Panel Schedule

Atlantis’ Educational Panels for 2006 will feature more than 155 top music industry executives with expertise in virtually every area of the business exploring issues currently facing all genres of the music industry.  These panels are educational, entertaining, and are designed to shed light on the various aspects of the music industry, whether you are a novice just starting in the business or are a seasoned professional. The educational panels will be held during the day at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. 

We will be announcing more panels and panelists in the weeks to come so please check back for updates! 

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Making The Most Of It, A Guide To Music Conferences
11:00 am – 11:45 am / Georgia 2
Join artist/industry consultant Ravi at this panel as he helps you create your own personal blue print for getting the most out of your Atlantis experience. In addition, he will discuss the topic of Running Your Career as a Business.  Ravi has been a long time supporter of Atlantis and knows his way around, drop in, have a listen, and map out your Atlantis weekend.  Ravi is sponsored by Greg Bennett Guitars.

Panelists:
Ravi – Artist/Industry Consultant, Ravi Enterprises

KEYNOTE: The Record Business is Dead: Long Live the Music Industry
Featuring Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing, Electronic Arts
Sponsored By Creative Loafing
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
In what promises to be an incredible glimpse behind the scenes of the music and video gaming industry relationship, Steve Schnur, will share his professional insights and experiences of the changing dynamic of the music industry in the new digital age.    As Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing for Electronic Arts, the world’s leading independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for advance gaming systems, Steve Schnur is responsible for the pursuit, creation and continuous development of the global vision for music. In the last five years, Schnur’s efforts have brought established stars, breakthrough new artists and award-winning composers to top-selling EA franchises such as Madden NFL, FIFA, Need For Speed, Harry Potter, Medal of Honor, The Sims and more.  He has helped change the industry’s perception of video games from simple ‘licensing opportunities’ to their now-essential role in artists’ careers. His EA Trax initiative established the collaborative partnership with hip-hop lifestyle company Def Jam to produce the acclaimed Def Jam Vendetta which resulted in the first RIAA certified Platinum video game soundtrack with NBA Live 2003.   In 2004, Schnur spearheaded the creation of Next Level Music, EA’s groundbreaking joint venture with Cherry Lane Publishing.  In 2005, he created EA Recordings, a digital record label focused on the distribution of EA’s wide-ranging collection of scores and songs. Schnur has been profiled by the New York Times, London Financial Times, and CNN.  Billboard Magazine named him “One of the Most Powerful People in the Music Business” and “One of the Top 20 Power Players in Digital Entertainment.” 

The Future of Music Think Tank
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
Since its release in 2005, The Future of Music book, co-authored by David Kusek and Gerd Leonard, has created an uproar amongst music industry and enthusiasts alike.  It’s forward thinking theories regarding recorded music in the digital age predict much change within the next 10 years as technology continues to improve.  Will music become an everyday utility cost much like water or electricity?  Have a seat, start scratchin’ your noggin, and listen in as our crack staff of savvy sorts discuss the book, how models are being broken, and what is to come as we proceed into … the future!

Panelists:
David Ross (moderator) – Owner, Music Row Publications

Gary Churgin - President & CEO, The Harry Fox Agency

Christorpher Daddio - Artistic and Commercial Director USA, Music Intelligence

Joe Fleisher- Chief Marketing Officer, BigChampagne

Hal Hassell - Director of Convergence - CMT.com, an MTV network

Steve Day – eCommerce Product Manager, Echo Music

Chris Tetzeli, Manager, Red Light Management /ATO Records

Don Van Cleave – President, CIMS

Real International Appeal
Sponsored by  Inifiniti Productions International
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 11
From the charts to the request line, independents to majors, where does your music rank globally? How important is the International market to your music?  Should you promote internationally and if so, how do you do it? This panel will inform attendees about the difference in the music charts, tour promotions, getting air play, the use of the internet and other multi-media resources (ipods, cell phones, etc.) on the global scene. In addition, we’ll also discuss the changes in currency and tracking systems for international sales. What is stopping you from going global?

