Keynote Interviewee

David Israelite
President, CEO
National Music Publishers Association (NMPA)

David Israelite is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Music Publishers Association.  Founded in 1917, The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) is the premiere trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriter partners. The NMPA's mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights. Music publishers control the copyrights for the underlying compositions of songs on behalf of the songwriters they represent. The Harry Fox Agency, Inc., the leading U.S. mechanical rights organization, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NMPA.

From 2001 through early 2005 Israelite served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General of the United States.  In this capacity he helped manage the United States Department of Justices 112,000 employees and $22 billion annual budget.  In addition to his general management responsibilities, Israelite served as the Attorney General's personal advisor on all legal, strategic and public affairs issues.  In March of 2004, the Attorney General appointed Israelite Chairman of the Department's Task Force on Intellectual Property.  As Chairman Israelite lead a team of high-ranking officials in examining all aspects of how the Department of Justice handled intellectual property issues and implemented proposals developed by the Task Force.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Israelite served as the Director of Political and Governmental Affairs for the Republican National Committee.  In that role he was the senior advisor to the Chairman of the National Republican Party, and was responsible for the Republican Party's Campaign Operations, Government Affairs, Research, and Presidential Liaison Divisions. 

From 1997 through 1998, Israelite served as Missouri Senator Kit Bond's Administrative Assistant, making him the youngest AA in the United States Senate.  Israelite also served as Campaign Manager for Senator Bond's successful 1998 re-election campaign.  From 1994 through 1997, Israelite practiced law in the Commercial Litigation Department at the firm of Bryan Cave, LLP in Kansas City, Missouri.  Israelite earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri in 1994 and received a B.A. in a double major of Political Science and Communications from William Jewell College in 1990.  While in college, Israelite was named Top Speaker by the National Cross Examination Debate Association, recognizing him as the nation's top collegiate debater.

Luncheon Speakers

Todd Brabec
Former Executive Vice President
ASCAP

Todd Brabec is co-author of Music, Money and Success: The Insider’s Guide to Making Money In the Music Business (6th Edition/Schirmer Books/505 pages) and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the USC Thornton School of Music where he teaches the course on music publishing, licensing of music and film, television and videogame song contracts.  Formerly Executive Vice President for the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) where he was in charge of all of the Society’s membership operations throughout the world, Brabec is the current Budget Chair as well as former Division Chair for the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries.  A graduate of New York University School of Law, he lectures extensively on all aspects of the business, legal and money side of music at universities, conventions, conferences, seminars, law firms, management firms, songwriter associations, business and law schools, and ad agencies, both in the U.S. as well as in foreign countries.

Jeffrey Brabec
Vice President of Business Affairs
Chrysalis Music Group

Jeffrey Brabec is Vice President of Business Affairs for the Chrysalis Music Group (representing the catalogues of OutKast, Velvet Revolver, Blondie, Paul Anka, Billy Idol, Jethro Tull, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, A3 (“The Sopranos” theme) Cy Coleman, Dan Wilson, TV on the Radio and Ray LaMontagne). Brabec is the co-author with his twin brother Todd (Executive Vice President of ASCAP) of the book MUSIC, MONEY, AND SUCCESS: The Insider's Guide To Making Money In The Music Industry (Schirmer Trade Books/Music Sales) and has been awarded the Deems Taylor Award for excellence in music journalism. Previously, he has been Vice President of Business Affairs for The PolyGram Music Group and Director of Business Affairs for both The Welk Music Group and Arista-Interworld Music Group. A graduate of New York University School of Law, he has also been a government legal services attorney. Brabec, a former recording artist and songwriter, is an adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music/Music Business Department and contributing editor to the Entertainment Law & Finance Magazine.

Panelists

John Rudolph
CEO, Bug Music

John Rudolph is the CEO of Bug Music, Inc., a leading global independent music publisher and innovator in music business services for over 30 years, headquartered in Los Angeles with offices across the US and Europe. Handpicked by Bug’s founders Dan and Fred Bourgoise for his knowledge of music and writers and his proven, diverse business acumen, John carries on the legacy of one of the world’s most significant independent publishers. With a deep understanding of music publishing, copyright statute, technology and global finance, he is a future focused proponent of publishers and creators rights across the world. Since his tenure at Bug began, John has welcomed many significant publishers and writers, including Jamie Foxx, Evanescence, the Fred Alhert estate, the Woody Guthrie estate, and the Thomas J Valentino production music library.

Born in Chicago and raised in Hendersonville just outside of Nashville, John was first exposed to music through his father, who toured with Woody Herman and Stan Kenton’s bands, among others, in the 50s and 60s. He began his music career carrying his father’s trombone case to union gigs in the 1970s after his father left the road. From there his knowledge and love of music grew through his father’s work in promotions and radio in Nashville in the 1970s and 1980s, attending over 100 concerts by the age 12, and later working in a Nashville record store for five years throughout high school and college.

In 1989, John began his professional career in corporate finance with IBM and was a member of the LBO team that spun out the Lexmark printer company in a $1.6bn transaction in 1990. In 1991, after experiencing the entrepreneurial latitude within a large, global technology based organization at IBM, he continued to an international accounting and consulting firm, BDO, and was based in Atlanta. At BDO, his clients included a Fortune 500 client as well as middle market service and technology companies and he received awards for productivity and client service.

While at BDO in Atlanta in the early 1990s, John provided consulting and business strategy services to a small, upstart record label, LaFace Records (a joint venture of LA Reid, Babyface Edmonds, and BMG/Arista), that was recognized as a company that revolutionized Urban and Pop music, nurtured creative as well as executive talent, and put Atlanta on the map as the center of Urban music.

After a secondment with BDO in Sydney Australia in 1994, John returned to Atlanta to work as business manager to LA Reid, LaFace Records, Reid’s Stiff Shirt Music/Hitco, and other prominent Atlanta writer, producers and artists. During this time, John managed Stiff Shirt Music Publishing with Grammy winning and chart topping hits as TLC’s "Waterfalls" and Tony Rich’s "Nobody Knows". In 1996, due to the success of Stiff Shirt, he helped Reid’s Stiff Shirt create a joint venture with Windswept Pacific called Hitco Music Publishing, a premier urban music publisher.

From his experience with Windswept in the Stiff Shirt venture, John was recruited by Evan Medow, CEO of Windswept Pacific, and in 1998 was hired as Windswept’s Chief Financial Officer at the age of 30. Beyond the financial affairs, his responsibilities included strategic planning, international consolidation, technology and online markets, and the occasional creative signing. In 1999, John, with his fellow executives, engineered the sale of Windswept to EMI for a reported $200mm in what was one of the largest music publishing transactions at the time.

In 2000 John founded Sherpa Ears, LLC, a technology company based on "Influence Technology" he developed involving social networks and an early predecessor to social networking firms like MySpace and FaceBook. Managing all aspects of the business from technology development to marketing to key partnerships, he assembled the thought leaders in sociology/social networks and music from across North America as advisors.

Out of the ashes of the Internet boom in 2001, John founded and served as the CEO of Music Analytics, the leading strategic advisor to music publishers and record companies. Rudolph developed the firm into a recognized leader in the music and money space with experience in over $3.1 billion in recorded music and music publishing music transactions. Clients included Warner Music Group, Ryko, Leiber & Stoller, Saban Music Group, Dreamworks Music Publishing, Windswept Holdings/Hitco Music, Bug Music, Savoy Label Group/ZelnickMedia, Six Degrees Records, Dominion Capital/Compendia, Carlin America, and various estates, artists, private equity and legal firms, among others.

John assumed the reins of Bug Music as its CEO in July, 2006 committed to Bug’s core ethics of advancing publishers and creators’ rights and the melding of music and technology for the promotion of arts and commerce.

John received his Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and passed the Tennessee Certified Public Accountants examination in 1992. He has spoken at such important events as the Billboard Music & Money symposium (02, 03, 05, and 06), the American Bar Association Entertainment Conference (06) and numerous other music conferences. He is an avid snowboarder and mountain climber, having climbed the highest mountain on five different continents.

John Snyder, Esq.
Grammy-Winning Producer,
Loyola University Music Chair

As an independent record producer, John Snyder, Esq. has produced nearly 300 “new” recordings since 1977 of which 34 were nominated for Grammy Awards and of those five won Grammy Awards. His record label clients have included A&M, Atlantic, Fantasy, Musicmasters, Concord, RCA, Sony, Antilles, Verve, Private Music, Telarc, GRP, Elektra, Rounder, Columbia, Evidence, and Justin Time.

Snyder is the founder and president of the Artists House Foundation, a nonprofit music company dedicated to creating educational presentations in several areas, including instruction for instruments, master classes, careers in the arts, and legendary performers.

