38th Annual Music Conference "Kick Off" - Friday September 7th in the Bristol Bar at the Holiday Inn at the Wharf Sat. & Sun., Sept. 8th & 9th All at the General's Residence at Fort Mason Saturday Night Afterparty at JACK'S, SF
1 Conference Schedule -Saturday Room BALLROOM DINING ROOM 10:00 CONFERENCE WELCOME 10:30 SUPERCHARGE YOUR SONGWRITING HOUSE CONCERTS - THE MONEY MAKER /PRODUCTION part 1 Currently one of the best ways to derive income as a performing This session will offer you easy to understand guidelines to improve songwriter is to do a circuit of house concerts where all the door your songs, no matter what genre of songs you write. At the end ends up in the hands of the artist rather than the venue. Panel- of this session you can submit your songs for the next session. Ed ists share their experience: Joanie Crombie, Jacob Jeffries, Tami Clare Mulcahy, Megan Slankard, KC Turner, . 12:00 LUNCH BREAK LUNCH BREAK
1:00 5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SONGS LEGAL EAGLES: Protect and make money from your Antoinette Olesen pinpoints immediate ways to make your songs songs. Jeff Brabec, Todd Brabec, Al Evers and Ned Hearn. shine as a songwriter.
2:15 BUILDING BRIDGES STUDIO ARTS: PRODUCER & ENGINEER PANEL Different musical ways to build your bridge section. Don't sell your Producers and engineers share advice for artists. What prep can song short by missing this key ingredient - Larry Batiste you do before heading into the studio? The attitude to take during your session: Ed Clare, Cookie Marenco, Scott Mathews, Alan Rosen 3:30 OPEN YOUR CREATIVE FLOW SUPERCHARGE IN ACTION part 2 Strategies to open up your creative flow: Jon Bendich The proof is in the pudding as they say. You will be shown how supercharging works for your song. Ed Clare 4:30 ALLAN RICH INTERVIEW Hit Songwriter Allan Rich interview Song Screenings Room U1 FUNSTON LOBBY NOOK 10:30 Rinat Arinos Janie West Michael Silversher Jen Adan Film & TV/Artists Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation 12:00 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 1:00 Richard Harris Debbie Zavitson Larry Batiste George Merrill Film & TV/Artists Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation 2:15 Darian Cowgill Janie West Claytoven Jon Bendich Film & TV Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation 3:30 Jonathan Rosner Debbie Zavitson Jen Adan Patty Silversher Film & TV/Artists Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation One On Ones Room BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD 10:30 Darian Cowgill Debbie Zavitson Antoinette Olesen Richard Harris Jonathan Rosner Rodney Gordy
12:00 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 1:00 Rodney Gordy Janie West Cookie Marenco Jonathan Rosner Scott Mathews Rinat Arinos 3:30 Rodney Gordy Darian Cowgill Antoinette Olesen Richard Harris Cookie Marenco Rinat Arinos
Performance Showcases Dinner Break: 5PM Room BACKYARD 10:30 Cookie Marenco and Scott Mathews Sunset Concert 12:00 LUNCH BALLROOM 6:30PM 1:00 Claytoven and Jon Bendich 2:15 Jen Adan & George Merrill Afterparty 3:30 Michael Silversher & Scott Mathews Jack's
2 Conference Schedule -Sunday Room BALLROOM DINING ROOM 10AM HOW TO WRITE A HIT SONG CROWDFUNDING What makes a hit song? From opening lines, to using the Reach out to your fans to support your artistry. The do's and don'ts. best word placement to creating memorable phrasing and Unwoman (aka Erica Mulkey) melodic structure. Make your topics unique and stand out ! Put your skills to use as the group will collaborate on a HIT chorus Jen Adan 11:00 LIVING THE DREAM PRACTICALLY SINGING What does it take nowadays to earn a living as a songwriter? Volunteer for a one-on-one demonstrating that a singer's "speaking How has it changed in the last 20 years? What's the future? voice is their singing voice, and their singing voice is their speak- Richard Harris, Andre Pessis, Allan Rich, Michael Silversher ing voice". See just how much more effective your performance and overall sound is by streamlining your approach with these 3 concepts in mind. Iari Melchor 12:00 YOU GOT YOUR FIRST PLACEMENT - NOW WHAT? Networking once you're already in the door. What to do with your money when you get it, AND what kind of money to ex- pect. As hard as getting money might have been, KEEPING money is even harder: Brandon "Blue" Hamilton. 1:00 CLOSING CEREMONY Song Screenings Room U1 FUNSTON LOBBY NOOK 10AM Rodney Gordy Debbie Zavitson Scott Mathews Allan Rich Film & TV Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation 11:00 Scott Mathews Janie West Jen Adan Antoinette Olesen Artists Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation 12:00 Darian Cowgill Debbie Zavitson Patty Silversher Jen Adan Film & TV Country Song Evaluation Song Evaluation
One On Ones Room BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD BACKYARD 10:00 Richard Harris Darian Cowgill Janie West Jonathan Rosner Antoinette Olesen Rinat Arinos 12:00 Richard Harris Rodney Gordy Scott Mathews Jonathan Rosner Performance Showcases Room BACKYARD 10:00 Michael Silversher & Patty Silversher 11:00 Jonathan Rosner & Darian Cowgill
• • PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE • •
