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36th Annual Music Conference "Kick Off" - Friday September 23rd at the Hard Rock Cafe, San Francisco
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 24th & 25th The General's Residence, Fort Mason, San Francisco
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Conference Schedule -SaturdayRoom BALLROOM DINING ROOM10:00 CONFERENCE WELCOME10:30 A Conversation With
Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman12:00 LUNCH BREAK on the grass LUNCH BREAK on the grass1:00 Inspiration vs Perspiration What
is inspired and what is craft? When are each useful, and how to switch between them. Brent Bourgeois
MusicTech Tips for Songwriters Learn tech tips from music tech leaders who have their fingers on the pulse of that world. Brian Zisk, Patti Silverman & Todd Tate
2:15 Switch It On! Steven Memel When to Sign and When To Walk AwayNed Hearn, Elliot Cahn, Al Evers and Michael Aczon
3:30 You Ought To Be In PicturesHow Music Is Used In A Movie. Bring your song to sync to the screen- Marcus Barone
Supporting A Creative Life - How to Be an Art-ist without Losing Your Mind, Your Shirt or Your Creative Compass - JoAnneh Nagler
4:45 The Producers: Ken Caillat, Robert Berry, Scott Mathews, Howard Benson, Cookie Marenco. Moderator Kevin Casey
Song ScreeningsRoom U1 U2 U3 FUNSTON NOOK U411:00 Monica Benson
Film & TV/Art-sists
Nancy PeacockAll Styles
Dan Hodges Country
Richard HarrisArtists & Songs
Larry BatisteSong Eval
Brent BourgeoisSong Eval
1:00 Marcus Barone Film & TV/Art-ists
Scott MathewsArtists & Songs
Dan Hodges Country
Ken CaillatArtists & Songs
Gary BurrSong Eval
Georgia MiddlemanSong Eval
2:15 Monica BensonFilm & TV/Art-sists
Jason BrawnerArtists & Songs
Nancy PeacockAll Styles
Howard BensonArtists & Songs
Jim BrunoSong Eval
Larry Batiste Song Eval
3:30 Darian Cowgill Film & TV
Scott MathewsArtists & Songs
Dan Hodges Country
Cookie MarencoArtists & Songs
Andre PessisSong Eval
Brent BourgeoisSong Eval
One On OnesRoom RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER
11:00 Ken Caillat
Jason Brawner
AntoinetteOlesen
Marcus Barone
Darian Cowgill
Jim Bruno Steve Memel
1:00 Richard Harris
Steven Memel
CookieMarenco
Darian Cowgill
Michael Aczon Andre Pessis Ned Hearn
3:30 Monica Benson
Ken Caillat
Larry Batiste AntoinetteOlesen
Richard Harris Gary Burr GeorgiaMiddleman
Performance ShowcasesRoom BACKYARD11:00 Robert Berry & Howard Benson
1:00 Renee Richardson & Jeff Campbell
2:15 Brent Borgeous & Kevin Casey
3:30 Steven Memel & Robert Berry
• • SUNSET CONCERT - BALLROOM - 6:30pm • •
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Conference Schedule -SundayRoom BALLROOM DINING ROOM10AM The Advantages of Collaboration and
some pitfalls to avoid. Cliff GoldmacherYes Uke Can! Get some Ukelele chops. Bret Martin
11:00 The Big Picture - TV & Film PlacementMonica Benson, Darian Cowgill, Jerome Rossen, Marcus Barone moderator
Writing Songs With A Social Con-science Michael & Patty Silversher
12:00 SNACK TIME SNACK TIME1:00 Nashville Now
How to survive in the Nashville Scene. Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Dan & Susan Hodges, Nancy Peacock, Mod by Antoinette Olesen
In The HouseIncrease your fanbase & bank account at friendly, intimate venues - House Concerts. Joanie Crombie, Poppy Peach Nichols, Jeff Campbell and Ian Crombie
2:00 Best Of The Weekend
Song ScreeningsRoom U1 U2 U3 FUNSTON NOOK U410AM Monica Benson
Film & TV/Art-sists
Marcus Barone Film & TV
Dan HodgesCountry
Howard BensonArtists & Songs
Robert BerrySong Eval
Andre PessisSong Eval
11:00 Nancy PeacockAll Styles
Richard HarrisArtists & Songs
Antoinette OlesenArtists & Songs
Ken Caillat Film & TV/Artists
Gary BurrSong Eval
GeorgiaMiddlemanSong Eval
12:00 SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK
1:00 Darian Cowgill Film & TV
Marcus BaroneTV & Film
SilvershersChildrens & Theater
Cookie MarencoArtists & Songs
Robert BerrySong Eval
Andre PessisSong Eval
One On OnesRoom RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER
10:00 Georgia MIddleman
Gary Burr Nancy Peacock
Darian Cowgill Jason Brawner
ScottMathews
AntoinetteOlesen
11:00 ScottMathews
RobertBerry
Dan Hodges AndrePessis
Jason Brawner
Steven Memel
HowardBenson
12:00 SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK SNACK
Performance ShowcasesRoom BACKYARD
10:00 Richard Harris & Steven Memel
11:00 Jeff Campbell, Megan Slankard & Cookie Marenco
12:00 SNACK
• • PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE • •
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Conference Details"KICK OFF" Event — Hard Rock Cafe 39 Pier #256, PIER 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, (415) 956-2013 5pm-10pm. Free entry. Special food and drink prices for Conference Registrants (wear your badge). Special performanc-es. Enjoy a no-host dinner and drinks with our guests. Pick up your Conference Registration package.
CONFERENCE DATE/TIME Saturday & Sunday September 24th & 25th9:00 am–9:00 pm Saturday & 9:00 am- 2pm Sunday (SunSet ConCert Saturday, 6pm Ballroom)
REGISTRATION OPEN TIMES 8:00am – Volunteers 8:30am – Pre-registered Attendees 9:00am – All Other Attendees
WEEKEND EVENTS Seminars and Panels on the craft and business of songwriting from 10:30am to 5:45pm Saturday and 10am to 2pm Sunday (lunch break Noon to 1:00 pm Saturday).Songscreening Sessions: 11 am–4:30 pm Saturday and 10am–2pm SundayPerformance Showcases: 11 am–4:30 pm Saturday and 10:30 am–1pm SundayNoontime Acoustic Concert: Noon–1:00 pmSunset Concert: 6pm –9:00 pm Saturday only
PARKING There is limited free parking near the General's Residence. There is also paid parking at the main Fort Mason parking lot, plus street parking. Instrument Check is just inside the front door.
COMPLIMENTARY MEALS BREAKFAST - Coffee and Bagels/Muffins available in the kitchen area 8:00 am to 10:00 am. LUNCH - Sandwiches in the kitchen Noon –1:00 pm Saturday-Saturday Evening Light Dinner Provided in the kitchen Saturday only 4:30 pm–6pm.