In addition to his producing career, Snyder has held positions at the upper levels of many major recording companies. As the assistant to the president of CTI Records, Creed Taylor, Snyder oversaw legal and business affairs, publishing, manufacturing, distribution, and artists and repertoire operations. Under the tutelage of Herb Alpert, he served as director of Horizon Jazz Series for A&M Records. Snyder later served as director of jazz production for Atlantic Records, where his responsibilities included production and packaging, promotion, publicity, and marketing.

Snyder is currently a member of the New York Bar. As a former member of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy, he served on the Board of Governors, Education Committee, and Grammy in the Schools Committee. He has been with the College of Music faculty since 2004.

Charles Driebe, Esq.
Founder and CEO
Blind Ambition Management LTD.

Charles Driebe, Esq., entertainment attorney and manager, is the founder and CEO of Blind Ambition Management Ltd. in Atlanta.  Blind Ambition manages the Blind Boys of Alabama who, during Charles' tenure, have won four consecutive Grammy Awards, appeared on the Grammy Awards television show, performed at the White House, toured internationally with Peter Gabriel, collaborated on a CD with Ben Harper, and appeared on numerous national TV shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (four times) and the "Late Show with David Letterman" (twice).

Blind Ambition also manages blues harmonica icon Charlie Musselwhite, and rising singer/songwriters Pieta Brown and Steve Poltz.

Actively involved in community and professional organizations, Charles serves as a board member of the Georgia Lawyers of the Arts and is the former chairman of the Board of its predecessor the Southern Entertainment & Art Law (SEAL) Center, nonprofit corporations dedicated to educating artists and art organizations about legal and business issues.

Shirley Kennedy, Owner
SJK Public Relations, LLC

Shirley Kennedy is the owner of SJK Public Relations, LLC, where she works as a publicist for several independent bands. She holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science with an emphasis on Creative Writing from Agnes Scott College and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Shirley’s writing talent was discovered by Bo Ball, a writing professor at Agnes Scott and a published author. Dr. Ball nurtured Shirley’s talent and helped her to hone her skills during her tenure at Agnes Scott.

Shirley began entertainment writing by preparing articles about American Idol for The National Ledger, an on-line news publication. She has been touted as one of several experts on American Idol on the Internet and is considered the southeast’s premier writer on the show. From those early writings, Shirley began interviewing and profiling musical artists, beginning with Elliott Yamin and Ace Young, the third and seventh-place finishers, respectively, on season five of American Idol. Since that time, Shirley has interviewed several independent musicians and communicates directly with Bruce Iglauer, President of Alligator Records, to schedule interviews of the artists on his label, including Tinsley Ellis and Eric Lindell.

Shirley’s work has been published by The National Ledger and Jazz Quad, two on-line publications. Jazz Quad translates Shirley’s articles to Russian and publishes those pieces in its paper magazine. Shirley continuously establishes relationships with other media, which allows her to create press opportunities for the musicians and clothing line she represents. She was honored last year by inclusion in the liner notes of “Elliott Yamin” (Hickory Records), the largest selling independent CD in SoundScan history with the highest debut in the Billboard Top 100. She has since been included in the liner notes of the re-release of “Contradictory” by Lucas Cates (PopBomb Records) and on “These Parts Unknown” by Mike Droho (Ruff Roads Records), both clients of SJK Public Relations, LLC.

Recently branching out into other areas of the entertainment industry, Shirley is a founding member of Opus Entertainment Agency, a Division of SJK Public Relations, LLC, which provides booking, artist development, and artist management services. Opus’s clients include The Lucas Cates Band (Madison, WI), Mike Droho and The Compass Rose (Madison, WI), the Sharp and Harkins Band (Stoughton, WI), the Tony Sims Band (Atlanta, GA), Ethan and the Ewox (Atlanta, GA), Falling In Two (Fayetteville, NC), and the agency’s newest addition, Fact and Fiction (Nashville, TN).

Shirley is a member of the National Writers Union, a trade union for freelance and contract writers; Freelance Writing Organization International; the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists; and the Entertainment Publicists Professional Society. Shirley is the NACA Agent and Tour Manager for The Lucas Cates Band, Mike Droho and The Compass Rose, The Sharp and Harkins Band, and Fact and Fiction. She has recently partnered with iNatty Records, which represents Know Boundaries, Natty Nation, and dumate at NACA.

John Michael Shaw
Select-O-Hits Music Distribution

John "J-DOGG" Shaw graduated from Memphis State University in 1992 with a degree in music education. He has been a clinician, promoter, hip-hop journalist, producer and jazz musician. His articles have appeared in Murder Dog, Rap Pages, Grooveline, Street Masters and Down Magazine. Since 1995, he has worked for Select-O-Hits Music Distribution in the promotions department. He has spoken at numerous conventions, including the Southern Urban Music Conference, Omni Music Conference and Mid-Atlantic Music Conference, and is working on a history of Black music in Shreveport, Louisiana entitled "Action Speaks Louder Than Words: Black Music in Shreveport, LA 1948-1998."

Ralph Murphy, Vice President
International and Domestic Membership Group of ASCAP

Ralph Murphy is the author of Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting (Murphyslawsofsongwriting.com). He is a past president of the Nashville Songwriters Association, former Nashville chapter president and former national trustee of the Recording Academy (NARAS). He had his first hit in 1966 (“Call My Name”—James Royal) and has had chart success for five decades, the most recent being Cliff Richard’s No. 2 Christmas single in 2007 in England. He has produced platinum albums and written not only pop hits but scored number ones with Crystal Gayle (“Half The Way”) and Ronnie Milsap (“He Got You”). His songs have been recorded by Randy Travis, Don Williams, Shania Twain, Kathy Mattea, Ray Price, and many more. Ralph currently serves as Vice President International and Domestic Membership Group of ASCAP and guest lectures at universities, music industry conventions, and sister P.R.Os SOCAN (Canada), APRA (Australia), and IMRO (Ireland).

Rico Brooks, President
Block Entertainment

Rico Brooks a Manager is responsible for the leadership, coordination and overall direction of an individual, team of individuals and/or enterprise. As President of Block Entertainment and Manager of Superstar Rapper Yung Joc and Co-Manager of Rapper Gorilla Zoe, Rico Brooks leads his team to their current and future success.

Born and raised in Albany, Georgia, Rico Brooks moved to Atlanta to earn an Associates Degree in History from Atlanta Metro College and attended the coveted Morehouse University to graduate with a Bachelor of Art in History. Upon graduating, life took a turn and Brooks found himself working as a Sales Associate for Peppermint Music. His undeniable love for music turned his need for a job post-graduation into a full-fledged career of 10 years in music retail. Brooks climbed the ladder from Sales Associate to Manager to District Manager and back to Manager after the decline in record sales.

Brooks’ entrepreneurial drive and leadership skills became even more evident when he formed International Music Distribution (IMD) with fellow industry pioneers, Vince Phillips, Dan Brown and Brad McDonald. IMD opened doors for new artists Lil Scrappy, Trillville, D4L and Bonecrusher to get their records heard by a wide audience of music industry tastemakers and record breakers. Brooks determination did not go unnoticed. Russell “Block” Spencer, CEO of Block Entertainment, hired Brooks to help break records for signed acts, Big Gee (Mechanicsville USA), Boyz N Da Hood, and rising star Yung Joc. Soon after, Rico Brooks became Manager to Boyz N Da Hood (previously featuring Young Jeezy) to his current title as Manager for Yung Joc, Co-Manager for Gorilla Zoe and President of Block Entertainment.

As an Artist Manager and record label President, Rico Brooks is responsible for making executive decisions daily, including: Calendar management, promotion, marketing, radio spins, New Media, publicity, and coordination of Travel Agents, Booking Agents and Publicists to smoothly transition acts from new artist to Superstar. Brooks believes in being an advocate for the artist when dealing with the major labels to fight for what’s needed to strategically brand an artist in the marketplace.

Rico Brooks notes his biggest accomplishment as bringing “new blood into an evolving industry” by helping to break phenomenal new artists. His persistence is evident when noting the fact that his determination has helped to unleash a new artist for 3 consecutive years including Boys N Da Hood (2005), Yung Joc (2006), Gorilla Zoe (2007) and R&B artist JC (2008). Yung Joc had over 200 paid dates in 2006 alone, more than any rapper during that time-a testament to the team guiding his career.

The possibilities are endless for Rico Brooks. Not one to be comfortable in his current position, Brooks plans on developing a career in Movie Production, Branding and Strategic Marketing. He also envisions the music industry’s growth in the digital age and how to best align his artists to change with the times.

As an avid reader, Brooks leaves this advice to others in pursuit of their career path: Learn about the industry, learn other jobs besides yours in the industry, don’t be dispensable and see gems in everyone from the intern to the President.

William Bell

William Bell started out as a member of the vocal group The Del Rios, recording before Stax on Meteor. At Stax, he recorded at first both with the Del Rios and as a solo artist. His solo career took off after his first, self composed hit "You don't miss your water" - perhaps the earliest full fledged soul 6/8 ballad, as early as 1961.

