Next BIG Nashville Fest/Conference Details

Takes place Sept. 10-14 in Nashville.

By Blurt Staff

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:

With Next BIG Nashville's 3rd Annual Music Festival and Conference just around the corner, the full line-up of daytime panels and conference activities has officially been announced. Sponsored by The Recording Academy and EMMA Email Marketing, the panels take place at the Musicians' Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame on September 11^th and 12^th. Following the NBN 08 Music Conference theme "21^st Century DIY," the featured topics are aimed at the issues facing the changing nature of the music business and increasing opportunities for independent artists and business owners.

Music business insiders, digital industry leaders and artists will participate in the discussions, featuring a Keynote Interview with Ben Folds by Esquire Magazine's Andy Langer, a Red Bull Academy Workshop Session with Egon (Stones Throw Records), a star-studded Management panel featuring Carl Stubner/Sanctuary(Mick Fleetwood, Tommy Lee), Ken Levitan/Vector (Emmylou Harris, Kings of Leon, Damien Rice), Steve Smith/Co-Founder, AWARE and Doc McGhee (KISS, Jypsi, Ted Nugent) and a world class co-writing panel featuring Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Dixie Chicks), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket,  Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra, Howie Day), and Daniel Tashian (Donovan Frankenreiter, Sixpence None the Richer).

Other NBN 08 Music Conference Panelists include Steve Robertson/VP A&R Atlantic Records, Clint Smith/Co-Founder, Emma, Dave Jaworski/Founder & CEO, Passalong Networks, Lou Plaia/VP of Artist Development, ReverbNation, Chris Stacey/VP, Music Industry Mozes, Patrick Sullivan/Co-Founder RightsFlow, Carianne Brown/Sr. Creative Licensing Songs Publishing, Thaddeus Rudd/Co-Founder, Rebel Synch, Roger Moutenot/Producer (Yo La Tengo, Sleater-Kinney, Jessie Baylin), Jacquire King/Producer (Kings of Leon, Pictures and Sound), Sharal Churchill/Founder, Media Creature and many more. For the full list of panelists and panels visit www.nextbignashville.net/conference .

Spotlighting Nashville's diverse music scene, NBN 08 will showcase over 200 bands at over 15 venues this year including those based in Nashville, along with those that have ties to the area through business and musical endeavors (i.e. management or publisher based in Nashville, recorded at a local studio, co-wrote with local artist, etc) and regional performers. Next BIG Nashville co-founder Jason Moon Wilkins describes the event as "a way to connect musicians, the music industry and the media to the music fans of Nashville and its visitors. It's a story that can be told about the city and the scenes within the city."

Festival wristbands and festival/conference VIP Badges are now officially on sale through the website http://www.nextbignashville.net/tickets. Full schedules for artist showcases, conference panels and special events can be found at www.nextbignashville.net.

ABOUT THE SHOWCASES:

This year NBN will host several indie label showcases from Skybucket (Birmingham, AL), Grand Palace (Murfreesboro, TN), Chicken Ranch (Austin, TX), and Infinity Cat (Nashville), as well as showcases from music organizations such as Nettwerk Management, NSAI, Lake Fever Productions, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Mr. Lemons Studio.

As one might expect from the songwriting capital of the world, the NBN '08 lineup includes a wide variety of singer-songwriters from all genres including rising stars Jeremy Lister (Warner Bros.), Erin McCarley (Universal Republic), Matthew Perryman Jones, Andy Davis, Courtney Jaye (Universal Republic), Madi Diaz, Katie Herzig, Tyler James and Megan McCormick, along with respected Nashville names such as Matthew Ryan, David Mead and Butterfly Boucher. "Ten Out of Tenn," the live touring showcase companion to the CD compilation featuring Boucher, Jones, Herzig, McCarley, James, Davis, Griffin House, KS Rhoads and Trent Dabbs, will close the conference on Saturday night at the Cannery Ballroom.

In addition to the array of Music City talent on display this year the NBN 08 lineup also offers performances by acclaimed regional artists such as Dead Confederate, The Bridges, Neva Geoffrey, The Dexateens, Sons of Roswell, The Howlies and Royal Bangs. Nashville's internationally respected indie scene, which counts among its members Lambchop, Silver Jews and David Vandervelde among others is well represented with performances by Cortney Tidwell, Ferraby Lionheart, JEFF The Brotherhood, Kyle Andrews, How I Became the Bomb, Magic Wands, Paper Route (Universal Motown), Superdrag, Paper Rival (Atlantic) and others.

And it wouldn't be Nashville if we didn't have a little twang in there! NBN '08 offers a spotlight for a variety of diverse country-influenced artists such as Caitlin Rose, Danger Bear, Chris Janson, Joey & Rory, Whispertown 2000 (the first signing to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings' Acony label), Sarah Siskind, Glossary and more.

As a leading voice in Nashville's emerging artist community NBN has showcased numerous Nashville rising stars over the last two years, and has proven to be valuable instrument in the emerging artist arena. After NBN's first event, 17 of the 36 featured acts signed deals in the ensuing months following their showcases. The second year of the festival, the event expanded to showcase almost 150 artists whose credits now include everything from major label record deals to exclusive tie-ins with international brands. NBN Alumni include American Bang (Warner Bros.), Matt Wertz (Universal), Dave Barnes (Razor & Tie), De Novo Dahl (Roadrunner), Gabe Dixon Band (Fantasy), Justin Townes Earle (Bloodshot), Cage the Elephant (DSP), Landon Pigg (RCA) and more.

Over 50 more artists will be announced in the coming weeks. For the full initial artist list of over 150 confirmed participating acts, go to http://www.nextbignashville.net/artists.