3 One-on-One Consultations – Backyard. These are 15-minute personal meetings with publishers, producers, TV & Film Place- ment or other industry professional. Format (discussion, live or CD/smart phone) is left to attendee to architect. Cost is $25 each Conference Details (in addition to basic conference fee), prepaid or on the day of sign-up. Maximum of one per weekend unless more unexpect- edly become available. The first pre-registered WCS members "KICK OFF" — Holiday Inn at the Wharf will benefit from available One-on-One appointments. You will 1300 Columbus Ave., Fisherman’s Wharf. (415) 771-9000 5PM- receive notification before the Conference. Sign-up takes place 10PM in te BRISTOL BAR. Free entry. Enjoy a no-host dinner online in advance or at the One-on-One table if there are any and drinks with our guests. Pick up your Conference Registra- spots left. Appointments made on a first come, first served ba- tion package. sis; Because of their popularity, and the fact that there are a lim- ited number, there is no guarantee that you will get your choice. CONFERENCE DATE/TIME Sat. & Sun.September 8th & 9th at the General's Residence, Performance Showcases – Backyard Fort Mason. Please bring your instrument and be punctual! Sessions last ex- 10:00 am–9:00 pm Saturday & 10:00 am- 1pm Sunday actly 15 minutes. ALL Performance Showcase sign-ups are done (Sunset Concert Saturday, 6pm Ballroom) on online in advance of the Conference. Cost is $25 each (in ad- dition to basic conference fee); maximum of one appointment per REGISTRATION OPEN TIMES act per weekend. No guarantees of getting your choice of guest. 8:00am – Volunteers 8:30am – Pre-registered Attendees PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES 9:00am – All Other 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. WEEKEND EVENTS Seminars and Panels on the craft and business of songwriting from 10:00am to 5:45pm Saturday and 10am to 1pm Sunday REGISTERING ONSITE (lunch break Noon to 1:00 pm Saturday). Go to the Registration area. Complete a registration form and Songscreening Sessions: 10:30 am–4:30 pm Saturday and pay the volunteer. We accept cash, checks, money orders, and 10am–Noon Sunday VISA®/MasterCard®/American Express®/. You will receive your Performance Showcases: 11 am–4:30 pm Saturday and 11am– badge and package of conference information at this time. To Noon Sunday save time at registration, go to our website at
4 Conference Details, continued A message from Ian Crombie, WCS Executive Director SONG TITLE This is the WCS 38th annual © Your Name Conference and my 30th and final year as Executive Director for the organization. Your Address Phone # • email My time as ED has been incredible I've met some wonderfully talented people over the years, many who've become close friends. I say Song/Lyric Evaluation Check-In this because the Conference Song/Lyric Evaluation Check-In is held at the Song Check-In weekend is a real opportunity table. There is a separate line in the Song Check-In area for all to expand your contacts and Song/Lyric Evaluation sessions. Song/Lyric Evaluations count as friendships. Guaranteed Listens. Space is limited and they will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your CD and We have an amazing list of 12 copies of the lyric to the room so that others in the room can guests coming to share their follow the plot. experience and expertise with us. Check out all the sessions available to you. One-on-One Consultation Sign Ups One-on-One sign-ups are done online. Available additional One- Choose from a wide range of seminars and workshops, there's On-One sign ups at the One-On-One table. Check in at the One something for all. Whether you would like to know more about on One Table (see info in previous column). songwriting, production, performing, sustaining yourself as an art- ist, getting your songs into TV & Film, or getting feedback on your performance chops and songs DINNER TIME SATURDAY Dinner time starts at 5PM In the screening rooms, we have focused on areas of music where placement is possible, songs for TV & Film, self-contained SUNSET CONCERT - Saturday Evening artists, and Nashville. Our Grand Finals Winners perform alongside our distinguished guests in this not to be missed concert. This event starts at One On Ones will give you the opportunity for personal atten- 6:30PM in the BALLROOM tion. 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 SATURDAY NIGHT AFTERPARTY for 20 minutes, maybe a chance you would never normally have. Late night festivities will be at Jack's in Cannery Row starting at 9PM. Under 21's can attend but must wear a wristband given I want to thank the amazing volunteers who are making this by our hosts. No host drinks available from the full bar. Perfor- weekend happen. We've had the same management team for mances, socializing and a fun time expected! This ia a CASH YEARS! They are incredible. I want to thank our guests for only venue. 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 Selling Your CD's? open to suggestions and change, for smiling through the week- You can check CD's in at the WCS Center where volunteers end, and for BEING THERE for my final Conference. will sell them for you. Don't forget to check out at the end of the Cheers! Conference - we will not store CD's beyond that point.