The demise of Stax was not necessarily bad news for William Bell. His biggest hit was released just months after Stax closed down: Tryin' to love two, on Mercury, released in 1976, made R&B number one, made the Pop Top Ten, and sold well over a million copies.

William Bell continues to be an active force in southern soul to this day. In 1986 he had a hit with "Headline News". For the past several years he has been running his WilBe label and production company, producing records for himself and for others.

Tony Moore
Musician, Producer, Entrepreneur

Tony Moore's musical career began when he moved from his home town of Bristol to London to become an original member of the group, IRON MAIDEN, where he took on the role of keyboard/synth player. The band was unknown at that point and Tony wrote and rehearsed with them for a long time until eventually playing one fairly unsuccessful gig. It was at this point that he felt keyboards didn't really work in the band and decided to leave.

After quitting Iron Maiden Tony teamed up with Brian James (from The Damned) in a group called Tanz Der Youth, recording one single called "I'm Sorry I'm Sorry" for Radar Records (home of Elvis Costello). Although a short lived line up, the band toured opening for The Stranglers and Black Sabbath as well as being at the forefront of the New Wave movement in London where they were also championed by the legendary John Peel.

In the early 80's, Tony formed a band as a vehicle for his singing and songwriting talents, called Radio Java. He signed to Carrerre Records and they made an album in studio 2 of Abbey Road. From that album he scored a number 1 hit in Holland at Xmas 1983 with a song called FOOL that was one of the fastest debuting airplay hits of the year.

In the Mid 80's Tony joined the band CUTTING CREW as keyboard player and was part of the success of their iconic hit single "I just died in your arms tonight". With the band he toured the world including playing massive US shows opening for Huey Lewis, Starship and the Bangles as well as doing hundreds of headline gigs. They were the first Western band to play to an audience allowed to dance and stand up in Taiwan, and almost caused a riot amongst the 60,000 inside as well as the tens of thousands who couldn't get in.

After leaving Cutting Crew during the making of the second album, he went on to write, play, record, produce and tour with Marie Claire D'ubaldo (author of Falling into you for Celine Dion) and once more tour the world supporting her great success in countries like Italy, Russia, Japan, and Latin America.

He was responsible for creating and building the Kashmir Klub in 1997. The Kashmir was a unique venue in central London that almost single-handedly lead the singer/songwriter acoustic revolution in the UK with debut performances from Damien Rice, KT Tunstall, Imogen Heap, Lucie Silvas, Tom Baxter as well as secret sets from Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, Dave Stewart and many more.

In 2003 Tony took over running The Bedford in Balham. Under his musical stewardship the venue has grown into an award winning location. In 2004 it won Best Pub in the country, it has twice won the best pub and club award and has seen unique performances from Pete Townshend, Crowded House, Kiki Dee, Willy Mason as well as be a launch pad for the careers of acts such as James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, Amy Macdonald and Jon Allen.

At the end 2004 Tony Moore was made the sole Inductee into the MMF (Music Managers Forum) Roll Of Honour for outstanding contribution to the British Music Industry.

From Sept 2003 until December 2005 Tony hosted a weekly overnight show on Radio BBC London that mixed informal live performances from some of the countries most talented musicians and songwriters, creating a unique platform for promoting a new generation of long term recording artists.

For the last 5 years he has produced and presented the British Acoustic Stage at MIDEM in Cannes, working directly with the UK Music Industry to establish on of the most important showcases of the year.

Quotes about Tony Moore: “Tony believed in me, gave me a stage to be seen and a platform to be heard. I loved those days - we had fun and Tony will always be a legend to me!!!!" Paolo Nutini

“Tony is a total rock of strength to anyone doubting that music is their path in life - I aspire to remain as in love and involved with it as he is.” KT Tunstall

"Tony's passion for music is clear for anyone to see. He makes anything seem possible and has been a huge force in my career so far”. Lucie Silvas

In the Autumn of 2006 Tony worked closely with "AEG Live" in the development of The indigO2, the fabulous new Theatre in The O2 Dome, after which he went on to produce and host a series of highly successful monthly shows called The Bedford Bandstand that brought innovative music to new audiences.

In December 2006 he launched The Regal Room in Hammersmith, which has quickly become one of London's most intimate and beautiful acoustic spaces.

During August of 2007, Tony embarked on a unique touring concept called Acoustic Airwaves. As a newly qualified pilot he took a small single engine aircraft, putting a PA system and music equipment in the back and flying himself to 15 different airfields around the country where he set up and played informal acoustic sets to raise money and awareness for Teenage Cancer Trust. This never before attempted tour was such a success that he plans to visit the whole of the UK followed by some selected locations in Europe and the USA next year. www.acousticairwaves.com

At the beginning of April 2008 Tony began hosting and presenting a 1 hour live TV show on Prime TV in Malta called LETS TALK MUSIC, a13 week series of shows that looked at the music industry in great depth.

This became such a popular show that it was repeated 3 times during the Summer of 2008! There are now plans to bring this show to UK TV later in 2009.

In July 2008 Tony was the opening act for Duran Duran as they finished their world tour in Malta after which he was inducted into the Malta WALK OF FAME where he had his hand print embedded in cement and a "Star" pavement created for him.

During 2008 Tony also began a series of highly original and critically acclaimed Songwriting Master Classes that toured some of the UK's top educational establishments including LIPA, Westminster University and The Academy of Music.

Then in 2009 he took the concept to USC in California where Chair or Jazz, Professor Richard Smith said "Mr. Moore’s class was one of the best I have ever attended, and I have attended many dozens over the last 20 years as a Professor and Department Chair there. The students are still talking about the class, and there is a standing offer to have him join us again on his next trip to Los Angeles...."

In March 2009 he brought The Bedford to South By Southwest (SXSW) one of the worlds most important and influential music festivals, where he took over a venue, brought in his own team and produced 3 nights of acclaimed shows.

Craig & Charlie Reid/The Proclaimers (performers at The Bedford in SXSW): "The whole organization and promotion of the event was spot on. We really enjoyed the show, the on stage sound was perfect."

Tony is currently in the process of recording a new album of his latest songs as well as working on a one man acoustic show based on his life's experiences. This will be a show that mixes live performance of his music with amusing anecdotes and fascinating behind the scenes stories, complete with multimedia elements to create a truly unique and captivating show.

Kate Bradley, CEO
Outlandos Music

A Triple-A (Adult Album Alternative) radio programming veteran, Kate Bradley has served as Music Director of the Loft at XM Satellite Radio, as well as Midday Host at heritage mainstay WYEP (Pittsburgh) and Evening Host, Production Director, and Imaging Director, at heritage mainstay WNCS (Vermont). She also co-founded Triple-A start-up WUIN (North Carolina) and took a brief hiatus from broadcasting to carve up the slopes with national ski-area condition experts SnoCountry. Directly prior to launching Outlandos Music in 2007, Kate served as Content Supervisor for Pump Audio, an independent music-licensing powerhouse recently purchased by Getty Images. Currently, she's the CEO of Outlandos Music, a music discovery service for grown-ups. In addition, Kate recently cofounded the iNsiders Network, a consortium of music industry insiders specializing in independent artist consultation, entrepreneurship, and well-being. Kate has been nationally recognized for her ardent presentation of music and her ability to champion talented, compelling artists.

Bonny Dolan, Executive Producer & Artist Liaison
Comma Music

Formerly VP and Founder of the Artist in Residence program at Leo Burnett, Bonny Dolan has been instrumental in creating the modern model for Artist/Agency collaboration. Ms. Dolan’s experience in every aspect of music and advertising from recording studio management & music marketing to creative direction, licensing, & production give her a singular perspective on the future of music and advertising. As Executive Producer & Artist Liaison, Ms. Dolan has spearheaded Comma’s expansion into Music Supervision and the West coast market. She’s often quoted in Billboard, The Wall Street Journal, Spin, and featured in Crain’s Chicago Business.

Paul LiCalsi, Esq.
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP , New York

Paul LiCalsi handles disputes for top names in media, publishing and the recording industry, among them rappers Jay-Z and Timbaland, The Beatles, Vanity Fair writer Dominick Dunne, Elton John and Billy Joel. He represented the heir of E.H. Shepherd, the original illustrator for "Winnie the Pooh" in the long-running legal battle over the rights to the character involving termination of grants of copyright. He currently represents Billy Joel and Tayor Swift in litigations in New York City. For the last two years he has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the 100 Top Outside Counsel in the Entertainment Industry.

Joe Killian, Senior Vice-President and Discipline Lead
Music and Entertainment
Momentum Worldwide

Joe Killian is Senior Vice-President and Discipline lead, Music and Entertainment at Momentum Worldwide (a McCann-Erickson and Interpublic Company). Mr. Killian has developed entertainment marketing strategies, negotiated sponsorships and executed activations for a wide range of clients, including: American Express, Kraft, Microsoft, Anheuser-Busch, Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Marriott Hotels, Kohl’s, and others.

