In 1914, Irving Berlin, already world-famous for "Alexander's Ragtime Band," became a charter member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Arrangers and Publishers. Until then, holders of copyrights on songs were compensated only haphazardly for the use of their work; Stephen Foster, the most popular American songwriter of the ... More »
SOURCE: Vulture at 08:00PM on October 6, 2016