LIVE FROM MEMPHIS

2010 INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – FREE - ALL AGES WELCOME
Memphis Cook Convention Center

On Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00am – 5:00pm, the annual International Folk Alliance Conference will open a special section of our conference to the general public for a series of FREE special music showcases, kid’s music showcase, instrument petting zoo, music industry panels, songwriting workshops, instrument workshops, films, dance, and much more.  

These special music industry sessions are designed for all styles of music and will be led by some of the top people in the international music industry.

Admission is free, but limited to the first 500 participants.  Bring a donation of non-perishable foods for the Memphis Food Bank and receive a free CD.  Your help in supporting the Memphis Food Bank would be greatly appreciated.  

A limited number of advance complementary tickets will be available that will guarantee admission will be available beginning January 15 at the Folk Alliance World Headquarters in Memphis or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Schedule of Events

10:00am:     Instrument Petting Zoo for Kids
This is a great opportunity for kids to touch and play a wide variety of instruments from throughout time and from around the globe.  (Upper Foyer)

10:00am:    My First Music Lesson
Kids can join our Folk Alliance musicians for their first music lesson.  Bring your own stringed instrument or use one of our instruments.  There will be 45 minutes of personal instruction followed by a full scale sing & play along with all students and musicians. (Cotton Row Room)

11:00am:     Folk Alliance Kids Music Review
Join us for a 90-minute action packed show featuring some of the top children’s music performers from around the world presenting their songs and stories for kids ages 4 – 10.  Featuring performances by Farmer Jason, Brett Campbell from Australia, Ms. Bobbie's 'Little Folks' Project, Hilary Hawke, Taylor Bothwell, Chris McKhool’s FiddleFire and hosted by John Flynn. (Cotton Row Room)

11:00am    Music Business Basics
A guide to the basics of the music business including copyright, publishing, management, booking, recording, distribution, marketing, promotion, and much more.  Participants include Micah Solomon (President, Oasis CD Manufacturing), Seth Saltzman (ASCAP), David Hirshland (President, Bug Music), Frank Brandon (Burnside Distribution), David Macias (President, Thirty Tigers), Charlie Dahan (The Roots Agency) (River Bluff Room)

1:00pm    Songwriters Workshop
How to write great songs and what to do with them.  Join our panel of renowned songwriters, publishers, and songwriter organizations for a discussion on what it takes to write great songs, how to get those songs into the right hands, and how to utilize the valuable resources available to songwriters.
Featured panelists include Bart Herbison (Executive Director, Nashville Association of Songwriters International/NASI), Bradley Collins (BMI),  Brendan Okrant (ASCAP), Gary Nicholson (songwriter), Patrick Clifford (Ten Ten Music Publishing), Casey Kelly (Songwriters Guild of America/SGA) (Chickasaw Room)

1:00pm    “The Wide World of Sponsorships and Endorsements”
……When Music and Brands Meet!
Artists need instruments to play. Instrument companies need talented artists to play their instruments.  Corporate brands are always looking for a hip new look that a successful artist can give their company or product.  These are all facts that drive and forge the partnerships that are made when a company endorses an artist or a when a festival approaches a corporate sponsor.  This panel will discuss how artists can make themselves attractive to companies that would either endorse them with gear or product and in some cases sponsor tours.  This workshop will also aim to give the perspective of festival promoters and the corporate perspective on how and why some artist’s strategies work and some do not. (Sponsored by the Memphis Music Foundation) Moderated by Adrian Santos of Revolt Marketing.  Panelists include Laura Hutfless (Creative Artists Agency), Kate Truscott (4Fini – Warped Tour/Monster Energy Drink Tour), Wade Odam (Tatco), Jimmy Patterson (Memphis Car Audio), and Brian Halley (St Blues Guitars) (River Bluff Room)

3:00pm    Memphis - Your Local Scene
Join the leaders of the Memphis area music community for an open discussion on what these various organizations currently do for the community, what they plan to do, what you would like them to do, and how you can get involved in the future of your music community.  Moderated by Johnnie Walker (Executive Director, Memphis Music Commission).  Panelists include Jon Hornyak (Senior Executive Director, The Recording Academy), Dean Deyo (President, Memphis Music Commission), Ken Steorts (Director/Founder, Visible School), Phillip Beasley (President, Memphis Songwriters Association, Brian Craig (WEVL) (River Bluff Room)

3:00pm    NSAI Membership Meeting (Chickasaw Room)

3:00pm    Community Sing (Convention Center Foyer)
For generations people sang together with the whole family, at community gatherings and labor meetings, in their schools and churches and countless other venues.  Before the advent of radio, TV and the internet this was the primary form of entertainment. Today, however, many people are worried that this centuries-old tradition is being deleted from the hard drive of the modern human experience. And along with it society is losing one of the most powerful tools for building strong families and strong communities.  Let's help keep the tradition alive by gathering and singing songs that everyone can join in.  All are invited to participate, share and learn traditional and modern songs that everyone can sing.  Hosted by Spook Handy (Artist)

This FREE event will also feature exhibits from Memphis area non-profit organizations, live entertainers, representatives from the Memphis music industry, and much more.

For more information, contact Alexandra Felgar: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 901-522-1170

Folk Alliance International World Headquarters
510 South Main Street
Memphis, TN  38103
901-522-1170

www.folk.org
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Building Community One Song At A Time