An Exciting Songwriter Event Presented by West L.A. Music, Taxi.com, and UCLA Extension Department of Entertainment Studies

This is a "must see" event for songwriters, musicians and music producers!

Industry experts will explain what it takes to create a hit; how to get discovered; how to get songs placed with major artists, TV and film; and how to generate the contacts needed for success.

Attendees will also learn about the latest gear for songwriters from Roland, AKG, Dean Guitars, Auralex, and D'Addario.

Giveaways and prizes at the event include free studio time from Klown Records ($400 value), Taxi membership ($300 value), Auralex acoustic treatment package ($1239 value), D'Addario ChordMaster ($39.99 value), Music Connection magazines, and Roland T-shirts!

When: Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm - 3:45 pm

Where: UCLA Dickson Art Center (click for map)

These events are FREE and seating is limited, so sign up today by filling out the online form, or call Leslie Waller at (310) 477-5432 x171.

The panel discussions are described below:

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Write Hits, Get Them Cut, Go the Indie Route!

Doug Minnick, Vice President of Taxi and former EMI Publishing Director, will guide a spirited discussion on getting your songs placed and making connections in the music biz.

• Derek Sivers, President of CD Baby, will explain how to sell your CD and promote your music online.
  
• Dan Kimpel, a foremost authority on pop music and songwriting, will discuss the importance of networking and his unforgettable interviews with famous artists.
  
• Get first-hand information from successful Indie songwriter Michelle McAfee about how she got her songs placed with artists and secured a publishing deal with Warner Chappell
  
• Multi-platinum songwriter Kashif will discuss producing Grammy winners like Whitney Houston and share coveted inside information on the record industry!

Michael Laskow, President of Taxi and former recording engineer/producer, will moderate a panel of top industry experts on what it takes to create songs that sell and how to capture the attention of an A&R exec.

• Discover how multi-platinum producer Michael Lloyd generated over 100 gold and platinum records that have been recognized by The Grammys, The Academy Awards, The Dove Awards, NARM, the Golden Globe Awards, and entry in Who's Who in America. He has worked with great artists including Barry Manilow, Lou Rawls, Stryper, Belinda Carlisle, Dionne Warwick, Clint Black, The Monkees, Shaun Cassidy, The Osmonds, as well as the music supervision/song track production for other feature films such as Dirty Dancing, Coyote Ugly, Driven, Angel Eyes, Avenging Angelo, Half Past Dead (featuring Ja Rule) -- to mention just a few.
  
• Learn how Aaron Zigman, composer for the hit flick John Q, became a successful writer, arranger and producer for top names like Christina Aguilera.
  
• John Weakland, Director of A&R for Columbia Records, will explain what he looks for when signing a band.
  
• Gain insight from Don Grierson, former head of A&R for Epic, Capitol and EMI, about how he discovered artists like Heart, J.Geils, Queen, and created #1 hits!