Sponsors

Launched on July 4th, 2005 to represent the needs of the independent music label community, this year A2IM celebrated its fourth anniversary as the sector’s pre-eminent advocacy group and trade organization. Currently, the organization counts over 225 music label members and 100 associate members (companies who don’t own masters but rely upon, provide services for, or otherwise support independent music labels). A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry’s market share in the United States (and 38% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents’ interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.

AIM is a not-for-profit trade body established in 1999 to represent the UK independent music industry. Now in its 10th year, AIM acts for over 90% of the independent market, with over 800 members from small start-ups to the largest and most respected independents in the world. AIM promotes this exciting and diverse sector globally, leveraging the sector’s power as a fifth major to enable its members to grow, grasp new opportunities and break into new markets. AIM oversees an independent sector whose artists have claimed four Mercury Music Prizes in a row (2003 – 2006) and earned two thirds of all nominations between 2005 and 2008. Artists signed to UK Independents also scooped a quarter of all available prizes at the 2008 Brit Awards, with an independent-signed act grabbing “Best British Group” for the fourth year running. This confirms the sector’s undoubted lead in A&R. The independent sector regularly accounts for 30% of all UK artist album awards (silver, gold, platinum/multi-platinum). In 2008, independent albums made up over half of the fifty “best albums of the year” according to the UK music press, and independents claimed five of the top ten releases. Artists signed to AIM member labels include: Adele, Amadou & Miriam, Arctic Monkeys, Basement Jaxx, Battles, Bjork, Bloc Party, Bon Iver, Coldcut, Enter Shikari, Franz Ferdinand, Infadels, Jack Penate, Jarvis Cocker, Jay Sean, Jose Gonzalez, Justice, Katie Melua, M.I.A., Maximo Park, Mr. Scruff, Nitin Sawnhey, Radiohead, Reverend And The Makers, Rogrigo Y Gabriela, Roots Manuva, Royksopp, Seasick Steve, Sufjan Stevens, Super Furry Animals, The Cribs, The Futureheads, The Prodigy, The Raconteurs, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Vampire Weekend and thousands of others.

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) collects license fees on behalf of the more than 475,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers it represents and distributes those fees as royalties to members whose works have been publicly performed.

As a performing right organization, or PRO, BMI issues licenses to various users of music, including television and radio stations and networks; new media, including Internet services and websites and mobile technology businesses such as ringtone and ringback providers; satellite audio services like XM and Sirius; nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other businesses; digital jukeboxes; and live concert venues.

BMI currently represents some more than 6.5 million compositions — a number that is constantly growing. As a result, BMI has, over the years, implemented a number of technological innovations in its continuing effort to gather the most accurate information available about where, when and how its members’ compositions are played or performed, as well as ensuring that royalty payments are made in as precise and timely a manner as possible.

The CCMA is a non profit trade association dedicated to the growth and development of Canadian country music. For over 30 years the CCMA has marked each September with Country Music Week, a four day conference and celebration culminating in the broadcast CCMA Awards (established 1983). Country Music Week is one of the largest music events in Canada with a combination of activities for both community and industry including showcase opportunities for newcomers, educational seminars and an all day FanFest that delivers Canada’s stars to the community. www.ccma.org

CD Baby is the largest online music distribution company for independent music. We offer a host of artist services including physical and digital distribution, warehousing and shipping of CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, affordable web-hosting and design, a credit card swiper to increase your live sales, download cards, disc duplication, and more. www.cdbaby.com

The Creative Musicians Coalition (CMC), established in 1984, is an international membership association dedicated to the advancement of new music and the success of independent musicians. CMC represents artists and labels worldwide. CMC distributes its members’ music and videos through its sister organization the Music Discovery Network. CMC offers networking opportunities and educational materials. CMC empowers and encourages fans to support their favorite artists though the Fans and Friends network, coming September 2010. A CMC public membership is free on Facebook, and a private, professional membership is offered through its website at CreativeMusiciansCoalition.com. Membership is open to any individual or organization that supports independent music.

CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2009 will take over New York City from October 20-24. Bringing together more than 120,000 music fans, industry professions, filmmakers and artists, CMJ will take over more than 75 of the city’s legendary nightclubs and theaters for five non-stop days and nights. Headquartered at New York University’s Greenwich Village campus; don’t miss your chance to participate in New York City’s largest music festival. CMJ ’09 will showcase more than 1,300 artists with career-launching performances. Past chart-toppers to grace the stages of CMJ have included Arcade Fire, The Hold Steady, Eminem, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M, The Killers, Green Day, Foo Fighters and thousands more. CMJ ‘09 will also host exclusive nighttime parties, daytime exhibit areas, registrant lounges, a technology fair, artist and press lounges, meet and greets, panels, seminars, mentoring sessions, community initiatives, networking events, Q&As, film premieres and special events. REGISTER NOW to take advantage of our badge discount specials for CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2009. For more information, visit www.cmj.com/marathon.