MAIN HOTELHoliday Inn at the Wharf - 1300 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133. (415) 771-9000 Mention West Coast Songwriters.There is a Hostel just steps away from the Generals' Residence
INSTRUMENT CHECKSecure storage of your instrument at the Instrument Check area just inside the front door. Instrument Check opens at 8am and closes at 5pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday so that you may choose to check your instrument before heading to Check-In.
THE PROGRAM Seminars –Ballroom & Dining RoomSongscreening Sessions – U1, U2, U3, and the Funston, (both days). In these 60/90-minute sessions, songs will be played over a sound system so everyone can hear each song and the publishers’ comments. Hand your CD to the DJ when your
name is called.Song/Lyric Evaluations: U4 and the Nook. 90 minute and 60 minute sessions with experienced songwriters giving feedback.
One-on-One Consultations – held in Room 3. These are 15-minute personal meetings with publishers, producers, TV & Film Placement or other industry professional. Format (discus-sion, live or CD performance) is left to attendee to architect. Cost is $25 each (in addition to basic conference fee), prepaid or on the day of sign-up. Maximum of one per weekend unless more unexpectedly become available. The first pre-registered WCS members will benefit from available One-on-One appointments. You will receive notification before the Conference. Sign-up takes place online in advance or at the One-on-One table if there are any spots left. Appointments made on a first come, first served basis; Because of their popularity, and the fact that there are a limited number, there is no guarantee that you will get your choice.
Performance Showcases – Scheduled in the Backyard (Outdoor Stage) Please bring your instrument and be punctual! Sessions last exactly 15 minutes. ALL Performance Showcase sign-ups are done on online in advance of the Conference. Cost is $25 each (in addition to basic conference fee); maximum of one appointment per act per weekend. No guarantees of getting your choice of guest.
PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES Pick up your registration package on Friday at the Kick Off, or Go to the Pre-registration Table Saturday in the foyer to pick up your conference badge and information packages.
REGISTERING ONSITE Go to the Registration area. Complete a registration form and pay the volunteer. We accept cash, checks, money orders, and VISA®/MasterCard®/American Express®/. You will receive your badge and package of conference information at this time. To save time at registration, go to our website at <www.westcoast-songwriters.org>, print out the Conference registration form (see home page), fill it out and bring it with you. If you arrive after 9am, registration is at the WCS center.
SONG CHECK-IN (8:30 am - 9:30 am) Song Check-In, after the initial online sign-ups, will be held at SONG CHECK tables You are guaranteed one listen per day in Songscreening Sessions. Submit songs for screening sessions during Song Check-In Time from 8:30 am to 9:30 am only daily. Screening choices are on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to increase the chances of getting your choice of guest screener. • Songs must be submitted on CD (one song per submission) with a legible lyric sheet (preferably typed). If there's more than one song on the CD make sure to indicate the track number you want played. • Once you're checked in, you'll bring your CD to the session room and hand it to the DJ. • Approximately 9 am, it will be announced if there are openings for any additional song submissions. Song Check-In will close for the day at 9:50 am. CDs not taken by industry guest will be available after song screening sessions outside of the room. CDs may not be re-trieved during sessions, make sure you have brought plenty of copies. At the end of each day, CDs will be brought to the WCS Center.
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Marking Your CD ProperlyMake sure you mark your CD with everything that needs to be on there. In particular, make sure all your current contact info is on your CD!
Song/Lyric Evaluation Check-In Song/Lyric Evaluation Check-In is held at the Song Check-In table. There is a separate line in the Song Check-In area for all Song/Lyric Evaluation sessions. Song/Lyric Evaluations count as Guaranteed Listens. Space is limited and they will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your CD and 12 copies of the lyric to the room so that others in the room can follow the plot.
One-on-One Consultation Sign Ups One-on-One sign-ups are done online. Available additional One-On-One sign ups at the One-On-One table. Check in at the One on One Table (see info in previous column).
Selling Your CD's?You can check CD's in at the WCS Center where volunteers will sell them for you. Don't forget to check out at the end of the Conference - we will not store CD's beyond that point.
Mentor CenterCome to the Mentor Center, in the booth area, and get your questions answered by our group of music professionals. Our mentors have a wealth of experience and will happily figure out how you can be helped.
WCS Center The WCS Center offers a wide array of services and products:Latest Conference updates WCS membership information & Late RegistrationWCS t-shirts, Conference attendees' CDs (check your CD in to sell!!!) Industry guests' books/CDs (available at a discount if ordered onsite!) Listening stations for CDs on saleLost and Found
YourAddressPhone#•email
SONGTITLE©YourName
A message from Ian Crombie, WCS Executive Director
Conference Details, continued
Conference Program: Saturday .............................................. 2
Conference Program: Sunday ................................................. 3
Conference Details ................................................................... 4
Conference Guest List .............................................................. 6
Conference Menu ................................................................... 13
WCS Staff .............................................................................. 13
CONTENTS
This is the WCS 36th annual Conference and my 27th year as Executive Director for the organization.
We have an amazing list of guests coming to share their experience and expertise with us. This year we will start of with a conversation with Gary Burr and Georgia MIddleman, a Nashville couple who each have had amazing careers as songwriters and performers, and also perform and write together
We have a wide range of semi-nars and workshops, something for all. Whether you would like to know more about technology, production, gigging, collabora-tion, sustaining yourself as an artist, getting your songs into TV & Film, or getting feedback on your performance chops
In the screening rooms, we have focused on areas of music where placement is possible, songs for TV & Film, self-contained artists, and Nashville.
One On Ones will give you the opportunity for personal atten-tion. You can choose how you use your time. You can play more songs and less questions, or less songs and lots of questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to sit down with a music pro for 20 minutes, maybe a chance you would never normally have.
I want to thank the amazing volunteers who are making this weekend happen. We've had the same management team for YEARS! They are incredible. I want to thank our guests for giving up their weekend to be here. I also want to thank YOU for deciding to take advantage of all there is to offer, and for being open to criticism and change, and for smiling through the weekend. Have a GREAT time!
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Conference GuestsMICHAEL ACZONSan Francisco Bay Area based Michael A. Aczon has practiced entertainment law and personally managed select clients since 1983. As a lawyer, he has represented a variety of clients in virtually every musical genre from unsigned local artists to multi-platinum artists and writers to L.A. and Nashville-based companies. Michael’s book “The Profes-sional Musician’s Legal Companion” published by Thomson/Hal Leonard quickly became a “must-have” for musicians of all levels of experience and success in the Industry. He has been a columnist for Guitar Player Magazine and Electronic Musician Magazine and is a contributing writer to the book “The Independent Working Musician” by Mary Cosola. Michael is a member of the Music and Recording Industry faculties at San Francisco State University and Diablo Valley College. He has served on the National Entertain-ment Law Initiative Committee for the Recording Academy and is a member of the San Francisco Chapter’s Urban Outreach Committee.
