36th Annual Music Conference

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 -Saturday
Room BALLROOM
10:00 CONFERENCE WELCOME
10:30 A Conversation With
Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman
DINING ROOM
12:00
LUNCH BREAK on the grass
LUNCH BREAK on the grass
1:00
Inspiration vs Perspiration What
MusicTech Tips for Songwriters
2:15
Switch It On! Steven Memel
When to Sign and When To Walk Away
3:30
You Ought To Be In Pictures
Supporting A Creative Life - How to Be an Art-
is inspired and what is craft? When are each
useful, and how to switch between them. Brent
Bourgeois
Learn tech tips from music tech leaders who have their
fingers on the pulse of that world.
Brian Zisk, Patti Silverman & Todd Tate
Ned Hearn, Elliot Cahn, Al Evers and Michael Aczon
How Music Is Used In A Movie. Bring your song
to sync to the screen- Marcus Barone
ist without Losing Your Mind, Your Shirt or Your Creative
Compass - JoAnneh Nagler
The Producers: Ken Caillat, Robert Berry, Scott
4:45
Mathews, Howard Benson, Cookie Marenco.
Moderator Kevin Casey
Song Screenings
Room U1
11:00 Monica Benson
U2
FUNSTON
NOOK
U4
Nancy Peacock Dan Hodges
All Styles
Country
Richard Harris
Artists & Songs
Larry Batiste
Song Eval
Brent Bourgeois
Song Eval
1:00
Marcus Barone
Film & TV/Artists
Scott Mathews
Artists & Songs
Dan Hodges
Country
Ken Caillat
Artists & Songs
Gary Burr
Song Eval
Georgia Middleman
Song Eval
2:15
Monica Benson
Film & TV/Artsists
Jason Brawner
Artists & Songs
Nancy
Peacock
All Styles
Howard Benson Jim Bruno
Artists & Songs Song Eval
Larry Batiste
Song Eval
3:30
Darian Cowgill
Film & TV
Scott Mathews
Artists & Songs
Dan Hodges
Country
Cookie Marenco Andre Pessis
Artists & Songs Song Eval
Brent Bourgeois
Song Eval
Film & TV/Artsists
U3
One On Ones
Room RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER RATHSKELLER
Jason
Antoinette
Marcus
Darian
11:00 Ken
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
Jim Bruno
Steve Memel
Caillat
Brawner
Olesen
Barone
Cowgill
1:00
Richard
Harris
Steven
Memel
Cookie
Marenco
Darian
Cowgill
Michael Aczon
Andre Pessis
Ned Hearn
3:30
Monica
Benson
Ken
Caillat
Larry Batiste
Antoinette
Olesen
Richard Harris
Gary Burr
Georgia
Middleman
Performance Showcases
Room BACKYARD
11:00 Robert Berry & Howard Benson
1:00
Renee Richardson & Jeff Campbell
2:15
3:30
Brent Borgeous & Kevin Casey
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Steven Memel & Robert Berry
• • SUNSET CONCERT - BALLROOM - 6:30pm • •
Conference Schedule -Sunday
Room BALLROOM
10AM The Advantages of Collaboration and
some pitfalls to avoid. Cliff Goldmacher
DINING ROOM
Yes Uke Can!
Get some Ukelele chops. Bret Martin
The Big Picture TV & Film Placement
Writing Songs With A Social Conscience Michael & Patty Silversher
12:00
SNACK TIME
SNACK TIME
1:00
Nashville Now
In The House
2:00
Best Of The Weekend
11:00
Monica Benson, Darian Cowgill, Jerome Rossen,
Marcus Barone moderator
How to survive in the Nashville Scene.
Increase your fanbase & bank account at friendly,
Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Dan & Susan
intimate venues - House Concerts. Joanie Crombie,
Hodges, Nancy Peacock, Mod by Antoinette Olesen Poppy Peach Nichols, Jeff Campbell and Ian Crombie
Song Screenings
Room
10AM
U1
U2
U3
FUNSTON
NOOK
U4
Monica Benson
Film & TV/Artsists
Marcus Barone
Film & TV
Dan Hodges
Country
Howard Benson
Artists & Songs
Robert Berry
Song Eval
Andre Pessis
Song Eval
11:00
Nancy Peacock
All Styles
Richard Harris
Artists & Songs
Antoinette
Ken Caillat
Olesen
Film & TV/Artists
Artists & Songs
Gary Burr
Song Eval
Georgia
Middleman
Song Eval
12:00
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
1:00
Darian Cowgill
Film & TV
Marcus Barone
Silvershers
Childrens &
Theater
Cookie Marenco Robert Berry
TV & Film
Artists & Songs
Song Eval
Andre Pessis
Song Eval
One On Ones
Room
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
RATHSKELLER
10:00 Georgia
Gary Burr
Nancy
Peacock
Darian Cowgill
Jason
Brawner
Scott
Mathews
Antoinette
Olesen
11:00 Scott
Robert
Berry
Dan Hodges
Andre
Pessis
Jason
Brawner
Steven
Memel
Howard
Benson
12:00 SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
SNACK
MIddleman
Mathews
Performance Showcases
Room 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) 9562013 5pm-10pm. Free entry. Special food and drink prices for
Conference Registrants (wear your badge). Special performances. Enjoy a no-host dinner and drinks with our guests. Pick up
your Conference Registration package.