He has done deals with many diverse entertainment properties, including: Live Nation, AEG (concerts West, Goldenvoice, Staples Center, Coachella festival), CPI, Azoffmusic, Frontline Management, Redlight Management, NARAS (The Grammy’s), MTV, Madison Square Garden, Hollywood Bowl, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Bonaroo festival, SXSW, Bowery Presents, Nederlander Group, IAC/Ticketmaster, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, Capitol/EMI.

Mr. Killian has negotiated and activated deals with many of the top music and entertainment artists, including: The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, The Eagles, Sting, The Police, Stevie Wonder, Counting Crows, Neil Diamond, and younger artists: Coldpaly, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, John Legend, White Stripes, John Mayer, Beck, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, and many others. He has also done deals with such Latin artists as: Juanes, Jaguares, Juan Luis Guerra y 440, and Shakira.

Prior to joining Momentum, Mr. Killian was EVP Entertainment Marketing and Partner with Festival Marketing, Inc. While at Festival, he launched and produced the Guinness Fleadh Festival with Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Natalie Merchant and Tracy Chapman.

Mr. Killian also spent time as the Director of Concerts at Radio City Music Hall., producing shows at Radio City, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. He is best known as the Founder and Producer of Central Park SummerStage, New York City’s most popular outdoor music festival.

Joe Killian is married and resides with his wife and daughter in Hastings on Hudson, New York. He sits on the Advisory Boards of Central Park SummerStage and the Woody Guthrie Archives Foundation.

Dina LaPolt

Dina LaPolt is an entertainment attorney at LaPolt Law, P.C. in Los Angeles, California. LaPolt Law is a boutique transactional entertainment law firm that specializes in representing clients in the music, film, television, merchandising and book publishing industries. The firm's clientele include prominent recording artists, songwriters, producers, music publishers, managers, independent record companies, merchandise and apparel companies, film production companies, directors, writers, authors, and actors. On the film production side, Dina was the co-producer of the 2005 Academy Award nominated documentary film entitled, Tupac: Resurrection. For more information on Dina or the law firm please log onto www.LaPoltLaw.com

David Macias

David Macias is a 28-year music industry veteran whose career started in retail and has since broadened into many other facets of the industry including marketing, distribution, production and management through the founding of Thirty Tigers.
David was born and raised in Lakeland, Fla. where he developed a love of music through listening to his older brothers' albums and mother's 8-tracks, gaining exposure to everyone from Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens, Yes and Jeff Beck. He got his first job at a pizza restaurant in the same plaza as a small record store, where he cashed and spent almost every paycheck. He eventually got a job there, and for the next seven years worked at various music retail stores in Lakeland and Atlanta while also managing local bands, one of whom was Mr. Crowe's Garden, who eventually became The Black Crowes.

David landed a job at Arista Records in Atlanta in 1987 as a local marketing coordinator, and within 18 months was promoted to New York working as the local marketing manager. By the age of 24, he was promoted again, this time to branch marketing manager for BMG Distribution's New York branch. He left that post in 1990 to become the regional marketing director for EMI Records. By 1992, he achieved his dream of working in country music when he was hired to oversee sales and marketing for the Western half of the U.S. for Arista's Nashville division. He stayed at Arista for eight years until a corporate downsizing left him looking for another opportunity. He was given the chance to head up Giant/Nashville's sales and marketing efforts for a year, until another downsizing left him, once again, on the outside looking in.

At that point, David decided to take matters into his own hands and start Thirty Tigers with partner Deb Markland, another longtime Arista vet. Reasoning that with the downsizing of artist rosters and executives, a lot of talented people would be making records, and offering sales and marketing expertise for a stable of clients would provide income, and the clients could avoid the cost of carrying salary. The gamble paid off as Thirty Tigers quickly established a solid reputation in the Nashville community. In 2002, RED approached Thirty Tigers about becoming an aggregator through them, which is a relationship that continues to this day.

In addition, David took the leap into production for the first time, putting together the Beautiful Dreamer:The Songs Of Stephen Foster CD with co-producer Steve Fishell. Thirty Tigers handled the marketing and distribution of the CD, which has now sold 50,000 units and won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album. He followed that release up with 2007’s critically acclaimed Song Of America, a 50-song collection that explores the history of America through folk and popular song and 2008’s opera recording Nobody Knows: The Music of Harry T. Burleigh. Thirty Tigers also manages artists, and David co-manages Elizabeth Cook and Amy LaVere.

Lee Knife

Lee Knife is The General Counsel and Director, Legal and Business Affairs for the Digital Media Association (“DiMA”) in Washington, D.C. He has been with DiMA since 2005. DiMA is the trade organization in Washington that represents digital media companies. DiMA members include Apple’s iTunes, YouTube, Microsoft, Pandora, Live 365 and many others. Lee focuses at DiMA on the negotiations and arbitrations associated with sound recording and musical composition royalty rates in the United States and internationally. He is also involved in lobbying and public relations efforts.

Prior to joining DiMA, Lee practiced entertainment law in New York, predominantly in the music business for over 15 years. Over the last ten years of that time, he served as a Business & Legal Affairs Executive at several major record companies including EMI, BMG and Polygram – and most recently was Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs at Sanctuary Records. He has also worked at and provided consulting services to several internet-based, new-media companies.

Before going “in house” with record companies, his early legal career included associate attorney positions representing musical instrument manufacturers, individual artists, and small record and production companies, drafting agreements, handling copyright and trademark matters, and also handling all aspects of civil litigation.

As a musician and “tech-head,” Lee has written equipment reviews for several publications, including Guitar and Guitar World Magazines and the Guitar.com website. A graduate of St. John’s University and Brooklyn Law School, he is admitted to practice law in both the State of New York and New Jersey.

Jim Griffin

Jim Griffin is Managing Director of OneHouse LLC, dedicated to the future of music and entertainment delivery, and works as a consultant to absorb uncertainty about the digital delivery of art.

In addition to serving as an agent for constructive change in media and technology, he is an author, serving as a columnist for magazines, and is on the boards of companies and associations. He started and ran for five years the technology department at Geffen Records. Prior to Geffen he was an International Representative for The Newspaper Guild in Washington, D.C.

While at Geffen, Jim led a team that in June of 1994 distributed the first full-length commercial song on-line, by Aerosmith. Geffen was the first entertainment company to install a web server, and Geffen World was one of the first corporate intranet sites. Geffen was named by Network World in 1996 as one of the world's top 25 technology companies, and one of only seven in the United States.

Jim is co-founder of the Pho group. Named after a bowl of Vietnamese soup, Pho is an organization that meets for discussion-oriented meals in cities around the world, electronically linked by the Pho mailing list. Pho's many thousands of readers enjoy dialogue on the digital delivery of art and the new economy in music, movies, books and all media.

Jim testified in July 2000 before the Senate Judiciary Committee at its oversight hearing on file sharing and music licensing. He regularly moderates video and television shows on digital entertainment. He is often a keynote speaker or moderator at conferences (Internet Summit, Giga Conference, Comdex, CES, Webnoize, and many others) and lectures annually at business schools (Harvard, USC, UCLA, Berkeley). He also serves as an expert witness in digital entertainment, and has presented many Continuing Legal Education courses.

In addition to work with music, his expertise includes wireless work in Europe, including at Nokia's Research Center in Helsinki, Finland, and with numerous companies in Finland and throughout Europe. He's moderated numerous panels on wireless and given speeches on wireless issues around the world, ranging from music conferences to parliament meetings in Europe. He is a regular speaker at entertainment industry events and corporate and association meetings.

"One of the sharpest minds in digital music." - CNN Money (Eric Hellweg, Thursday 23 January 2003)

"Entertainment Technology Visionary." - Los Angeles Times (Paul Karon, Monday 8 April 1996)

Kim Buie

A music industry veteran, Kim Buie has spent 23 of her 27 years in the music business doing A&R for many companies.  In her 23 year A&R career Miss Buie has been fortunate to work for men of vision and men who supported her artistic pursuits as much as they had to pursue commercial ones – allowing Kim to sign and or work with a diverse range of artists from William S. Burroughs, Richard Thompson, The Butthole Surfers, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, Etta James, Drivin n’ Cryin, Allan Ginsburg, Michael Franti (Spearhead & Hiphoprisy), Deana Carter, T Bone Burnett, The Nortec Collective, Freestyle Fellowship, to name a few.