WCS Center The WCS Center offers a wide array of services and products: Latest Conference updates CONTENTS WCS membership information & Late Registration Conference Program: Saturday ...... 2 WCS t-shirts, Conference attendees' CDs (check your CD in Conference Program: Sunday...... 3 to sell!!!) Industry guests' books/CDs (available at a discount if ordered onsite!) Listening stations for CDs on sale Conference Details...... 4 Lost and Found Conference Guest List...... 6
Seminar Details...... 15
WCS Staff ...... 15
5 Conference Guests JEN ADAN: WCS Member who had the #1 Hit – “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”with Blake Shelton. My journey began in San Mateo, CA, when I was about 10 years old. I wrote my first song in history class and back then, I never knew that someone could make a ca- reer out of songwriting; I thought it was just a hobby. I never told anyone I wrote songs. I finally told my parents on their 25th wedding anniversary, when I was about 15 years old. I wrote a song for them and played it at their party. I told them that I had about 100 more songs that I had written. I entered contests and continuously won. I found out about the West Coast Song- writers Association (WCS), and I joined. WCS has given me tons of contacts and taught me so much about songwriting and the music business.
RINAT ARINOS: Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Rinat moved to the U.S. to pursue her first love, music. Since then she’s been doing everything from writing, recording, sing- ing, and playing bass, to touring nationally/internationally with her bands Alone (MCA), currently Fairground Lights, while producing and placing music in over 400 TV shows, films, commercials and with other artists. In 2016 Rinat founded Pink Shark Music, LLC a company that helps composers and indie artists place their music in TV/Film and Ads. Within 3 years, Pink Shark Music became music supervisors’ and editors’ go to catalog for shows such as Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Dude Perfect, Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word, Americas Funniest Home Videos, Ball in The Family, Total Bellas, Basketball Wives, and many more (over 200 in 3 years!)
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 Satri- ani, 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.
JON BENDICH: Jon Bendich is currently a teacher at both Diablo Valley College, San Ramon College and at SF State. Jon has also worked for the past thirty years as a percussionist, producer and songwriter in the SF Bay Area. Jon has performed with Tito Puente, George Duke and Stanley Clarke, Robin Ford, Sheila E., Pete Escovedo, Andy Narrell, The Last Poets, Frank McComb, Lisa Stansfield, MC Hammer, Lenny Williams and Ray Obiedo, and performed as a member of The Pete Escovedo Orchestra. He was signed as a songwriter and co-publisher with Famous Music. Jon's catalog con- tains over 280 songs with more than eighty songs in commercial release. Jon's songs have been recorded by an assortment of R and B and Pop acts including Peabo Bryson (BMG), Larry Graham (Capitol), Walter Beasley (Polygram), Will Clayton (Polygram), Joe Public (Sony), Starpoint (Elektra), Z' Looke (Orpheus/Capitol), Omar Chandler (MCA), Shades of Lace (Wing/Polygram), Street Fare (Atlantic), and Lenny Williams (Fantasy). In 1997 Jon began teaching “Songwriting” at DVC where he has continued to teach the class up to the present time.
JIMMY BORJA: Jimmy Borja has written numerous hits in the Philippines with over 200 cuts for artists of Sony-BMG, EMI, Warner, Universal and other domestic labels in that country. His songs have also been recorded by a winner and finalists of Star Search, Britain's Got Talent, Canadian Idol and ABC's Duets as well as several upcoming pop and country artists. Renowned producer David Foster with singing sensation Charice and world class DJ Armin Van Buuren have performed his songs at their shows. Borja writes on keys and guitar and has been a full-time songwriter for over 20 years, the first non-artist homegrown Filipino songwriter to land an exclusive publishing deal in the U.S.
