Every week I hear from people all over the country who have enjoyed and/or been moved by a tune of mine, and every other week I’m invited to lead a workshop in some town or other. During this COVID-19 pandemic I’m even able to defy time zones, by singing in the UK one day, then Rhode Island and California the next. Every day people are in touch with me to ask any number of questions about a chant or song for this or that. Thoughtful replies take time.

A couple of weeks ago I listened to my local public radio station, and it was pledge week. I’m not sure why, but I always listen to the pitches on NPR. I used to watch the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon in the 60s, too, because I went to school with two guys who had MD. I loved watching the numbers go up as people pledged their help. I adore WNYC, and I would do anything for Brian Lehrer and All Things Considered, even listen to them ask for money that I have already pledged.

As I listened this time though, I was struck  by the similarity of people who listen to public radio and don’t pledge and people who use my music without permission. People just expect stuff to be there, and I wonder if they wonder who pays for it. My favorite excuse for not pledging used to be: “I’m too busy.” This is the most common excuse people have given the good people at NPR for not pledging. “I’m too busy.” I’m not National Public Radio, but I find myself feeling as resentful as (insert most strident fund raiser at your local NPR station here). I am almost never asked if it’s okay to use my recorded music, and only occasionally do I receive a request to reprint my tunes accompanied by an offer of remuneration.

This became a particularly interesting issue (read: more than annoyingly vexing, or WTF!) when I realized my checking account had dwindled to less than $5 bucks for the first time in years. How did that happen? COVID-19. I had a fair amount of work lined up this past spring, and was looking forward to teaching and traveling and meeting new people and having an all around good time.  The thought of a real vacation fluttered by. However, NO SINGING TOGETHER IN PERSON for months, and I am once again faced with the decision: to hope that if I mention it, people will step up, ask permission, and pay the very reasonable fee when they use my tunes.

I would like to reserve the right to choose when and where I donate my time and labor. So, if you use a recording of my music you have purchased in your office, car, or home, cool. If you stream it, use it in a video, pipe it into your church, yoga studio, or coffeehouse every day to enhance the environment of your public space, or so you can show them how cool your church is… stealing. If you sing Open my Heart once to try it out, cool. If you use it every week during communion  “for a while”, or stream it on your Zoom church or Facebook Live, and haven’t licensed it: stealing. This is difficult for many people to wrap their heads around, and equally so for entitled people or churches/corporations, but it’s not brain surgery. It’s heart surgery. Grace doesn’t pay the bills

The Death of the Handshake
If you are one of the hundreds of folks who have said they’d send payment at a later date for a CD, Download Card, or some sheet music, you are contributing to the death of the honor system. Please know that I would rather you ask for the music and listen to it with a clear conscience.

Someday, I hope to be able to shake hands again. Until then, I will continue to bow, wave, and pray.