Thursday's Next Big Nashville Conference Schedule

As we've mentioned, this year's Next Big Nashville will feature a first - a two-day music conference presented by The Recording Academy and Emma Email Marketing. The conference is open to all participating artists and VIP badge holders, and two of Thursday's panels are free and open to the public as well.

Here is the full Thursday schedule for the conference:


The New New Nashville: What Do We Need?
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Musicians Hall of Fame (301 6th Ave S)
Description: A look at Nashville's Music and Music Business Landscape by Community Leaders to address what they feel is missing in Music City. Also to address bridge building in the music investment community between new money and new opportunities outside of country music in Nashville. BADGES ONLY.
Panelists:
Jim Hester/Mayor's Office
Rick Whetsel/Great Big Shows, Outback Concerts
Jay Williams/William Morris
Hal Hassall/VP of Marketing, Echo
Big Fella/Mother Mary Music
MODERATOR: Justin Levenson/SOLID, SESAC
Opening Statements: Jason Moon Wilkins/Next BIG Nashville

Psychology and the Art of Artist Management
Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Location: Musicians Hall of Fame (301 6th Ave S)
Description: Breaking down the psychological navigation necessary in artist management with seasoned managers who will discuss how they have handled different personalities and group dynamics in the high stress world of music. BADGES ONLY.
Panelists:
Carl Stubner/Sanctuary (Mick Fleetwood, Tommy Lee, Velvet Revolver, The Cult)
Ken Levitan/Vector Mgmt (Emmylou Harris, Kings of Leon, Damien Rice, Ben Folds)
Doc McGhee/McGhee Artist Management (KISS, Jypsi, Ted Nugent)
Steve SmithAware (Brandi Carlile, Mat Kearney)
MODERATOR: Craig Havighurst/NPR

Plays Well With Others: Co-Writing As An Artistic Outlet
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: Country Music Hall of Fame (222 5th Ave S)
Description: Accomplished solo artists and renowned band leaders who have developed successful second careers as co-writers for other artists discuss how they got into co-writing, what the process is like and how they balance the two artistic outlets. Also on the panel, music publishing executives weigh in on how they pair writers with artists and what it takes to transition from writing for yourself to writing with others. The panel will include several artist-writers whose genre-spanning credits include work with everyone from major rock artists to commercial country stars. FREE and Open to the Public.
Panelists:
Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra, Howie Day)
Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket)
Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Dixie Chicks)
Jake Ottmann/VP, A&R, EMI Music Publishing
Daniel Tashian (Silver Seas, Donavon Frankenreiter, Sixpence None the Richer)
Patrick Clifford/VP, A&R, Ten Ten Music
MODERATOR: Jessica Draper, Music Editor, Performing Songwriter

The Nashville Curse
Time: 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Venue: Musicians Hall of Fame (301 6th Ave S)
Description: Since the early 80's when Jason & The Nashville Scorchers were forced to drop "Nashville" from their name by their then record label, there is said to have been a curse put on any rock band or pop artist trying to "make it" out of Music City. Despite numerous high profile signings and dozens of major label bands and solo acts taking their shot at stardom over the years no Nashville-based act has ever reached platinum status in the USA. With successful recent records by Paramore and the Kings of Leon leading the charge, the idea of the curse is being rebuffed by many in Nashville, but there are still numerous performers and industry executives who still believe there's something to it. BADGES ONLY.
Panelists:
Kent M. Marcus, Esq./Entertainment Lawyer, KMM, PC
Steve Robertson/VP A&R Atlantic Records
Bobby Bare Jr./Artist; Matt Friction (Pink Spiders)
Kim Stephens/President Forward Ent./Capitol Music Group
Kim Buie, VP, A&R Lost Highway
MODERATOR: Jason Moon Wilkins, Next BIG Nashville

Keynote Artist Interview: Ben Folds
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Location: Country Music Hall of Fame (222 5th Ave S)
Description: Keynote speech and interview. FREE and Open to the Public.
Panelists:
Ben Folds
Andy Langer/Esquire