The World’s Leading Independent A&R Company
Road Rally 2013 Driver’s Ed Classes
(Teacher bios are located at the end of the class descriptions)
Friday, November 8th
11:00am – 12:30pm: Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
· Website Demolition Derby with Dave Cool – Westchester “A” Room (Lobby Level / 1st Floor) This session will offer live critiques of musician websites. Each site’s design, organization, content, and functionality will be assessed. How does the website fit with the artist’s overall online strategy, and how successfully does it achieve his/her goals? Dave Cool, the Director of Artist Relations at Bandzoogle, is extremely knowledgeable about website best practices and deeply allergic to bad design, Flash widgets, and unreadable fonts. Reviews will aim to teach everyone in the room some website design best practices.
· Listening to Your Country Songs with Chip Hardy – Westchester “B” Room (Lobby Level / 1st Floor) An informational discussion on how to make your Country songs more competitive in the marketplace. Subject matter will range from your initial song idea to developing a story line and creating an emotional impact for listeners. Questions and open discussion will be welcomed throughout the entire class period.
· Multiple Streams of Music Income with Debra Russell – National Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) More than a marketing model – it’s a business model allowing you to capitalize on today’s reality in the music business. Built on the foundation of niche marketing, taking best advantage of the tools and technology of the new music industry to create your 1,000 True Fans. Whether you’re a performing musician, composer, producer, publisher, or agent/manager, you can apply these concepts to expand and grow your music business. Following the Multiple Streams of Music Income Model will allow you to attract the right fans (or music buyers) to you, the ones who will love what you uniquely do. And create a deep and abiding relationship with them that will keep them coming back and bringing their friends with them.
· How to Achieve Incredible Career Success with Kenny Kerner – O’Hare Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) So many people get into the industry without a plan; without an organized outline. There are distractions, mistakes, hard work and a host of other hurdles to keep an artist from succeeding. This class will outline 18 steps for achieving incredible career success and overcoming the hurdles. If you’re planning on a career—any career—don’t miss this class!
· It Takes More Than Talent with George Aiello – Midway Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Why is it some artists “make it” and others don’t? Do they have more talent than the rest of us? Probably not. Is it just luck? Definitely not! Do successful artists have anything in common with each other? Do they do or know something the rest of us don’t? It turns out they just might. George Aiello, co-founder of Full Touch Media, will lead this fast-paced, eye opening, engaging, and sometimes provocative session that explores and exposes why fans become motivated, passionate, and loyal followers of an artist. You’ll leave the room energized and armed with specific steps that you can begin using today to build a more successful music career. This session is for anyone who creates music of any genre and at all levels that want to build a growing base of dedicated and committed fans. Those who represent artists such as indie labels and music marketing professionals are also encouraged to attend.
· Audio Engineering Boot Camp with Chandler Bridges – Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Learn about the music production process—including recording, editing, and mixing—and the tools available to you to create music on your computer. This class will cover the basics of Audio Engineering and Production. Topics will include: basics of sound and hearing; microphone design, function, and placement; creating better mixes (including reference tracks, song analysis, signal processing); and technical ear training.
· Songwriting for All Levels with Frank Fuchs – La Guardia Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) This class is open to songwriters of all levels, but can be especially helpful for artists, singer songwriters, and bands looking to get their songs ready to record. There will be a limited chance for people to play a tune and get the song reviewed by the class, but mainly we’ll be going over the basic elements of songwriting and how to strengthen parts, lyrics, melodies and chords. Additional focus on how to approach “the marketplace” with your particular genre of music.
Friday, November 8th continued
11:00am-12:30pm (continued):
· Three Simple Mistakes That Stop Songwriters From Having Hits with Barry De Vorzon – Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Sometimes the difference between a good song and a great song is in the tiniest of details. Join hit songwriter, producer, publisher Barry De Vorzon to find out what those little mistakes are and how to avoid them. No other class at this year’s Road Rally will be giving these three secret tips to its students.
· Advanced Record Production with Rob Chiarelli and Ron Harris – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Rob Chiarelli and Ron Harris will tell you their hit-making techniques that will make your project sound like a HIT record. Topics include modern MIXING techniques, using plug-ins, modern vocal & drum sounds, and how to get your mix to sound big, clear, and deep like you hear on the radio. Once again, they will be bringing a major special guest. Don’t miss this class. Rob and Ron will also be bringing some very special classic multi-track masters – very rare, once-in-a-lifetime kind of stuff!
· Vocal Recording and Mixing Master Class with Ronan Chris Murphy – Orly Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Producer-Engineer Ronan Chris Murphy will teach you how to record and mix master quality vocals tracks in any recording situation. The class will share techniques for getting the most out of the vocalist and technical strategies for delivering broadcast quality vocal tracks on any budget.
· The Dos and Don’ts of Co-writing with Cliff Goldmacher – Sea-Tac Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Get an industry insider’s perspective on the process of songwriting collaboration from a veteran of over 800 co-writes. You’ll gain valuable information about what to do before, during, and after your writing sessions. Don’t go into your first co-write without taking this class!
2:45pm-4:15pm: Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
· Heart, Soul & Sincerity: Success Strategies with a Human Touch with Dan Kimpel – Westchester A Room (Lobby Level / 1st Floor) The songwriting business is a people business. Creating and sustaining personal and professional relationships is a dynamic key to an enduring career. With six best-selling music business books to his credit, author, educator, and interviewer Dan Kimpel has been in a key position to observe how strategic alliances are valuable keys to success in all facets of our industry. Even with every social media gizmo in existence, nothing can ever supplant the power of two individuals in one room, breathing the same air. In his dynamic and energetic presentation, Dan will deliver a testimony of positive people power, with sterling examples of how today’s most successful songwriters have leveraged their personal connections to maximum effect. Who you know, what you know, and who knows you: Join the inexhaustible Dan Kimpel for a session that is guaranteed to awaken the networking genius within you.
