Regarding your June 14 publication “Songwriters rule,” I quote: “Steve Key’s Songwriters at Play keeps bringing you original music week after week; someone ought to give him a medal.”
Hi. My name is Peggy Penny. I am a professional singer/songwriter. I am “paid” to perform my original music because it is “work.”
In fact, event coordinators “save money” by hiring me to perform because they do not have to pay ASCAP fees when I sing my original songs. The fees saved by hiring me can be used to pay me.
Why does Mr. Starkey believe that a medal should be given for starting and promoting an organization that devalues the work of songwriters by not paying them for their work?
Maybe Mr. Starkey would like to not be paid for his work, too?
Glen’s note: I wrote about awarding Mr. Key a medal for his continued hard work to give songwriters a voice and venue in which to hone their skills and expose their work to others. It’s certainly an ongoing problem of “artists” being un- or under-paid for their work, but I know personally many of the songwriters who continue to play the Songwriters at Play showcases, and they’re happy to have the opportunity. I congratulate Ms. Penny for her success and encourage her not to debase and dismiss the efforts of others.
This article appears in Jun 21-28, 2012.
Oh, Hi, this is Peggy Penny, I have never read this comment before today May 10, 2020. I do not debase or dismiss others. I suggest that Steve Key consider booking and management to earn more income. In my letter I describe a professional way for Mr. Key to earn more income booking “original” songs written my San Luis Obispo community artists.
These new artists need the guidance and support that payment can make to their egos and careers. My success in entertainment has always come from my experience in contracting artists.
I was at home bored and saw that Mr. Key was missing the income that he could “earn” without much change. Earned by his hard work of booking artists in venues that sing original music so that the event and venues can avoid save free music from Acap fees.
The annual music walk in Atascadero was cancelled when venues did not understand and were afraid of Ascap calling them and informing them that the “all original” music walk “had to” pay $875 to ascap; when no music was listed with their company.
It is organizers with the knowledge and understanding of the legalities that saves fees to big corporate.
Sorry New Times and/or Steve Key did not understand my letter.
But, when ascap literally closed down original music in San Luis Obispo, I was burden with the responsibility of
“Trying” again to inform and teach other artists and venues how they can avoid paying out added income to a large corporation that outright threaten artists and venues using dis information.
Thanks for publishing this response. Any artist needs help, I am always here for you. peggypenny@gmail.com
Artists are welcome to come onto my new show. Thanks New Times.
Sincerely,
Peggy Penny
How incredible that these men “continue” to publish this dis information about me. Get a clue, gentlemen.
www. TheWorldPeaceShow.com is now accepting audition videos. Please send your audition video to:
PeggyPenny@gmail.com
Thanks GLen.
http://www.PeggyPenny.com
Peggy Penny