World of Bluegrass

Moderator: Jean Spivey, Old Settlers’ Music Festival

Panelists: Bree Tucker-Myers, DVT Marketing Enterprises/Cattail Booking Group; Jenni Lyn Gardner, Della Mae; Steve Johnson, MerleFest
For: Event Producers, Talent Buyers

As a talent buyer, how can you change things your line-up without losing your audience? How can you reach for the ‘stars’ when it may be out of your price range? Learn how festivals, PACs, and clubs keep a fresh perspective on their bookings while keeping it in line with their budget.

Presenters: Coe Ramsey, Mark Thomas
CLE Track – For: Legal professionals, Artists, Managers, Agents, Record Labels, Publishers

Bluegrass is a business that performs music. To be successful in business, a band needs to navigate a sea of music law issues. This session discusses the key legal topics relevant to a band, including the legal agreement between the band members, the band structure, the band’s name (including ownership and trademark questions), contracts with promoters, managers, booking agents, recording labels and music publishers, and licensing and intellectual property issues.

Moderator: TBA
Panelists: David Menconi, Raleigh News and Observer;

For: Artists

No matter where you are in your career as a performer, you need publicity – to drive awareness of your gigs, announce a new release, to increase your fanbase. Can’t afford a publicist? This session will give you tips, tools and practical advice on how to do that for yourself! The panel will contain both established members of the media – who will tell you what they look for when deciding to cover/write about an artist, the best way to deliver information to them, etc. – and artists who are already successfully promoting themselves: what works for them? The panel will be moderated by Judy McDonough, publicist for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, and questions are encouraged! 

Moderator: Kimber Ludiker
Panelists: Penny McDaniel; Jim Roe, Jim Roe Entertainment; Ken Irwin, Rounder

For: Artists

Artists often ask: when is the right time to start putting together a team and how does that even work? How does each person’s role work within the team’s goals? When your band is just starting out, how do you DIY and who are the most critical people to get on your team? All of these answers and more in this panel.

Panelists: Jeremy Garrett, The Infamous Stringdusters; Donna Ulisse, Donna Ulisse and The Poor Mountain Boys; Lisa Aschmann, Nashville Geographic, ASCAP; Tony Rackley, Big Cedar Music, SESAC 

For: Songwriters, artists

There's so much more to good co-writing than getting together with coffee, paper, and pen.  Get useful tips from some of the best!

Presenter:  Sarah Corrin, Arts Grant Coordinator, City of Raleigh’s Office of Raleigh Arts.
For: Associations

Grant funding is a critical component of any nonprofit organization’s fundraising plan. This session is designed for the novice grant writer and those who have not been entirely successful with grant proposals in the past. This session will cover ways to search for potential funders; how determine whether or not a funding program is a good match for your organization; an overview of typical grant programs, their requirements and application components; and strategies for writing successful grant applications.

Moderator: Stephen Ruffo

Panelists: Claire Armbruster, Planning Stages/Buyer, Grey Fox; Chris Malarky, Buyer, Lincoln Theater; Christina Strittmater, Agent, Crossover Touring; Ashlee-Jean Trott, Buyer Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground

For: Talent buyers, agents, festival producers, associations, managers

Regardless of the venue--festival, club or performing arts center--learn the skills for successful negotiation from the pros. Find the proper way to communicate your needs; when to hold, when to fold and how to meet halfway. Panel moderator Stephen Ruffo has had over 20 years of negotiating experience and will talk to a panel of experts regarding their methods for working the deal.  

Presenter: Amy G. Marino, Williams Mullen

CLE TRACK For: Legal professionals, Artists, Managers, Agents, Record Labels, Publishers

This session is an overview of key current issues relating to music licensing issues, using the 2015 Copyright Office report as the primary resource. Issues to be discussed include: extending the public performance right in sound recordings to terrestrial radio broadcasts; federal protection for pre-1972 sound recordings; potential changes to the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees; greater consistency in rate-setting standards for all government rates; and proposals for greater licensing efficiencies and transparency, including "MROs" for licensing both mechanical and public performance rights.