· Understanding What Mastering Does with Hans DeKline – Westchester B Room (Lobby Level / 1st Floor) Learn the nuts and bolts of the mastering process from a seasoned veteran and world-renowned mastering engineer who has over 10 years experience and thousands of songs released on Major and Indie labels. You’ll gain valuable insight into this critical and final stage of the recording process. Learn the best ways to prepare your final mixes for mastering, and how you can ad that extra polish to make your mixes sparkle and shine. Mastering demystified!
· Making Money as a Songwriter and Music Publisher with Todd Brabec and Jeff Brabec – National Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Today’s world of music licensing offers more opportunities than ever before, but along with those opportunities come increasing complexity. Without current knowledge of how things work in today’s “real world,” many opportunities will either be lost or diminished in value. Knowing the structure of a licensing deal, the negotiating tactics used, and the money that can be made—all of that and more will be discussed. Areas covered include ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC payments; video games; independent and major studio films; television series; apps; e-cards; mechanical royalty rates; advertising commercials; downloads and streaming; ringtones and ringbacks; direct licenses; and more.
Friday, November 8th continued
2:45pm-4:15pm (continued):
· How to Get More Forwards from TAXI with Karl Louis and Kevin Houlihan – O'Hare Room
(Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Want to improve the accuracy of your song pitch? Welcome to this up close and personal conversation into what makes a successful pitch. You’ll gain valuable insight regarding the distinctions between a Film, TV, and Commercial Ad pitch vs. pitching your music to Label and Publishing opportunities. Join us for this in-depth look at the industry from all angles, with Kevin Houlihan (TAXI, Vice President, Film & TV / A&R) and Karl Louis (Major & Indie Label Artist Management and Industry Veteran). Get an honest assessment of what you need to maximize your focus and help increase your “forward” ratio. Time permitting, audience member songs will be randomly selected and spot critiqued.
· Live Show Music Marketing: What to Do Before, During and After the Gig with Bob Baker – Midway Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) You know that live music performances are a powerful way to connect with fans. Are you truly making the most of this opportunity? In this fast-paced session, you'll learn the secrets in getting more people to your shows, how to engage fans and sell more music during the show, and the important marketing steps you need to take after each gig. Attend this class if you're serious about squeezing all you can out of your live performances.
· Is It Time to Get a Manager? with Chris “Hot Rod” Long – Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Why do some artists get great management and others do not? What can I do to make sure I am doing what needs to be done to attract the attention of management? Are you aware of the fact that before being able to ask the question “What should I expect from you as my manager” that you need to be prepared to answer the question. What are you doing on your own to make me want to manage you? With experience as an A&R rep, a record label “jack of all trades” (promotions, publicity, marketing), music journalist, concert promoter, and manager of an artist with several #1 singles and a platinum plus album, Chris “Hot Rod” Long will try to help you understand how Artist Management is a two-way street, and what you can do to make your side of the street as appealing for a talented manager as possible.
· It’s About the Song with Judy Stakee – LaGuardia Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Judy will share with you her vision on how to become a more successful songwriter by developing your own creative process. She will give you a unique perspective into being an artist; body, mind, and soul. She intends to spark your imagination and visualization by using your voice, melody, and lyric.
· Making Music That Works for Advertising with Garry Smith – Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) You’ve only got 29 seconds to grab and hold your listeners’ attention. Composing for advertising isn’t about you and your favorite music, style, or genre. It’s about the client, the product, and the target market. Putting yourself in their shoes is the essential key to success when you create music for TV commercials. Learn about the various uses of music in advertising, why they use music, how to give them what they need, and using “temp” music as your inspiration. Garry Smith is a world-class expert in this field with a great history of advertising music placements!
· Contemporary: What Is It, How to Get It, and Why You Need to Be It with Robin Frederick, author “Shortcuts to hit Songwriting” – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Whether you’re pitching to record labels, publishers, or Film & TV, the road to success is paved with current-sounding songs and productions. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on demos or co-write with a 12-year-old. Join Robin Frederick for a fun, informative class that will show you simple, easy-to-use techniques for updating your style. All-new Video & Audio examples.
· Modern Sample Libraries with Jeff Steinman, Mike Greene, and Garth Hjelte – Orly Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) In this class, learn how they are made and what they can do. In this class, we will talk about the process of creating sample libraries, the various capabilities provided by modern libraries, what our favorite libraries are (the ones that we use), various formats that have become standards, and more. We will explain some of the terminology, demonstrate the capabilities of several high-end libraries, and answer questions from the audience.
· Music Business and Terminology Basics for Newbies with Casey Hurowitz – Sea-Tac Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd floor) Are you just starting out? Overwhelmed by all those terms tossed around such as reversion, exclusive, non-exclusive, re-title, work-for-hire, etc.? Confused about copyrights, performance royalties, etc.? This is the class for the totally green (though all are welcome!). Casey Hurowitz is a TAXI member who has grown by leaps and bounds during his membership, and is a very prolific contributor to the TAXI forum. He is highly regarded by the legions of newbies who are hungry for the music business basics. Want to shave months, maybe years off your learning curve? Then join Casey to get a “101” primer and all your questions answered in plain, easy-to-understand language.