MARCUS BARONEMarcus is an executive in charge of music and music Supervisor for Motion Pictures. He served as Director of Music at Motion Picture Corp of America / Columbia Tristar ...and then as Executive in Charge of Music at Orion Pictures in Los Angeles California. He was in charge of music for over 65 theatricals including "Dumb and Dumber", "King-pin", Beverly Hills Ninja", "Gang Related", and "Behind Enemy Lines".Directors he has worked with include The Farelly Brothers, Joe Mantegna as director, Kevin Spacey as director, Dennis Dugan, George Hickenlooper, Emilio Estevez and Jen-nifer Lynch. Today Marcus Barone operates Film Music Group/First International Pictures, a Motion Picture Music Supervision, Investment, Soundtrack, and Music Production Company in Los Angeles. It is a full staffed company with clients including Universal, Dreamworks Records, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount, ABC, NBC, MTV, CW Network, The WB Network, Warner Brothers VOD,Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, and the A & E Networks.
LARRY BATISTE: Producer, vocalist, songwriter, publisher, instrumentalist, arranger, and educator. He is the musical director for the Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast, and the TEC Awards. Larry has written and published over 250 songs for artist such as Keysha Cole, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Shanice, Lisa Fischer, the Yellowjackets, the Dramatics, Lenny Williams, and Young Jeezy. His songs have appeared in over 25 television shows and films. He’s worked with Stevie Wonder, Ledisi, Steve Miller, Chaka Khan, Joe Satri-ani, Steve Vai, Koko Taylor, Tony Bennett, and Neil Young. He is a current Trustee of The Recording Academy and has received numerous accolades and city proclamations for his volunteer work as a youth mentor, community leader, and music rights advocate.
MONICA BENSONMonica Benson owner of BOK Music, an independent music publishing company with all styles of music made available for licensing to film, television, commercials, trailers, video games, etc. as well as artist placement. With over 20 years in the business, they have had songs in numerous TV shows, movies and recording artists.She had a #1 song on radio Selena Gomez's GOOD FOR YOU. Other cuts are Rita Ora single in the UK POISON, Selena Gomez's single SLOW DOWN, Cash Cash single SURRENDER, cuts on Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Halestorm single I GET OFF, Little Mix, Hunter Hunted single LUCKY DAY
HOWARD BENSONHoward Benson is an American music producer and multi-instrumentalist. Benson has produced such artists as My Chemical Romance, The All-American Rejects, Kelly Clark-son, Daughtry, Gavin DeGraw, Rascal Flatts, P.O.D., Theory of a Deadman,Motörhead, Bon Jovi, Santana, Halestorm, Orianthi, Flyleaf, Skillet, Three Days Grace, Adam Lam-bert, Hoobastank, Creed, Chris Cornell, Blindside and Papa RoachHoward Benson has been Grammy nominated twice for Producer of the Year: 2007 for producing Hoobastank (Every Man for Himself), Flyleaf (Flyleaf), Less Than Jake (In With the Out Crowd), Three Days Grace (One-X), Relient K (Five Score and Seven Years Ago), Papa Roach (The Paramour Sessions), Head Automatica (Popaganda) and Saosin (Saosin)2008 for producing Daughtry (Daughtry), Mêlée (Devils & Angels), The Starting Line (Direction), and Sound the Alarm (Stay Inside)He also received a Dove Award, 2009, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, Revelation by Third Day
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ROBERT BERRYGrammy nominated recording artist, song writer, producer and performing musician. From his breakthrough work with Bay Area stalwarts, Hush, to his dramatic leap to inter-national renowned with ´3´ featuring Keith Emerson & Carl Palmer, to his performances with the legendary Ambrosia, combined with his long running project - Alliance, with members of Boston, Sammy Hagar and Night Ranger, to the December People, along with his consistent rise as a much in demand record producer and most recently, as bassist with Greg Kihn. Proving that there is never a dull moment in Robert´s world.
BRENT BOURGEOIS: began performing on piano in Dallas clubs when he was only 13. He moved to California five years later with friend Larry Tagg and in 1984 formed the pop band Bourgeois Tagg with drummer Rick Walker and guitarist Lyle Workman. The group released a self-titled album in 1986 and Yoyo in 1987 (produced by Todd Rundgren). The single "Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World)" reached thecharts in 1986, and the following year "I Don't Mind at All" hit the Top 40.Problems in the band were then magnified by Bourgeois' lyrical tendencies toward Christianity, and the band broke up. Brent Bourgeois recorded an eponymous album for Charisma in 1990, and hit number 32 in the pop charts with "Dare to Fall in Love." An al-bum for Capitol followed, but he decided to join a Christian Contemporary label, Reunion Records. His first religious album, Come Join the Living World, was released in 1995 and produced by Bourgeois with Charlie Peacock.
JASON BRAWNERJason is an independent record producer based in Southern California who has helped artists and songwriters sign with major labels, publishers, management companies, booking agents and television networks. Most notable contributions have been to Beyonce, Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, and Guitar Hero. Jason's songs have been featured on every major television and cable network. From 2003-2007 Jason wrote and produced for select contestants of American Idol. "The Self Made Star", a compilation Jason prepared as a fundraiser for the Girls Against Abuse, is the ultimate how-to-manual/checklist for successfully self- releasing music.
JIM BRUNOJim Bruno is a San Francisco Bay Area based singer songwriter. His songs have been recorded by Shawn Colvin, Mary Lou Lord, Cliff Eberhardt, Maurice Tani and Laurie MacAllister. Songs he's co-written have been recorded by Chuck Prophet and Thad Cockrell. He has toured in the United States and Europe. Jim is a voting member of the Recording Academy.He currently teaches Songwriting at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA and at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley.
GARY BURRFrom his first pop hit, Loves Been a Little Bit Hard On Me by Juice Newton (1982) to his induction into the Country Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 Gary Burr has been one of the most successful and honored songwriters in history. 32 top forty hits, 24 top tens, 14 number ones, Garys career has spanned pop, country even Latin hits such as Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera’s smash duet Nobody Wants To Be Lonely.Gary has been honored with Songwriter of the Year awards by Billboard Magazine, ASCAP, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. One of the rare breed who writes hits alone as well as co-writing, Gary is a favorite col-laborator of a collection of writing icons such as Carole King, Richard Marx, Don Schlitz, Victoria Shaw, Kenny Loggins... even Ringo Starr! Over the years Gary has kept his joy of music alive by keeping his hand in as many musical adventures as he can lead singer in the seminal country-rock group Pure Prairie League, guitarist/bassist for Carole King on her widely-acclaimed Living Room Tour, gui-tarist/vocalist in Ringo Starr’s band, The Roundheads and thousands of other projects. For me the next song is never far from my mind. Every day I believe that THIS could be the day I hear or say the phrase or hum the melody that will be the best song I’ve ever written!
