First off I’d like to take time to thank Katherine Sage, Courtney Boulding and especialy John Hornyak for putting this event together. It’s a testament to the foresight of our local Grammy chapter that they were able to pull together such an amazing group of people. I’d like to thank all of my fellow panelists on the Taking The Digital Plunge panel - Rachel Hurley from Scenestars & The Commercial Appeal, tobi from XM Satellite Radio’s XMU, Lindsey Collins from CDBaby, Rick Reed from eMusic, Neeta Ragoowansi from SoundExchange, Harold Whaley from Urban Network, Steve Mack from LUX Media, and Matt Temple from Visible School for the insights they provided to me and to those in attendance.
This type of workshop and panel opportunity doesn’t come around very often here in Memphis. Those who came and took advantage of the chance to meet with and learn from industry professionals and leaders did themselves a huge favor. Nancy Prager, an entertainment and intellectual property rights attorney based in D.C. but originally from Memphis, sent out a clear message to those in attendance to the “IP: The Real Money Maker” panel that should resonate with everyone reading: “You have to remember that this is a business. If you want to be taken seriously, there are certain things you have to consider.”
The showcase following the panels, held at The Warehouse, showcased some of Memphis’ truly amazing talent — of particular note were Mr. White, Secret Service, Men-Nefer, Chess Club, Black Sunday, and Brad Postlethwaite + Friends. The feeling of Memphis being a city on the move was a common topic of discussion by those of us watching and listening. Believe me — people are watching and listening and they are enthusiastic about what they see and hear. Congratulations to all of the performers for making their impact felt during the showcase.
After a long day of panels and showcases, we ended up at Bluefin attending a private party thrown by Ray Flemings, head of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission. We were also graced with an appearance by Justin Timberlake and his friends Chase & Kim. It was a great way to end off an exciting day of entertainment and education for both me and for all of the out-of-town visitors.
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I’m honored to be participating in this conference with several of my colleagues within the music industry and some others. If you’re a musician looking to find out how to move forward with your career, attending this conference is one of the smartest things that you can do. This is an opportunity not to be missed out on. If you do, you’ll just be short-changing yourself. Save $25 from your next gig and buy a ticket. It’s a chance to get inside the minds of people who make the music industry happen.
If you’re in a band with four people, it’s only $19.25 a ticket to participate. Take advantage of this deal. Many of these folks have never been in Memphis to speak before, and you’ll wish you had been there if you miss out.
Panelists:
- E.J. Friedman, Independent Musician, Writer/New Media Consultant, Publisher, Loudersoft.Com
- Rachel Hurley, Music Journalist, The Commercial Appeal
- J. Reid Hunter, Entertainment Attorney, Serling Rooks & Ferrara, LLP (Drive-By Truckers, Soundtribe Sector 9, Redeye Distribution/Yep Roc Records, Ray Lamontagne, The Fray)
- Steve Manning, Publicity/Marketing Director, Sub Pop Records (Nirvana, The Shins, Postal Service, Iron & Wine)
- Shawn Rogers, Television & Film Licensing, Sub Pop Records
- Patrick Moxey, President, Ultra Records (Indie label DJs John Digweed, Ferry Corsten, The Crystal Method, Morcheeba)
- Lil Keke, Artist (Houston, TX)
- Jeff Powell, Recording Engineer (Alvin Youngblood Hart, North Mississippi Allstars)
- Ralph Sutton, Recording Engineer (Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott)
- Larry Crane, Recording Engineer, Founder/Editor of Tape Op Magazine
- Brett Clark, Product Specialist, digidesign
- Cameron Mann, VP of Operations, Memphis Records/Young Avenue Sound
- Jody Stephens, Director of A&R, Ardent Studios
- Michael Watts, Founder & CEO, Swisha House Records (Label to Paul Wall, Mike Jones and leading distributor of chopped & screwed recordings)
- Mike Clarke, VP Marketing/Promotions, Swisha House
- Billy Hume, Producer/Mixer (Ying Yang Twins, Ludacris, David Banner, Lil John, Nelly)
- Michael Weeman, Weeman Entertainment Group (Manager to producer Billy Hume)
- Vanessa Satten, Deputy Editor, XXL Magazine
- Wendy Day, President, Rap Coalition (Coined major label deals for Eminem, Master P, Cash Money, Twista, Ruff Ryders)
- Peppa Williams, Mouth of the South Management (Former manager to Yo Gotti, Three 6 Mafia, indie promotions)
- Ricardo Hunter, Hunter Promotions, TVT Records
- Wes Phillips, Select-O-Hits (One of the largest urban indie distributors in the country)
- Howard Q, DJ/Promoter (First DJ to break Yo Gotti)
- Lindsey Collins, VP of Operations, CD Baby
- Nakeeta Ragoowanski, Director of Artist/Label Relations, Sound Exchange
- Rick Reed, Label Relations Representative, eMusic
- Al Thrash, Director New Business Development, Emergent Music Marketing
- David Fleishman, Fleishman Promotions
- Bob Merlis, Publicist, Merlis for Hire
- Jim Green, TCB Concert Promotions
- David Less, President, Memphis International Records
- Tonya Butler, Entertainment Attorney
- Nancy Prager, Attorney, Intellectual Property
- Thomas Cain, VP Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI
- Jay Healy, Financial Advisor (and former recording engineer to Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M.), Progress Capital Inc.
- Bruce Newman, CPA/Attorney
- Stanley J. Blue, VP, First Tennessee Brokerage
- Steve Mack, Principal, LUX Media (podcasting, streaming, webcasting)
- Michael Allensby, Associate Manager, Red Light Management (Los Lobos. North Mississippi Allstars, John Butler Trio)
- tobi, Program Director, XM Satellite’s XMU Channel 43
- John Allen, Sr. Creative Director, Bug Music Publishing
- Devin Steel, Program Director, K97 FM
- Andria Lisle, Music Journalist, MOJO/Spin/Paste/Harp/Wax Poetics Magazines
Indie Impact Seminar & Showcase
May 13, 2006
Seminar: Bridges, 477 N. 5th St., Downtown Memphis, 12 – 6 p.m.
Showcase: The Warehouse, 36 G.E. Patterson St., Downtown Memphis, 9 p.m. – Midnight
The Indie Impact Seminar is a day-long series of panels focused on independent artists and labels.
Workshops include:
* What’s your goal….do you want to be a major or an independent artist; the pros and cons of both, and who to surround yourself with in order to reach your goal.
* Label operations
* Turn your music into money (performance rights, digital royalties, copywriting, publishing, attorneys and more)
* Financial management
* Independent marketing and public relations
* Independent distribution
* Booking/promotions
* Hands-on recording workshop hosted by Digidesign (maker of ProTools)
* How to get your music in movies, commercials, on iTunes, etc.
An independent music showcase featuring the top indie rock and urban artists in the Mid-South will be presented after the seminar at 9 p.m.
Tickets for Recording Academy members are $25, non-members $45, and bands up to four members may attend for $99. Or join The Recording Academy for $100 and attend the Indie Impact Seminar & Showcase for a discounted rate of $20.
Contact the Memphis Chapter for tickets.
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If you went to the Hi-Tone earlier this year for an appearance by Hasidic reggae artist