Panelists:
Michael Thomas (moderator) – CEO, Infiniti Productions International

DJ Benny D

Fiona Bloom - President, The Bloom Effect

Peter Otlley - CEO, WSTA Radio US Virgin Islands

Panos Panay – CEO, Sonicbids

Lincoln Parks - Managing Partner, UnlimitedTracks.com

Brian Rikuda - President, Conduit Entertainment (BET's Ultimate Hustler)

Chaka Zulu- DTP Records/Def Jam

Indie Panel: Guide to Making Money Without A Major Label    2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 5
Step up your game … don’t be a starving artist!  Most of you already know we are here to assist the vanguards of a new era in which the "I need a record deal" mentality is replaced with "I need to SELL some records." In this panel, we’ll explore different ways you can create income opportunities for yourself without a major label deal while pushing your closer to landing a deal.  They say you give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he'll eat forever...

Panelists:
Haziq (moderator)

ET – Radio Personality, Hot 107.9

Ian Burke – Founder & CEO, Launch Pad Entertainment

Richard Dunn – Artist Development, A&R, Brash Music

Tara Garrett – CEO, Face2Face M.E.G.

Ray The Hustler - Contestant on BET's Ultimate Hustler

Richard Rumley – Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch

Michal Trammell – CEO, Break Magazine

Trilleville - Recording Artists

Jacob York – CEO, Big Cat Records

For Sale By Owner - The Digital Distro Discussion
Sponsored by nimbit   
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
Let's talk distribution in the digital age.  As an indie artist, there are emerging models and strategies for selling  your music digitally using commercial retailers such as iTunes and through mobile channels as well.  Here you'll find out ways to get your music into these channels and what the positives and negatives are with each. This panel of experts will share their thoughts on the impact of these new models on artists, fans, and the industry as a whole.

Panelists:
Patrick Faucher (moderator) – CEO, nimbit

Jonathan Alexander - CEO, Tap It FAME

Gray Gannaway – Digital Sales, CD Baby

Rich Masio - Director, Content Acquisition, IODA

Todd McGee - CEO, Groupie Tunes

Robert Weingart – CEO, AirPlay Direct

Tim Stellar - Jukeboxalive.com

Chad Garrett - Founding Advisor, BurnLounge

Jordy Trachtenberg - VP of licensing, The Orchard

Michael Shimbo – Creator, Co-Founder, President, Concert TV 

Hop In The Boat, Its The Alternative Revenue Stream!
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm / Georgia 11
Major, indie, or unsigned, it doesn’t really matter.  Artists are making money and it is not from CD sales alone.  The consumer is actually paying for downloads these days!  Jack White wrote a song for Coca-Cola!  Digital sales, ringtones, video games, commercials, licensing, soundtracks, satellite radio, and more … throw your presumptions out the window and let’s figure out how to make you a solid buck as you further your career. 

Panelists:
Cassandra Willard, Esq. (moderator) - Attorney, Franklin & Willard/Full Sail Real World Education

Jon Allen – Senior Creative Director, Bug Music

Carianne Brown – Creative Licensing, Songs Publishing

Lee Johnson – Associate Professor of Music, Lagrange College

Joseph Schneider – Director of A&R, Pump Audio

Lloyd Simon – President & CEO, Production Advisors

Pam Springs – Executive Director Music Licensing, Universal Pictures

Aimee Berger - Managing Partner, Alternative Venue Entertainment

A&R Panel – The Powers That Be
4:00 – 5:30 PM / Georgia 5
The odds of your music being heard by the top dogs are slim. Even if your cd happens to grace their ears, very few artists cd’s miss the trash can. What do they want? What do they listen for? As an artist are you doing everything it takes to get them to notice you. In other words, Do you have what it takes?