ELLIOT CAHNOver the past twenty-three years, Elliot has served as attorney for Primus, Papa Roach, Rancid, Exodus, The Offspring, Luce, Charlie Hunter, Ocean Park Music Group, and producers Mark Needham, Jim Scott, and Bryan Todd, as well as a number of indepen-dent record labels, publishing companies, merchandise companies, and film producers. He has managed the careers of Green Day (through the Dookie album which sold fifteen million albums worldwide and won a Grammy for best rock album), Testament, Fisher, guitarist Justin King and R&B songstress Goapele.Elliot was the CEO of a joint venture label with MCA Records and has music supervised two major studio films: Kevin Smiths’ Mall Rats and Angus.
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KEN CAILLATGrammy Winning Producer, Ken Caillat, Producer of one of the best selling records of all time, “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac, he’s also produced Colbie Caillat, Sir Paul Mc-Cartney, Joni Mitchell, Warren Zevon, The Rambles, Herbie Hancock, Pink Floyd, and Michael Jackson.He has his own label, Sleeping Giant Music Group to give new and upcoming art ists worldwide a better alternative. One recent focus has been artist placement in TV & Film. He placed Nicole Maguire's song in Robert Duvall's "Wild Horses" movie, as well as Karmina/Nicole Maguire's song of the same title in the soundtrack. He currently is aiding up and coming artists with Artistmax, a program that propels artists by offering them the tools they need to succeed
JEFF CAMPBELLJeff Campbell’s onstage experiences have taken him to coast to coast countless times and found him sharing stages with John Mayer, members of Counting Crows, The Grate-ful Dead, and opening for Train. After being crowned winner of Guitar Center's National Singer Songwriter Competi- tion out of over 13,000 entrants, his 2013 EP Release, “In Spite of Everything”, produced by 6x Grammy Winner John Shanks, premiered at #1 on the iTunes rock EPs and singles charts, following a performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show. jeffcampbellmusic.com/
KEVIN CASEYKevin Casey is a Digital Media Producer, Recording Engineer & Producer, and a Song-writer and Vocalist with a publishing deal and over a dozen TV/Film credits. His band RubberSideDown recorded 5 albums and played over 800 shows, large and small...booking, promoting and playing small-to-medium venues as well as supporting well known rock acts at large venues and festivals. He also spent much of 2011 as lead singer in the Ronnie Montrose Band, a "legacy" classic rock act. As an artist in a self-managed rock band he had to learn how to book shows as a "local" artist and think about the venue's point of view.
DARIAN COWGILLDarian is an independent mix engineer and co-owner of The Den Recorders, a record-ing studio located in Pasadena with Josh Young, his Emmy Award-nominated business partner. The Den Recorders has been operational since its inception in late 1999. The duo of Darian and Josh also operates Atrium Music, a music licensing an publishing firm that focuses its continually growing music library of composers and independent artists for placement in television, film and other broadcast media opportunities.He served as an independent record producer and engineer for American rock band, Oe-dipus. He has also worked with a number of other bands including Producing, Editing, Mixing, or Mastering for such bands as Middle Class Rut, Beware of Darkness, Flag-ship, Zen Robbi, Katastro, The Graves, Kevin Sandbloom, Jonny Santos, Rafael Moreira, When in Rome, Jimmy Gnecco and Sleeping Giant.
AL EVERSAl Evers is the founder and owner of A Train Entertainment, started in 1985 as an option for independent artists to receive professional assistance in developing and manag-ing their musical careers. Over the years A Train has expanded its services to include publishing administration, artist management, worldwide physical and digital distribution, neighboring rights administration and more. A Train administers over 200,000 song titles, all while keeping ownership in the hands of the artists who created them. Our catalog of digitally distributed titles doubled in the last year and we anticipate similar growth in 2016 with an average of 50 new albums released every month.
STEFFEN FRANZ: President/Founder Independent Distribution Collective, Indepen-dent Producer, Owner Positive Sound Massive Recordings, President, Tarpan Records. Steffen has been in the music business for almost 30 years and brings his many years of experience to his current positions. For the past 18 years, Steffen has run his own independent record label, Positive Sound Massive Recordings, releasing over 20 differ-ent albums and singles over the past decade and a half. He has also produced dozens of albums for other people and has deep knowledge in both the production and label management aspects of the music business. In addition to running PSM for the past 18 years, Steffen founded a physical and digital distribution and marketing com- pany called Independent Distribution Collective in 2004 that currently manages a catalog of over 600 titles in almost 400 independent stores (and a few major chains) across the US. Steffen also developed “InstantDistro” a turnkey mar- keting and promotion system that now includes Print, Radio, Retail and Web promotions as well as music licensing, artist management and booking as well.
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CLIFF GOLDMACHERSongwriter/Music Producer, Educator - In the music business for over twenty-five years, Cliff Goldmacher is a songwriter, producer, engineer, author and owner of recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee and Sonoma. A multi-instrumentalist and session musi-cian, Cliff has recorded, played on and produced thousands of recordings for major and independent publishers, record labels, up and coming songwriters and Grammy winners. Cliff has worked as a staff songwriter for a major Nashville publisher and his songwriting collaborators include multi-platinum selling and Grammy winning artists Ke$ha, Keb’ Mo’, Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead), Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Mindy Smith & Lisa Loeb. Cliff’s songs have been cut by major label artists in genres ranging from country, pop and jazz to classical crossover. His music has also been used on NPR’s “This American Life” and in national advertising campaigns. Cliff’s song, “Till You Come To Me,” went to #1 on the jazz charts.
RICHARD HARRISBritish-born artist, songwriter and producer Richard is now in his seventh year as a pub-lished writer/producer with Peer Music LA, Richard has had cuts with Katharine McPhee (Billboard Top 40), two #1 single’s with South Africa’s Idol winner Elvis Blue off his double platinum selling and SAMA (South Africa’s Grammys) award winning record, a Billboard Top 10 with EMI Latin multi-million selling artist Anahi, a top ten single for Universal New Zealand artist Boh Runga, top ten single with EMI Holland Artist Sabrina Starke and Atlantic band Camera Can’t Lie. A top 20 single with EMI artist Shawn Hook and Sony artist Tyler Shaw in Canada and a top ten record in Japan with boy band Lead.If you turn on the TV anywhere in the world, you’ll hear Richard’s music. Richard had a songs placed in the Reese Witherspoon box office hit movie “This Means War” and CW’s hit TV show “Beauty & The Beast”, “Vanderpump Rules” and an end title song placement in the Tyler Perry movie “Single Moms Club”.
NED HEARNWCS Board Member/Past PresidentAttorney/Author/ President Emeritus of WCS. Edward (Ned) R. Hearn: Intellectual prop-erty business law practice concentrating on the enter- tainment, Internet, and computer software businesses. Clients include record labels, music publishers, recording artists, writers, authors, producers, produc- tion companies, managers, software designers, multimedia product and website developers, and music and content digital delivery companies.Co-author of Musician’s Guide To Copyright and The Musician’s Business and Legal Guide.