CONFERENCE DATE/TIME
Saturday & Sunday September 24th & 25th
9:00 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 Sunday
Performance Showcases: 11 am–4:30 pm Saturday and 10:30
am–1pm Sunday
Noontime Acoustic Concert: Noon–1:00 pm
Sunset 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 SaturdaySaturday Evening Light Dinner Provided in the kitchen Saturday
only 4:30 pm–6pm.
MAIN HOTEL
Holiday 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 CHECK
Secure 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 Room
Songscreening 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
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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 (discussion, 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.westcoastsongwriters.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 retrieved during sessions, make sure you have brought plenty of
copies. At the end of each day, CDs will be brought to the WCS
Center.
Conference Details, continued
Marking Your CD Properly
Make 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!
A message from Ian Crombie,
WCS Executive Director
This is the WCS 36th annual
Conference and my 27th year
as Executive Director for the
organization.
SONG TITLE
© Your Name
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
Your Address
Phone # • email
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 OneOn-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 Center
Come 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.
We have a wide range of seminars and workshops, something for all. Whether you would like
to know more about technology, production, gigging, collaboration, 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 attention. 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!
WCS Center
The WCS Center offers a wide array of services and products:
Latest Conference updates
WCS membership information & Late Registration
WCS 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 sale
Lost and Found
CONTENTS
Conference Program: Saturday . ............................................. 2
Conference Program: Sunday.................................................. 3
Conference Details.................................................................... 4
Conference Guest List............................................................... 6
Conference Menu.................................................................... 13
WCS Staff . ............................................................................. 13
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Conference Guests
MICHAEL ACZON
San 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 Professional 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 Entertainment Law Initiative Committee for the Recording Academy and is a member of the San
Francisco Chapter’s Urban Outreach Committee.
MARCUS BARONE
Marcus 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", "Kingpin", 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 Jennifer 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 Satriani, 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 BENSON
Monica 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 BENSON
Howard Benson is an American music producer and multi-instrumentalist. Benson has
produced such artists as My Chemical Romance, The All-American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Gavin DeGraw, Rascal Flatts, P.O.D., Theory of a Deadman,Motörhead,
Bon Jovi, Santana, Halestorm, Orianthi, Flyleaf, Skillet, Three Days Grace, Adam Lambert, Hoobastank, Creed, Chris Cornell, Blindside and Papa Roach
Howard 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 BERRY
Grammy nominated recording artist, song writer, producer and performing musician.
From his breakthrough work with Bay Area stalwarts, Hush, to his dramatic leap to international 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 album 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 BRAWNER
Jason 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 BRUNO
Jim 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 BURR
From 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 collaborator 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, guitarist/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 CAHN
Over 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 independent 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 CAILLAT
Grammy 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 McCartney, 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 CAMPBELL
Jeff 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 Grateful 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 CASEY
Kevin Casey is a Digital Media Producer, Recording Engineer & Producer, and a Songwriter 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 selfmanaged rock band he had to learn how to book shows as a "local" artist and think about
the venue's point of view.
DARIAN COWGILL
Darian is an independent mix engineer and co-owner of The Den Recorders, a recording 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, Oedipus. 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, Flagship, Zen Robbi, Katastro, The Graves, Kevin Sandbloom, Jonny Santos, Rafael
Moreira, When in Rome, Jimmy Gnecco and Sleeping Giant.
AL EVERS
Al 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 managing 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, 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 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 different 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 GOLDMACHER
Songwriter/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 musician, 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 HARRIS
British-born artist, songwriter and producer Richard is now in his seventh year as a published 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 HEARN
WCS Board Member/Past President
Attorney/Author/ President Emeritus of WCS. Edward (Ned) R. Hearn: Intellectual property 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 HODGES
Dan 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 recorded 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 KANE
Executive 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 effec9
tively in one of the toughest industries around.
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 creative excellence and positive patron experience in the form of an annual awards show.