TODD BRABEC: is co-author of MUSIC, MONEY, AND SUCCESS: The In- sider’s Guide To Making Money In The Music Industry (Schirmer Trade Books/ Music Sales) and is an adjunct associate professor at the USC Thornton School of Music where he teach- es a course on music publishing, licensing of music and film, television and videogame song contracts. Formerly executive vice president for the American Society of Compos- ers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) where he was in charge of all of the Society’s membership operations throughout the world, Brabec is the current budget chair, as well as former divi- sion chair for the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. A graduate of New York University School of Law, he lectures extensively on all aspects of the business, legal and financial sides of music. 6 JEFF BRABEC: An entertainment law attorney and former recording artist, Bra- bec is vice president of business affairs for the Chrysalis Music Group. He has negotiated over 1,000 movie, television, video and commercial agreements and hundreds of publishing agreements for chart writers and writer/recording artists. Brabec is the co-author with his brother Todd of the book MUSIC, MONEY, AND SUCCESS: The Insider’s Guide To Making Money In The Music Industry (Schirmer Trade Books/Music Sales) and has been awarded the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for excellence in music journalism. Brabec is an adjunct professor at USC Thornton School of Music/Business Division and contributing editor to the Entertainment Law & Finance Magazine.
ED CLARE: aka “SpookyRockstar” can create almost any style from any era, but he believes he is at his best when using these skills to help an artist realize their own unique style, and then bringing their style to its best potential. Obsessively studying trends in songwriting/mixing, and using his expertise in both conventional and unconventional sound design within music has had even established producers around the San Francisco / Bay Area consulting with him on “how to get that latest sound”. Multiple companies and corpora- tions have utilized him on recreating sounds of current and previous eras and bands. His skill-set is currently utilized by both artists signed to Sony Music (Europe) and by Sony Music (Europe) itself. His past clients also include Conde’ Nast, PG Music Inc., and dozens of artists over the lifespan of his career. In September, he’s opening a production house called Nova Noir Productions in the East Bay and also works as a producer for Focal Productions in San Mateo.
DARIAN COWGILL: Current WCS Board Member - Darian’s client list is vast and is available upon request. From current major and independent label works, to major media networks and national and international radio, Darian brings his over 25 years of industry experience to the WCS conference. He is co-owner of The Den Recorders, an indepen- dent producer and mix engineer, and is based in Pasadena California. Darian is a com- mercial Voice Artist for radio imaging, commercial, and media content worldwide. He is a digital arts professor at the University and College level. He is a current AVID Certified Pro Tools instructor and holds a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California in Communications Management. Darian and business partner Josh Young (Current WCS Board Member) not only operate The Den Recorders but also operate Atrium Music. Atrium is a music licensing and publishing firm that focuses its continually growing music library of artists and independent composers for placement in television, film, and other/all broadcast and licensing opportunities. Atrium’s media assets currently air worldwide daily.
JOANIE CROMBIE: Joanie Crombie has spent the last 31 years helping Ian create and present this amazing conference, helping musicians, songwriters & artists through the laby- rinth of the music industry. “Every day that we are creating the conference, I am absolutely stoked! It is my privilege and pleasure to help artists connect with each other, with professional opportunities and be a part of this community and to be surrounded by inspiring & talented people. Nothing is more satisfying than to witness people collaborating, learning, improving their craft and crushing it from experiences after a West Coast Songwriter event. This is more than a job, we’re on a mission to create opportunities for songwriters and artists to produce their own personal expression through their music and to be heard!” Joanie is a 10th Generation Bay Area Native, playing music since her teens, hosting house concerts at Crombie Cabin for the past decade.
AL EVERS: Al is the founder and owner of A Train Entertainment, started in 1985 as an op- tion 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 publish- ing administration, artist management, worldwide physical and digital distribution, neighbor- ing 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.
RODNEY GORDY: Rodney is the Director of Licensing at Spirit Production Music in Studio City, CA. With over 150,000 tracks of music, Spirit Production Music and its sister company, The Music Collective, have placed music in and/or music supervised hundreds of hours of feature films, commercials and scripted and unscripted programming. Notable feature films include Spiderman: Homecoming , Girls Trip, Despicable Me 2, Wolverine and The Dark Knight and popular TV shows include Wahlbergers, Brooklyn 99, The Big Bang Theory and Scandal in addition to numerous national commercials and web programs. Rodney is a graduate of the University of Michigan and started his career at the legendary, and family owned, Motown Records Corp. 7 BRANDON "BLUE" HAMILTON: Brandon Hamilton, professionally known as Blue, is a Grammy nominated American music producer from Atlanta, GA. He is most known for his work with Plumbline Music Group, which he joined in January 2010. He is a seasoned industry professional with more than 10million records sold worldwide as a music producer, vocal producer, and songwriter for artists such as Ciara, Justin Bieber, and August Alsina. Having contracts with the government of Costa Rica, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Coca-Cola, Walmart, New Balance and Adidas, This Grammy Nominee is now focusing on brand management and brokering deals for estab- lished and emerging artists with brands around the world.