Starting in 1981 Kim began her career working at college radio station KJHK in Lawrence, KS where she served as Music Director and Station Manager during the course of her 2 ½ years there. While still in college Miss Buie also worked as a Disc Jockey for commercial AM Radio Station KLWN, and likewise spun records as a progressive Dance Club DJ.  From there she moved west to Los Angeles in late 1983 to work for the now defunct independent label Enigma Records (home to the Cramps, The Rain Parade and others) doing national press and college radio promotion.  After a year she moved to Nashville, TN to work at Praxis Management (Jason & The Scorchers, Georgia Satellites) initially to re-launch their indy label but when financing fell through, she changed course and ran an indy promo company from their offices.  After a year and a half, Miss Buie was offered a unique opportunity to be a regional pop A&R rep for MCA records while remaining in Nashville, TN– hired by then MCA President Irving Azoff, reporting to Nashville President Jimmy Bowen.  For a year and a half she learned the ropes from a group of legendary producers and A&R men – Jimmy Bowen himself was not only the label chief, but a noted producer having worked with Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Steve Wariner, Roger Miller, Hank Jr. and many more.  She was being taught the functions of A&R by men of another generation – learning about union rates, budgets, musicians, publishers, studio equipment and the language of music on many platforms.  While there she made several records including a solo project with Grammy Winning Producer/Artist/Songwriter T Bone Burnett, and Jazz duo Acoustic Alchemy.

In 1987 Kim moved back to Los Angeles to re-open the west coast offices of Island Records where she built a relationship with famed label founder Chris Blackwell.  While at Island Kim served as Blackwell’s Vice President of A&R.  From 1993 forward Kim Relocated back to Nashville to work with Jimmy Bowen one more time at Capitol Records – eventually moving back to Los Angeles to continue working at Capitol.  In 1998 Kim shifted again to work with Chris Blackwell at his new venture Palm Pictures working in both music and the peripheral of film and DVD. 

In 2003 Kim moved back to Nashville one more time where she now resides as Head of A&R for the prestigious Lost Highway Records – home to Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Mary Gauthier, Shelby Lynne, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll, Fionn Regan and more. 

Joel C. High

Over the last decade, Joel C. High has created and supervised the music departments for two of the leading independent studios in the industry: Trimark Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment. He built the publishing catalog for both companies and started the boutique soundtrack label Lions Gate Records. In addition to his acclaimed work in motion pictures working with directors such as Marc Forster, Peter Bogdanovich, Don Roos, Roger Avary, James Foley, Bill Paxton, Billy Ray and Rob Zombie he oversaw the music for the growing Television group at Lionsgate, including "The Dead Zone" and the Golden Globe-winning series “Weeds.”

Joel is the music executive behind such films as “Saw,” “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and the Leonard Cohen documentary “I'm Your Man.” He oversaw Lionsgate’s first Academy Award nomination in the Original Song category, for Best Picture winner “Crash” and the Golden Globe nominated score from "Girl With A Pearl Earring" by Alexandre Desplat.

Joel has been the music supervisor for all of Tyler Perry's films including "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" , “Madea Goes To Jail” and most recently the soon to be released "I Can Do Bad All By Myself".  He is the music supervisor for films ranging from "In the Mix,” starring Usher, Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects," "The Wash" with Snoop and Dre, “Strangers with Candy", Oscar winner "Monsters Ball”, “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” starring Natalie Portman and the HBO series “Little Britain – USA”.  

Joel is currently the principal executive at Creative Control Entertainment, a multi-faceted music supervision, consultation, live event and production company, with offices in Los Angeles and New Orleans and diverse clients ranging from independent studios to international governments.

STEPHEN J. KNILL
President, Music & Entertainment, The Radiate Group

Stephen Knill is President, Music and Entertainment for The Radiate Group, a global network comprised of 18 independently branded, best-in-class marketing services agencies. Radiate is part of Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE: OMC), the world’s largest advertising conglomerate. Knill develops new projects in the music and entertainment space working with Radiate Group agencies and their 600+brand clients. ??
He is also President of Banshee Music, a next generation music marketing and publishing enterprise with a principle business of “sound branding” development for Corporate clients and sports entities.
He joined Radiate Group agency, GMR Marketing, in 1989 to develop marketing with music programming. He has negotiated and managed numerous music alliances for clients such as Miller Brewing Company, Kraft Foods, Airwalk Shoes, Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz among others. Prior to joining GMR, Knill worked at various management firms and record labels. He started his career as a recording and touring musician.

Kris Muñoz
Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Bug Music

Kris Muñoz is the Director of Business and Legal Affairs at leading independent music publisher, Bug Music.  Ms. Muñoz joined the Los Angeles office just over 4 years ago and immediately surged ahead in full force quickly making herself a vital part of Bug Music’s executive team.  Ms. Muñoz handles various aspects of Bug’s music publishing, legal and business development needs, including contract drafting and negotiation, talent acquisition and developing business in an A&R capacity for all three of Bug’s U.S. offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York.  

Since joining Bug Music she has signed notable artists, writers & publishers with hits such as Evanescence, Daughtry, Meshell Ndegeocello, Natasha Bedingfield, Vanessa Hudgens the star of Disney’s High School Musical, As I Lay Dying, Macy Gray, Morningwood, Lyrics Born, Jane’s Addiction, Project 86 and many others. With a deep knowledge, love and respect of music since early childhood, it seems fitting that she would end up working in this capacity in the entertainment industry.

A graduate of UCLA and Chapman University School of Law, Ms. Muñoz worked at such notable entertainment law firms as Davis Shapiro Lewit & Hayes, LLP and Myman Abell Fineman Greenspan & Light, LLP prior to joining Bug. Prior to that, she worked at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office alongside one of her mentors, Deputy City Attorney, Bob Ferber, focusing on the creation of the 1st animal cruelty laws in California.

Focused on Bug Music and her goal to become a City Councilmember and eventually Mayor, keeps Kris Muñoz very busy indeed. She works closely with City of West Hollywood and the City Council and is the Co-Chair of the LVC Committee serving as a consultant and Chair of entertainment for several of the City’s annual high profile events.  Ms. Muñoz is also directly involved with the City’s efforts for the National Task Force on Health Care Reform and works with the Mayor directly to identify underserved populations and create feasible short and long term solutions for presentation to local and State officials.

In 2008, she testified at the State Capitol for 1st Lady Maria Shriver’s California Commission on the Status of Women and has been asked back to report and update the members of the Commission on various matters affecting the livelihood, education and advancement of women and children in California.

Among other organizations and memberships, Ms. Muñoz has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Association of Independent Music Publishers and the California Copyright Conference. She annually attends and has been a panelist, mentor and speaker at music industry conferences and events throughout the country.

Paul Benjamin
North Atlantic Blues Festival 

Owner of the North Atlantic Blues Festival 1990 - In 16th year 2002 the festival was voted by the Blues Foundation, the best in the nation Booking blues music acts since 1978 Promote 50 national touring blues band shows a year Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation of Memphis, TN 2003 - now President of the Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation 2005 - now Guest speaker at the Toronto Blues Summit Speaker on many panels for the Blues Foundation and Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Music director of 25th and 26th Blues Music Awards in Memphis Owner of North Atlantic Blues Records since 1999 Consulting services for festivals for 4 yrs. Clients include the Robert Johnson family and the Leadbelly Foundation.

Logan Rogers
President of Lightning Rod Records

Logan Rogers is President of Lightning Rod Records. The label's roster includes James McMurtry and Jason Isbell. Both artists’ Lightning Rod releases marked their highest Billboard Top 200 debut to date. Prior to founding Lightning Rod Records, Logan Rogers was Vice President of Compadre Records.  Rogers oversaw album releases by artists  including Billy Joe Shaver, Suzy Bogguss, Flaco Jimenez, and James McMurtry ,   including McMurtry's multiple Americana Music Association Award-winning album, Childish Things). A native of Amarillo, TX, Rogers has a degree in Music Business from Belmont University and currently resides in Nashville. 

Chris Goldsmith
Creative consultant to Blind Ambition

Chris Goldsmith is creative consultant to Blind Ambition, working on everything from album production to marketing plans to touring concepts. He is the producer of the recent Grammy Award-winning Blind Boys CD “Down In New Orleans and has served as executive producer of 4 other Grammy-winning releases by The Blind Boys of Alabama, including their double-Grammy effort with Ben Harper, ‘There Will Be A Light’ (Virgin Records) that has sold over 3/4 of a million albums worldwide. Chris has also produced albums for (and with) several other artists, including Ruthie Foster’s latest “The Truth According Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite’s ‘Delta Hardware’ (named Album of the Year at the 2007 Blues Music Awards), Dan Hick’s newest release “Tangled Tales,” and “Brother’s Keeper,” the latest from Karl Denson. In addition, he has been the executive producer on two Blind Boys DVDs and has worked on recordings for Disney and HBO, and has produced sessions with Lou Reed, Meshell Ndegeocello, and many others. Building on his 15 years of experience as a booking agent - including 10 years at The Rosebud Agency representing artists such as Ben Harper, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Los Lobos, and JJ Cale, Chris is also a creative consultant for the Belly Up nightclubs and produces the national tours in association with Columbia Artist Management, Inc. Over the past 30 years, Chris has also written songs, played and toured with various bands as a bass player, has produced festivals and other special events, produced music videos, done tour management, and a variety of other music-related endeavors that flavor his contributions to the Blind Ambition Management team.

