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A music library wants to license some tracks recorded by a band I fronted about ten years ago. The songs are written by myself and another writer with whom I have steady contact. I have no problem splitting the royalties with him should the tracks be used. My question concerns the other three musicians who performed on the tracks, since no work for hire agreement was ever signed. What would be fair compensation for those who performed on the tracks but do not share writing credit. Should I draw up a contract and seek signatures from all concerned? I want to be fair, but this seems like a big pain. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? Your help is greatly appreciated.

You'll probably need to have work for hire agreements on file from the players. Libraries want stuff that's "clean". They don't want the players coming back after they hear their playing on TV and demanding a piece of the pie.

You could offer to pay them a session fee or pay them a percentage of performance royalties until a certain amount has been reached. Or give them each a percentage of the writer's share. They'll have to become members of a PRO, etc., in order to collect. Easier to just pay them off and get a release signed, IMO.

Make sure you get a collaboration agreement and power of attorney signed with your writing partner.

Good luck!

Mazz