What to do?!

[walter327]

A family friend E-Mailed me saying she thought she heard "In America" on an AM station around central SC. But, she rarely listens to the radio and doesn't remember the station. Well, I don't know anything about such an occurrence and my publisher knows nothing about such an occurrence. My family is investigating.I'm with ASCAP and the song is copyrighted. What should I do? Just hunt up and write all the stations in the area?, call ASCAP and ask them? What?!! Any ideas?

[matto]

I'd say there's nothing to do. If your friend knew for sure that it really was your song and had a better idea of exactly when and where the song was played, maybe you could investigate, but given the vagueness and unreliability of the information, there's really no place to start.It also wouldn't be worth spending a lot of time on something that wouldn't be likely to bring in more than a few bucks. If the play indeed ocurred.matto

[Casey H]

Hi Walt...I wouldn't even worry about it. The way ASCAP and BMI royalties work, you have to get a fair amount of airplay to get anything significant. It could be more disappointing that you weren't able to hear it (if it was played)! There is nothing like hearing your song on the radio...Your friend's details are so sketchy that you haven't anything to go on... So, don't sweat it... It's a great song and something will happen with it one day! Casey

[walter327]

Talked to my sis on turkey day, and she said, after rereading the E-Mail I got from the family friend, it sounds like she mistook an ad for the song. I know Tobey Keith does a Chevy ad that says sumthin' like "Only in America". So, we're thinkin' that's what happened. But, thanks for the feedback.

[chrisbee]

Quote:A family friend E-Mailed me saying she thought she heard "In America" on an AM station around central SC. But, she rarely listens to the radio and doesn't remember the station. Well, I don't know anything about such an occurrence and my publisher knows nothing about such an occurrence. My family is investigating.I'm with ASCAP and the song is copyrighted. What should I do? Just hunt up and write all the stations in the area?, call ASCAP and ask them? What?!! Any ideas?Hey Water! Well, in 1,000 ways it would be great if it really did happen. Casey's right though - it takes a lot of airplay in a region of the country ASCAP happens to be auditing for that quarter for money to show up in the coffers for you. But as long as the song is registered, if a lot of airplay did happen - wouldn't THAT be cool! - you'll get paid, albeit many moons from now.I wanted to join this thread also to highlight a story that I know of personally that kinda goes along with this. I know a guy from a famous band (from way back) that kept his band going over the years, changing members as the original ones left. Eventually they did a new record on a tiny indi label (moving way down the food chain). Around the time that the CD was released, he happened to be flying on an airline that had music channels for their headsets and - boom - there was one of the songs from the record!! Instead of rejoicing and writing the airline and thanking them (and worrying about whether the money would show up thru BMI later), he called them, asking if he was going to get paid and made a big deal out of it. Well, they stopped playing the song. And of course, he ruined any "in" he had for future releases showing up on regular rotation on their in flight music.So, if it does turn out to be true - man, it makes sense to exploit the connection.Good luck!cb