GaryPaczosa
V.P. A&R Sugar Hill / Vanguard Records

A Colorado native and Nashville resident since 1984, Gary has made his mark in the music world recording some of the top acoustic roots acts in the country.  His work with Alison Krauss, Nickel Creek, The Dixie Chicks, John Prine and Dolly Parton have garnered him 8 Grammys, as well as 7 additional Grammy nominations for “Best Engineered Album, Non Classical

Denby Auble
President of Blue Corn Music

Denby Auble is President of Blue Corn Music, Inc., a Texas based record label specializing in Americana and Roots music. A lifelong musician of questionable talent, Denby has played in bands for over 35 years and began the slow descent into the music business as a partner in the Austin based studio Hill On The Moon along with the brothers Inmon, John (former guitarist for Jerry Jeff Walker) and Jim (former FOH engineer for Frank Zappa).

After encountering numerous very talented musicians recording at the studio with few or no ideas about how to market and promote the projects they were working on, Denby began Blue Corn with the complete confidence and naiveté of one lacking experience in the record business! Ten years on and over twenty releases later Blue Corn remains a boutique and committed label supporting some of the best roots musicians around the US.

In addition to catering to his passion for music, Denby is also Chief Operating Officer of Geotrace Technologies, a Houston based company involved with geophysical data analysis, and is a founder and board member of NCS Subsea, Inc., a provider of offshore navigation and hydrographic services around the world.

Steve Jones
President of Brash Music

Steve is a music lifer. He started playing in the school orchestra in the 4th grade, and then in the 7th grade sold his sax, bought a guitar and has been rockin' ever since. Steve played in a band called "The Jades" (is that 60's enough for you) during high school. Two years of radio followed seven years of college. Then, after a stint producing the weekly syndicated radio show "Rock 'N Roll Roots", it was time to go to work for a major label. 1978 saw the start of a 26 year run with Atlantic Records. The first 10 years were in radio promotion, where he worked with The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Chic, U2, INXS, Bette Midler, Genesis, Foreigner, The Spinners, Yes, Laura Branigan, Debbie Gibson and some others he's forgotten about. Then in 1988, he moved over to the marketing/sales side of Atlantic and was instrumental in the development of the careers of Hootie & The Blowfish, Edwin McCain, Seven Mary Three, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul and Tori Amos, among others. 2004 brought on another WMG "downsizing" and Steve became the one Atlantic let get away. He saw this as an opportunity to join the fine folks at Brash Music on their path of re-thinking the music business.  In his role as President of Brash, he has aided in the development of the careers of Anthony David, Aaron Shust and Chris Sligh.

Joei Alvarez

A Music Business professional with over 15 years of experience in the exploitation of master recordings and copyrights by successfully managing, marketing and recommending intellectual property for usage in film, television, soundtrack albums and special projects. Ms. Alvarez has worked as an executive at Arista Records, Warner Chappell Music and Cherry Lane Music Publishing and as a consultant for reputable music supervisors, production companies and indie music publishers.

In her career she has represented such contemporary and classic catalogs and artists such  as Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., Quincy Jones, Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, John Legend, Will.i.am, Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Nickelback, and many others.

In addition to being a well respected professional, Joei is an avid fan and music lover and continues to work in the music industry but now under her own shingle having recently founded her own company called JAG based in Los Angeles

Scott Zebrak

Scott Zebrak serves as Vice President, Litigation & Legal Affairs, at the Recording Industry Association of America.  The RIAA is a trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry.  In that capacity, he has provided strategic counseling on cutting-edge copyright issues involving new technologies and the Internet.  In particular, since joining the RIAA in January 2007, he has worked closely on copyright suits brought by record companies to combat infringement.  He has also had a substantial role in a ratemaking proceeding before the Copyright Royalty Board. 

Prior to the RIAA, Scott worked in-house at a web-based digital content provider, where for over six years he managed the company's IP portfolio and advised on all facets of IP law.  He began his legal career as a judicial clerk for a U.S. Magistrate Judge on the Eastern District of Virginia, followed by several years as an IP litigation associate at a national law firm.  Scott received his J.D. summa cum laude from The American University, Washington College of Law, and he received his B.A.
from Tufts University.  

Purvi Patel

Purvi Patel is the National Representative for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), a media and entertainment union with a membership of over 70,000 recording artists, actors, DJs, and broadcast journalists.  At AFTRA, she works on all legislative and legal issues affecting the over 14,000 recording artists and singers represented by AFTRA. 

Ms. Patel received her B.A. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Following law school, she clerked for The Hon. Frederick C. Wright, Chief Judge, and The Hon. Donald E. Beachley, in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland.  Admitted to the bars of Maryland and the District of Columbia, she practiced civil litigation prior to joining AFTRA.  As a member of the Young Lawyers Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, Ms. Patel is also an associate editor for the quarterly publication, The Advocate. 

Brad Hunt

Brad Hunt is the President of the Orangeburg NY based WNS Group, a independent promotion, marketing, publishing and management company specializing in roots based music since 1996.  He is celebrating his forty second year of making a living doing what he always wanted to do and claims to learn something new about the industry everyday.  His career includes radio programming, music retailing and major label promotion, marketing, a&r and administration.  His management clients are Sonny Landreth, Tim O'Brien, Steve Forbert and Stacey Earle.  Married with a daughter completing her undergraduate studies this coming year and a son entering 10th grade.

Michael J. Huppe
Executive Vice President & General Counsel, SoundExchange

As EVP and General Counsel, Mr. Huppe is responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, legislative and corporate issues for SoundExchange.  In recent years, he has directed SoundExchange’s strategy for various rate-setting proceedings, including those which set new rates and terms for webcasting and satellite radio services.  With more than ten years experience working on intellectual property matters, he has helped develop industry reaction and strategy (both political and legal) to the fastest growing sector of the music industry. 

Mr. Huppe is responsible for implementing regulations that apply to SoundExchange, the sole Collective designated by the U.S. Copyright Office for the collection of performance royalties in digital media.  He is a spokesman for SoundExchange in the courts, on Capitol Hill and in the press and thus represents an extremely broad coalition of music industry participants, including featured artists, musicians, managers, unions, “major” and independent record labels, and sound recording owners of all sizes.

Prior to joining SoundExchange, Mr. Huppe was Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) where he was involved in protecting the rights of the RIAA's member recording labels and their artists, in both digital and physical media. 

Mr. Huppe received his B.A. from the University of Virginia, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.  He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School, and has also lectured at George Washington School of Law and George Mason Law School. 

Wallace Collins
New York

Wallace Collins is an attorney in private practice in New York who is currently "of counsel" with the firm of Serling, Rooks & Ferrara LLP specializing in entertainment law and intellectual property matters.  Wallace was a recording artist for Epic Records in the late 1970's before attending Fordham Law School.
Clients of the firm have included BRYAN ADAMS, The B-52s and JEFF BUCKLEY, and Wallace has represented r&b acts such as DRU HILL, reggae superstar EDDY GRANT, rappers BEANIE SIGEL, I BORN and CRAIG MACK as well as personal managers who have represented acts such as BLONDIE, THE RAMONES, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and ROBERTA FLACK and producers who have done work for DAVID BOWIE, SONIC YOUTH, PHISH, MARY J. BLIGE and SALT'N'PEPA.

Wallace also represents photographers, cartoonists, graphic artists, and infomercial clients like HOWARD BERG, the "World's Fastest Speed Reader". He represents independent record labels like WAAKO, DIRT, KULT and VICIOUS RECORDS as well as magazines like D.M.A., SONGWRITER'S MONTHLY and internet companies like mcy.com .  In addition to structuring & negotiating deals, Wallace has also won several high-profile litigations, including a copyright infringement case with the largest monetary judgment ever awarded for the use of a single "sample" in the song "Whoomp! There It Is."

He has authored numerous articles for legal and trade publications and is a regular contributor to Billboard, Entertainment Law and Finance and The New York Law Journal.  He is a member of N.A.R.A.S. (the National Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences) and The Copyright Society of the USA. He is a frequent speaker on panels, at lectures and at seminars throughout the country on current entertainment business and intellectual property issues, including rights issues related to the Internet.  Wallace has appeared on many national television and radio broadcasts including COURT TV and HARD COPY.

Scott Bomar
Memphis

Scott Bomar is a Memphis-based musician, music producer, recording engineer and film composer, 

In 2005, Bomar composed the score for Craig Brewer's award winning film, Hustle & Flow, for which Bomar has received much critical acclaim for his Memphis soul meets hip hop score.  Bomar returned in 2006 to collaborate with the filmmakers of Hustle & Flow as Executive Music Producer and composer of the film, Black Snake Moan.   Bomar most recently collaborated as a producer with Craig Brewer on the MTV New Media series, $5 Cover.

Bomar has also gained prominence as a bassist, backing legendary Stax artists like Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Sun Records pioneer Rosco Gordon and Motown session guitarist, Dennis Coffey, both in studio session and on the road.

