Events

2009 Sardonyx Music Conference

May 30, 2009


Congratulations to the Top 3 Acts of the night at the 2009 Sardonyx Music Conference!


1. Team Goldie                              2. The Composure                         3. Ben Hardt    
Look for their images in Music Connection Magazine soon!

The conference featured panel discussions with music business professionals and showcased Pittsburgh's finest musicians and bands from several genres! Topics included Music Promotion, Licensing, Publishing and Copyrights, Songwriting and more.


Location:

Altar Bar (1620 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222)


Panelists

Don Grierson Former A & R at Capitol and Epic Records, now Music Supervisor on many films and Instructor at the famous Musician's Institute in LA
Dan Kimpel Music Biz writer/interviewer, Instructor at the Musician's Institute and Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, songwriting expert
John Latimer Owner of Latitunes Publishing and Undercurrents, promoter, artist manager and event coordinator
Kevin Amos Pittsburgh area coordinator for Soul Patrol.com, radio producer for WRCT
Leon Bass Entertainment Attorney
Brian Drusky THE Pittsburgh booking agent for local and national acts
Kellee Maize Accomplished Hip Hop artist, owner of Nakturnal, and consultant to the Events and Planning department of the City Paper
Nancy Deckant Co-Coordinator of the local NSAI (Nashville Songwriter's Association)
Ron Brown Co-Coordinator of the local NSAI
Mike Pitterich Owner, Altar Bar
Liz Ruger Independent Artist Representatives
Jim Pitulski Blistering Records
Jeff Blue Music producer, A&R executive, songwriter, musician, and attorney
Jason Myers A&R for Cleopatra Records (L.A.-based indie record label), bassist for Icarus Witch
Renee Asher Astron Music
Isaac Holeva Talent Buyer - Faded Industry Entertainment


See profiles of the panelists here.


Panel topics

Introduction to the Conference - Dan Kimpel
12:00-12:45pm
"State of the Music Business"
How has the music industry changed, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally? From the every day gig in the clubs, to being signed with a major label and touring the world, ALL panelists will give you their perspectives.
Moderator:
Mike Moscato, owner of Sardonyx Productions
12:45-1:00pm Networking break
1:00-1:45pm "Booking and Touring"
Many musicians and bands think the best way to perform is to play as many clubs as they can in a month, or just go on the road and play as many cities as they can. Do they have a strategy? Why should you or your band go on tour? When is the right time to book a date at a particular club, or book a tour?

Panelists:
Mike Pitterich
Brian Drusky
Liz Ruger
John Latimer
1:45-2:00pm MADDIE GEORGI Showcase Performance
2:00-2:45pm "Songwriting"
Moderator:
Dan Kimpel

Panelists:
Pittsburgh and Western Pa Coordinators for the Nashville Songwriters Association Inc. (NSAI) Nancy Deckant and Ron Brown
others TBA
2:45-3:00pm Networking break
3:00-3:45pm "Licensing, Publishing and Legal Issues"
Topics will be songwriting/publishing, recording issues/recording agreements, band business issues, manager/agent issues, PRO's, etc.

Panelists:
Liz Ruger
Leon Bass
3:45-4:00pm Networking break
4:00-4:45pm "Music Promotion"
Do you have a STRATEGY for promoting your music? Whether it be flyers, print ads, radio, digital distribution with Twitter, MySpace, TuneCorp....all these facets will be discussed.


Panelists:
Don Grierson
Dan Kimpel
John Latimer
Liz Ruger
Kellee Maize
4:45-5:00pm Networking break
5:00-6:00pm "Record Labels vs. DIY (do-it-yourself)"
Moderator:
Dan Kimpel

Panelists:
Don Grierson
Jim Pitulski
Jeff Blue
Renee Asher
Jason Myers


Showcase Performers


"In The Round" Songwriter's Circle
Joy Ike
Nancy Deckant
Ron Brown
Ben Hardt
Cathasaigh

Hip Hop/R&B/Pop
Commonwealth Family
Jackson
Kellee Maize
Kizzi
Patrick Ryan
Play Bizzle

Rock/Alt/Pop/Metal Bands
Angel Blue and the Prophets
Anthony Rankin Band
Catgut Tonic
Dofka
Fountain Infinity
Grind
Joel Lindsey and the Boulevard of the Allies
Josh McCann Band
Kaj
Kill The Drama