Panelists:
Ian Burke (moderator) – Founder & CEO, Launch Pad Entertainment

Big Billy Clark – Senior Director of A&R, Epic

Orlando McGee - Director of A&R, Warner Brothers

Vince Phillips, Esq – Co-Founder, BME Recordings

Stephen Strother- CEO, music1.com

Courtney Sills – A&R Executive, Purple Ribbon

Eddie Weathers – Co-Founder, A&R, So So Def

 
The Little Big Town Story with Special Guest Mark Wills
6:00pm - 7:30pm / Smith’s Olde Bar
Sponsored by SunTrust & NARAS 
As a special Atlantis feature this year, the Atlanta Chapter of The Recording Academy®  and SunTrust Music Private Banking are sponsoring an exclusive country music panel.   Part educational forum and part impromptu performance opportunity, country music star, Mark Wills along with his label president Mike Krasky (President of Equity Records), Little Big Town manager Rendy Lovelady (President, Mission Management), and David Ross (Owner, Music Row Publications) will participate in a panel from 6:00 pm -7:30pm discussing the success stories of Mark Wills and Little Big Town and providing advice to aid up and coming artists. The panel will conclude with an acoustic performance by Mark Wills which will kick off the evening of country music showcases from top up-and-coming country artists from 8:00 pm - 2:00 am.

Mark Wills has just signed a new deal with Equity Records and is working on a forthcoming album.  Wills burst onto the country music scene in 1996 with his breakthrough hit “Jacob’s Ladder” which was followed by a string of Top 10 smashes.  Wills’ 2000 album Permanently became a Gold Record and Wish You Were Here (1998) went Platinum. He was named Top New Male Vocalist of 1999 by The Academy of Country Music and received nominations from the Country Music Association for Single and Video of the Year the same year.  In 2002, his single “19 Somethin’” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the charts.  At year’s end, both Billboard and Radio & Records named it the top country hit of the year.  In 2006, his version of “What Hurts the Most” from his three-year-old CD And The Crowd Goes Wild was a No. 1 iTunes download as country music fans discovered Wills’ original recording of the song when they were searching for the chart-topping remake by Rascal Flatts.

Little Big Town’s album The Road to Here, has been certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  Additionally their single “Boondocks” reached the Top 100 on the Billboard charts and achieved an RIAA Gold Certification for digital sales in excess of 100,000 all while on an independent label.  The panel will wrap up with a performance by the band which will kick off our Country music showcase.

Panelists:
David Ross (moderator) - Music Row Publications

Mark Wills - Equity Recording Artist

Mike Kraski - President, Equity Music Group

Rendy Lovelady - President RLM/Mission Management

Tour Your Van Off
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm / Georgia 5 / Sponsored By Armed Forces Entertainment
If I take my shit van on the road and play 200+ shows a year for $75 bucks a
night and the guarantee of plenty of free PBR what will happen?  Will the talent buyer want us back if we draw 10 people? 50 people?  Will a booking agent notice that we're out there doing it alone and take an interest?  Should I start regionally, go where my music has a scene or just go wherever I can get us booked?  Is every show a good show?  When should I play for free?  Can I wager with a talent buyer even if I've never played in a city?  Will a label care if I’m drawing a crowd to live shows any more than when I sent my demo in three years ago and I heard nothing?  Or will I end up back at home with no glory and just decide to trade in the busted van for a dirt bike.  Join us for this panel before you hit the road.

Panelists:
Adam Elfin (moderator) – First Contact Agency, Agent

Eva Alexiou – Owner/Agent, FATA Booking

Greg Green - Talent Buyer, Masquerade

Jeff Howard – Agent, APA

Mike Kelley – Owner/Agent, Seamless Talent Agency

Rendy Lovelady - President RLM/Mission Management

Dan Rozenblum - Owner/Agent Thunderdome Touring

Sarah Tober - PR, Armed Forces Entertainment

Alan Wolmack – Manager, CEC Management

Knowledge of College: How to Succeed in the College Market 
Presented by UGA
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm / Georgia 5
Wanna tour college towns all over the nation?  Looking to attend a music industry program at a university?  Looking to get some college media attention?  Well, consider this your one stop shop for all three!  This group of panelists will discuss what goes into planning a successful college tour, what it takes to get your name in the papers and on the airwaves, and they'll even get you book-worms stoked on studies and tell you why your parents are right about going to college even though all your favorite Rock Gods never did that whole bit.  It’s a  new game kiddies, college got cool, so get out those Sidekicks, PDA's, and digital voice recorders and let's take some notes on the music biz forward thinking style!

