MusicBizCast with Kelly Castor

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bill Toms joined Pittsburgh’s legendary band, The Houserockers, as lead guitarist in 1987. The band’s meteoric rise into the professional music scene enabled Bill to tour the United States and Europe repeatedly. While with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers he opened for and played with a long and impressive list of notables, such as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat and Stevie Ray Vaughn. During his 20 years of playing guitar, co-writing, and singing back-up vocals for the Houserockers, Toms recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, the acclaimed CD, “American Babylon,” was recorded and produced by Bruce Springsteen. In this episode, Bill talked about the release of his latest CD, “Deep in the Shadows.”

Stacey Sherman is a founder and media consultant at RSP Entertainment Marketing. Through her consultancy, Stacey promotes clients and coordinates all aspects of media, event, publicity, and image presentation. Stacey believes that everyone has a story to tell and she ensures that each clients’ story is heard.   It could be as simple as a rewrite and updated artist bio, a press release to let the media know about an upcoming CD release, or securing corporate sponsorships and planning a full-blown press tour–RSP Entertainment can handle it all. Stacey’s longstanding motto is stand out, be important, help others.  

Grande Prairie, Alberta may not be the first place you expect to discover a reggae band. But it was there that Caleb Hart & Al Peterson first climbed an open mic stage together and improvised three songs. The crowd’s response could not be ignored, and while people gathered around them to ask where their music could be found, Caleb quickly made a Facebook page with the name Tasman Jude and directed people there.   Three months later they found themselves with a committed fanbase and an EP charting on iTunes. As they began to tour (now with a full band including Derek Wilder & Bethanie Earle) and word about their energetic live show spread, they released a second single “Family” which quickly began to find a home on radio stations around the world and pick up multiple songwriting awards.

Kendal Conrad is a singer, actor, published writer, and award-winning songwriter. Kendal appeared on MTV and recently sang a duet onstage with Keith Urban. Kendal was featured on Keith Urban's website as one of his favorite "Raise 'Em Up" Tour moments and appeared in Keith's 2014 Video Yearbook. She is International Miss Talent and won the title with her original song "Girlstrong." She has performed at the White House, Wells Fargo Center, Sands Casino, Six Flags, Hersheypark, the Bitter End, and Musikfest, as well as the Susquehanna Bank Center for 92.5 XTU's anniversary party. Kendal has sung the National Anthem for MLB, NBA, MMA, NASCAR (televised on ESPN), and NBC’s National Dog Show. She was a finalist in the NBC 10 Talent Search and a finalist in the Colgate Country Showdown. She has opened for country artists Phil Vassar and Craig Morgan and performed personally for author Nicholas Sparks.   As an extra in in the film Silver Linings Playbook, she can be seen bumping into Bradley Cooper, and she is currently playing Holly Golightly in the exclusive post-Broadway production of Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Civic Theatre of Allentown. Furthermore, she models clothes for Hughwear Apparel and is endorsed by Fancy Guitar Capos. Kendal recorded her first EP in country star Reba McEntire’s studio in Nashville this past summer.

20 TWen is a East Detroit rap prodigy who first made a name for himself in the Michigan hip-hop scene by releasing a series of blazing mixtapes and catchy singles. Coming up, 20 Twen has collaborated with super-producers 9th Wonder, Kajmir Royale (DMX, Bow Wow, De La Soul), and Johnny Juliano (Wiz Khalifa, T-Pain, Rick Ross). In 2013, 20 Twen released what became a critically acclaimed project, “No Feelings,” receiving praise from hip-hop heavyweight and multi-platinum producer Don Cannon (Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and 50 cent, among others). There is no doubt, 20 Twen is rapidly becoming a sought-after act in today’s oversaturated hip-hop market.

Riley Weston is a Nashville-based writer of TV and film, actress, award-winning author, songwriter, singer, and performer.   As a singer/songwriter, Riley Riley cut her first single, If I Said Howdy to You, after self-teaching herself the guitar in only 18 months. And while working on her debut album,Surrender Laughing, Riley had the opportunity to open for her long time musical heroes, Montgomery Gentry.   As an actress, Riley starred in the indie feature, Footprints, where she played a disturbed runaway in Hollywood who dresses up as Super Girl. Footprints was declared "one of the 10 Best Films so Far this Year" by the Chairman of the NY Film Critics Circle. Riley also starred in the hit TV movie, What About Your Friends.    As a writer, Riley has written for the WB television drama, Felicity as well as starred as Story Zimmer in the show. Riley also wrote and starred in the highly-rated ABC television movie, Christmas at Water’s Edge. Riley went on to write the hit TV movie, The Nanny Express, for Hallmark. The movie aired as the 2nd highest-rated movie for the network. Most recently, Riley’s latest TV movie, DAMAGED, premiered in January 2015 on the Lifetime network.