Bomar is also the leader of  The Bo-Keys, a Memphis soul/funk group featuring former Stax/Volt and Isaac Hayes session players Skip Pitts, Willie Hall and Ben Cauley.  The Bo-Keys performed on the film and soundtrack for Hustle & Flow, the Paramount/Nickelodeon animated feature Barnyard and appear on the soundtrack and the film, Soul Men, performing on-screen with stars Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mack.  In addition, he has worked with producer Willie Mitchell on Al Green's Grammy nominated comeback recording "I Can't Stop" and the follow up,  "Everything's Okay".

Scott is also President of the Memphis Chapter of NARAS and served as an instructor for the after-school and summer camp programs at the Stax Music Academy, a program for at-risk youth, at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

"Lightnin" Malcolm and Cedric Burnside

Al Blake, born as Alan Blake Eliel, shot into the world January 16, 1945 on a marine corps base near Klamath Falls, Oregon. While later growing up during the early 50s in Oklahoma, the Blues began tugging at his heart under the influence of his black nanny Ruby Anderson. She used to pack him over to the other side of the tracks where her small house sat nestled near Oklahoma City.  Down the street from Ruby’s house was a small general store where a hi-fi, with a large outdoor speaker, loudly played the Deep Southern Blues while people listened and danced there on a daily basis.

Fascinated by this music, Al began collecting all the great Blues recordings he could find. But finally just listening to all this musical magic was not enough and over time he began seeking out these living artists as mentors and with each personal experience of being able to watch their body language as he listened, both his understanding of them and his empathy blazed his own musical fires to higher and higher levels.
Today Al Blake still walks the paths of those early mentors with a near-sacred need to preserve their tradition and avoid selling out to the aberrations of so many modern Blues-makers. His music is slowly evolving to the status of legend.  Blake has said, “If the kind of Blues I’m so passionate about playing was a 4-legged mammal, it would be on the top of the endangered species list. It’s that rare.”
People now consider Blake with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Blues and its players to be one of the most serious students of this genre. His extraordinary vision and unique talents as a vocalist, harmonica player, guitar player, writer and producer have led him to create some of the deepest and purest Blues of the post-modern era. Along with “Rock This House,” the seminal recording by the Hollywood Fats Band, released in 1979, Blake has also recorded these collections with fellow members of the Hollywood Blue Flames: "Mr. Blake's Blues," and "Dr. Blake's Magic Soul Elixir."  And now his most recent releases are "Soul Sanctuary," nominated for a W.C. Handy Award, and the awesome "Road to Rio,” which went to #1 on the radio charts in the first weeks of its release, both on Delta Groove Productions.
Blake's endless list of influences include most importantly, Hollywood Fats along with The Mississippi Shieks (Walter Vinscon and Lonnie Chatmon), Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy , Arthur Peties, The McCoy Brothers (Charlie and Joe), Jordan Webb,  Buddy Moss, Josh White, Memphis Minnie, Little Walter, Louis Meyers, Freddy King, Othum Brown, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Jesse Thomas, Jimmy Rogers, Walter Horton, Forest City Joe, Junior Wells, George “harmonica” Smith, John Lee Williams,  Papa Lightfoot, Lloyd Fulsom, Johnny Young, James Cotton, Muddy Waters, Baby Face Leroy, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Johnson, Joe Willie Wilkins, Robert Nighthawk, Little Son Jackson, Baby Boy Warren, J.B. Lenoir, Billie Holiday, Charles Brown, Maxwell Davis, The Moore Brothers (Johnny and Oscar), and many others

DJ Spin

Everyone wants to be down with the hip hop scene, well I got news for all of New Orleans; DJ Spin hits you with non stop jabs with his mixes. He takes listeners to school by putting together a compilation of the illest cats of the hip hop scene. Yeah right, we’ve heard that before, but Spin slayed New Orleans first with such hits by the likes of (Kanye West through the Wire). If you caught Spin on stage at the Cam’ron, Snoop Dogg or Talib Kweli show at the House of Blues need I say more.

DJ SPIN (Christopher Villagran) a native of Algiers, Louisiana began deejaying at the age of 16. At the age of 18 he was deejaying for Big Boy Records, including New Orleans artists Mystikal, Fiend, and Partners N Crime. In 1993 he was producing and deejaying with Don and Fess of Full Pack Productions, who did in house producing for South Coast Records whose artists include 5th Ward Weebie, Drama Squad, Partners N Crime, Bayou Boy and Ms. Tee.

Later DJ Spin also began working with KLC of the Medicine Men (formerly Beats by the Pound) who have produced tracks for Mystikal, Ludacris, David Banner, and Soulja Slim.

Since 2001 DJ Spin has been touring with Grammy Award winner Chris Thomas King and helped reinnovate the blues. In December 2002 DJ Spin performed with Chris Thomas King at Radio City Music Hall at Martin Scorsese’s Year of the Blues Concert, which was filmed by Anthony Fuqua. According to the British magazine MOJO: “Most memorable moment: a DJ (Spin) sampled Son House’s death-chant John the Revelator, as Chris Thomas King (O Brother, Where art Thou?) delivered searing slidework with all the teeth rattling chill and emotional bite an electric blues could hope to muster.”

In 2003 KNOU Hot 104.5 FM of New Orleans selected him as one of the deejays in New Orleans to be featured on their live deejay mix show. He hosts his show the (Spin Cycle) here twice a week.

DJ Spin produced tracks for Fiend, Lil Wayne, Mystikal, Chris Thomas King & 21C-B-Boyz’ and recently musically choreographed the music for the dance part of  the Britney Spears Circus Tour he also spins Electro, Funky Breaks, House, Hip Hop, Indie, R&B, Rock, & Etc…

Along with opening up for Grammy Award winning artist Chris Thomas King, DJ Spin also opens regularly for the House of Blues concerts. DJ Spin has been requested to open for KEM, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Lil Wayne, Method Man, Ludacris, Pepsi Smash, DJ Scratch Academy, State Farm, and MTV2. And, for the last five years when Snoop Dogg comes to New Orleans he requested that DJ Spin has opened for his shows at the House of Blues.

Spin has built a reputation as one of the most respected ORIGINAL “DJ’s” in New Orleans for his innovation and style. He’s emerging into the spotlight as he is working with KLC of The Medicine Men (formerly Beats by the Pound), Fiend, Mystikal, BG, Juvenile, Cash Money Records, Currency, Pharrell Williams, Chris Thomas King and DJ Craze & DJ A-Trak of the Allies.

Trish Laskey

Trish Laskey is currently works as the director of FanCue, an interactive online platform for musicians developed by Nashville based creative firm iDesign Inc.  After earning a degree in Music Industry Studies from Loyola University New Orleans, Trish made the move to Nashville, TN to find a niche in the world of country music and/or music publishing.  As fate would have it, she ended up with a position in business development at a growing web design firm called iDesign Inc., that has now become an award winning creative firm specializing in interactive website design and development. 
 
After creating custom websites for artists and bands over the years, iDesign launched a robust online platform for artists to more aggressively grow their fan base online.  Trish heads up this music division of iDesign known as FanCue, with a focus on gaining new clients, while helping current clients gain fans and grow their careers.  FanCue has managed the online presence of a range of artists including rising stars like Sarah Darling, established favorites like the Flecktones, to chart topping country stars like Dierks Bentley. 

Trish is a member of several business organizations including the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, CABLE, and the Women’s Music Business Association. 

BERNARD M. RESNICK, ESQ., P.C.

Bernard M. Resnick, Esq. is an entertainment attorney practicing in Philadelphia, PA, USA. He has
worked in the entertainment industry for over twenty years. His firm, Bernard M. Resnick, Esq., P.C. has
earned over 65 gold, platinum, multi-platinum, Billboard #1, Eurovision and/or BDS Certified Spin awards for deals the firm has negotiated and drafted on behalf of the firm’s clients, representing sales of over
66,000,000 records.

The firm’s clientele ranges across many styles and genres of talent, encompassing recording artists,
songwriters, record producers, agents, managers, filmmakers, financiers, internet website designers and
operators, professional athletes, etc. Clients of the firm vary from “baby bands” and neophyte filmmakers to gold and platinum-selling recording artists, producers & songwriters, Grammy award winners, members of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, record labels, international entertainment businesses and publicly-traded companies. The firm regularly places client music in television programs, movies, and video games.

Representative clients (past and present) include recording artists UGK, Bun B., Trina, Peedi Crakk, Us3, Pink, Bahamadia, Steph Pockets, Sebastian, Schoolly D., The Rembrandts, Dave Mason, Lonnie Jordan and “War”, Time For Three, Janita, Grover Washington, Jr. and The Philadelphia Orchestra; record
producers/songwriters Timbaland, Jim Beanz, King Solomon Logan, Jerome Harmon, Calvin Miller, Anthony “Train” Caruso , Roy “Royalty” Hamilton, Jae Staxx, Rugged Ness, Infinite Arkatechz and Qur’an Goodman; the Estate of Linda Creed; artist management companies “The Coalition” and “Far-NLow
Management”; classical music artist management company/booking agency “IMG Artists”; record labels “Nu Groove Music” and “Amalgam Digital”; filmmakers “9.14 Pictures” and “MegaMace”; film investment fund Cedar Lane Funding; and international medical journal “Clinical Orthopaedics and Related
Research”.

