Charlie Feldman is Vice President of BMI, one of the United States’ two largest performing rights societies, handling licensing for more then 6.5 million compositions by 300,000 artists.
Charles Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, offers advice to individuals wanting to enter the music industry. If the individual is driven and has a dream to do music, Feldman recommends following the dream. He also points out the significance of a formal education. It can act as a safety net in the future. Feldman also suggests not compromising one's talent.
Charles Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, talks about his background. He explains he was in a band in the ninth grade. They traveled through the Southeast making decent money. He continued to play through college. Feldman shares that during college, he discovered that he wanted to write songs. He went to Nashville to pursue writing where he met fellow writers. Feldman discusses how he started networking for writers. His work at Screen Gems Columbia Music is covered as well. Feldman also talks about being hired by BMI. Also in this segment, he explains that he still plays music and paints.
Charles Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, talks about music copyright law. He explains that copyright for songs has different rights attached. There is the mechanical right for the sale of CDs. There is the performance right. BMI is involved with public performance. Synchronization, print, and the grand right are covered as well. Also in this segment, Feldman mentions that there are now new rights for the digital delivery of music.
Charles Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, talks about the Harry Fox Agency. The Harry Fox Agency only represents music publishers. Feldman explains that this includes writers that have their own publishing company. Also in this segment, he discusses the synchronization license. Feldman believes that the Harry Fox Agency no longer deals with synchronization licenses. Harry Fox Agency still deals with the mechanical license however.
Charles Feldman, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, talks about tracking royalties. He explains that the music industry has revolutionized the system of tracking royalties. Historically, companies took a scientific sample of 500,000 hours of radio. However, the music industry has incorporated new technologies. Feldman shares that companies are able to track each radio performance on the largest revenue generating radio stations. Also in this segment, he shares that royalties are distributed on a quarterly basis.
