2008 Featured PanelistsCOMMING VERY SOON

Sean Agnew

Blue Metallic Entertainment
M. Sean Agnew, CEO and founder of BMEG and ElevatioNatioNetwork, an artist development organization, is an in demand marketing, promotions, development consultant and resource for labels and artist alike. Sean has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 19 years as an artist, as an executive and consultant. Sean has toured and worked with legends such as Public Enemy, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, 2PAC, De La Soul, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ted Danson, Christopher Reeves, Louie Anderson and many more.

He is a master and lifelong student of marketing, promotion, and personal development. Over the course of his career he has impacted sales and attendance of his clients businesses, services, events and products in excess of over $50,000,000 dollars in revenue. He has mentored and advised over 1,000 artists and business persons in systematically achieving their dreams and increasing their productivity.

His experience and success has enabled Sean to transition into one of the most dynamic speakers to come along in a while. Over the last 8 years, Mr. Agnew has conducted, participated and spoken at over 350 successful events, including SXSW, NXNE, NEMO and 2NMC, regarding marketing, artist and personal development, and sales. He is adding "author" and "host" to his credits as he is currently writing a book on the traits that make up music and business superstar and a corresponding radio talk show.

Sean is an active member of the National Association of Recording Industry Professionals, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the American Music Conference, MusicCares, and serves as a board member for the International and US Chapters of the Music Managers Forum.
www.bluemetallic.com

Gilli Moon

Songsalive
Warrior Girl Music

Originally from Australia, Gilli Moon is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, pianist, actor, producer, author, painter, motivator, entrepreneur, visionary and empowering community builder. Her restless creativity and rebellious nature continually urge the artist to push the envelope in the studio, on stage and with whatever she touches. Gilli Moon is an illustrious, energetic poly-media artist, with multifaceted albums and dynamic live shows that have touched music lovers worldwide garnering high praise from the most jaded of critics. She has produced and released 4 studio music albums, as well as produced several for other artists. Gilli has become a beacon for artists around the world, inspired and motivated by her story, and her creativity. She has her own record and publishing company, Warrior Girl Music, and is president of the largest international non-profit songwriters organization, Songsalive! I AM A Professional Artist is her first book, based on her experiences in the music and general arts businesses as an artist and entrepreneur, and she has completed her second book "Just Get Out There". Gilli is often invited to talk at music conferences across continents about her DIY artist story, encompassing topics such as production, promotion, marketing, touring, image development and surviving the industry. She also taps into professional artist development, staying motivated, defining success on one's own terms, how to develop the right relationships and overcoming obstacles. Gilli currently lives in Southern California.
www.gillimoon.com
www.warriorgirlmusic.com

Maria Gonzales

Warner Brothers Recors
Maria is currently a member of the Warner Bros Records merchandising department. The merch department develops product lines for bands to sell online, at various retail outlets and on tour. WBR's merch department helps bands further extend their brand, pay their bills and stay on the road.

Prior to finding a permanent place in the merch department Maria was a member of Warner Bros Records New Media department and an A&R scout. At Bravado Maria was a member of the A&R team and had the distinct responsibility of signing bands to merchandise deals. A majority of Maria's music industry experience was at Roadrunner Records where she spent over 6 years working in the media and artist relations department.

Through all of Maria's vast amounts of experience in publicity, marketing, and merchandising she has gained a strong knowledge of how to sign and market bands.


Kim Johnson

BMI

Anne Cecere

BMI

Larry W. Johnson


Larry grew up in a family of musicians where Bluegrass music was the primary influence. He went on the road playing professionally at the age of 16 with Hylo Brown That lead to him playing on Bill Monroe's Caravan with such acts as James Monroe and Jimmy Martin.

Larry came to Nashville as a songwriter the first time in 1970, but it would be many years later before his first big hit. In 1994 Tim McGraw recorded "Don't Take The Girl"  which was the first number one for both writer and artist. Larry has received three BMI Millionaire's Club Awards, each of which recognizes songs that have had more than one million airplays, and it continues to be played throughout the world.

Larry has also had several Bluegrass cuts, among those was the title cut for one of the country's top Bluegrass bands; Continental Divide's "Feel Good Day". There have also been a number of his gospel songs recorded. Larry also penned "If You Think You're Lonely" which was recorded by the great Ray Price and was released on Ray's CD "Time", his first project in years, an accomplishment that makes Larry very proud.

Larry was married during the Frank Brown Songwriter's Festival in Gulf Shores, AL. He and his wife, Kim, reside in the Nashville area. If you ask him of all the songs he has written which one is the best, he'll tell you. "the next one"


CR Parsons

CR has been playing music and performing for audiences most of his life. His first time was at the ripe old age of 3. At age 11 he was working for the Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut.

He slowly settled into music, more importantly, into writing his own music. That's his true love. He loves to tell a story, paint a picture, make you feel what he feels. His upcoming CD is titled “From My Heart To Yours.” That hits it pretty much right on the head. Most everything he writes is autobiographical. He's not afraid to bare it all.

He has spent a lot of time “on the road”. He has opened up for many different artists.....Pure Prairie League, Leon Russel, Don McLean, Richie Havens, Ricochet and many other artists all over the country.

CR spent six years in Nashville where he says he really went to school for song writing. “I was so very lucky to have the opportunity to write with a couple of CMA award winning songwriters.” Eddie Kilgallon wrote “One Night At A Time”. CMA song of the year for George Strait. “The man I consider to be my brother, Larry W. Johnson, co-wrote “Don't Take The Girl for Tim McGraw, the only song to be nominated CMA song of the year two years in a row. Larry and I have written several songs together.” Some of those songs you'll find on CR's cd, “Whoz' Drivin”.

So when you get the chance, come in, sit down and listen. This man has a way with a song that is rare.

Andre Comeau

Andre Comeau is a Los Angeles, CA based singer songwriter from the city of Detroit, MI who has worked in the entertainment business for 11 years. Starting in post-production, Andre worked as a sound effects editor at Travis Powers Sound Design for animated TV shows “The Simpsons”, “Futurama”, & “The PJ’s”. His music business experience includes management, music supervision, music publishing, music libraries, and record labels. Most recently, Andre was the Creative Coordinator at Bug Music Publishing where he signed artists Carina Round (Interscope) and long time friend Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stoneage, The Raconteurs) and pitched songs to Film & TV. As an artist, Andre has worked with producers Greg Frey (Ween) and Steve Austin (Today Is The Day) and as a songwriter was published by Warner / Chappell. He is currently working on a new record with his folk band River Rouge, also performing at the festival. Lastly, you may remember Andre as a featured cast member on the first season of Mtv’s “The Real World, NYC”.


Jonathon Mesh
Jonathan mesh has been involved in the music buisness in los angeles for the past 10 years as a producer, musician, and distributor. Jonathan is also the Director of Content Aquisitions of Onward and Upward Inc., which works with artists in getting their music distributed.

Complete list of panelist comming soon.

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The best event we have been involved with since the inception of our company.

- Tony Chad
Po Boy Drum