understand the motivations of the people they come into contact with, being part of something larger than themselves, being aware of the ups and downs of the industry, and helping them move forward wherever and however they are.
I rarely get caught up in the minutia of the industry ups and downs, ins and out's, because I don't have to. If someone comes in contact with those elements, usually there will be someone to help them along through the next steps. For instance, if someone gets a song cut on a major artist, there is going to be major entities involved with that. Major artists are represented by publishers and labels, managers, etc. that will call the shots. There is nothing a new writeris going to be able to demand until they earn their stripes and prove themselves. They are not going to be able to write their own contracts or name their own details. They are not going to be able to demand money up front, big percentages, etc. They would be laughed out of a room trying to do that.
So I don't have to focus on things involving that with people. I show them elements, introduce them to people, and help them as long as they need my guidance, then step out of the way, and let them see where they end up. I will always be a friend and advise when they ask, but for the most part, once they are gone, they are on their own.
So asking me questions about the latest aquisition, latest social networking tool, the latest "technological achievement that is going to save the day for all music creators, and bring order to the universe", is really not going to get much of an answer. I don't know any of that, anymore than I can tell you what is happening with the charts in Texas. I just don't know and to be brutally honest, I just DON'T CARE.
I will always give you my opinion, sometimes probably more than you ask for, but I will also give the REASONS for my opinion. Might not be a good opinion, but I always will give it when asked for it. Hope that answers you.
MAB
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