PANEL: Digital Delivery... It's A Reality!
(Neil Sheehan, Gilli Moon, Richard Gabriel, Noel Ramos-Moderator)
Digital delivery is a reality. Now we are seeing how it is affecting the market. Even in the short time that we have been utilizing this new distribution method, it has already morphed considerably. Podcasting, ring-tones, digi-singles, sound tracks, and other digital marketplaces have already expanded this brand new opportunity. This panel will be a cutting edge discussion of these critical developments. Topics will include protection of intellectual property rights, digital distro deals, and the state of the emerging digital delivery market.

PANEL: Publishing, Fact and Fiction
(Robert Case, Richard Gabriel, John Acosta, Noel Ramos-Moderator)
The complex business of publishing will be discussed including: role of the publisher, benefit of their expertise to the songwriter, writer's share, publisher's share, statutory rates, the functions of the PROs, sync licensing, master use licensing, artist royalties (related but often confused with publishing), as well as which royalties are paid by radio. The myths that you should never assign or *give up" your publishing interests, and that artists should co-publish their songs or "retain 25% for nothing" will also be discussed.

PANEL: Street Teaming and Buzz Building
(Ducado Vega, Susan Crandall, Neil Sheehan, Terry Coughlin, Don DeBiase, Toni Koch-Moderator)
Members of the promotional side of the market will discuss the importance of incorporating a serious street teaming effort into your overall indie marketing efforts. Methods for attracting street teamers, rewarding them, managing the program and brainstorming other new promotional ideas will be highlights.

PANEL: Indie Booking and Touring
(Toni Koch, Ducado Vega, Susan Crandall, Gilli Moon-Moderator)
Many Indies realize the importance of watching their budget and utilizing DIY methodology for their booking and touring efforts. But what's the point of touring? This panel takes it to the next level. Maximize your effectiveness: gig-swapping, interviews, airplay, promotion, retail. Time is precious and touring is a massive undertaking; learn to tie in all the critical elements. These experienced road warriors will help you make the most of your efforts.

Workshops

The 8 Keys to Success in the Music Industry (Bill Pere)
Music is first and foremost a people-driven industry. Understanding the 8 factors that determine how people (band-mates, booking agents, DJ's managers, record producers, partners, and fans prefer to give and receive information can give you powerful leverage in navigating the maze of human dynamics. Bill's work and publications in this area, based on the widely used MBTI, have been called "groundbreaking" by Ian Bessler, Editor, Songwriter's Market.

Tripling Your Audience with Targeted Songwriting (Bill Pere)
Are you reaching only 30% of your potential audience? The other untapped 70% is only a few key words away. You do not have to sacrifice artisitic integrity to reach a wider fan base. You just need to know some of the central factors in effective lyrical communication, and then decide how you want to apply them. The difference between songs that are liked and remembered by broad and diverse audiences as opposed to those that have a narrow following lies in a few easily applied techniques and an understanding of how people prefer to give and receive information. This workshop provides practical application of the information presented in "The 8 Keys to Success in the Music Industry".

Ear Responsibility - What EVERY Musician Needs to Know About Hearing Loss (Elaine Ramos)
Hearing loss caused by exposure to music will be described, as well as preventative techniques designed for each band member so as to avoid losing hearing sensitivity during not only performances, but practice sessions as well. Issues such a "tinnitus" (ringing in the ears) will be discussed along with most current research on music-induced hearing loss and treatment.

Music Publishing for Songwriters (Robert Case)
This workshop will consist of a basic overview of what music publishing is. What do music publishers do? What is Demo production and pitching songs? What performing rights societies do? Why is this information important for songwriters?

MPWR Workshop - Artist Empowerment (Gilli Moon)
Define success on your own terms... professional artist development, staying motivated, how to develop the right relationships, marketing and promotional tools, and overcoming obstacles. Gilli Moon hosts an MPWR (empower) Workshop to motivate you beyond creativity, into the business world of the Professional Artist. This workshop will help you take the next step with your artistry - guiding, motivating, encouraging and providing tools, tips and solutions to take your artistry into the world of the entertainment industry. Plus tips on indie promotional and marketing strategies to put philosophy into practice.

Extreme Music Marketing and College Radio (Ducado Vega/Susan Crandall)
We know in any given situation extreme measures yield extreme results. It is no different in the life of musicians. In order to get desired results we as musicians have to at times take it to extremes. Mavericks rule the world. Because the competition is so stiff in the biz, one must be creative, bold, daring and fearless. Your marketing ideas have to be fresh, eyecatching and even sometimes controversial to get the attention you desire. Extreme Music marketing is the key. No gimmicks or trendy behavior, just sheer straight ahead in your face innovation. We will take a look at everything from creating a thriving music scene, to the look, the sound, language, sacrifices etc. One example that has recently worked for our organization is, the name of the new Soultree album is Souled in a Plain Brown Wrapper. The entire album's theme is plain brown packaging. We deliver all promo packages to media in plain brown paper bags. We mail out plain brown boxes and we write on cover sheet Nude pics enclosed. When they open the invitations or press kit we have Guitar Pics enclosed with the word nude on them. Nude Pics! We are currently gearing up to set a musical Guiness World Record and we have media buzzing about the idea. There are plenty more of these types of ideas and we want to share them. Extreme mearsures yield extreme results!