Van Wild is a southern blues-rock-pop musical project. Her debut EP, "Van Wild," is a mix of catchy love, social observation, and protest songs that are inspired by southern landscapes and folklore.   Van Wild’s single, "Cherry Tree," is currently #26 on the MediaBase Indie Label charts and can now be heard on BDS and MediaBase stations across the US. Her "Cherry Tree" music video is playing on more than 150 TV stations internationally and is on in-house closed circuit TV in American Eagle, Steve Madden, Four Seasons Hotels, Caesar’s Palace, and Macy’s.   Her follow-up single, "Hey Old Man," is already on radios internationally and will hit mainstream American radios in late Spring, 2015. In January, Van Wild was a selected as a semifinalist for the Belk Southern Artist Showcase and performed at Nashville's storied venue, 12th & Porter.  

Brent Baxter is a Nashville-based lyricist and songwriting coach. Brent’s first cut came in early 2004 with “Monday Morning Church,” recorded by Alan Jackson. The song went on to become a top five hit, honored as one of Nashville Songwriters Association International’s ten “Songs I Wish I’d Written.” In early 2005, Brent signed his first publishing deal as staff songwriter for Major Bob Music, which yielded cuts by Lady Antebellum, Randy Travis, and Lonestar, among others. In 2009 and 2010, Brent wrote for a joint venture of Peer Music and RPM Music, which yielded cuts by Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Charles Billingsley, and Randy Kohrs. From 2010 through 2012, Brent was the flagship writer for Infinity Music Group, yielding cuts by Canadian star Gord Bamford, as well as comedy legend Ray Stevens, blues guitar legend Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, and new Curb artist, and Ruthie Collins. Brent currently writes for his own publishing company, Cowboy Chords Music, and he’s also a songwriting coach with a couple hundred hours of one-on-one mentoring and workshop experience through his website, ManvsRow.com.

Andrew Apanov is the founder of Dotted Music, a digital marketing agency for the music industry. Dotted Music offers branding, graphic design, inbound marketing, social media integration, website development, copywriting, targeted PR, and online management to music brands of all sizes.   Andrew also recently launched WeSpin, a video-based growth training and online community for musicians, bands, producers, and DJs. He is the former editor-in-chief of Ultimate Guitar, host of the WeSpin Recipes Podcast, and the Stand Above The Noise video series. Andrew speaks and consults internationally on issues facing the music industry, and still finds time to rock some drum & bass DJ.

Avion Blackstone is an Austin-based singer, songwriter, poet, and pianist that lays big pop sound in between layers of meaningful lyrics. Obsessed with symbolism, Avion writes music as metaphors for life, gender, sex, and urgent world events. Her sound has been compared to Lady Gaga, and her songs are refreshing and deep with meaning while the quality of her music is equivalent to that of top tier stars. She credits her perfectionism--her fans, called #Aviants, credit her raw talent. Bio excerpted in part from Rockbandom.

Originally from Detroit, MI, EJ Lee is the founding attorney of EJLee Law Practice, LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Lee is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. She obtained her J.D. with an emphasis in Intellectual Property-Copyright & Trademarks. While in law school, Ms. Lee served as President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society. Ms. Lee is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, National Association of Recording Industry Professionals (NARIP), Georgia Music Partners, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA). While her legal practice primarily focuses on music law, she also services fashion designers and book authors. She prides herself on treating each client with care, consideration, and aims to fully empower them to be both creative and legally savvy while navigating the Entertainment industry.

Garrett Goodwin began his career playing in the backdrop of worship movements across the country, including Zoegirl, Jeff Deyo of Sonicflood, Lindell Cooley, and two-time Dove Award winner By The Tree. He has since transitioned fluidly through the musical world. Most recently, Garrett has spent the last seven years as the drummer for Carrie Underwood. He's also performed live with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith; on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon, The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, The People's Choice Awards, Billboard Awards, among others. Garrett resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where you'll find him co-leading KMLMNYC, a nonprofit organization with the mission of sending bags filled with educational material to children in need. Throughout his career, Garrett has played for over 1 million people...for each tour he's been on, and was named #1 up and coming drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine in 2013. All of this, and he's just getting started.

