|
Features
 |
| Tom Petty sat down for an exclusive interview and Q & A session |
More than 1,800 music creators, panelists and music industry professionals convened on Thursday, April 20 at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles for the first-ever national conference devoted to songwriting and composing. The EXPO kicked-off with ASCAP's annual membership meeting and included a superpanel of songwriters, producers and composers, live performances and a special legislative panel addressing issues confronting music creators.
It wasn't quite Woodstock, but for those who participated in ASCAP's three-day ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO in April, the event offered enough great vibrations, musical performances, sense of community and swapping of ideas that it was a memorable, celebratory and substantive experience they won't soon forget. For ASCAP, it was a natural evolution in a long history of nurturing music creators, a bold new business venture and another big leap forward into the future of the Society and what it has to offer.
The original seed of the idea took root last summer and it quickly grew into a major undertaking. Fortunately, ASCAP's membership and marketing departments were able to draw upon years of experience in pulling together the programming necessary to make the EXPO a must-attend event. The real heroes of the project, however, were the members, many at the very top of their fields, who agreed to offer the time, wisdom, experience and enthusiasm that were the EXPO's key ingredients. As Tom Petty remarked in his generous interview and Q&A session on the EXPO's final night when asked how he and his band, the Hearbreakers, have remained so productive and close after 30 years together: "It has to be about the music." The EXPO was a huge success for that very same reason.
The months and weeks leading up to the EXPO were heavy with anticipation and high expectations for both ASCAP organizers and the participants who registered. Even as Gibson Guitar and 25 other sponsors signed on in support and after the EXPO sold-out five weeks before the actual event, everyone knew that the true test of the EXPO's success would ultimately depend on the meaningful experience of the individuals - panelists and attendees alike - who traveled from near and far to participate.
"I Create Music" covered a lot of ground in three days. Writers, composers, publishers, music industry professionals, journalists, attorneys, music technology reps and many other people came together as a community to explore, substantially and honestly, the music creator's craft and career. Panels represented the full gamut of musical genres: pop, country, r&b, hip hop and soul, film and TV music, Latin, musical theatre, gospel and contemporary Christian, symphony & concert, jazz, game and advertising music. Several career building workshops gave real, usable advice on how to get a leg up in the business. Song listening panels gave straightforward and valuable advice on craft to songwriters who had pre-submitted tracks. Other panels explored the international market, technology, music publishing and helpful companies and services available to songwriters and composers.
The event had barely concluded when positive feedback began flowing in from many different corners. Lydia Hutchison, Editor and Publisher of Performing Songwriter Magazine and a panel moderator, said, "This conference has, hands down, been the best I've ever been to. The quality of the panels was astounding, and what made it so great is that these legends of songwriting all wanted to be here - they all know the importance of sharing their art and craft with others who are in the same place they were at one time."
Lori Werch, a lyricist from Chaska, Minnesota, said, "The entire Expo was an extraordinary experience! I attended unbelievably informative and intelligent panels, was in awe of Tom Petty's sincerity, and met others who share the same passion . I know the EXPO experience will carry me a long way."
ASCAP Board member, songwriter ("That's Life") and publisher Dean Kay, who also moderated a panel, commented "The ASCAP EXPO 'take-aways?'" For attendees: A feeling, perhaps for the first time, of being part of a community of creators ... a glimpse into the joys, frustrations and realities they will face as their careers develop ... and, an experience they will never forget. For me: The memory of the best conference - of any kind - I have ever attended."
For complete coverage, photos and video clips click here >>>
TOP
|