RICHARD HARRIS: Now in his sixth 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 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. In the EDM world Richard has been killing it with a #1 Billboard hit “Lie To Me” with Cole Plante on Hollywood Records, If you turn on the TV anywhere in the world, you’ll hear Richard’s music on CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, The BBC, History Channel, Lifetime, MTV, Discovery Channel, TNT, and many others.
NED HEARN WCS Board Member/Past President Attorney/Author/ President Emeritus of WCS. Edward (Ned) R. Hearn: Intellectual prop- erty 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 com- panies. Co-author of Musician’s Guide To Copyright and The Musician’s Business and Legal Guide.
SCOTT MATHEWS: Scott is a Multi-Platinum selling Music Producer, Composer, Vocal- ist, Multi–instrumentalist and Entrepreneur whose work has sold in excess of 40 million units. Now in his fifth decade of Billboard #1s and GRAMMY Award winning credits, he shows no signs of slowing down his creative output while ramping up his entrepreneurial and nonprofit work. Beginning in his teens, Scott has worked on recordings and/or performed with such mu- sical icons as: Keith Richards, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, David Bowie, Zac Brown, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, B. B. King, John Lee Hooker, Kid Rock, Huey Lewis and the News, Steve Miller, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Eric Church, Etta James…as well as more than 80 other Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. A devoted champion of the potential of new music and it’s ecosystem, today he is primarily focused on emerging artists who show extraordinary talent. When not working in the studio, Scott works with new media companies to help monetize artists’ careers in fair and transparent ways.
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 com- pany, 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 Reyn- aud. 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. Marenco launched Blue Coast Records in 2007.
IRISH GREG McQUAID: For nearly 18 years, McQuaid was a popular host and produc- er at San Francisco radio station KFOG, where he was known to his listeners as “Irish Greg.” San Francisco Weekly voted the show “Best Local Morning Radio Show”. In 2015 McQuaid produced the #BoobProject charity song, which raised more than $100,000 for breast cancer research and featured world-known artists Hozier, Florence Welch, Grate- 8 ful Dead and many more. He currently is co-host/Producer @ popupbayarea podcast IARI MELCHOR: As an instructor, Iari inspires his students to reach new heights in their own vocal performances. By teaching sound vocal-technique that allows students to transition from low to high without cracking or flipping and without vocal strain, and by helping them discover their own personal vocal style, Iari is quickly becoming known as one of the Bay Area's elite vocal instructors. As a vocal instructor, Iari has taught workshops internationally, including at the Green Voices Institute in Munich, Germany; Iari is an associate of the International Voice Teachers of Mix (IVTOM), and is a former affiliate of Vocology in Practice (VIP) and Speech Level Singing (SLS). Some of Iari's past clients include James Melo of Young Science; Tiffany Joy and Maqui Reyes of the hit Latin Pop duo from Colombia, Individuo; Patrick McCloskey, lead singer of the band, First In Flight (Alt 105.3 FM sponsored band), and Kristen Faith Oei (NY on-Broadway Productions of The King and I, M. Butterfly, and Soft Power).
GEORGE MERRILL: George Merrill cowrote "How Will I Know", a hit for Whitney Houston as well as Houston's hit "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)". Merrill has been one half of vocal duo Boy Meets Girl, who are best remembered for the hit "Waiting for a Star to Fall". He wrote the song and had initially offered it to Houston and Be- linda Carlisle, but they both rejected it (though Carlisle did do a demo recording) and Merrill decided to sing it himself and feature it on the next Boy Meets Girl album.
TAMI MULCAHY: Tami Mulcahy is a Northern California singer-songwriter focused in the TV/ film market. She is currently co-writing and recording with EmmyAward winning composer Ron Alan Cohen of RA Music. She worked with Richard Harris in Los Angeles to complete her EP titled California Weather. This EP offers a fresh, indie-folk, West Coast sound, adding to her usual brand of positive, uplifting music. Tami carefully honed her song writing craft with deep involvement in the West Coast Song- writers. She served as president of the WCS Board of Directors and has spent countless volunteer hours mentoring musicians in their music pursuits. Her current volunteer efforts focus on building a house concert network, South Bay House Concerts, and a unified fan base (currently over 1150 fans) to help artists make a sustainable living.