Hayden Richau began his music career in church, where he directed and led a full orchestra and choir in addition to singing main vocals for 2 years. He then took to YouTube and other social media platforms where his popularity skyrocketed. Hayden now has over 13,000 Twitter followers, a 1,000-subscriber strong Instagram following, and a YouTube account with almost 1,000 subscribers.   Recently, Hayden went quiet on social media to focus on the release his first single, Sparrows Song, now available on all major music platforms. In addition to Hayden’s music achievements, he finds time to volunteer in nursing homes, work in other countries volunteering his time to help improve the lives of others, traveling the country spreading words of love and encouragement, and creating connections with business leaders throughout the U.S. and Canada in both the music and fashion industries.

Amanda Williams is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, performer, and music business professional. Her artistry is a blend of classic country and pop influences. She recently co-wrote "She's Tired of Boys" with Garth Brooks, which appeared as the second track on his latest platinum-selling album, "Man Against Machine." She’s a magna cum laude graduate of the Berklee College of Music, with songs recorded by Garth Brooks, George Jones, Tyler Dickerson, Alecia Nugent, Jessie James Decker, and others. Through Amanda’s philanthropic work, she has performed for Ambassador Andrew Young, President Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou, and Oprah Winfrey. In 2010, Amanda founded an enhanced music publishing company called Hillbilly Culture to provide education, mentoring, and support to aspiring songwriters of all ages. In addition to publishing, Amanda is a guest lecturer on songwriting and the music business at numerous colleges and universities, as well as online as part of her own Songpreneur School. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she homeschools her 13-year old twins.

John DeBey is a California-based music industry executive and TV producer. John’s most recent work includes the launch of WLM (World Live Music) “Xposed,” an ongoing music video showcase airing in April, 2015 on the Time Warner Cable Network/TruTV Channel 35. The show will invite some of the greatest independent and major artists from around the world to share industry experience and showcase their talents. Prior to his work with WLM, John spent ten years in marketing, promotions, and artist development with Island Def Jam Music Group, Universal Music Group, and MBK Entertainment.  

James Willamor is the Founder and CEO of Croquet Records. Croquet Records is a nonprofit artist incubator and independent record label with the mission of promoting and developing emerging North Carolina bands and musicians.

Rorie Kelly is a Long Island-based singer/songwriter whose first-time listeners often remark that they “can’t believe that voice came out of that body.” Rorie writes catchy, melodic rock songs that she plays with enough passion to break guitar strings--and go right on playing without batting an eye. She has been compared to artists ranging from Fiona Apple to Janis Joplin to Liz Phair. Rorie has opened for Alix Olsen and Jen Chapin, and was named one of Long Island’s “Top Ten Indie Artists You’ve Never Heard Of” by Pulse Magazine. She recently released her first full-length record, Wish Upon a Bottlecap. The album has hit the airwaves with a vengeance. Wish Upon a Bottlecap is getting spins on Triple-A and college radio stations across the country. Rorie can often be seen in the company of her band, Rorie Kelly and More of the Mess.

Kristeen Nicole Gillooly is a Florida-based singer songwriter and co-founder of KNG Music Ministry, a project focused on creating Christian music as both an art and a form of ministry. Originally from Philadelphia, Kristeen grew up with musical influences from Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Mariah Carey. Nicholas Gonzalez is the co-founder and director of public relations for KNG Music Ministry. Nicholas also is the host of “Faith Matters,” a weekly radio show on WMAD. 

Bridgette Hammers is a Texas-based professional vocalist, performer, songwriter, and founder of BH Music Studios. Bridgette has been hailed as the “the best National Anthem singer” by the former President of the Baseball Hall of Fame President, Dale Petroskey, and has been invited to perform at major sporting events with the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and the Frisco RoughRiders. She also has a new single coming out soon, Find Your Voice.

Rex Haberman is a Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and founding member War Poets. Rex’s band has infiltrated the pop-rock genre using smart hooks and compelling narratives to gracefully invite listeners to consider their social and political perspectives.   The group has garnered favorable comparisons to Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, and the Replacements. Like the aforementioned artists, War Poets draw on Americana, pop, and rock to achieve an aesthetic that’s refined but rootsy.  