Entering the World of Movies - It's Not Just Your CD (Richard Gabriel)
Whether, it's for your song, your CD, or your appearance, there's much more to this genre than exposure. This panel includes a discussion of the various opportunities that exist in the movie world, not only with placement of your CD, but with your song, underscoring, and on camera performance. There are pitfalls to watch out for (one can die from exposure) and there are opportunities that can improve your "deal". Such opportunities also generate compensation and possible residuals. This covers issues ranging from publishing to on-camera performances, either as a featured of non-featured performer.

The Performing Songwriter's Paint Box - Vocal Workshop (Kay Pere) How to unlock all the colors of your voice. Techniques to release the unique expressive pallate of each song. Tools to create a vivid experience for your audience no matter what your style. Learn specific vocal and songwriting techniques which will bring you attention as Performing Artist. Producers and vocal coaches working to encourage vocal artistry on stage and in the studio will also find value in the distinctive approach offered by this workshop. Kay Pere is a multi-dimentional music educator, performing songwriter, visual artist and activist, whose creative work embodies a message of hope, healing and humanity.

Stage Preparation (Tom Quinn)
Tom Quinn is a veteran sound engineer with years of experience in large venues with up to 6,000 person capacity. Whether your gig is in a small club or a large theater, this workshop will help you become better prepared and more skilled in the technical areas of stage and sound set-up.

Looking for Press in All the Right Places (Noel Ramos)
Noel has published a music magazine for 20 years. He'll relate his experiences and results of surveys he's conducted with media peers. What grabs their attention? What convinces them to print one band's story over another? What do booking agents like to see? What else should you keep in mind? Has the advent of EPKs changed things? These answers and more from the perspective of those you want to target. Examples of press kits will be shown, and a free hand-out of Noel's 7-page "Press Kit Primer" will also be available for all workshop attendees

Songsalive! Songcamp
Songsalive! conducts a 3-hour, high powered, focused songwriting camp where songwriters and composers can gain valuable feedback on their music, and collaborate in co-writing with other writers under the guidance of special Songsalive! songwriter mentors. Songcamp starts with a critique session on your songs, followed by an intensive co-writing session where songwriters are split into breakout groups under the guidance of mentors to co-write and deliver a completed song. This song will then be performed to the full group and music business execs at the end of the session. To participate, sign up in advance for the Songcamp during the conference at the Songsalive! booth. You will need to bring one completed song for critique (either play live or on CD), ten (10) copies of lyric sheets if possible, plus a writing pad and pen.

Entertainment Psychology (Jamie Ballard)
The 'industry' and you seem like separate entities right? At first glance perhaps, maybe even at second glance, but when both eyes close... and glancing evolves into feeling, do you still find its rhythm, its energy, and/or its brilliance different from yours? Of course not. You are the entertainment industry, you personify it, and it, in the same way, is you. Entertainment psychology is a reflection of you as well, in your healthiest, most powerful form - socially, behaviorally, psychologically, emotionally, etc. - and it presents itself as you, fully aligned with your 'gift(s)' and talents/skills in a way which allows success on stage and in life to be choices, and to be as simply designed or written as album covers or songs. Entertainers who know, don't 'make it' by chance, they make it because they create 'it' for themselves. Lets do that... lets chose to create success.

The Power of Video (Clinton Curnutt)
A respected Dallas musician and award winning music video editor, Clint started touring regionally when he was only 13 and now has over 20 years of stage performance experience. Clint also has experience leading seminars and training classes and has a regular speaking engagement for the Texas Association of Film and Tape Professionals (PA Boot camp/Training). He shot and produced a music video for Izzy Stradlin, and has worked with many other musicians on their video projects. At IMC/Dallas Clint will be armed with a killer huge Plasma Screen Monitor, on which he will demonstrate what can be done with video even on a limited budget. Here's a few topics he will cover...
- First and foremost, this is a business!
- What do the big boys do?
- What's so cool about video?
- What can I do with my existing footage?
- Run commercials on TV for next to nothing.
- How to make money with Music Video's.
- Video Production Tips and Tricks (How to make your self look larger than life with almost no money!)
- Create fun marketing "freebies" to increase e-mail list sign-ups, cd/video, t-shirt sales at shows etc...
Please purchase your IMC/Dallas registrations now!

The IMC takes place in Dallas, May 19th - 21st, 2006.