SAN DIEGO (NARM announcement) - Clive Davis To Keynote Dual Disc, In-Store CD-Burning Technology To Debut Gretchen Wilson, Jason Mraz,
Ben Harper & The
Blind Boys Of Alabama, Chick Corea & The Electric Band,
Others To Perform
Insights & Sounds.04, the 46th Annual Convention & Marketplace of the
National Association of Recording Merchandisers, will bring key music industry players together to showcase new artists and music, new ideas, and new products and technology that have the potential to add strength and momentum to this year's recovery in music sales. The Convention & Marketplace will be August 21 - 24 at the San
Diego Marriott.
BMG's Clive Davis to Keynote
This year's event will feature a keynote conversation with Clive Davis, Chairman & CEO of BMG North America. One of the industry's most resilient, outspoken and influential executives, Davis's 30 years worth of achievement encompass some of the most recognized names in late 20th Century American popular music: Santana, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkel, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Sarah McLachlan, The Kinks, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Usher, OutKast, Notorious B.I.G., Puffy Combs, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and, most recently, American Idol's Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, and Ruben Studdard. His unconventional keynote will be conducted as a one-on-one interview with Billboard Magazine's Director of Charts & Senior Analyst, Geoff Mayfield.
Dual Disc, In-Store CD-Burning Technology to Get First Look
Uppermost in the minds of this year's attendees will be the scheduled presentations of new technologies aimed at meeting consumer demand for greater value and better quality. During the product presentations, suppliers will debut a new Dual Disc technology that ultimately seeks to provide consumers with an enhanced-value audio product. In addition, retailers will get a rundown of some of the new in-store CD-burning technology designed to allow them to enter the legal digital downloading marketplace and help satisfy consumer hunger for portable, digital songs.
"These technology-focused product presentations really offer a first look at how the industry is fundamentally looking to improve its bottom line and move the business forward to meet changing music and entertainment consumption patterns," notes NARM Acting President Jim Donio. "Just as the NARM Convention was the venue where the new CD technology was formally debuted in 1983, people may well look back at this year's event with equal significance as the one where Dual Disc and in-store CD-burning took their first formal bows."
And, as always with the NARM Convention, record labels use the event to unveil their newest albums and preview some of their most promising artists.
"In fact, for many up-and-coming artists, NARM is the indispensable venue for performers to preview their music to the retailers and wholesalers who will be selling the product," adds Donio. "That's why artists like Lisa Marie Presley, Vanessa Carlton, Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, 'N Sync, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Trisha Yearwood all made their industry debuts on the NARM stage."
Live performances highlighting a variety of genre -- Children's, Classical, Country, Hip Hop, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and more -- will be featured at almost every event. Heavy hitters performing this year include current Honky-tonk hottie Gretchen Wilson; trippy Pop singer/songwriter Jason Mraz; the compelling Jazz of Chick Corea and the Elektric Band; and the introspective collaboration of Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama. Even more fabulous artists will be announced for the Universal Music & Video Distribution Product Presentation and the WEA Night at Club NARM, but the current list includes:
"Welcome Back" Reception
* Sahra Indio, Olumeye Records
* Pavlo, Justin Time Records
Opening night of Club NARM, sponsored by WEA
* Jason Mraz, Atlantic Records
* Shinedown, Atlantic Records
Business Session & Annual Meeting
* Hayley Westenra, Decca Records
Happy Hour ... Unplugged:
* Rachel Sage, Mpress Records
* LP, Light Switch Records/Musicrama Distribution & Marketing
* Catherine Marie Charlton, River Dawn Productions
Scholarship Foundation Dinner
* The Karg Boys, winners of NARM first "Class Acts" competition
* J-Me, Ripe/E-Nate Records/Navarre Entertainment Media
* They Might Be Giants, Walt Disney Records
Second night of Club NARM
* Juz Cuz, PPL Records USA/Malibu Trading
* Brazilian Girls, The Verve Music Group
* John Brannen, Sly Dog Records
* Chick Corea and the Elektric Band, Concord Records
Third night of Club NARM
* Malibu Storm, Rounder Records
* Beth Hart, Koch Records
* Bob Schneider, Shockorama/Vanguard Records/Welk Music Group
* Camper Van Beethoven, Pitch-A-Tent/Vanguard Records/Welk Music Group
Awards Dinner Finale
* Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama, Virgin Records
* Gretchen Wilson, Epic Records Nashville
