Sound Advice: Finding Success in the Era of New Media December 1, 2009

Washtenaw Community College’s Music Performance program offers Sound Advice: Finding Success in the Era of New Media, a free panel discussion Tuesday, December 1 in room 101 of the Morris Lawrence Building. The event is from 3 – 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“Dramatic changes in technology and the poor economy mean there are fewer and fewer live music venues and CD sales. Musicians need to learn to use social media sites like YouTube, Facebook and MySpace to reach and develop their fan base,” says John E. Lawrence, head of the Music Performance program. “We have four highly-regarded music producers speaking at the event. Each one is an expert in using the Internet to build audience and revenues.”

The four panelists will include:

· Luis Resto, Grammy award-winning music producer who has worked with Madonna, Eminem and many others.

· Sam Valenti, president of Ghostly Records and a leader in the Detroit Techno scene.

· Chris Rizik, founder of SoulTracks.com the number one soul music web site in America.

· Don Kline Marketing Director for Fleming Artists, an agency representing some of the best touring musicians in the world.

The third in the yearly series, Sound Advice brings seasoned music professionals to emerging local musicians in an open environment. Some of the specific topics covered in this panel discussion are: Finding your niche; Identifying and reaching your audience; Promoting yourself; Using your audience as your street team; and Reaching record labels, media companies, and other music marketing avenues. If you have the songs, but you are confused about how to develop an audience and us the Internet to sell CDs or downloads, then this conference is for you.

Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information or to make a reservation please call (734) 677-5146.