Panelists: Shelby Kennedy, Tunecore; Jarrod Cooper, ONErpm; Zach Bevill, Thirty Tigers

For: Artists, managers

As the music business has changed during the past few years, so has the ability to expose music via various platforms on a worldwide basis.  Artists no longer need to rely on a mainstream record company to market and promote their creative output.  This panel offers advice and options available to any music creator, so that an informed decision can be made regarding digital distribution. 

Moderator: Daniel Mullins, Bending the Strings, Bluegrass Today
Panelists: Daniel Routh, Nu-Blu; more TBA

Interviewing - a skill necessary for broadcasters, journalists, artists, and more. If interviewing is such a normal part of the business, why is it that so many are intimidated by the task, whether as the interviewer or the interviewee? This panel will focus on getting the most out of your next interview, and is intended for professional media hosts and artists who aim to deliver memorable, enticing, and socially-shareable interviews.

Moderator: Sherrill Blackman, sdb music group
Panelists: Mark ‘Brink’ Brinkman, songwriter; Mark Freeman, Rebel Records; Carolyn Routh, Nu-Blu
For: Artists, Songwriters, Publishers

Songwriters and publishers always wonder about how to properly exploit a song they love.  This panel will explore the various methods and protocols that work best from the perspective of a record company, an artist, and a publisher. Basic publishing fundamentals will be discussed as well.

AirPlay Direct will be presenting a 1 hour exclusive industry panel on “Who We Are”, “What We Do” and how we benefit “You” directly.  This panel is specifically designed for the artists, record labels, radio stations, radio promoters, PR firms, managers, publishers, etc. that comprise the professional, global bluegrass community at large.

This panel will feature Robert Weingartz, Chairman & Creator – AirPlay Direct, Lynda Weingartz, CEO – AirPlay Direct, Chris Harris (Rainmaker Management), Jon Weisberger (composer, artist, broadcaster), Irene Kelley (composer, artist)

Moderator: Jeremy Darrow
Panelists: Missy Raines, Helen Highwater; Melody Walker, Front Country; Jon Stickley, Jon Stickley Trio

For: ALL

In recent years, websites like Kickstarter, Pledge Music and Patreon have offered artists and fans of all kinds new tools to connect with each other. Artists can ask fans for financial assistance with new projects, giving those fans the chance to help bring new music to market while gaining access to the creative process. This panel features artists who have run a variety of successful fundraising campaigns. They’ll discuss some of the services available, along with the considerations of launching a crowd-funding campaign from planning to delivering your promised incentives.

Presenters: Mary Burdette, Regina Derzon, Christopher Howard-Williams, Danny Clark, Leah Ross, Carly Smith, Chris Keenan, Wendy Tyner, Janet Brightly, Stephen Ruffo, Stan Zdonik

For: Associations, talent buyers, agents, artists, publicists/print-media

In this hands-on workshop, event producers from around the globe will tackle event production challenges in small group settings. Recognized industry leaders will guide separate group discussions on challenges facing event producers and will report findings from their group to all session attendees.  This participatory format invites event producers to identify specific challenges, brainstorm possible solutions, and summarize those focus group insights for all participants at the end of the session. Group topic tables will cover the following topics: Growing the Event/Reaching New Audiences, Marketing and Public Relations, Programming, Sponsorship, and Talent Buying, and Volunteers.

Moderator: Claire Lynch
Panelists: Mark Schatz, Ron Block, Stephen Mougin, Greg Cahill

For: Artists, managers

Living the dream takes a lot of work when you’re traveling most of the year with several other people in a van or a bus. Learn how the pros handle life on the road and some of its challenges. 

Presenter: Robert A. Monath

CLE TRACK – For: Legal professionals, artists, managers, record labels, publishers

The Copyright Act of 1976 provides a mechanism for songwriters and other creators to recapture the rights to their creative works that had been previously assigned to music publishers, record labels or others. These rights recapture opportunities arise during certain statutorily prescribed time periods. This session explains these rights and procedures and presents key issues to consider if an artist elects to exercise such termination rights.

