"Jesus Rocks"

A fascinating look at the Contemporary Christian Music market with top industry experts:

Charles Dorris - William Morris Agency

Nick Barre - Sparrow Records

Norman Miller - Proper Management Productions

Jeff Roberts - Jeff Roberts & Associates.

For every 10 country music CD's sold - there are 7 CCM CD's being sold. Faith is hip and the market is booming!

Annual IEBA Breakfast

Sponsored by CMT

In appreciation of our fellow professionals at IEBA - International Entertainment Buyers Association. We announce the recipients of the coveted "Hubert Long" and "Talent Director of the Year" awards.

International Panel -

We were joined by a panel of leading international music executives for a discussion on the music business in a global economy.

Panelists included:

• Bob Saporiti -Former VP/GM of Warner Brothers Records
• Maurits Opsahl -General Manager of Contryfestivalen Vinstra - one of the most popular country music festivals in Scandinavia
• Judy Seale - President and CEO of Judy Seale International.

"Media - A Very Pressing Issue!"

Webster & Associates

Gave us the scoop. "Perception is reality in our business," said Kirt Webster of Nashville PR firm Webster & Associates. Joined by fellow Webster & Associates team members Jackie Monaghan and Brandee Reed, Webster went on to discuss the importance of media and PR support in an Artist's career in today's market.

William Wade

Consulting Economist 

William Wade presented his Marketing Strategy for the 21st Century. Wade is a consulting economist with 25 years experience analyzing market data. He recently moved from San Francisco to the Nashville area, where he continues his consulting economic business serving lawyers, agency directors and executives. Wade is also the author of "Murder on Music Row - More Than A Song - An Omen For Country Music Sales" as published in The Tennessean June 15, 2001.

Mark Waldrep, Ph.D

President, AIX Records

Presented an amazing new music format that will affect our Artists and the way we listen to music! Mark Waldrep, Founder, President and CEO of AIX Records and AIX Media Group, has been a visionary in the application of technology to the entertainment and corporate industries.

Brend Lee 

We shared an up-close & personal Q&A session with a true legend in the history of music - Brenda Lee.

Her long list of credits and awards include:

• More double sided hit singles than any other woman in the history of pop music.
• She has charted in more categories than any other female Artist in the history of recorded music.
• In retrospect of the entire decade of 1960's - Brenda is the top charted female act, and fourth overall charted act, with Elvis, The Beatles and Ray Charles completing the top four.

Sarah Trahern

Manager of Special Events

Spoke to a full house at our April NATD meeting about the new direction of the TNN network. TNN is now The National Network. One of Sarah's big priorities at the new TNN will be the upcoming TNN Country Weekly Music Awards to be held on June 13th at the Gaylord Entertainment Center here in Nashville. Joining her at our meeting was Martin Fischer - President of High Five Entertainment - who will be producing the event.

Greg Janese

President of TBA Entertainment Corporation 

Speaking at our March NATD meeting, the President of TBA - Greg Janese - told the full house of Nashville music executives about TBA Entertainment Corporation's broad range of entertainment and communications services in the U.S. and worldwide. With offices world wide, TBA produces more than 3,000 events annually for corporate clients and entertainers.

"The Future of CMT" 

Our special guest Paul Hastaba of CMT - Country Music Television - gave us a look at the future of CMT and the direction they are taking in today's market.

Chris Cunningham

Executive VP of Marketing for Quest Digital Media

Presented a Power Point presentation featuring Quest's 4 full size studios in Nashville, full web casting capabilities and 3 mobile trucks - Quest Digital Media is on the cutting edge of digital distribution here in Nashville and was chosen to web cast Barbara Streisand's NY concert on AOL. In addition, Quest Digital Media's Nashville location is also a perfect place to host your next media tour!