The ASCAP Expo: Come Inspired. Leave Energized.

This expo was three compressed days of inspiration, success stories, and ideas from the best in the music industry. It was total immersion. There were fascinating speakers, panelists, and performers – everyone from film composers to pop stars to promoters to music business experts. Even the sponsors were cool.

I met awesome new people, networked, discovered new music, and had a fantastic time! I recommend anyone in the music industry attend the ASCAP Expo. It was an amazing experience.

Songwriter extraordinaire Paul Williams kicked off the proceedings with a welcome address that was as brilliant as it was hilarious.

“Put your life into your songs and it will come back to you with great joy.”
—Paul Williams

The interview with John Mayer was incredibly insightful and interesting. John Mayer talked about different aspects of the music industry while really connecting with the roomful of musicians and songwriters in the audience.

“Not having a career would have been preferable to me than having a career that I have no control over.”
—John Mayer

Eric Beall gave an incredible presentation about marketing, promotion, connecting with your fans, and more. It was titled “The Nuts and Bolts of the Music Business.”

“Hit songs are catchy, but they have to give you an image of the artist. You hear Satisfaction then you know who the Rolling Stones are and what they are about.”
—Eric Beall

Ron Jones, who composes and orchestrates music for Family Guy, gave a fascinating presentation on composing and orchestrating, with a healthy dosage of wisdom and wit.

“Hard work + time + sweat + risk = success”
—Ron Jones

It was a pleasure to be in the audience for the conversation with Bill Withers and Justin Timberlake. Withers was full of insight and candor, and I just loved that.

“We look at the world through the window of our own eyes.”
—Bill Withers

The ASCAP Expo was an incredible experience for coming together with other musicians. There was networking going on all the time and there was a real sense of togetherness at the expo. Working in the music world, especially as a freelancer, can be lonely at times. This expo was a great way to be reminded that we are all in this together. As one presenter said: “We all work in the same store.”