Moderator: Steve Johnson
Panelists: Amy Reitnouer, The Bluegrass Situation; Bridget Pleines, Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots

For: ALL

Tweets? Blogs? Facebook? Grams? To promote or not to promote a post? So many platforms! What really works? In this panel, business professionals will explain how to efficiently navigate social media platforms to create and maintain online visibility.

Moderator: Sherry Boyd
Presenters: Katy Daley, WAMU; Joe Mullins, Classic Country Radio
For: Broadcasters

With today’s technology, it seems as if it is easier than ever for anyone to become a disc jockey; however, the gap between amateur and professional disc jockeys has never been wider. This panel discussion will focus on better broadcasting techniques and practices, in an attempt to raise the level and quality and professionalism in bluegrass broadcasting. Whether you have a new bluegrass podcast or have been a full time bluegrass disc jockey for decades, all broadcasters are welcome to attend this insightful session.

Presenter: Jennifer Jenkins

CLE TRACK – For: Legal professionals, artists, publishers

This session will review recent litigation in the area of entertainment law, with a focus on music industry decisions, including the appeal of the verdict in the "Blurred Lines" case, intriguing trademark applications by Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, whether publicity rights extend to a computer-generated Marilyn Monroe, and state of performance rights for pre-72 sound recordings.

Moderator : William Lewis, Director, PineCone

Panelists: Sarah Corrin, Arts Grant Coordinator, City of Raleigh’s Office of Raleigh Arts; Eleanor Oakley, President/CEO of the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County; David Potorti, Literature & Theater Director, North Carolina Arts Council
For: Associations

You don’t have to have attended Grant Writing 101 to hear these experts share their methods for improving the chances of getting the grants for their projects. Take advantage of this exceptional team of panelists and learn the nuances of grant writing. 

What level ? How many bits ? Tape or audio file ? These are just some questions an engineer wrestles with when it's time for mix down. This seminar will answer your questions and guide you towards properly formatted mixes that give your mastering engineer the sound and headroom necessary to bring your recordings to life. 

Panelist: Randy LeRoy - Airshow Mastering -  For 30 years Randy has been the critical ears on numerous award winning albums. Randy's client list includes Compass & Sugarhill Records, Engineer/Producers Randy Kohrs, Brent Truitt and Bil VorrnDick, top bluegrass artists Ralph Stanley, Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush and Jim Lauderdale.

Bil VornDick - Engineer/Producer. Over 4 decades Bil has worked with the sound and recordings of Bluegrass Music. From the early Bluegrass Festivals to the latest Grammy Winning " Bluegrass Album of the Year", the Earls of Leicester .

Moderator: Kimber Ludiker
Panelists: Eric & Leigh Gibson, Jacob Groopman, Vickie Vaughan
For: Artists

Becoming a full-time band can be both risky and rewarding, and involve a whole lot of logistics. What time is the right time? What do you need to have in place? Hear from a panel of musicians in every level of this transition. 

Moderator: Phil Bankester, The Bankesters
Panelists: Patrick Shanahan, filmmaker; Daniel Schram, videographer/producer; Corey Smith, musician.

For: Artists

Most artists understand the importance of video these days, but many don’t know how to have really good video. Phil Bankester (musician and free lance video producer) will lead a panel including three other producers and directors including Patrick Shanahan (film maker and photographer from Raleigh, NC) Daniel Schram (videographer and producer from Raleigh, NC) and Corey Smith (musician, video producer from Fayetteville, NC).  They will discuss what it takes to have great EPKs, live concert video, and music videos.

Bring your song on a CD or USB drive and get it critiqued by some of today's keenest writers! 

Frank Solivan, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Melody Walker, Front Country

Steve Gulley, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle

Barb Heller, String Fever show, North County Public Radio, Canton, NY (moderator)

Moderator: Jeremy Darrow
Panelists: Kevin Murdock, Joe Newberry, John Cloyd Miller, Bett Padgett
For: Talent buyers, agents, artists, fans

There is no better place to see your favorite band than in your own home, and there are few concerts more satisfying for artists than those hosted by fans. House concerts can be great routing opportunities (with good merch sales) for bands on the road. For hosts, they present a chance to get to know favorite performers, introduce friends to new music and bring bands to markets the might not otherwise visit. A common practice in the Folk Music world, house concerts are perhaps an underutilized tool for Bluegrass bands and fans alike. Veteran house concert performers and organizers will discuss the ins and outs of getting started and developing house concerts, as well as what goes it to making a great house concert series.

