Atlanta - Music & Digital Crossroads
On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 the Atlanta Chapter and the Association of Music Professionals presented Music and Digital Crossroads.
AMP Executive David Gilmore welcomed the crowd and introduced CCM jazz recording Artist Misty Williamsom, who treated us to two of her‘song stylings.’ Everyone in attendance enjoyed her performance and set a positive vibe for the evening.
Senior Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter, Michele Rhea Caplinger took the stage, spoke about The Recording Academy, GRAMMY365 and a few opening remarks before she introduced the evening’s moderator, Bruce Burch. Bruce is the director of the Kennesaw State University music and entertainment business program. He introduced the panelist and kicked off the panel discussion with one question. In 10 years will there even be a need to sell albums?
Each of the panelists which included Sterling Bacon, Dan Hannon, Julia Price, Yonrico Scott and Nikki Taylor spoke about the effects of new technology and the sell of albums now and in the future.
Sterling Bacon, artist manager at Alliance Artists, spoke about physical product always being in existence on some level. He also said the way you put out media is dependent upon your fan base.
Dove award winning producer, Dan Hannon told the crowd that for now bands can still sell albums on the road, but later a lot of stuff is going to go to ad-based free music.
As the director of tour marketing and new media at Corey Smith Touring, Julia Price spoke about her experience with her particular artist Corey Smith. She emphasized knowing your fan base will help you direct your artist.
GRAMMY Award winner Yonrico Scott spoke from his experiences performing and touring. He believes selling records is grassroots and music has to have soul. Though grassroots, Yonrico said the digital age is another tool and we have to grasp it and get it quick.
Nikki Taylor, booking manager of New Breed Booking also spoke about the digital age and taking grasp of it. She explained while in the process of working on recording, social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter helped to create a buzz.
The event wrapped up with a question and answer session where guests asked about the digital age and other topics such as artist content and independent versus mainstream success and how to promote themselves through the “new music industry model”.