Why don't I get royalties for that?

[horacejesse]

That is pretty amazing, Nomi. Your song has entered a kind of mass consciousness. It may go on for a long time. We all want to write something that is out there breathing and could live on, I think, and you have already done that once. Don't think I'm not impressed just because I may be squirrely at another time and place. Now you need that follow up hit. Was the gospel song a one-off?

[Casey H]

NomiFirst, congrats on what you accomplished! And you wrote it at 13!As others said, I don't think whether people pay or not or even profit/non-profit status has anything (technically) to do with performance royalties. Did you notice that most restaurants will no longer sing the standard "Happy Birthday" to a patron? My understanding is that it would cost them royalties as a public performance. Restaurants generally do their own happy birthday song instead.It sounds to me like you only have two choices. (1) Consult an entertainment attorney as to what you can do. The downside is if the churches are hassled they probably will just stop using the song. (2) Just accept it... BUT Maybe there is a way the churches can help you in return (brainstorming here) like have you to a charity concert (good PR for you as well as helping others), let you post something about you on their bulletin board... e.g. a one pager about you with your photo, that you wrote the hymn they use, and mentioning your CDs for sale. Maybe they could hold an event for people interested in music and songwriting and have you speak.I don't know if my ideas above are off-the-wall or not, but I'm thinking that with some creativity you can at least make up for the lack of royalties with something else worthwhile to you.All the best! Casey

[edteja]

Hey Hummingbird, to hear the owners of the bars I play in talk, they are unintentional nonprofits... shouldn't that count? Nomi, that is awesome. And while they might not pay royalities it is indeed a bright feather in your cap.

[jchitty]

Wow, Nomi, having a song that is popular in churches is quite an accomplishment. And while it may be difficult to collect the royalties you're due, you'll have a place in songwriting history. I can think of a few of the great songs where the songwriter didn't even get credit. The song, "Man of Constant Sorrow" is a song written by an anonymous writer, although someone told me Dylan wrote it, but I don't believe that's true. So at least you get credit for writing it. Little consolation, I know.

[nomiyah]

Thanks everyone!!!!Jchitty, actually the song was used for years attributed to "Anonymous" until the reverend from my home town contacted the publisher. I'm happy he followed through on that!!!!

[jchitty]

Quote:Thanks everyone!!!!Jchitty, actually the song was used for years attributed to "Anonymous" until the reverend from my home town contacted the publisher. I'm happy he followed through on that!!!!Good to hear that, Nomi. You certainly deserve credit.