Mr. Resnick’s article “Tips for the Beginning Entertainment Law Attorney” was recently published in the “Barristers Tips” section of Los Angeles Lawyer magazine’s 24th annual Entertainment Law issue. His most recent publication, titled “360° Deals in the USA” has been included in the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers’ annual journal for 2009. He also co-authored three chapters in “The Musicians Business and Legal Guide – 4th Edition”, published by Prentice Hall for the Beverly Hills Bar Association,
amongst other articles and chapters in journals, textbooks and magazines.
Mr. Resnick has participated on panel discussions, presented seminars and conducted continuing legal education classes for the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University; the Texas State Bar Association’s Annual Entertainment Law Institute; the
Independent Music Conference; the Cutting Edge Music Conference; the Beverly Hills Bar Association; Widener University School of Law’s Annual Sports and Entertainment Law Association Symposium; the Albany County Bar Association; the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers at the
MIDEM/MIDEMNet convention in Cannes, France and at Les Rencontres convention in Montreal, Canada. He frequently serves as an expert witness in entertainment and sports-related lawsuits; has been named as a “Pennsylvania Superlawyer” by Philadelphia Magazine/Law & Politics Magazine every year
since inception; and was recently named in Marquis “Who’s Who in America 2009” and Cambridge's Who's Who Amongst Executives and Professionals - 2008/2009.

Mr. Resnick is a member of the Board of Directors of Villanova Law School’s Sports & Entertainment Law Journal Advisory Board of Directors, and the Main Line Symphony. Mr. Resnick is also a musician, songwriter, record producer, music publisher and manager. He is signed to a subpublishing agreement with
Watanabe Music Publishing in Japan, in connection with his co-writing the song “Konnichi Wa”, which was released on JVC Victor Entertainment throughout Asia on the latest LP titled “Friend”, by recording artist “Steph Pockets”. He practices law with his wife, the lovely and vivacious Priscilla J. Mattison, Esq. 

Jody Stephens

Jody Stephens (born 4 October 1952, Memphis, Tennessee) is an American drummer, who has played in Big Star (with Alex Chilton of the Box Tops) and Golden Smog (with members of the Jayhawks and Soul Asylum). When not on tour with Big Star, he works at Ardent Studios, which is where Big Star has recorded all of their albums.

Tom Hemesath

Tom Hemesath is the Vice President of Retail Sales for Time Life and Saguaro Road Records. Time Life is the industry leader in direct marketing of CDs and DVD VIA DRTV. In 1998, Time Life launched its retail division that has earned multi-platimuns sales in numerous genres including Contemporary Christmas, Urban, Country and Gospel. In 2008 the Saguaro Road Records label was launched with new recordings that include The Blinds Boys of Alabama, J.J. Cale, Patty Loveless, Edwin McCain, Joan Osborne and Tanya Tucker.

Ruby Rendrag

After her Mother's death in 2005, Ruby picked up the pieces and continued working on her debut solo album. In the meantime Suki, cello in hand, was venturing into the New Orleans music scene. By chance they met for the first time in June while exploring a side project with another local band.  After only a few gigs together that storm blew through New Orleans and changed everything. What now? Although separated during the evacuation they began to discuss the musical possibilities of a duet.

     In 2006/2007 they composed, rehearsed, performed locally and shared the stage with HEART and TIM REYNOLDS. In 2008 they recorded and released Ruby's second solo effort, WARTIME FAVORITES. As a sign of things to come, Ruby courageously featured the cello throughout this energetic rock album including Sukis cello arrangement of Clair de Lune (which was picked up for the 2009 season of NIP TUCK). For the last year they have continued their search for a particular sound, characterized by multiple effects, loops and percussion. 

     It is a genre like today’s Alternative music but with strong orchestral feeling and rock energy.  Check the website for upcoming shows and the release date of an exclusively duet album (2010).

Olga

AIf you don’t already know Olga, just listen to her music—and you will.

As this lithe, willowy woman settles into her guitar, the throaty voice that pours out of her takes you by surprise, transporting you to the easy rhythm of a sultry New Orleans afternoon.  Gritty and honest, soulful and stirring, Olga sings about love and loss, relationships and the road ahead. 

Fans all over the world will tell you that Olga’s songs have an undeniable authenticity to them, stemming from inspiration drawn from her own life—a journey steeped in music, and the blues.  Olga spent years honing her sound in the hill country of northern Mississippi, with friends and mentors like Los Lobos (her “favorite band, and people!”) and blues legend Jessie Mae Hemphill helping shape her musical trajectory.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Olga was classically trained in music as a child.  Her parents, who moved stateside from Innsbruck, Austria, encouraged her as she began writing songs on the piano at the age of five.  In high school, Jimi Hendrix provided her first taste of the blues.

“I began music very early, and started writing songs very young,” she recalls.  “I got into the ‘business’ side of things through a chance meeting with a record archivist at a Grateful Dead show in my late teens.  He introduced me to Los Lobos and Maria Muldaur, and I apprenticed with Maria soon thereafter.  Los Lobos ‘adopted’ me, and let me hang out and observe how they did things.  I often sat on the stage during their shows.”

The guitar she received for Christmas in her early twenties sealed her fate.  By that time she was living in Colorado and working as a radio disk-jockey.  It was during this period that she discovered Jessie Mae Hemphill’s records.

“At that point, I knew I had to move south, as my real journey was only beginning,” Olga remembers.

New Orleans and, later, Mississippi, offered the rich musical climate she craved.  Olga looked up Jessie Mae Hemphill in Mississippi, and paid her a visit.  The two artists soon discovered, among other things, that they shared the same birthday.

“Jessie Mae and I immediately felt a kinship for one another when we met,” she says.  “She told me that first day that she thought Jesus sent me to her.”

While Olga’s been likened to greats such as Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, and Sheryl Crow, the truth is she’s carved out a sound that’s entirely her own.  Her current album, It Comes and It Goes, has an upbeat pop flavor, with bluesy undertones. 

“The songs on this album are rooted in the truth as I know it in my life, rooted in the blues,” Olga explains, “but we changed the sound, so a broader audience can experience them—hopefully in a positive way.”

The drums were a key component in shaping the sound of It Comes and It Goes—a record about leaving the past behind and starting over.  Olga asked her friend Cody Dickinson, drummer for the Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars, to lay down the drums for her.  Dickinson, also an accomplished guitar and bass player, songwriter, and producer, agreed—and soon took over the lion’s share of the instrumentation, which he paired with Olga’s melodies and lyrics.  Producer and engineer Winn McElroy “took everything and made it sound good!” Olga laughs.  It Comes and It Goes was recorded at Black Wings Studio in Water Valley, Mississippi.

“This record has been a process of finding my soul again, and reminding myself of what I need to do with my life,” she says.  “It really took on a life of its own, quite naturally and unexpectedly, and I’m thrilled with where it has led me.”

Olga has three previous albums under her belt: Now Is The Time, Kiss Your Blues Away, and Blues Babe.  All three albums elicited overwhelmingly positive reviews. Olga has shared the stage with talent such as Chris Isaak, DJ Logic, Johnny Neel of the Allman Brothers, Coco Robicheaux, Robert Randolph, Los Lobos,  North Mississippi Allstars,  Papa Mali, JJ Grey & Mofro, Hobex, Jimbo Mathus, Maria Muldaur, The Lee Boys, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jim Dickinson, and Matt Abts of Gov't Mule.  Olga has also performed with the Papa Leg Acoustic Duo in Italy for the past three years.
When she’s not performing, Olga juggles a host of other endeavors.  She participated in a Martin Scorsese documentary on the blues, co-produced Jessie Mae Hemphill’s album Dare You To Do It Again, along with a film about Jessie Mae, who passed away in 2006.  Additionally, Olga co-engineered Elvis Costello's Grammy nominated song, "Monkey to Man," in 2005.  She founded the Jessie Mae Hemphill Foundation in 2003, whose mission is to honor Jessie Mae’s memory by archiving music indigenous to the northern Mississippi region, as a means of preserving it for future generations.  Any free time Olga can nail down is devoted to making repairs to her family’s New Orleans home, which was damaged in Hurricane Katrina.

Olga’s music continues to evolve and push her to new creative heights, but always with a Southern twist, a veritable tip-of-the-hat to her blues roots.

“Music has been a journey for me, one that I continue to learn from,” she says.  “I have been blessed to experience many things throughout my life, often with intensity.  You have to take the good with the bad, and then learn to just let it all go.”

And as she begins to sing, you just can’t help but groove to her beat.