Panelists:

Bruce Burch (moderator)– Administrative Director, UGA

Steve Dancz – UGA

Greg Diekroeger – Assistant Director Campus Activities, NACA

Corey Ellis-Auburn Moon Agency

JJ Flores – Radio Promotion, Team Clermont

Buster Phillips – Agent, CAA

Lyn Schenbeck – Lagrange College

Cassandra Willard, Esq. - Attorney, Franklin & Willard/Full Sail Real World Education

Producers Panel: Process of the Placement & Beat Battle 
Sponsored by Dynamic Producers
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom

The hustle, grit and grind of a producer getting his track placed are commonplace in the industry. There is no one formula to capturing that placement.  Come hear from producers who have found their own magic placement formula and succeeded.   In addition, we challenge you to a battle of the beats ….come in, lay it on us and let our panel of established judges critique your work.  

Panelists:
Oak (moderator) - 9X9 Entertainment

Focus- Aftermath Entertainment (The Game, Tony Yayo)

Kevin "KHAO" Cates, Intaprize/GTT Entertainment (T.I., Young Dro, Young Jeezy, Lil

Kim, Paul Wall)

Nitti- So So Def Producer/PlayMaker Music (Eightball &MJG, Young Jeezy, Young Joc)

Platinum Brothers (Christina Aguilera, Keisha Cole, Charlie Wilson)

Toomp- NZone Entertainment (T.I., Lil Jon, Ludacris, 112)

The Hard Rock/Metal Extravaganza
Sponsored by Local Love Loud   
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm / Georgia 2
Never has a genre been so supported by a small but loyal following. Heavier music has always been perceived as "the outsider."  However, in recent years, it’s been bolstered in popularity more by the "underground internet" than by sales figures. This genre has proven its timeless longevity with groups who have not had hits since the early 80's, yet they constantly headline sold-out European open air events.  Our panelists have discovered ways to further unite the heavy community through forward thinking clubs like "Local Love Loud" and they will share their knowledge of all that is heavy!

Panelists:

Gogi Randhawa (moderator) – Owner, Local Love Loud

Ryan Bennett - AtlantaRockShows.com

Jason Gates – Talent Buyer, The Darkside

Aaron Hickman – DJ, 105.3 The Buzz & DJ/Program Director for webradiovision.com

Mike Kelly - Owner/Agent, Seemless Talent Agency

Steve "Steveo" Robertson – A&R, Atlantic Records

Derek Shulman – A&R, DRT Entertainment

The New Face of A&R
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 5
Most of us have seen it happen, that indie band that a few thousand people knew about, lands a major deal and all of a sudden they are on TRL and fans across the planet are craving their tunes.  Fall Out Boy went from indie Fueled By Ramen Records onto Island Records, Maroon 5 from Octone to J Records, and Avenged Sevenfold from Hopeless Records to WBR.  Do majors develop artists anymore?  Have the indies become a farm club for the majors?  Do the indies like having artists snubbed from their roster?  Are they working with the majors?  Is indie even indie anymore?  We get down to the nitty gritty as panelists from both worlds bear their truths.