DAN HODGESDan has successfully placed songs on albums generating over 10 million units in sales throughout his career. Among those songs are the hits “Where Would You Be” by Martina McBride and “I’m A Survivor” by Reba McEntire, which became the theme song for her hit television show, Reba. He was also responsible for pairing artist Rachel Proctor with songwriter Chris Tompkins for cowriting, resulting in Rachel’s hit single and video “Me and Emily.” Dan’s Large Opportunity Music also enjoyed success with Billy Currington’s ASCAP 2008 Country Song of the Year and 3 week #1 “Good Directions” and songs re-corded by Lila McCann, Blaine Larsen, Kenny Rogers, The Isaacs, Carmen Rasmusen, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Jill King, Little Texas, Dianna Corcoran (Sony, Australia), Jill Johnson (Lionheart Records, Sweden), Swedish Pop artist "The Gentlemen", Katharine McPhee(American Idol finalist), Pinmonkey and Marie Osmond, as well as two songs on Martina McBride’s “Waking Up Laughing” album which is certified Gold. In addition to his success at placing songs in his career, Dan has proven that he has an exceptional skill in discovering talented songwriters before they happen. Among those Dan has discovered and signed to their first publishing deals are Grammy winners Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins (cowriters who penned ASCAP 2007 Song of the Year “Before He Cheats” for Carrie Underwood), Victoria Banks (sole writer of the Sara Evans smash “Saints and Angels”), Rachel Thibodeau (the writer of the 3 week #1, ASCAP 2008 Song of the Year “Good Directions” for Billy Currington as well as 2 songs for Martina McBride) and most recently Ryan Griffin(Sony Music Artist), and Jason Duke "That Could Still Be Us" for Keith Urban and "Dibs" for Kelsea.
JOCELYN KANEExecutive Director of San Francisco's Entertainment Com- mission, which is charged with ensuring the health and vitality of indoor and outdoor entertainment venues in the City.Jocelyn is also the founder of Motogirl Productions, an SF-based artist develop- ment company. Motogirl Productions works with large and small artists in vari- ous genres, to help them understand the "business" of music and how to reach individual goals effec-tively in one of the toughest industries around.
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Jocelyn currently serves on the Non Profit boards of Bread and Roses, Site and Sound, and The Root. She co-produces the San Francisco Nitey Awards, which celebrates cre-ative excellence and positive patron experience in the form of an annual awards show.
SCOTT MATHEWSScott Mathews is an American music producer,composer, performer and entrepreneur. With sales of more than 40 million units and downloads sold as a music producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and music publisher, he has earned over 20 gold and multi-platinum RIAA Certification awards and has contributed to five decades of GRAMMY and Oscar Award-winning projects.He has produced Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison, Jerry Garcia, Huey Lewis, Johnny Cash, John Hiatt,Nick Lowe, Dick Dale, Sammy Hagar, Booker T. Jones, Van Dyke Parks, Bob Weir and many others. He has written songs or recorded with major artists from Barbra Streisand to John Lee Hooker, including Keith Richards, George Har-rison, Mick Jagger, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Da-vid Bowie, Steve Perry, Todd Rundgren, Robert Cray, Ry Cooder,The Tubes, Bobby Womack, Sammy Hagar, Steven Stills, Patti LaBelle, Dr. John and Raphael Saadiq. He has performed on various musical instruments and vocals with Neil Young, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, John Fogerty,Kid Rock, Brian Wilson, Zac Brown, Steve Miller, Carlos Santana, James Hetfield of Metallica, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Waits, Etta James, Chris Isaak, Pat Monahan of Train, Joe Walsh, Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black, Boz Scaggs, Joe Satriani and many more. He has made the Billboard MagazineTop 40 list in multiple genres most every year since he began in 1976. The recording artists he has worked with include more than 90 induct-ees of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.He also serves as Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Area Council of Little Kids Rock
COOKIE MARENCOWith more than 25 years in the music industry, Cookie Marenco’s creative and technical skills have touched almost every aspect of the music and audio business. She is widely known for the quality of her audio engineering work and for drawing out passionate per-formances from the artists she produces. Marenco has been a pioneer indelivering DSD and HiRes Audio to consumers worldwide through her company, Blue Coast Music.After a 20-year career as a recording engineer/producer, the devolution of audio toward the convenient but low-resolution mp3 format concerned her. In response, Marenco returned to her roots in analog recording and developed a recording technique called Extended Sound Environment (E.S.E.) with audiophile champion, Jean Claude Reyn-aud. They began producing exceptional acoustic performances in E.S.E. that became the foundation of Blue Coast Records.While this was contrary to what mainstream music fans wanted, she knew an audience existed for better sound and performances. Combining the richness of analog tape with the latest innovations in digital audio, called Direct Stream Digital (DSD), Marenco launched Blue Coast Records in 2007. Blue Coast Collection was heralded as one of the finest acoustic recordings by many critics and has become a reference standard for manufacturers to test the accuracy of their systems.
STEVEN MEMELSteven Memel is an internationally acclaimed voice & performance coach, based in Los Angeles, CA.He is the creator of and the energy behind “The Science Of Switching On”, a unique and impactful system that enables him to achieve rapid and dramatic results with all perform-ers.He is an internationally recognized voice technique and performance coach as well as an award-winning actor and director. He has aided in building the careers of some of the most talented and successful people in the world of entertainment.His clients have recorded on Sony, Jive, DreamWorks, BMG and others.Among those who have worked with Steven are recording artists Maroon 5, Sara Ba-reilles, Jesse McCartney, actors Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Isabella Rossellini and many more. He has taught at Musicians Institute, UCLA, USC and is a regular speaker at seminars, conferences and universities around the world.
GEORGIA MIDDLEMANGeorgia Middleman’s love affair with music is evident in every song she sings. Her songs blend passion and insight into the human condition with powerful melodies in a combina-tion that hearkens to the timelessness of classic American popular music.One of Nashville’s most accomplished singer/songwriters, Georgia has had songs recorded by Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Joe Nichols, Maia Sharp and Sheila E., among many others. In 2010, Keith Urban took “I’m In,” which she co-wrote with Radney Foster, to the top of the country charts. Those who have seen her live, though, can attest that there is real magic in her own renditions of
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her songs as, she wraps one of music’s most expressive voices around lovingly crafted glimpses into life and love at their most compelling.Born and raised in Texas, Georgia earned a degree in acting from NYU and played the city’s clubs until a visit to Nashville. “That’s when everything changed,” she says. “I fell in love with this town because it was a community of writers.”She earned a publishing deal with Polygram and then a record deal with Giant Records. Her solo records include“Endless Possibilities” on Giant Records and the indepen-dent “Unchanged” and “Things I Didn’t Know I Knew.” Georgia is currently in the studio working on her fourth solo record.When not performing solo, Georgia is one third of the trio, Blue Sky Riders, along with Gary Burr and Kenny Loggins. Blue Sky Riders released their debut CD, “Finally Home,” in January of 2013 and are currently working on their follow-up CD, due for release in 2017.Georgia is also one half of the husband & wife duo, Middleman Burr.