Anthony Smith is a Nashville-based, award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, and producer with over 200 songs recorded by a virtual "Who's Who" list of Nashville's superstars, including; George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Lonestar, Trisha Yearwood, Van Zant, Lori Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Josh Gracin, Trick Pony, Kenny Rogers, Shooter Jennings, and many others.   Some of Anthony’s hits include: George Strait's Run, along with the crowd favorite, Cowboys Like Us, Trace Adkins' two out-of-the-gate smashes, Chrome and I'm Tryin, Tim McGraw's Kill Myself and Kristofferson, Rascal Flatts' My Worst Fear, and Montgomery Gentry's recent top five hit, Whattaya Think About That?   Smith showed what he could do on his own with his first album, If That Ain't Country. The Mercury Records release included three Top 40 hits and won over a broader group of fans everywhere Smith performed or where his songs were played. And he did it again on Sunshine, his most recent album with Krankit Records, where he mixed aggressively catchy guitar chords and uplifting chorus-like tones for a hard hitting set of all original compositions.

Kevin Wood is a lead guitarist and a legendary member of Seattle-based grunge band, Malfunkshun. Kevin, along with his brother Andrew, are often recognized as the founding fathers of the grunge scene--having formed around the same time as bands such as The U-men, Melvins, Green River, and Soundgarden.  Over his 30 year career, Kevin has shared the stage with such bands as: Brad, Stone Gossard, Extreme, Puddle of Mud, Grand Funk Railroad, Satchel, Fishbone, Soundgarden, Super Suckers, Husker Du, Discharge, The Mentors, Dehumanizers, Chad Channing, Ben Sheppard, Tom Morello, Shawn Smith, Tim Robbins, Jack Endino, and Duff McKagan.

Carlito Olivero is an LA-based singer, songwriter, and actor. He began singing in English and Spanish at the age of 5, and today his urban-based, rhythmic pop sound sets him apart from the current pop/R&B landscape.   In 2007, Carlito starred on the MTV reality show, “Making Menudo,” where he earned a spot on the band and signed with Sony records. Carlito left the band and moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to star in the Mario Van Peebles directed, teen-based film entitled “We The Party” (released in 2012).   He went on to compete on the hit TV show “X Factor” on Fox. Ending the competition as a top 3 finalist and becoming one of the first latino contestants to ever participate on the show. With two major films hitting theaters in 2015, Carlito is continuing to grow his acting and songwriting skills while collaborating with numerous industry pros across the country.  

Michael Hoy is the co-founder of MusicBox, an independent musician discovery platform where musicians are able to reach listeners that have opted-in to receive not just music from these artists, but also music from similar bands. It’s an amazing way for aspiring artists to create new fan-bases outside of their zip code.     Michael believes the current system of searching for music, even though it’s all out there and readily available, is flawed. You’re less likely to discover truly new and exciting tunes if you are left to your own searching process. Even sites like Pandora and Last.fm typically direct you to artists that are almost too close to the ones you plug in, almost too safe.   Through MusicBox, Michael wants to expand listeners’ horizons by hand-picking and hand-delivering awesome independent music that’s just on the periphery of your comfort zone. The flip side of the service is that up-and-coming independent artists get a brand new distribution channel that places their music directly into the inboxes of listeners who may not otherwise have found them. Theirs to download and own.

Cedar Boschan is a principal in the LA-based accountant and business advisory firm Green Hasson Janks. As part of her work, Cedar finds unpaid royalties and holds major international companies accountable to clients such as video game developers, inventors, entertainers, composers, publishers, and recording artists.   Cedar earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry from the University of Southern California in 1999. She currently serves national treasurer for the Association of Independent Music Publishers, overseeing finances for New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles. And she has been a featured speaker at numerous events, including the California Copyright Conference, the Game Developers Conference, the Beverly Hills Bar Association and the University of Southern California.

Matt Whiteman is the vocalist and frontman for Red Tide Rising, a Denver-based band that slammed onto the national music scene in 2012 when they hit the road with In This Moment on the band’s non-festival ‘Blood’ tour dates, which also included one date with Hatebreed. The band then struck a deal with a small independent label, Spat! Records, for a digital release of two singles, “Finding Home” and Inferno. In early 2013, they recorded their first full length album released through DeathBox Records. In 2014, Red Tide Rising has continued their domination of concert stages across North America and are currently on tour with Drowning Pool.    

Alus is a New Jersey-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, hip-hop, and R&B sensation. She passed on a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, signing with Water Music in 2012 right out of high school. Alus has performed at SXSW and Neiman Marcus’ Fashion Night Out. Her style is reminiscent of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. Her debut EP, Alustrious, dropped in January 2014 to critical acclaim and in the Summer of that same year she released her radio single, “Ordinary Girl.” She has worked with brand names such as Porsche and Rolls Royce, and was recently named an ambassador for for ASPCA.