Panelists:
Reid Hunter (moderator) - Attorney, Serling, Rook and Ferrara, LLP

Yu-Ting Lin - Label Manager/A&R Octone Records

Michael Caplan – Senior VP of A&R, Sony Music Label Group

Rory Felton – CMFIC, The Militia Group

Jimmy Landry – A&R/Producer/Consultant, Virgin Records

Marketing Guerilla Style
Sponsored by Face2Face
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 11
Myspace.com, YouTube.com, Purevolume.com, and many, many, more - new alternative marketing opportunities are popping up everywhere and as an artist you have to get your name out there.  These companies are helping unsigned artists do just that, some in ways you might not have even thought possible.  Not to mention, they might even help you make a decent wage along the way!  No more complaining about not being famous yet, just get out there and start building that buzz!

Panelists:
Ritch Esra (moderator) – Publisher, Music Business Registry

Preston Craig - Blogger/DJ, KissAtlanta.com/Decatur Social Club

Sean-Michael Dore - Director of Operations/New Media, Mamoth Press/Vagrant Records

Tara Garrett – CEO, Face2Face M.E.G.

Eric Levin – Owner/President, Criminal Records/AIMS

Don Rohr – A&R, Virgin Records

Josh Rowe – Sponsorships/Strategic Marketing, PureVolume/Unborn Media

Gary Johnson - Director, Field Marketing Department, Cornerstone Promotions

Welcome To The Ladies Room
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
Women are making their mark in every facet of the industry.  They are the women who seized the moment, took advantage of emerging opportunities and are making an impact in the music industry.  Come hear from top female execs in key leadership roles on their secrets to success and how they are shaping the music business of the future.  

Panelists:

Catherine Brewton (moderator)– BMI, VP, Writer/Publisher Relations

Michele Caplinger - NARAS

Dee Dee Murray- General Manager of Purple Ribbon

Makeda Smith- BME Recordings/ VP Eighth Grade Publishing

Uwanda Carter, Esq. – Attorney, The Carter Law Firm

Dedra Davis Esq – Attorney, Listen & Exchange

Tse Williams – Owner, Nine Lives Entertainment & Manager, 3LW 

SoundExchange Panel
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm / Georgia 2
Songwriters and music publishers have received 9 Billion dollars from ASCAP and BMI from radio play since 1972. However, if U.S. performers had the equivalent rights, which performers in the UK do, there would be 4.5 billion more dollars in the pockets of artists and the same amount for record companies except for those artists who own their own masters, in which case they got both shares!

Panelists:
John Simson – Executive Director, SoundExchange

Conversations w/ Teddy Riley and special guest
Sponsored by NARAS
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
The Atlanta Chapter of The Recording Academy Presents this incredible opportunity to hear from two of the most influential producers in music today. 
The acknowledged “King of New Jack Swing,” Teddy Riley's enviable list of platinum-laced credits include Usher, Jay-Z, Bobby Brown (“Don’t Be Cruel”), Whitney Houston, The Rolling Stones, N’SYNC, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Patty LaBelle, Back Street Boys, Prince, MC Hammer, Tom Jones, Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, LL Cool J, Britney Spears, the Winans, Steve Wonder, Quincy Jones, Johnny Kemp, Blackstreet, Guy, Keith Sweat, Mary J. Blige, Hi-Five, Al B. Sure and Toni, Tony, Tone, among many others. A musical chameleon, Riley’s multi-faceted talents – as a performer, songwriter and producer – crosses all musical genres, incorporating elements from hip hop, rap, R&B, jazz, funk, hand-clapping gospel and Latin rhythms.  Riley has helped create music resulting in the sale of more than 100 million albums worldwide.  His discography includes sole or shared writing credits on more than 460 songs.  He has produced 10 platinum albums and at least 22 platinum and 11 gold singles, working with a wide range of artists crossing all genres of music, both cultivating new talent and shepherding superstars.

FEATURING:

Teddy Riley – Super Producer & Performer (Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Blackstreet)

Russ-T Cobb - Tall Music, LLC Producer

Billy Hume - The Zone Studios Producer

BMI’s How I Wrote That Song
Sponsored by BMI
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
The song of the moment, the ones who wrote and performed it, in front of you explaining everything from the inspiration to how it got on the radio.  Oh yeah...and they’ll play their music too.

