The songwriter needs the publisher for several reasons. A publisher's second job is to place a songwriter's song with an artist or use. A publisher tries to match an artist's personality with the songwriters' tunes. Enforcement of the songwriters' catalog of copyrights is also one of the publishers' duties. Where friction is caused between the writer and publisher is the age old battle of art verses commerce or the commercialization of art.
Most artists seek a publisher with common ideologies.
Finally, my songs are gifts from heaven and should be shared by all, free of charge. This is one of the most misunderstood areas for KJ's. Any bar or club that plays any kind of music whether it be a jukebox, live band, radio or Karaoke host must pay a fee for the use of music in a public place. If the club has no music then the KJ or club owner must work out a deal as to who is going to pay the fees for the license of the bar or club. Reporting, Audits, and Monitoring which is generally used in the radio and broadcast industries.