Los Altos, CA. (Top40 Charts/ WCS) - The 27th Annual West Coast Songwriters (WCS) Conference will be held Sept. 7-9, 2007 on the campus of Foothill College in Los Altos, Calif., midway between San Francisco and San Jose.
The two-day conference includes workshops on the craft, creation and business of all aspects of songwriting and the music industry. More than 30 music industry guests including A&R representatives, publishers, hit songwriters, entertainment attorneys and music business experts will share their expertise with attendees whether their aspirations are to launch a music industry career or just to become a better songwriter.
In addition to an excellent program of workshops and panels, attendees will have many opportunities for song screenings, performance critiques and one-on-one counseling on the careers and the music business. The weekend includes a concert featuring industry guests and WCS song contest and showcase winners as well as plenty of time for networking. It all kicks off with a networking mixer on Friday evening Sept. 7.
Dan Kimpel, author, journalist, educator and noted expert on the music industry, is a long time attendee of the West Coast Songwriters Conference. In Kimpel's book Networking Strategies for the New Music Business, he notes that the West Coast Songwriters Conference "...is endlessly supportive; there's a respect for the songwriter that goes far beyond monetary commercialization."
"I can testify that the encompassing musical panorama of this event is what makes it a 'must attend' weekend," says Kimpel. "Whether you're a performing songwriter; someone who creates music for others to record or a film/television composer, there will be invaluable people for you to meet who can substantially impact your career trajectory. Better still, these folks are eminently approachable. This is an event with an enormous amount of heart."
Through the past 26 years of the conference, West Coast Songwriters (formerly Northern California Songwriters Association) has built a track record of educating, nurturing and creating opportunities for songwriters, musicians, and anyone interested in any aspect of the music business including publishing, studio engineering, and record production in addition to songwriting.
Online registration is now open at www.WestCoastSongwriters.org for both members and non-members.
* More than 1200 songs will be reviewed over the weekend by publishers with a track record of hits in all music genres by artists including Avril Lavigne, Mariah Carey, Ryan Cabrera, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and many more
* Hit songwriters including Curt Frasca & Sabelle Breer (Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Ryan Cabrera) Steve Seskin (Tim McGraw), and Andre Pessis (Mr. Big, Bonnie Raitt,) provide inspiration and tips for songwriters
* Performance critiques are offered by industry heavy-weights like Dan Kimpel and Elliott Cahn, personal manager and music attorney of Green Day, Papa Roach, The Offspring.
* Music business and career one-one-one appointments offered with publishers, A&R reps and music industry experts
* Seminars and panel discussions cover all aspects of the creation, craft and connection of the music industry
This year's confirmed guests include:
A&R: Steven Melrose - Retone Records and Virgin Records, Mollie Moore - Atlantic Records, Brian Rawlings - Back Nine Entertainment., Sara Kapuchinski - Chrysalis, Nick Phillips, Concord Records
Songwriters: Sabelle Breer & Curt Frasca -Verse Music Publishing, Narada Michael Walden, Andre Pessis, NARAS President, SF Chapter, Michael & Patty Silversher co-founders of West Coast Songwriters, Steve Seskin
Music Industry Execs: Jeff Brabec -Chrysalis Music Group, Elliott Cahn - music attorney and personal manager, Todd Brabec - ASCAP, Ronnie Brown, Eric Chun - Creative Music Services, Ned Hearn - Attorney, Jocelyn Kane - Deputy Director of San Francisco's Entertainment Commission, Dan Kimpel author, "Networking Strategies for the New Music Industry, Ted Lowe - Choicetracks, Los Angeles, Merl Saunders, Jr. Executive Director, Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter, (hit songwriter), Kim Wiggins, Dan Hodges-Murrah Music, Nashville, Jai Josefs, Penny Dionne,- Little Vixen Music, Nashville , Larry Batiste - Pure Delite Music, San Francisco, Russell Bond - Digital Audio Productions and The Annex Recording Studios, Steve Bloch & Antoinette Olesen -Writer Zone, Janet Fisher, Goodnight Kiss.
Additional industry guests will be announced on the West Coast Songwriters web site at www.WestCoastSongwriters.org.
