Music Industry Heavyweights Gather in Miami; Hoping to Discover the ‘Next Big Thing’

Major Label A&R executives, A-List Managers and Grammy Award-winning Producers are just some confirmed participants for this year’s All Access Music Conference. The two-day event offers new Recording Artists, Record Producers and Songwriters the chance to learn from, network and showcase their music for leading industry execs

MIAMI, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — The All Access Music Conference (AAMC) is a two-day event that brings together some of the biggest names in the Music Business with what they hope will be the best new unsigned music talent. This year’s conference will be held on August 8th & 9th in Miami Beach, FL and offers up-and-coming Recording Artists, Songwriters and Record Producers the opportunity to showcase their music for industry experts in a host of different ways ranging from “One-On-One Demo Critiquing Sessions” to actual Live Performances. The AAMC also offers its “State of the Biz” Seminar, where experts* help educate participants on many of the important issues facing new artists today. Moderated by former Senior Director of A&R for Atlantic Records, Sickamore, this year’s Seminar will focus on topics such as, Publishing Deals, Producers vs. Beatmakers, Live Performance, Picking the Right Management Team, Mobile Music, Singles Market and much more. AAMC panelist, and Manager of A&R for Jive Records, Shari Reich explains, “Understanding the business is just as important as being talented today.” Reich continues, “The State of the Biz seminar was a major reason I wanted to be part of this conference. It equips the participants with the knowledge they will need to do business even after this event is over.”

Another confirmed panelist at this year’s AAMC is New Jersey-based record producer Andrew “Versatile” Roettger. Versatile who has produced for the likes of Jay-Z, Fabolous and Method Man is quick to point out that he got his start going to conferences just like the AAMC. “I would get out there and do as much networking as I possibly could. One placement or even one relationship could change everything for a producer. It’s really that simple, I was confident enough to bet on myself and my music.”

While the conference may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its participants, industry executives have been expressing more and more enthusiasm about the event as well. One obvious reason for this has been the steady decline in album sales over the past few years, coupled with the current state of the economy that has got the record labels in a crunch. Both Majors and Indies alike are being forced to seek out more “cost-effective” ways of not only finding new talent, but making albums as well. AAMC panelist, and Senior Director of A&R for Atlantic Records, Jean Nelson explains, “In our line of work it is very important to build relationships with new artists, producers and writers early on. The AAMC does a great job of getting everyone together in one place and gives me the chance to physically get out of my office and meet with them face to face.”

Some Confirmed Panelists for this year’s conference:

• Jean Nelson, Senior Director of A&R, Urban, Atlantic Records – (The Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, T.I., Plies, Missy Elliot)
• Shari Reich, A&R Manager, Pop/Rock, Jive Records – ( Britney Spears, Pink, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta)
• Zach Katz, Producer Manager and CEO, Beluga Heights – (Jonathan “J.R” Rotem, Sean Kingston)
• Nitti, Producer, Playmaker Music/Warner Bros. Records – (Young Jeezy, Yung Joc, Boyz N Da Hood, Nelly, Gucci Mane, T.I.)
• Big Billy Clark, President, Arketekt Inc. – (Island Def Jam, Atlantic Records, Sony/BMG, Epic Records)
• Mark “Tarboy” Williams, Producer, Trackboyz Entertainment – (Nelly, J-Kwon, Nappy Roots, D12, YoungBloodz, 112)
• Andrew “Versatile” Roettger, Producer, Versatile Music LLC. – ( Britney Spears, Method Man, Fabolous, Maino, Lil Mama, Pittsburgh Slim)
• Sickamore, Founder, The Famous Firm – (Atlantic, Asylum, Sony, Tommy Hilfiger)
• Nu Bhattacharjee, Co-Founder, MusicPlacements.com – (50 Cent, Jim Jones, Missy Elliot and B.G.)
• Malik Rasheed, CEO, Gimi Inc. - (Sony Records, J Records, Glasses Malone)

*For a complete list of panelists, and additional information about the conference, please visit: www.allaccessmusicconference.com.

SOURCE All Access Music Conference