Need CD or DVD manufacturing? Disc Makers has set the standard for over 62 years. Our manufacturing services provide the DIY musician retail-ready CDs in a matter of days. And with our Short Run website, you can make the exact number of discs you want, delivered in as few as 72 hours. On top of that, our Design Studio, SoundLab, and Authoring House can help make your product look, sound, and function better than you could have dreamed. We also offer custom-printed merchandise, web distribution packages, and a whole line of disc duplicators, blanks, and supplies if you’re looking to bring manufacturing capabilities in house. Special Offer: Get our Complete Recording Guide, FREE! Click here to request yours today.

Dropcards makes custom music download cards for independent bands and musicians. We’re really, really good at it.

eMusic is the world’s leading digital retailer of independent music, second only to iTunes in number of downloads sold. The eMusic Web site offers a global catalogue of more than 1.8 million tracks from established and emerging artists in every genre from the world’s leading independent labels. Created by music experts for music fans, it features award-winning editorial content, a vibrant online community and unrivaled music discovery tools. A subscription-based service that offers 25 free downloads at sign-up, eMusic gives consumers an inexpensive, low-risk way to explore great new music they wouldn’t find otherwise, and unlike other download services, its universally compatible MP3 files play on any device including the iPod®.

Jango.com is a top-10 music site where 7 million listeners create custom radio stations that play the artists they select plus similar artists Jango recommends.

Jango ‘Airplay’ is a promotional service for bands and artists to get their music promoted on Jango radio stations, to people who like similar kind of music. Jango.com has millions of listeners who want to discover new music just like yours.

“Im in Love with Jango” – Usa Today
“Straight Forward and Easy ” – Wall Street Journal
“Makes It Fun to Discover New Music” – Pc World
“Extremely Social Streaming Radio” – Wired
“Refreshingly Simply Online Radio” – Cnet

The Knoxville Songwriters’ Association was established by Sarah Williams in 1983 as a non-profit organization to serve the songwriting community of Knoxville, TN and surrounding areas. The Association presently has over 50 members and meets every Tuesday evening at the Fountain City Branch of the Knox County Library on Essary Road just east of Broadway. Meeting time is 6:00 till 8:00 p.m.

The main purpose of the Association is to bring together aspiring songwriters who are seeking information and education on the craft of songwriting. Various workshops and seminars are offered to members during the year at little or no additional cost to the member. Some of these workshops are on the craft of songwriting, while others may cover the music business or how best to market a song. Our seminar instructors are professionals who earn their living working full time in the music business, either as songwriters, artists, publishing/producing, or authors of instructional materials such as how-to books.

Additional information on how to become a member can be obtained from the KSA Website at www.knoxvillesongwritersassociation.org or by sending your name and address to: Membership Director, KSA, P.O. Box 603, Knoxville, TN 37901.

Bridging the gap between “the street and the elite” –– and commonly referred to as “the musicians bible” –– MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE is the leading music-trade publication for career-minded musicians. MC has been educating, informing and connecting musicians since 1977. A MONTHLY publication distributed to every major city in America, MC caters to both the seasoned veteran and the fl edgling musician, and to the top executive as well as those trying to break into the business. MC’s broad appeal encompasses the songwriter, producer, studio manager, agent, attorney, publicist, label executive and more. Whether offering survival tactics or insights that can contribute to breakthrough success, Music Connection has a sterling reputation as a cutting-edge resource for anyone who is steeped in the realities of making music TODAY.

The Planetary Group is an artist development firm that specializes in radio
promotion and publicity. Headquartered in Boston with a satellite office in
Manhattan, Planetary has its finger on the pulse of the current scene. For
nine years, Planetary has worked with a variety of musicians from all
genres, both signed and unsigned. The radio department structures a
campaign that targets college radio, AAA, non-commercial and
commercial-specialty shows. In addition to generating airplay, the company
pursues radio interviews and in-studio performances in touring and other
markets. Planetary’s radio and tour support can provide the necessary
groundwork to ensure advance exposure in upcoming tour markets. In additionto radio promotion, Planetary conducts hardhitting publicity, street team
marketing and special event marketing.

Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build the political power of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country. Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election. And we give young people the tools to identify, learn about, and take action on the issues that affect their lives, and leverage their power in the political process. www.RockTheVote.com.

SESAC is one of three Performing Rights Organizations in the United States representing songwriters and music publishers to make sure they are are paid performance royalties whenever their songs are played in public, on radio, television, restaurants or clubs. And, unlike any other PRO, SESAC pays bands live performance royalties when they go on tour, regardless of how big or small the venues. The SESAC roster includes some of the most progressive names in music including Bob Dylan, RUSH, Coheed & Cambria, The Faint, Killswitch Engage, Mates Of State, Voxtrot, MGMT, Flobots, Bryan-Michael Cox and Nate “Danja” Hills, just to name a few.

Long respected for its woman-centric coverage of indie music, the newly redesigned Venus Zine is a must-buy for anyone who loves music, fashion, and culture from books to film to DIY. Venus Zine helps young women decide what to listen to, what to read, what to watch, and what to wear. We like to tell stories that inspire readers to live life creatively. We publish online daily, biweekly on e-mail, and quarterly in print. www.venuszine.com