At a recent planning retreat for the Black Entertainment Music Association (March, 2007), there was conversation about a new royalty service. Sound Exchange® is a dynamic nonprofit performing rights organization that helps connect artists and record companies to receive fair compensation for licensing of their music in digital formats – specifically webcasting and satellite recording. If you are an artist, who believes that you are entitled to performance royalties from your licensing agent, you should get in touch with this group.

Here’s how it works. Since, September 2006, SoundExchange® has been collecting and processing all data, determines the royalties and has made direct distribution to all interested parties, especially the artists. If you have not registered, your payments are being held for you. It completes other services too, including providing detailed records to you about your related performances and your royalty amounts.

CALL to ACTION: Act Now. REGISTER for existing or future payments. Go to www.soundexchange.com to find out more information about the service. If you want to check and see if you or someone you know is on the list, go to plays.soundexchange.com/jsp/unpaidArtistList.jsp . Checks are issued quarterly and are sent in amounts for accumulated payments of $10 or more. A brief review, in June, 2007, indicated that these artists have payments waiting for them: Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Intruders, Albert King, The Trammps, Bunny Sigler, The Delfonics, Chuck Jackson and the list goes on and on in alphabetical order. "It could be their registration has not been completely processed, or information is not current," said Elizabeth Davis, SoundExchange® representative.

You do NOT have to register to check out the list.  If you’d prefer calling, 202.640.5858.

February 4, 2008.  New posting. Amazing results.  The most widely read of my stories and yet, not one artist has acknowledged whether this article was of assistance or if it was bogus.  Another busy weekend with lots of readers. What does that tell me about you?

Did you find this article helpful?  Were you able to collect any royalty payments? 
Do you want to know about more ways to get your music out, to find alternative ways to make money, to learn about best practices for songwriters. For a complimentary white paper "10 Tips to Bring Home the Bacon" and other artist services, go to http://bestprincipledsolutions.com/Contact.html  and receive a no obligation subscription to best practices, trends, grant notices and tips. Your information is confidential and never shared.  Find out about Coaching Calls with Kayte, a complimentary weekly session scheduled for 15 minutes.  The worst you could do, is get a question answered. Reach out for your dreams; stay focused.