JOANNEH NAGLERJoAnneh Nagler is an author, freelance writer, painter and singer-songwriter living in the Bay Area. She is the author of the Amazon Top-100 book, The Debt-Free Spending Plan, as well as the new book, How to be an Artist without Losing your Mind, Your Shirt or Your Creative Compass. She writes travel articles, books, plays, essays, scripts, and music, and has written and worked for ABC and Fox Television, the periodical Real Talk L.A., The Jewish Journal and more. She writes travel and culture articles for The Culture Trip, JetSet Extra, Destinations Magazine, Tango Diva, and Himalayan High Treks. Her music CDs 'Enraptured' and 'I Burn' are on-line at iTunes and Amazon.
ANTOINETTE OLESENCreative Director - Songwriter – Artist and Writer development Parthenon Music Group.An award winning songwriter, Olesen has worked independently writing, and in the Cre-ative Direction department of several Music Row publishing companies including Writer Zone and Ash Street Music. Monty Holmes, Josh Thompson, Jon Robbin and Billy Lee are among numerous #1 hit-writers and their catalogs she has worked with. Antoinette is currently co-writing with and developing artists and songwriters which entails everything from tailoring songs to fit the current commercial market, introduction to Nashville and music industry, creating performing opportunities in town and shopping artists and songs to labels. A frequent host to West Coast songwriters, she has provided opportunities for WCS writers and artists to play Nashville from the Bluebird to the Listening Room. She has produced projects, provided industry introductions and evaluated and shopped songs for them. Antoinette works with Pop, Country, Americana and Alternative genres and is always on the lookout for great artists, writers and songs, especially if unique and out of the box.
NANCY PEACOCKWashington Street is an entertainment company with a focus on song placement for art-ists, film, TV, trailers and commercials. Our offices are located in Nashville, so of course we have great country music, but our multi-genre catalog also includes pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, electronic, jazz and more. We also rep indie artists and bands for film and TV licensing.We specialize in indie music for movies, television, commercials, movie trailers and games. We work closely with music supervisors, networks and advertising agencies from coast to coast. Though local opportunities have been increasing as more film produc-tion moves south - think "Hunger Games" and "Walking Dead" filmed in Georgia and our hometown show "Nashville" right here in music city. Our film and TV credits include movie trailers for the Ethan Hawke movie "Anarchy" and The Colin Hanks Tower Re-cords documentary "All Things Must Pass", and the pivotal montage music in the Rene Zellweger film "New In Town". We currently have a new concept business reality show in production in Los Angeles and we'll be working on the music for a new movie based on the screenplay "Belle Breezing" by Margaret C. Price
ANDRE PESSISAndre has had 16 hit songs and been on 7 number one albums including the Bonnie Raitt “Luck Of The Draw” multi platinum CD that won 3 Grammys, and a song on the HBO Movie “Grey Gardens” that won 6 Emmies and 2 Golden Globes. He has 13 Plati-num records and one Diamond album (ten platinum) and won 4 ASCAP awards.He has been recorded by: Huey Lewis and The News, MR Big, Tim McGraw, Waylon Jennings, Journey, The Dead, Ratdog, Southern Pacific, Glenn Medeiros, Ann Wilson of Heart, Gregg Rolie, Paul Carrack, Ben E King, The Stylis- tics and Laura Branigan and Bigbird.He had songs on major Motion pictures including the theme song from “Pink Cadillac” (Clint Eastwood), a song on “I Love you Phillip Morris (Jim Carrey) as well as numer-ous TV shows including: Sesame Street”, the theme song for the CBS Prime time reality
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show “There Goes The Neighborhood” as well as the Theme song for “Pride Fighting”He and Eric Martin wrote a song recorded by MR Big and all the royalties were donated to the Tsunami victims in Japan. The song raised over 300 thousand dollars in a few months and was voted “Song Of The Year” in 2011.He has10 songs on the latest 2 Mickey Hart Albums co-written with Mickey and Robert Hunter and 10 songs on the MR Big CD released October of 2014 and entered the Japa-nese charts at number 6.
RENEE RICHARDSONRenee Richardson is best known for her on-air work at KFOG radio in SF, her 17 year career was spent helping to cultivate the "Foghead" community and help grow the Bay Area's music scene. She created the KFOG Local Scene series and is an avid fan of live music. Today, after an unexpected showing of the door by Cumulus Media, Renee has landed as Director of Development for Blue Bear School of Music.
PATTI SILVERMANPatti Silverman has spent the last 9+ years in the space where music and technology converge. While at Columbia Records in NYC, she developed a reputation as an early proponent of music tech. To run marketing campaigns for artists including Adele, Band of Horses, and Passion Pit, Patti scouted innovative products and breakthrough technolo-gies. This interest in the “future of music” brought Patti to SF, where she joined the SF Mu-sicTech Summit as Communications Director. In her role, Patti became a master connec-tor, supporting innovation in the music industry by bridging relationships between tech, artists and labels. She continues to work with the community as an Advisor.
SILVERSHER & SILVERSHER: WCS CO-FOUNDERSThree-times nominated for the prime-time EMMY Awards, this is GRAMMY-winning songwriters, Michael & Patty Silversher 40th year in music, theatre, films and television.In television, Michael & Patty Silversher have composed the score for four seasons (so far) of the hit TV series, "DINOSAUR TRAIN", a collaboration between Jim Henson Productions and PBS. They composed songs as well as the score for the new Henson/Netflix show, “WORD PARTY” which premiered in July 2016, as well as another Henson/PBS Sprout series, "PAJANIMALS," writing the theme song as well. They served as co-composers, arrangers and musical directors/supervisors of the Jim Henson Company/TLC television series, "ANIMAL JAM", 2001-02.As songwriters, Michael & Patty Silversher’s latest recording is a January 2016 release by Social Thinking SUPERFLEX; A HERO INSIDE. The project involves songs written for a curriculum program for people on the Autism spectrum.They have written well over a hundred songs for the Disney song catalog including Don-ald Duck's 50th Birthday song, and Mickey Mouse's 60th Anniversary Song. They have also written the theme songs for two of Disney’s most popular series of the 80s and 90s; “GUMMI BEARS” and “TALE SPIN.” In 1997 and 1999 Michael and Patty were honored with Emmy nominations for Outstand-ing Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics for their work in two Disney specials, BOO TO YOU, TOO, WINNIE-THE-POOH, and WINNIE-THE-POOH: A VALENTINE FOR YOU. They were similarly honored in 1996 for Jim Henson Production's 1995 Christmas special, MR. WILLOWBY'S CHRISTMAS TREE (with songs by Michael and Patty and score by Michael). The soundtrack of "ELMO IN GROUCHLAND" won the Grammy Award for Best Chil-dren's Recording with Music in 2000.
