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Atlantis Music Conference 2002 in Review |
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Written by Mike Stahl
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Tuesday, 13 December 2005 |
A look back at Atlantis 2002 by Joe Williams
July 31 – August 3
Atlanta, GA
Rising from my 1 pm wake up call Sunday August 4th brought to a close my attendance to the fifth annual Atlantis Music Conference 2002 organized by founding partners Mark Willis, Rich Levy & Lee Beitchman. Anyone considering entering into music as a career requires they attend conferences like Atlantis. Even I, who thinks he knows all there is to know about the industry, do not attend enough of these functions. With each conference I leave with additional knowledge, better understanding and new relationships within and about “The Biz”. Attending a conference like Atlantis is a pre-requisite in pursuit of obtaining your degree in the Music Business. This comes with no guarantee in achieving any amount of success of course but a necessity all the same.
In attendance on this years panels were representatives from Atlantic Records, Elektra Entertainment Group, Island Def Jam, Universal, Clear Channel, Sony, Virgin, MCA, HITS Magazine, Metal Edge Magazine, Bug Music Publishing, Little Big Man, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, AFTRA, Producers, Managers, Engineers, Agents, Graphic Designers, DJ’s, Attorneys, A&R, Merchandisers, Bands, Promoters, Publishers, Studios etc., etc., etc. You want it? You got it at Atlantis. In addition to 250 bands showcasing on 13 stages over 4 nights there was plenty to choose from when it comes to discovering original music & being educated on the music industry. Panels, pool parties, late night breakfasts, a job fair, band performances, a local Atlanta awards show, Demo Derby and of course the memorable finale “Late Night Breakfast & Karaoke”. As a side-note, this function explains why there are those who work on and those who work off stage. Seeing individuals singing popular Wednesday night Karaoke tunes leaves one to ponder, “Are these really musical talent experts?” With all of this how can one dismiss attending one of the industry’s more notable conferences? It’s functions like these where one can hear through out the day statements beginning with “What you need to do is…” and “If I were you I’d…” You’ll come to realize just how many experts there really are out there.
One of the more notable speakers would probably have been the NARAS sponsored “One-On-One With Mathew Knowles” of Music World Entertainment. Better known as manager for Destiny’s Child. Mathew shared with the audience his philosophy, basic formula & success with regards to architecting the 3 Diva careers. In short research, plan, be financed, then work your butt off with the realization numerous obstacles will come your way in your pursuit of fame and fortune. Your basic business formula for any start-up but rarely executed well. The Q&A portion with Mathew prompted an impromptu performance from Lauren, the Ed McMahon’s Rising New Star grand prize winner. That is the name of Ed’s contemporary Star Search isn’t it? And wasn’t it televised on PAX TV? At any rate, Lauren you should be proud and your 25-second acappella proved you have talent.
The Atlantis Music Conference gives one the opportunity to learn from individuals working within an industry where art attempts to coincide with business. People in attendance are there not only to learn but share various philosophies, strategies and ideas on how one can make it to the next level. Networking at these events is key in taking full advantage Atlantis.
In closing, let me pull from my well-catalogued collection of Musical Bumper Sticker Philosophies and use the true yet clichéd, “It all starts with the music”. It all starts with the artist, their song, their talent and their performance. It’s not a matter of importance moreover a matter of order. The Atlantis Music Conference would not exist, Record Labels would not exist, Managers would not exist, Agents would not exist, Producers would not exist and all the ancillary opportunities that are created from being associated with the Artist and their songs would not exist. The Artist and their music have the ability to inspire, motivate and move you like nothing else. The emotion, the honesty the pureness that radiates from a well-written and arranged body of work can have a profound influence on one’ s being as well as one’s soul. There will always be room for improvement and one can always find flaws in conferences like Atlantis but where else can one experience the power, the beauty, the essence of an Artist’s song and be able to participate in all an Artist has to offer?
Yeah right! Give me a break! The only reason people get into bands is to get laid. And the only reason you go to a conference is so you can drink your ass off for 4 days straight. Where else can you do all that on the job?
Check out the Video!
In My Opinion
Joseph P. Williams – 5.7 Management
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