Panelists:
Catherine Brewton – VP, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI

Dallas Austin - Producer/songwriter/keyboardist/remixer

Teddy Bishop - Producer

Ed Roland - Singer/Songwriter, Collective Soul

Brent Smith – Singer/Songwriter of Shinedown

Jason Todd - Guitarist of Shinedown
 
Bilal - Recording Artist

Catherine Brewton – BMI, VP, Writer/Publisher Relations

MasterWriter Demonstration - Everything the Songwriter Needs in One Program Sponsored By Masterwriter
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm / Georgia 2
Best of Show Winner at MacWorld Expo and the recipient of rave reviews in every major music magazine, MasterWriter is the ultimate collection of writing tools and is used by some of the world's most successful songwriters.  Attend the MasterWriter demonstration and prepare to be amazed.  You will also have a chance to win an Epiphone acoustic guitar.

Panelists: TBA

Project Management - Independent Artist Development
Sponsored by Showgun Entertainment, Inc.
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 11
To rise to the top and achieve success you need a team - a great team AND you need a strategy - an unbelievable strategy.  This panel is made up of successful professionals representing every area of the business - managers, agents, radio promoters, publicists, distributors, artists, tour managers, producers, and artist development people at an independent label.  Join them as they offer up solutions for building your own team and developing your winning career strategy. 

Panelists:
Dennis Kurtz (moderator) – Principal Partner, Showgun Entertainment

Michael Bennett - Mnaager, J Pat Management

Michael Dixon - Manager, Michael Dixon Management

Richard Dunn – VP of Artist Development, Brash Music

Alexis Kelley – Retail Marketing, Live Wire Entertainment

Michelle Roche - Publicist, Michelle Roche Media Relations

Cass Scripps - Agent, Metro Talent Group

ChaChi Siscar – Head of Specialty Radio Promotions, Uncle Promotions 

Sky Hy – Recording Artist

Radio On The Run
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Georgia 5
Radio is changing to meet the needs of the consumer and competition makes the consumer the winner. To say that satellite and internet radio is going to kill terrestrial radio is as absurd as the thinking that cable television was going to do away with network television. What it did do was provide more options for the consumers and it changed the way the networks approached their programming, especially with their news shows as the consumer turned away from 1 hour news shows for 24 hour news coverage on cable. Today’s commercial radio is responding to its competition by changing its delivery through website streams, blogs and sending the bands name, name of the song and show messaging right onto the face of your radio and big changes are still ahead for radio on the run!

Panelists:
Mark Willis (moderator) – Co-Owner Atlantis Music Conference

John Dickey – Executive Vice President, Cumulus Broadcasting

Jay Frank – Head of Artist & Label Relations, YAHOO! Music

John Kilgo – Sr. Director of Label Relations, Cumulus Broadcasting

Moby – Moby in the Morning

Toby Russell - SE Regional Promotions, Republic/Universal Records

Margo Smith – Music Director, 92.9 daveFM

Mary Catherine Sneed – Consultant

Greg Steele – CEO, Sirius    

DJ Pool Panel: The Mixtape Connection 
Sponsored by So So Def 
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm / Capitol Ballroom
Out with the old and in with the new! Nobody is sitting back waiting and chasing a record deal. The record deal is now chasing the artist. Mixtapes have been around since the 80’s but in the last few years they have been the ticket for many artists to land a deal.   Find out how self produced and self distributed Mixtapes are being used to create a major buzz on the streets and capture a deal. 