MEGAN SLANKARD: Megan has sold over 35,000 copies of her four previous indepen-dently released CDs, and she is currently touring across the US to support her band's brand new fifth album, "Running on Machinery", which was recorded with the help of Nashville producer, Alex Wong (Vienna Teng, Delta Rae).Her preceding album, A Token Of The Wreckage was recorded with help from David Bryson (Counting Crows) and Jerry Becker (Train). Her songs have also won several awards: in 2013 alone, she was a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest, a finalist in the International Songwriting Contest (ISC), and a finalist in the Show Me the Music Contest. She was also a finalist for Best Female Artist in the International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA).Touring extensively throughout the United States and Europe, Megan's adventures include opening for Jamie Cullum at a sold-out Fillmore, playing electric guitar on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live as part of the Jeff Campbell Band, singing the National Anthem to a crowd of 45,000 Giants baseball fans, performing duets with Pat Monahan of Train, and touring with Dire Straits co-founder David Knopfler throughout Europe.
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TODD TATETodd focuses on building great music tech products and mentors, advises and assesses music startup products and entrepreneurs. Since 2012 Todd has served as an Accelera-tor Advisory Board Member and a Music Panel Producer for South by Southwest. Todd’s panel “The 7 Hottest Topics of Web MusicTech” attracts full capacity audiences every year. As the Community Architect for the SF MusicTech Summit, Todd has cultivated sponsors, attendees and panelists since the inaugural Summit.Studying jazz composition and audio engineering, Todd logged many hours as a studio owner + hands on engineer, earning credit for a Grammy-nominated Latin Jazz record-ing and helping record TRAIN’s first triple platinum release. His current singing/songwrit-ing project Sayla Dobro, is described as “Beck, meets Skeleton Key, with a sprinkle of Calexico.”In earlier times, Todd was COO and co-founder of Angry Coffee, maker of the first web-based interface to Napster. Todd’s work did not land any lawsuits, but instead a rare collaboration between EMI/Capitol and the band Radiohead.
BRIAN ZISKBrian ZiskSF MusicTech Summit, Executive ProducerBrian Zisk produces the SF MusicTech Summit which takes place on October 17th at San Francisco's Hotel Ka-buki. Brian is also a Co-Founder and Board member Emiritus of the Future of Music Coalition.
Mentor CenterCome to the Mentor Center, in the booth area, and get your questions answered by our group of experienced music professionals. Our mentors have a wealth of experience and will happily figure out how you can be helped.
STEVE HOROWITZ is a creator of odd but highly accessible sounds and a diverse and prolific musician. His thirty year career integrates his experiences as a songwriter and band leader with his explorations as a multi faceted composer and producer. Horowitz writes music for dance, film, television, cartoons, and video games. Steve wrote the score to the Academy Award Nominated film Super Size Me and the title song to the film Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden.Horowitz's audio expertise was honored in 1996 with a Grammy award for his en-gineering work on the compact disc "True Life Blues, the Songs of Bill Monroe", winner of the best Bluegrass album 1996, and in 2003 with a Webby for his work with Nickelodeon Digital. Horowitz has been featured in Bass Player magazine (May, 2007) and books The Art of Digital Music and The Guerilla Guide to the Music Business.Year round, Steve can be found working and touring with his own music projects, and has released 20 albums of original mind bending music to date.
JEROME ROSSEN is a composer, song-writer, educator and producer. He is best known as the composer for the Happy Tree Friends, a funny (though very vio-lent) animated Internet sensation. Jerome has worked on shows that have over 350 Million YouTube views. The show is currently available on Netflix and Hulu. Jerome has also created music and sound design for video games, including for LeapFrog. Jerome has work that has been featured in TV, film, advertising, animation, concert, and theater. Jerome recently collaborated on a musical with 2nd graders (they wrote the words) called “We Are Coral” about saving the coral reef.Jerome is a BMI writer and a member of the west coast chapter of the Manhattan Producer’s Alliance, a professional audio networking organization.
SUSAN HODGES is an Appalachian State alumni where she studied classi-cal piano, music business and business administration. She began her career at Still Working Music, an Orbison entity, re-sponsible for copyright management and subpublisher relationships. Her next role was with Business Affairs/Writer-Publisher Relations at SESAC, working in creative and administrative roles, and serving with NSAI in grassroots efforts to preserve copyright legislation. Focusing on a grow-ing family, she stepped off Music Row to assist the legal team at Waller, Lansden, Dortsch and Davis, and would later initiate loan investigations for Hodges & Associ-ates at the height of Mortgage Fraud in America. Armed with a strong understand-ing of music and business, Susan assisted her husband in opening Dan Hodges Music LLC in 2008. She currently serves as VP for DHM’s worldwide copyright and royalty administration arm, DHM Adminis-tration, working with clients on Music Row and around the world.
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Mentor Center
JUSTIN SEISER is Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations at Broadcast Music, Inc. ® (BMI®). Mr. Seiser joined BMI in February of 2014 and is based in BMI’s Los Angeles office. In his current role, he is responsible for recruiting and developing indie/alterna-tive and dance/pop songwriters and producers. With experience in live show production and management, he assists with showcases, workshops, and events locally and nationally. At BMI, Justin continues to build and nur-ture existing relationships with managers, music publishers and the A&R community by providing a widespread administrative and creative function.Prior to joining BMI, Mr. Seiser trav-eled the world as a Tour and Production Manager for the former Universal Motown EDM Group, Hyper Crush. During the five years he served in this role, he worked alongside RPM Group, Moodswing360, William Morris Agency, and the Agency Group. Mr. Seiser is a graduate of University of Southern California in Los Angeles,
DAVID SCHEIBNER Songwriter and guitarist, Da-vid Scheibner has been a working composer in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. Moving to LA in the mid-80's he soon began writing for and with such diverse artists as the Little River Band, Juice Newton, and the Walt Disney Co. Addition-ally, there was TV theme writing ( "Sydney" starring Valerie Bertinelli and "Glory Days" starring Brad Pitt).David moved on to artist productions garnering a "Pop Critics Choice" in Billboard Magazine for the release "Heart Of Us All" by Karen Lehner.Most recently he has been writing for Paramount
(Entertainment Tonight, The Insider) and various music production companies, licensing music to shows such as A&E Biographies and channels that include MTV, VH1, Lifetime, E! Entertainment and the Discovery Channel. His current work is with the Atrium Music Group, which has licensed his compositions to Extreme Makeover Home Edition, TLC, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and ABC's Disney Christmas Day Parade, starring Neil Patrick Harris.
STEFFEN FRANZ: President/Founder Independent Distribution Collective, Independent Producer, Owner Positive Sound Massive Recordings, President, Tarpan Records. Steffen has been in the music business for almost 30 years and brings his many years of experi-ence to his current positions. For the past 18 years, Steffen has run his own independent record label, Pos-itive Sound Massive Recordings, releasing over 20 dif-ferent albums and singles over the past decade and a half. He has also produced dozens of albums for other people and has deep knowledge in both the production and label management aspects of the music business.
