Post #326488 by Kenike on Sun, Aug 19, 2007 7:31 AM

Dallas Trader Vic’s is a beautiful, exotic, wonderful place to go to escape the everyday stress of the world outside and forget your cares for a short while.

But if I ever hear “Disco Duck” again while I’m sipping a specially prepared Voodoo Grog…I swear I’m never going back.

The musical selections that they’ve been playing since they’ve opened have left a lot to be desired. Almost no exotica or Hawaiian music, but usually latin-flavored dinner music (not sure what exactly that genre is called). I have had numerous conversations with management about it and even submitted a CD with the types of music I think they SHOULD be playing. I’ve been told that they have to be careful what they play because of copyright issues, but never got a clear answer on whether or not they pay a license fee to ASCAP or BMI or whomever.

Last night I got the word from a bartender that they got in trouble for playing the CD’s they usually play, so now they have to play what sounds to me like a satellite radio station….their choice was 70’s top 40. I’m not a hater of all 70’s music, but this is NOT the place to play it and it totally destroyed the whole Trader Vic’s experience for me. I complained 3 times, they did nothing, so I left.

I’d like to plant the bug in their ear of what they CAN do about it, but first I need to have a better understanding of how it works with restaurants. I know that if they pay their yearly license fee they can basically play whatever they want. I’m assuming it’s several thousand dollars and also assuming Trader Vic’s doesn’t want to go that way.

So what can they play besides radio? Is there music available that doesn’t fall under these laws?

Does an artist have to say on their CD if they are affiliated with ASCAP or BMI? And if not does that mean they’re safe to play?

What about “podsafe” music I hear on podcasts all the time?

I know there are a lot of artists on TC who know a lot about how this whole business works so I would REALLY appreciate some insight. I love Trader Vic’s for the experience, but with completely inappropriate music there is no experience. I can sit in my back yard with my iPod and a mai tai and do much better.

MAHALO!!