Panelists:
DJ Nabs - Air Control Ground Control Music Publishing (Moderator)

DJ Mars – SuperFriends

TJ Chapman - TJ's DJ's

Ray Hamilton - Legion of Doom

Kawan “KP” Prather – VP, A&R Sony Music

DJ Klever – The Allies

DJ Benny D – Konvict Music

Mami Chula – DJ, Hot 107.9

DJ X-Rated

Playa Poncho

Strategic Planning Workshop
Presented by Face2Face M.E.G. 
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm / Georgia 2
Face2Face Management & Entertainment Group has rapidly grown into one of the industry's leaders in bringing independent artists to the mainstream. Through groundbreaking partnerships with Trans World Entertainment, Face2Face is giving independent artists national exposure. Tara Garrett, CEO and co-founder of Face2Face, will give you insight on how the company has been structured and grown from its beginnings. You will learn about her revolutionary marketing plans that have resulted in numerous artists charting in Billboard. Come to learn how Face2Face is becoming a major player in the music business.

Panelists:
Tara Garrett – Face 2 Face

Ownership is 9/10's of the Law - Stand Up For Your Publishing & Performing Rights!
Sponsored by SESAC
4:00 – 5:30 PM  / Georgia 5
So, you've written a hit. You have performed it to all of your friends. You are excited! You then turn on the radio and shockingly, you hear YOUR buddy singing YOUR song! YOU never copyrighted it, YOU can't perform it, and you can't do anything about it! Does Publishing and Performing Rights confuse you? Well, you aren't alone.  Let this talented panel walk you through everything you need to know, so you can rest assured that you're protected.   From licenses and performing, to writing for hire, they will explain exactly what all the "fine print" means and how to get paid!  So, stop letting your friends steal your work! Learn the laws and take control, for Masterpieces are even better, owned!

Panelists:

Monica Benson – Bok Music

Robert Case – President, New Pants/Old Pants Publishing

David Kastle - MovieCues, Inc.

Sindee Levin – President, American Mechanical Rights Agency, Inc.

John Mullins – Associate Director, SESAC

Todd Parker – Sr. Dir of A&R, Windswept Publishing

Meredith Valiando – A&R, Spirit Music Group

Steven Weber – West Coast Director, The Royalty Network

Producer You Can Use
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm / Georgia 11
Where can you find a producer who has a credible name and caters to unsigned artists?  Right here my friends!  Each of these producers boasts quite a nice track record.  They are not only willing to work with unsigned bands, it’s their passion.  We’ve even included a couple of producer managers who will tell you how they match artists with producers on their roster.  Discussions will include recording home demos, making an album on a budget, pre-production, mastering, and all in between.

Panelists:
Russ-T Cobb – Producer, Tall Music, LLC

Dan Hannon - Producer, Counterfeit Mistress Productions (Aaron Shust, Pete Schmidt)

Billy Hume - Producer, The Zone Studios (Ying Yang Twins, YoungBloodZ, Rehab)

Nicole Jurovics - Producer Manager, Timbre Unlimited

Matt Malpass - Producer/Engineer, Marigolds + Monsters Studio (Rookie of the Year, YoungBloodZ, El Toro)

Geoff Melkonian - Producer, Go To Your Room Productions

Dale Penner - Producer, Paradise Alley Productions, Ltd.

Michael Weeman – Producer Manger, Weeman Entertainment Group

Rock Demo Critiques
The following professionals are providing one-on-one critques for rock artists during the conference.  In order to be eiligble to participate in a rock demo crique session, advance sign up is required.

Joshua Aaron- President, Aaron Entertainment Group

Lauren Aparicio - DJ, BreakThru Radio

Jenn Bailey - A&R Virgin Records

Adam Elfin - Agent, First Contact Agency

Rory Felton - CMFIC, The Militia Group

Jay Harren - Manager of A&R, Columbia Records

Jimmy Landry - A&R/Producer/Consultant, Virgin Records

Shawn Moseley - A&R, Epic Records

Ronan Chris Murphy - Producer, Veneto West

Liz Redwing - Manager, Redwing Management & Consulting

Scott Register - CIMS/Reg's Coffee House

Don Rohr - A&R, Virgin Records

Emily Smith - DJ, BreakThru Radio

Andy White - DJ, 96.7 The Buzzard