Actually, one needs to obtain two licenses to use commercially produced music, i.e., go down to Best Buy, purchase the Kenny Rogers CD with "Through the Years", rip the song from the CD and synchronize it with video or stills.
One needs to obtain a license from the publisher (synchronization license) and from the performer (mechanical license). The mechanical license is done through the Harry Fox Agency. Check out "http://www.harryfox.com/public/licenseeServicesMechanical.jsp" for information. It is not difficult to work with HFA as one will see on the website link above.
However, getting the mechanical license is another story. One has to get permission from the publisher and that is a PITA! If one REALLY needs a particular song, consider three options:
1. Get help through the mechanical license quagmire through a clearance company like BZ Rights in NYC.
2. See if a music library has a sound-alike version of the song
3. Get a local band to perform the song.
Just my 2 cents!
Regards,
Chuck