ANTOINETTE OLESEN: Antoinette Olesen has toured internationally and performed with numerous world class artists. An independent song representative, she has overseen or represented the catalogs hit songwriters and successful publishers including Rand Bishop (My List), Monty Holmes (Troubadour), Jon Robbin (I Breathe In I Breathe Out) Danny Wells (These Days), and many more. Currently, Artist Development and Songwriter Development as well as songwriting is Olesen’s main focus at her Music Row office as well as internation- ally online. Genres include Pop, Rock, Country, Alternative and Americana. A frequent Nashville host to WCS writers, she ntroduces visiting writers and artists to Music City living and includes them in Writers Nights, Industry Events and Showcases. She/s work- ing with artist’s songs and offering her popular song evaluations. She is always keeping an eye out for exceptional artists to work with.
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 Plati- num 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 Jen- nings, 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 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.
ALLAN RICH: Allan Rich is a two time Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe nomi- nee, whose songs have sold over 65 Million copies. He's penned or co-penned hits for some of the biggest pop stars of the past two decades. “Run To You,” which he wrote with his longtime partner Jud Friedman, was recorded by Whitney Houston and was part of The Bodyguard film soundtrack which sold over 30 million copies; it earned Rich his first Oscar and Grammy nomination. Rich’s hits include Natalie Cole’s “I Live For Your Love,” James Ingram’s #1 “I Don’t Have The Heart,” Kenny Loggins’ “For The First Time” from the Mi- chelle Pfeiffer/George Clooney film “One Fine Day” (which earned the songwriter an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe nomination) and *NSYNC’s “I Drive Myself Crazy” (from their 10 million selling debut CD). His and Friedman’s most recent placements have been on new recordings by Toni Braxton, Keb’ Mo’ and David Foster protégée Charice. "Gaylon Horton (may he rest in peace) signed me to my first publishing deal at elkW Music.9 Then publishing deals followed with Carol Ware and Leeds Levy signing me to MCA Music, where I spent 6 wonderful years. Then 3 years at EMI Music and 2 years at BMG Music. Because of the success I had during those years, I got to travel the world with an elite group of writers and record- ing artists, spending a week with CHER in the south of France at Miles Copeland's writing castle, and traveling with Alan Scott's organization 'Music Bridges' promoting harmony through music, brought me to such places as London, Ireland, Indonesia, Bali, Russia and Switzerland."
CLAYTOVEN RICHARDSON: Claytoven always makes time for educating others. “I was blessed as a kid,” Claytoven says. “Because of the many teachers who came into my life while still in high school, I got to talk with Duke Ellington and ask questions about his music. I got to perform with Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln. I feel it is my responsibility to pass on my knowledge to young mu- sicians just as it was passed on to me.” And with that as his mission, Claytoven has stepped into the role of an author by taking his years of experience and sharing them in a new book entitled, “The Professional Studio Vocalist”. The goal of the book is to bridge the gap between the academ- ic and professional music worlds by providing aspiring singers with the knowledge necessary to pursue a career as a professional recording vocalist. Currently, Claytoven also teaches this subject and other professional music courses at San Francisco State University, in their Music Recording Industry Department. He also teaches and is the Co-Director of an incredible new facility-program, The Digital Arts and Culinary Academy in Oakland, California. “With music education in public schools dwindling, it becomes that much more important for professional musicians to educate the young music community.”
ALAN ROSEN: As a Producer and/or Engineer, Alan has been involved in over 20 major label recordings and several film and film soundtracks. He has produced such artists as Neal Schon, Marco Mendoza, Brain, Lisa Fisher and more. He also an accomplished Voice Over talent appear- ing on several major commercials and 2 animated Films. Alan Rosen is considered to be one of the foremost leading authorities in the Professional Audio & Musical Instrument Retail Industry. For over 34 years Alan has been working in and around the music equipment industry. His current clientele base includes Joe Satriani, Metallica, Carlos Santana, Neal Schon, Journey, Nine Inch Nails, the Doobie Brothers, Booker T, Seal, Mary J Blige, Huey Lewis and the News, John Doe (X) and many more.
JONATHAN ROSNER: Having spent twenty plus years as a music publisher, Jonathan Rosner is president of Waterslide Music www.waterslidemusic.net and president of http://www.fundamen- talmusic.com/crew. At Waterslide, he's signed up and coming band Fever The Ghost and singer songwriter Dylan LeBlanc in addition to administering the catalogs of Margo Guryan,The Tokens and Dave Frishberg along with managing the estate of jazz great Maynard Ferguson. At Funda- mental, Jon is in charge of growing and exploiting the catalog among other duties. Formerly, Jon was a partner/co-President at The Bicycle Music Company, where he worked for two decades and was responsible for signing writers, catalog acquisition and catalog exploitation. Among Jon’s signings are The Dickies, Kool Keith, The High & Mighty, Marshall Goodman, The Smut Peddlers, Wesley Willis, Linus Of Hollywood, producer Don “One Eye” Saunders, the Oglio Records publishing catalogs, Ozomatli, Jorge Santana and Money Mark. He also worked with the Neil Diamond catalogs. Jon is a past president of the California Copyright Conference.
