Vinyl Music Hall Sued by ASCAP over Cover Band Playlists

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Downtown Pensacola's Vinyl Music Hall is being sued by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). The federal lawsuit alleges that Vinyl stopped paying its licensing fees in 2022 -- but prior to that had been in compliance with performance law since at least 2010. ASCAP claims the venue continued to host cover bands that performed copyrighted songs, including "Hit Me With Your Best Shot";“If I Could Turn Back Time”; and “Kiss Me Deadly” without paying the performance fee. The venue's owners tell the PNJ that they hadn't been formally notified of the lawsuit but expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved quickly. ASCAP has filed similar claims against 15 other venues across the country.