Zappa.com

I'm trying to get in touch with anyone who can help me get information about aquiring the rights to sample a Zappa song.

The song is actually for charitable causes and whatnot, so it's for a good thing!

I've already emailed gail and it's been well over a week with no response but I'm almost positive she's extra busy these days so I just wanted to know if there was another outlet to reach out to.

Thanks in advance.

Emailing Gail is the best option. You may not get the answer you want, and it may take awhile, but I don't know another way.

Any specific info on how to do that?

I'm interested in seeking permission to photograph one of ZPZ's performances.

yup, gail@zappa.com is the addy you need.

_________________
"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

Don't forget to bring your check book.....

_________________
Everytime we picked a booger we'd flip it on this one winduh. Every night we'd contribute, 2, 3, 4 boogers. We had to use a putty knife, man, to get them damn things off the winduh. There was some goober ones that weren't even hard...

Why is that?

Gail makes a big deal about groups must PAY for the right to play the music. She even believes that bar bands, tribute bands, and the like should PAY. Licensing laws aside, that's wot she tinks!

_________________
Everytime we picked a booger we'd flip it on this one winduh. Every night we'd contribute, 2, 3, 4 boogers. We had to use a putty knife, man, to get them damn things off the winduh. There was some goober ones that weren't even hard...

Don't you think it's fair that folks making money on the music should have to pay royalties?

I, personally have little problem with that, but since that's not what I'm after, it's not an issue.

GZ has already been in touch with me (thanks again to aspy_2nd_bunch for the addy), and she has most graciously agreed to hook me up. So I'll be on Long Island in August, camera at the ready, when ZPZ takes the stage.

I was wondering if anyone knew what agencies or people take care of Zappa Plays Zappa's booking/management? I have a booking inquiry.

the FZT

_________________
Arf you out of your fucking mind.

FZT?

think i said it

_________________
Arf you out of your fucking mind.

She said yes? Cool.

Thats ZFT.

_________________

Hm alright I'm still a little confused. I'm guessing no one knows who I can contact besides maybe talking to Gail.

Yes indeed. She answered me the following day (an unusual situation I'm led to believe). Not only did she consent, she even had a few nice comments about some previous work I linked her to.

While I am a pro, performance photography is strictly a pass-time for me, so I have no intention to use the shots commercially. Offered to sign releases to that effect, but she didn't mention anything about it in her e-mail... When I register the copyrights, I'll include the ZFT as a rights holder, so even if I wanted to sell them, I couldn't do it without their permission as well.

That's great she's agreed. Good for you, and you're welcome for the addy.

_________________
"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

That's a good idea if you don't want people to hear Frank Zappa's music. That's great!

I'm not sure how sampling a song would work, but it's likely different from playing a song live somewhere. Project/Object has become expert on this topic. Venues pay organizations such as ASCAP a fee to cover music being played by their bands. So the ZFT is already getting paid for the performance, so they can't charge someone on top of that. P/O has been hassled alot by the ZFT on this issue, and, of course, won, because it's the law.

It's sure a crappy way to deal with folks who want to spread the Zappa word to the masses, imo. Luckily, in this instance it seems to be working out OK.

_________________
Everytime we picked a booger we'd flip it on this one winduh. Every night we'd contribute, 2, 3, 4 boogers. We had to use a putty knife, man, to get them damn things off the winduh. There was some goober ones that weren't even hard...

Not to belabor the point, but I'm not interested in sampling either (and BTW, IMHO sampling = cheeze). I merely wanted to get an artist's exception to the venue's ban on "professional" cameras, which I was given.

As an artist whose had his work "sampled" (read that stolen) and used without permission, I have absolutely no problem with the ZFT's stance on the subject.

But then, I'm not trying to make a buck on someone else's legacy either.

And do try to keep in mind that Franks own opinion of "the masses" was often scathingly unflattering...