SCOTT MATHEWS
Scott 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 Harrison, Mick Jagger, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, David 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 inductees of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
He also serves as Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Area Council of Little Kids Rock
COOKIE MARENCO
With 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 performances 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 Reynaud. 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 MEMEL
Steven 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 performers.
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 Bareilles, 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.
10
GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN
Georgia 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 combination 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
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 independent “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 NAGLER
JoAnneh 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 OLESEN
Creative Director - Songwriter – Artist and Writer development Parthenon Music Group.
An award winning songwriter, Olesen has worked independently writing, and in the Creative 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 PEACOCK
Washington Street is an entertainment company with a focus on song placement for artists, 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 production 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 Records 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 PESSIS
Andre 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 Platinum 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 numer11
ous TV shows including: Sesame Street”, the theme song for the CBS Prime time reality
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 Japanese charts at number 6.
RENEE RICHARDSON
Renee 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 SILVERMAN
Patti 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 technologies.
This interest in the “future of music” brought Patti to SF, where she joined the SF MusicTech Summit as Communications Director. In her role, Patti became a master connector, 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-FOUNDERS
Three-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 cocomposers, 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 Donald 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.
MEGAN SLANKARD: Megan has sold over 35,000 copies of her four previous independently 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.
12
TODD TATE
Todd focuses on building great music tech products and mentors, advises and assesses
music startup products and entrepreneurs. Since 2012 Todd has served as an Accelerator 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 recording and helping record TRAIN’s first triple platinum release. His current singing/songwriting 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 webbased interface to Napster. Todd’s work did not land any lawsuits, but instead a rare
collaboration between EMI/Capitol and the band Radiohead.
BRIAN ZISK
Brian ZiskSF MusicTech Summit, Executive ProducerBrian Zisk produces the SF
MusicTech Summit which takes place on October 17th at San Francisco's Hotel Kabuki. Brian is also a Co-Founder and Board member Emiritus of the Future of Music
Coalition.
Mentor Center
Come 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.
JEROME ROSSEN is a composer, songwriter, educator and producer. He is best
known as the composer for the Happy
Tree Friends, a funny (though very violent) 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.
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 engineering 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.
SUSAN HODGES is an Appalachian
State alumni where she studied classical piano, music business and business
administration. She began her career at
Still Working Music, an Orbison entity, responsible 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 growing 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 & Associates at the height of Mortgage Fraud in
America. Armed with a strong understanding 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 Administration, working with clients on Music Row
and around the world.
13
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/alternative 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 nurture 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 traveled 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, David 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. Additionally, 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 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 different 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.
SILVERSHER & SILVERSHER: WCS CO-FOUNDERS
Three-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 cocomposers, 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 Donald 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.
14
Seminar Details
Sunday
Saturday
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 between them. Brent Borgeous
MusicTech Tips for Songwriters
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 Away
Entertainment 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 Pictures 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 Compass - 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 Producers
Ken 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
The Advantages of Collaboration
COMPLIMENTARY
Conference Menu
Yes Uke Can!
Saturday & Sunday
Breakfast
and some pitfalls to avoid with Cliff Goldmacher
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
Placement
Get 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, moderated by Marcus Barone.
Writing Songs With A Social
Conscience
Michael & Patty Silversher talk about
writing songs for causes and the personal
reward you'll receive in the process
Nashville Now
How to survive in the Nashville Scene.
Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Dan
& Susan Hodges, Nancy Peacock,
Moderated by Antoinette Olesen
In The House
Increase 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.
PEET'S Coffee
Bagels & Fruit
Saturday & Sunday
Lunch
Assorted Sandwiches
Saturday Early Evening
Light 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!
Best Of The Weekend
.Guests share a song they discovered over the weekend that touched them, surprised
them, or inspired them
WCS STAFF
Advisory 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 Friedman, Jay Gottlieb, Gerry Grosz, Randy Hansen, Elyse Haren, Karl McHugh, Becky Sanders, Pete
Sommer, Nomi Yah, Linda Yelnick.
Founders: Michael & Patty Silversher
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General's Residence Layout
Ground Level
Upper Level
Lower Level
Rathskeller
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West Coast Songwriters
36th Annual Music Conference
September 24-25 2016
The General's Quarters, Fort Mason, San Francisco
w e s t c o a s t s o n g w r i t e r s • 1 7 2 4 l a u r e l s t r e e t , s u i t e # 1 2 0 • s a n c a r l o s , c a 9 4 0 7 0 6 5 0 . 6 5 4 . 3 9 6 6 email info@westcoastsongwriters.org • website www.westcoastsongwriters.org 20