Your introduction to Copyright & Music Publishing
- Fally Afani
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Navigating the business side of music doesn’t come naturally to every songwriter or performer — but understanding music publishing and copyright is essential if you want to build a sustainable career. That’s why the Lawrence Music Alliance will host quarterly “Office Hours” sessions focused on music copyright and publishing, starting July 16. These informal, musician-friendly meetups are designed to help artists get their questions answered, learn best practices for royalty collection, and connect with professionals who have been through the process themselves.
Our next session features Kansas City-based songwriter and musician Beth Watts Nelson, who will share her firsthand experience stepping into the world of music publishing after two decades of focusing on performance and education. Whether you’re just getting started registering your works with a PRO or looking to maximize your royalties, this is a chance to build some practical knowledge that can help you make the most of your creative work.
"I've been writing songs for over twenty years but have only recently begun to consider the business side of music. Collecting royalties through copyright seems like a great way to make passive income after the hard work of writing, recording, and playing my music live," says Watts Nelson. "I created an account through ASCAP when I put out an album of original songs in 2024. Since then I have registered thirty-five works with that Performing Rights Organization (PRO). In 2024 I made $.03. So far in 2025 I am up to $.16! I started registering set lists in October 2024 and tried to keep it up for a while but it didn't seem to make too much of a difference so I've fallen behind. I'd love to learn more about how to maximize royalties from the songs I create, record and perform."
Guest Bio
Recently ending a twenty-year career as a choral director in public schools, Beth Watts Nelson can now be found pursuing her muse in various projects throughout the Kansas City area. A native Kansan, she recently released an EP of songs inspired by the Flint Hills titled “Tallgrass”. Her rocking string band, Little Miss Dynamite, combines the acoustic forces of some of KC’s finest musicians (Betse Ellis, Brandon Day, and Caleb Gardner) and released its debut EP, “Grow Up” in May 2024. Beth also sings and plays the clawhammer banjo in the fiery old time string band, Catgut, and is a founding member of the Konza Swamp Band, a long-standing pillar of the local Bluegrass scene. Her newest duo project Beth and Brandon, performs original songs that sound as if they were already born with the patina of decades in the songbook of Americana. Their debut EP “Washtucna Waltz” released July 11, 2025. With a voice that cuts straight to your soul, and playing a vintage Martin guitar or clawhammer banjo, she will evoke smiles and tears – often at the same time.
Beth holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas State University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Her songwriting awards include the Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase, the John Hartford Memorial Festival Songwriting Contest and the Ozark Mountain Soul Songwriting Competition. Her trio “The Harmony Sisters” won first place at the Kansas State FidPick Harmony Singing Competition. Beth is a 2023 recipient of the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant and a 2024 inductee of the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Touring Roster. She is currently the founder and director of Notorious Chorus, a group singing workshop for adults in Kansas City.
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