Bringing Down the House 2019 is under way and the Music as a Business industry session was full of knowledge and insight. The Class of 2019 artists connected with local experts and influencers to learn music business strategies and how to navigate the industry. Agents, managers, talent buyers, attorneys and other professionals discussed topics like networking, building an artist team and negotiating contracts during a panel and Q&A. Professionals then supported the artists in developing and delivering a promotional pitch to establish themselves as leaders in the industry. Here are the industry experts from the Music as Business sessions in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Chicago who helped make it all possible:
LOS ANGELES
Music as a Business Panel (from left to right):
DeMarco White – Program Manager, Music Forward Foundation
Max Mason – A&R, Quincy Jones Productions
Brandra Ringo – Senior Director A&R, Warner/Chappell Music
Jermi Thomas – Senior Director A&R, Island Records
Adam Dorn – Film Composer, IMDB
Nurit Smith – Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation
Session Location: Live Nation Entertainment Hollywood
LAS VEGAS
Music as a Business Panel (from left to right):
Shaun Fauntleroy – General Volunteer
Alex Donaldson – Artist, Crash Midnight
Paul Insinna – Entertainment Attorney, President/CEO, Poptrend Music
Marissa Goad – General Volunteer
Mike Xavier – Artist, Mike Xavier Music
Aaron Ameen – Talent Buyer, House of Blues
Julius Niskey – Founding Partner, Niskey.com
Jose Gonzalez – Instructor, Mariachi Nuestra Raices
Session Location: House of Blues Las Vegas
NEW ORLEANS
Music as a Business Panel (from left to right):
Bradford Roublow – Founder, Bentley Barz Entertainment
Kemic Smothers – Executive Director, New Orleans Media Arts Institute
Kareem Ratliff – Artist, Instagram
Ronjanique Steele – Brand Manager/Public Relations, SYH Agency
Octarve Anderson, Jr – CEO, OAKSway Entertainment
Raion Ramsey – Artist and Director, Young Starz of NOLA
Session Location: House of Blues New Orleans
CHICAGO
Music as a Business Panelists (with Class of 2019):
Alison Oliverio – VP Sales Operations-Venue Sales, Live Nation Entertainment (not pictured)
Dionte Durham – Senior Legal Counsel, Infosys Limited
Ken Burroughs – Management
Chinyere Achebe – Program Coordinator, Music Forward Foundation
Session Location: House of Blues Chicago