MICHAEL & PATTY SILVERSHER WCS CO-FOUNDERS: Three-times nominated for the prime- time EMMY Awards, GRAMMY-winning songwriters, Michael & Patty Silversher are in their 40th year in music, theatre, films and television. They 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, "PAJANI- MALS," writing the theme song as well. They served as co-composers, 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 pro- gram 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.” As well as the Warner Bros/ABC series "Eye to Eye" (Michael was the singer on the main title sequence).
10 KC TURNER: Keeps himself busy by running KC Turner Presents, through which he offers and promotes live music throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. He produces his own house concert series, presents/promotes shows at various highly-esteemed venues, and helps build a vital connection between live music fans and the independent music scene. In addition to all of that, he manages singer/songwriter Megan Slankard and also writes and performs his own songs. When producing his events, KC has one main goal in mind: To showcase great live music. He believes in the music he presents. Because he showcases only artists for whom he has the highest esteem, fans can trust that any "KC Turner Presents" show will be high in quality and well worth the ticket price. Concerts produced by KC Turner consistently sell out at respected San Francisco venues and living rooms...yes, living rooms!
UNWOMAN: (aka Erica Mulkey) is a San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter. Layered with skillful cello, rich vocals, and beats, her music is a darkly futuristic homage to her clas- sical training. Her song "The Heroine" was the weather in Welcome to Night Vale's "Triptych" episode. Vintage Tomorrows, a feature documentary about steampunk, includes that song and other footage of Unwoman. Unwoman has performed solo at major steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events all over the United States. Most live solo shows use electric cello played standing up, and live-looping accompaniment. She has also collaborated with Amanda Palmer, Abney Park, Stripmall Architecture, Voltaire, Rasputina, Jill Tracy, Vernian Process, Caustic, Anthony Jones, Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, and Attrition.
JANIE WEST: Has worked on Nashville’s Music Row since 1987. Her career began at MCA Records where she became assistant to the legendary record producer and executive, Jimmy Bowen. Janie followed Bowen to Capitol Records where she was an A&R representative for 5 years. Janie’s next move was in Music Publishing where she was employed for 10 years. In 2005, Janie opened “Janie West Music,” where she works independently with songwriters and music publishing companies. Songwriters Janie has worked with include Tommy Sims, Randy Goodrum, Monty Holmes, Rob Mathes, Allen Shamblin, Lisa Drew, Jim Weatherly, Steve Seskin, Rob Crosby, Jim Lauderdale, Judson Spence and many others. Janie has had songs cut with Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Reba, Ronnie Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Wynonna, Alabama, Randy Travis, Tracy Lawrence, Mark Wills, Keb Mo, Bryan White, John Waite, Love and Theft, Michael English, etc. Janie West is one of the founding members of the Chicks With Hits – an all-female songplug- ging group that recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. She is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Music. https://www.janiewestmusicsongservices.com
DEBBIE ZAVITSON: is a respected veteran in the music industry. With the experience she brings from performing with her own band internationally, to an A&R executive at Sony Music and then Giant Records. She has now created her own publishing and management company DEBBIEZ ENTERTAINMENT. As of 2018, in addition to her songwriter Helene Cronin, Debbie is representing Curb Publishing, Doug Johnson (Three Wooden Crosses, Love Like Crazy) and Canadian artist Hayley McLean (Fender Guitar's "Guitar Goddess") and alternative/ pop producer, artist and songwriter. Debbie has also recently launched a new company with well known Canadian entrepreneur and independent music artist Tara Shannon. Debbie and Tara have started The Syndicut. A development group for creators looking to build their career and establish themselves in the music business, connecting talent between Canada and Nashville. Debbie has always been one to strive for excellence in the pursuit of talent, and was integral in signing multi-platinum recording artist Blake Shelton to Giant Records. She was his A&R representative for his first two albums and went on to be his manager during the first critical years of his explosive career. In the publishing realm, Debbie has worked with an array of hit songwriters, and has secured song placements on major recording artists such as Reba McEntire, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Brooks & Dunn, to name a few. In Debbie’s own words, “Songwriters are the lifeblood of the music industry. They’re precious in a world that needs so much love and connection right now. A song is one of the ONLY things that can connect people from all walks of life. We need to take care of our songwriters. In a world of sharing music, and having to fight to be paid a fair price for their work, they could be- come a dying breed.” That’s what Debbie does every day, takes special care of, and encour- ages songwriters.