In addition to running PSM for the past 18 years, Steffen founded a physical and digital distribution and marketing com- pany called Independent Distribution Collective in 2004 that currently manages a catalog of over 600 titles in almost 400 independent stores (and a few major chains) across the US. Steffen also developed “InstantDistro” a turnkey mar- keting and promotion system that now includes Print, Radio, Retail and Web pro-motions as well as music licensing, artist management and booking as well.
SILVERSHER & SILVERSHER: WCS CO-FOUNDERSThree-times nominated for the prime-time EMMY Awards, this is GRAMMY-winning songwriters, Michael & Patty Silversher 40th year in music, theatre, films and television.In television, Michael & Patty Silversher have composed the score for four seasons (so far) of the hit TV series, "DINOSAUR TRAIN", a collaboration between Jim Henson Productions and PBS. They composed songs as well as the score for the new Henson/Netflix show, “WORD PARTY” which premiered in July 2016, as well as another Henson/PBS Sprout series, "PAJANIMALS," writing the theme song as well. They served as co-composers, arrangers and musical directors/supervisors of the Jim Henson Company/TLC television series, "ANIMAL JAM", 2001-02.As songwriters, Michael & Patty Silversher’s latest recording is a January 2016 release by Social Thinking SUPERFLEX; A HERO INSIDE. The project involves songs written for a curriculum program for people on the Autism spectrum.They have written well over a hundred songs for the Disney song catalog including Don-ald Duck's 50th Birthday song, and Mickey Mouse's 60th Anniversary Song. They have also written the theme songs for two of Disney’s most popular series of the 80s and 90s; “GUMMI BEARS” and “TALE SPIN.”
In 1997 and 1999 Michael and Patty were honored with Emmy nominations for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics for their work in two Disney specials, BOO TO YOU, TOO, WINNIE-THE-POOH, and WINNIE-THE-POOH: A VALENTINE FOR YOU. They were similarly honored in 1996 for Jim Henson Production's 1995 Christmas special, MR. WILLOWBY'S CHRISTMAS TREE (with songs by Michael and Patty and score by Michael). The soundtrack of "ELMO IN GROUCHLAND" won the Grammy Award for Best Children's Recording with Music in 2000.
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COMPLIMENTARY Conference Menu
Saturday & Sunday Breakfast
PEET'S Coffee Bagels & Fruit
Saturday & Sunday Lunch
Assorted Sandwiches
Saturday Early EveningLight Supper
Pasta Salad and Garlic Bread
Beverage
Menu subject to change!
PLEASE NOTE:Special dietary needs
cannot be accommodated.
You are welcome to bring your own food to
the conference!
WCS STAFFAdvisory Board : Jocelyn Kane, Bruce Labadie, Scott Mathews, Andre Pessis, Mike Pinder, Merl Saunders, Steve Seskin, Michael Silversher, Patty Silversher, Janis Stevenson, Howard Thomas, Mira Veda, Narada Michael Walden.
Board of Directors: Larry Batiste, Bruce Ede (Treasurer), Ned Hearn, Shiloh Hobel (V.P), Mark LeMon (President), Andre Pessis, Jerome Rossen, Jodell Seagrave, Pete Sommer, Alison Williams, Sonja Wolgemuth, Josh Young.
Executive Director: Ian Crombie
Conference Managers: Phil Bearce, Greg Biles, Jeff Campbell, Ian Crombie, Joanie Crombie, Bruce Ede, Peter Lamson, Mark LeMon, Poppy Peach Nichols, Starr Saunders, Jodell Seagrave, Pete Sommer, Alison Williams, Corinne Woolworth. Nomi Yah, Linda Yelnick
Regional Directors: Chris Merrill , Kathie Rollins, Elyse Haren
Managers: Al Atkins, Bob Crane, Margaux Joy DeNador, Dudley DeNador, Mike Fleming, Josh Fried-man, Jay Gottlieb, Gerry Grosz, Randy Hansen, Elyse Haren, Karl McHugh, Becky Sanders, Pete Sommer, Nomi Yah, Linda Yelnick.
Founders: Michael & Patty Silversher
Seminar Details
CONFERENCE WELCOME
A Conversation -Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman Indvidu-ally acclaimed songwriters, touring artists. How they've built successful careers separately and together. Andre Pessis interviews this dynamic duo.
Inspiration vs Perspiration What is inspired and what is craft? When are each useful, and how to switch be-tween them. Brent Borgeous
MusicTech Tips for Song-writers Learn tech tips from these music tech leaders who have their fingers on the pulse of that ever evolving world. Brian Zisk, Patti Silverman & Todd Tate
Switch It On Performance Coach Steven Memel shares his incredible performance/voice techniques to bring your to the next level!
When to Sign & When To Walk AwayEntertainment attorney Ned Hearn and Panelists will help you see the difference between a good deal and bad deal and tips on how to negotiate for what you want.
You Ought To Be In Pic-tures How music is chosen, how music changes the mood of a scene. Music Supervisor Marcus Barone. Bring your songs to be chosen at random and put up against a movie to see the effects!
Supporting A Creative Life How to Be an Artist without Losing Your Mind, Your Shirt or Your Creative Com-pass - JoAnneh Nagler Don't fall prey to the moniker, "struggling, starving artist". Learn skills to create balance in your live: day job, time, money, relationships, motivation, work ethics, inspiration—all of the practical stuff that you need to build a lifetime of creating.
The ProducersKen Caillat, Cookie Marenco, Robert Berry, and Scott Mathews chat about how their creative process, working with artists and what to look for in your producer. Interviewed by Kevin Casey
SundayThe Advantages of Collabo-ration and some pitfalls to avoid with Cliff Gold-macher
Yes Uke Can! Always wanted to strum a uke? Learn some cool Ukelele chops -we'll even lend you one or you can a great price on a new ukelele. With Bret Martin
The Big Picture - TV & Film PlacementGet the inside scoop directly from TV & Film Industry Pros when they share their experience of this lucrative industry. How new writers and artists can break into this market, and the different uses for songs. Darian Cowgill, Jerome Spence, moder-ated by Marcus Barone.
Writing Songs With A Social ConscienceMichael & Patty Silversher talk about writing songs for causes and the personal reward you'll receive in the process
Nashville NowHow to survive in the Nashville Scene. Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Dan & Susan Hodges, Nancy Peacock, Moderated by Antoinette Olesen
In The HouseIncrease your fanbase & bank account at friendly, intimate venues. How they work, how to create your own and how to get bookings. Ian Crombie, Joanie Crombie, Jeff Campbell, and Poppy Peach Nichols.
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Saturday
Best Of The WeekendGuests share a song they discovered over the weekend that touched them, surprised them, or inspired them
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General's Residence LayoutGround Level
Upper Level
Lower LevelRathskeller
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westcoastsongwriters •1724 laurel street, suite#120•sancarlos, ca 94070650.654.3966 [email protected]•websitewww.westcoastsongwriters.org
West Coast Songwriters 36th Annual Music Conference
September 24-25 2016The General's Quarters, Fort Mason, San Francisco
