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