Moderator: Angelika Torrie, International Board Rep., Switzerland
Panelists: April Verch, Canada; George Jackson, NZ/AUS; Greg Cahill, Special Consensus, U.S.; Ben Wright, Henhouse Prowlers, U.S.; Chris Keenan, Ireland.

For: Artists, talent buyers, agents, managers

Touring and gigging internationally: Join our conversation with seasoned touring bands and reps from different continents, with lots of room for YOUR questions. Your first step towards touring Canada, Australia, Europe and more. Angelika Torrie (Switzerland/Europe) with April Verch (CAN), George Jackson (NZ/AUS), Greg Cahill (SpecialC, US), Ben Wright (The Henhouse Prawlers, US), Chris Keenan (US/IRL). 

Panelists: Balsam Range

For: All

Multi award winners, Balsam Range, will talk about the importance of a smooth running team and how their team – everyone from their publicist to their agent, record label and sound guy – has worked together to everyone’s mutual benefit.

A career in music presents many challenges – not the least of which is managing your finances. Ned Luberecki (Sirius/XM Radio, Chris Jones and The Night Drivers) will moderate a panel discussion along  with Stephen Mougin (Dark Shadow Recording, Sam Bush Band), Kristin Scott Benson (The Grascals) and Regina Derzon IBMA Board Secretary and Accounting Instructor), to talk about different approaches to managing your finances.

Moderator: Sherrill Blackman, sdb music group

Panelists: Louisa Branscomb, Branscomb Songwriter Foundation; Kathy Anderson, Hadley Music Group; Jill Napier, Music Pub Works

For: Artists, managers, songwriters, publishers

Too many times a song gets recorded or used without any kind of licensing or royalty distribution.  Trying to stay on top of this situation can be time consuming and a headache if you don’t know what you are doing.  Three experts will discuss song licensing, royalty collection, and other money issues as they pertain to songwriters and publishers. 

Moderator: Blake Williams
Panelists: Cindy Baucom, Knee Deep in Bluegrass; Kyle Cantrell, SiriusXM; Joe Mullins, Classic Country Radio, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
For: Broadcasters, fans, associations, festival producers

Unfortunately, it’s a situation we have all seen: the energy and excitement of an event being squashed by an unprepared and unqualified emcee. An emcee can help make or break a performance. They can accentuate an already great event, or can ruin an otherwise successful one. This panel is open to anyone who would like to learn more about how to better practice the “art of emceeing.”

Each year, the Songwriter Showcase at World of Bluegrass draws in some of the best up-and-coming songwriters in bluegrass and roots music. With over 60 applications this year, only ten are chosen to perform their song during World of Bluegrass. It is a great event each year that provides a platform for songwriters to get their songs heard on a wider scale!

This year, the hosts for the Songwriter Showcase are The Darrell Brothers! With a viral, side-splitting hit “Mountain Twerker” the Darrells know how to craft a witty song that can capture attention like no one else.

Be there in person at the Songwriter Showcase on Wednesday, September 30 at 9:40a.m. on the Workshop Stage in the Raleigh Convention Center.

The invited songwriters and their songs are:

Lisa Bushman, Joe Newberry & Dale Ann Bradley “Grandpa's Overalls”

Louisa Branscomb “Anyway”

Andrew Preston “The Mountain Wayfarers”

Carley Arrowood “Jesus Drive the Train”

Teresa Neal “Ain’t No Good Goodbye”

Buddy Guido, Paul Kelly “Deer in the Headlights Look”

David Morris & Chris Dockins “So Long, Lindytown”

Melody Williamson “Someday”

Gary Alan Ferguson “Southern Train”

Rob Russell “How Alone”