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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12 13 14 Seminar Details Saturday Sunday
CONFERENCE WELCOME HOW TO WRITE A HIT SONG What makes a hit song? From opening lines, to using the best word placement to SUPERCHARGE YOUR SONG- creating memorable phrasing and melodic structure. Ways to make your topics unique and stand out ! Put your skills to use as the group will collaborate on a HIT chorus Jen WRITING Part 1 Adan (assisted by Eva Snyder) This session will offer you easy to understand guidelines to improve your songs, no matter what genre of songs you write. At the end of CROWDFUNDING this session you can submit your songs for the How to reach out to your fans to have them support your artistry. What are the do's and don'ts. next session. Ed Clare Unwoman (aka Erica Mulkey) HOUSE CONCERTS - THE LIVING THE DREAM: SONGWRITER PANEL MONEY MAKER Making a living as a songwriter in the current market. What does it take nowadays to Current;y one of the best ways to derive earn a living as a songwriter? How has it changed in the last 20 years? income as a performing songwriter is to do a Richard Harris, Andre Pessis, Allan Rich, Michael Silversher circuit of house concerts where all the door ends up in the hands of the artist rather than the venue. Panelists share their experience: PRACTICALLY SINGING Joanie Crombie, Jacob Jeffries, Tami Mulcahy, Iari Melchor will work with volunteers on a one-on-one basis to demonstrate that a singer's "speak- Megan Slankard, KC Turner, ing voice is their singing voice, and their singing voice is their speaking voice", and just how much more effective a singer's performance and overall sound may become by streamlining their ap- 5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR proach and keeping these 3 concepts in mind. SONGS Antoinette Olesen pinpoints immediate ways to YOU GOT YOUR FIRST PLACEMENT - NOW WHAT? make your songs shine. Networking once you're already in the door. What to do with your money when you get it, AND what kind of money to expect. As hard as getting money might have been, LEGAL EAGLES: How to protect and KEEPING money is even harder: Brandon "Blue" Hamilton. make money from your songs. Jeff Brabec, Todd Brabec, Al Evers and Ned Hearn. CLOSING CEREMONY BUILDING BRIDGES The key elements of a bridge Don't sell your song short by missing this key ingredient. - Larry Batiste WCS STAFF STUDIO ARTS: PRODUCER & ENGINEER PANEL Producers and engineers share their advice Board of Directors: Larry Batiste, Ed Clare, Darian Cowgill, Bruce Ede (President), for artists. What prep the artist needs before Ned Hearn, Andre Pessis, David Scheibner, Jodell Seagrave, Pete Sommer, heading into the studio, and the attitude to take Sonja Wolgemuth, Josh Young. during a session: Ed Clare, Cookie Marenco, Scott Mathews, Alan Rosen Executive Director: Ian Crombie Conference Managers: Phil Bearce, Greg Biles, Ian Crombie, Joanie Crombie, OPENING YOUR CREATIVE Bruce Ede, Curt Ingram, Iari Melchor, Poppy Peach Nichols, Pete Sommer, FLOW Learn strategies to open up your creative Corinne Woolworth. Nomi Yah, Linda Yelnick flow: Jon Bendich Regional Directors: Chris Merrill , Kathie Rollins, Elyse Haren
SUPERCHARGE IN ACTION - Managers: Al Atkins, Bob Crane, Margaux Joy DeNador, Dudley DeNador, Tina Part 2 Dinha, Margot Fleming, Jay Gottlieb, Gerry Grosz, David Hamilton, Curt Ingram, The proof is in the pudding as they say. In this Elyse Haren, Gary Koehler, Iari Melchor, Chris Merrill, Liza Marie Sparks, Pete case, if you submitted a song in the first ses- Sommer, Jan White, Linda Yelnick. sion, you will be shown how this works for your song. Ed Claire Advisory Board : Bruce Davis, Shiloh Hobel, Jocelyn Kane, Bruce Labadie, Scott Mathews, Andre Pessis, Mike Pinder, Merl Saunders, Steve Seskin, Michael Sil- ALLAN RICH INTERVIEW versher, Patty Silversher, Janis Stevenson, Howard Thomas, Mira Veda, Narada Hit Songwriter Allan Rich interviewed Michael Walden. Founders: Michael & Patty Silversher
15 16 West Coast Songwriters 38th Annual Music Conference September 8 & 9 2018 General's Residence, Fort Mason, San Francisco SPONSORS
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west coast songwriters • 1724 laurel street, suite #120 • san carlos, ca 94070 650.654.3966 email [email protected] • website www.westcoastsongwriters.org 17