To celebrate 6-months of helping artists get better at the business of music, we put together a review of some of the top advice we’ve heard from our guests. When we first started MusicBizCast, I wanted to focus on two areas: The art of business and my of love music–playing it, writing it, and just being a part of it. It’s been a great ride so far and I hope you’ve enjoyed each and every episode. More importantly, I hope that you’ve been able to put to use some of the lessons and stories of the great guests we’ve had on the show. If you like what we’re doing, let us know by either hitting us up at MusicBizCast.com or on Twitter @MusicBizCast. We have some exciting things coming down the road and we’re happy to have you along with us for the ride.  -Kelly

Billy Grisack is a singer, songwriter, fellow podcaster, and DIY artist that has spent the last 35 years making money--including feeding his family, buying a home, and paying the bills--in the music business. Billy is the host of The Mad Music Marketing Minute, co-host of Music Marketing Monday with Bob Baker, and he has an enormous original catalog of music spanning rock, classic rock, and children’s music genres.

Scott Colesby, perhaps better known as So-called Someone, is a deep-rooted blues man currently hailing from New Orleans. Scott has a sound that mixes various styles of the blues that traveled I-55 before it came into it’s own. From early pioneers of Robert Johnson & Son House, through John Lee Hooker & Muddy Waters, ending with Black Diamond Heavies and Left Lane Cruiser, So-Called Someone is a trip through what the blues will always be: Raw, honest, working man's music.

John Taglieri is an independent recording artist and a successful DIY Indie artist. John released his 12th CD, entitled ‘Days Like These’ in August of 2014. He’s charted on Billboard as well as overseas, he’s had a #1 single on Amazon as well as two Top 5 CD releases. John has been in the music biz for 15 years, the last 10 years completely full time. He plays between 220 to 240 shows a year and he’s opened for many national acts--all while running his own record label, publishing company, and recording studio.

Stan Stewart is a New York-based multi-instrumentalist and an expert in spontaneous music composition--music made in the now. He has performed all over the world, including Australia, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.   Stan first became a musical improvisationalist as a member of WingIt! Performance Ensemble in Oakland, California, then moved to Alligator Mouth Improv Company in New York and later Anita Bondi and Company. He is a certified InterPlay leader and a student of improvisational-genius Rhiannon and the king of spontaneous composition, Bobby McFerrin.

Part 2 of 2: Will Kimbrough is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, award-winning guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, performer and bandleader. Will’s songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Feat, Jack Ingram, Todd Snider and others. He’s shared the studio and stage with such greats as Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, the Jayhawks, Mark Knopfler, Buddy Miller, John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, and Mavis Staples.   In 2004, Will was awarded the “Instrumentalist of the Year” by the Americana Music Association. Since his solo debut disc--2000’s This--Will has released a half-dozen well-received records. His band “Sugarcapps” with Grayson Capps just won the “Best New Band” in the Independent Music Awards.   And to top it all off--Will is on tour ALL THE TIME! Check out his website for his current dates. And to top that off--he’s a dedicated husband, father and just an all-around nice guy!

Part 1 of 2: Will Kimbrough is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, award-winning guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, performer and bandleader. Will’s songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Feat, Jack Ingram, Todd Snider and others. He’s shared the studio and stage with such greats as Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, the Jayhawks, Mark Knopfler, Buddy Miller, John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, and Mavis Staples. In 2004, Will was awarded the “Instrumentalist of the Year” by the Americana Music Association. Since his solo debut disc--2000’s This--Will has released a half-dozen well-received records. His band “Sugarcapps” with Grayson Capps just won the “Best New Band” in the Independent Music Awards. And to top it all off--Will is on tour ALL THE TIME! Check out his website for his current dates. And to top that off--he’s a dedicated husband, father and just an all-around nice guy!

David Dufresne is the CEO of Bandzoogle, a platform that helps you build a website for your band to sell more music + merch--all without coding or downloading complicated software.

Joel has a long and storied musical past playing with such amazing acts as Junior Drinkwater and the Thirst Quenchers, the Regulators and as front-man for the rockin blues act, The Hep Cat Boo Daddies. Joel has performed with such great acts as BB King, AC Reed, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Foghat, Los Lobo, the Black Crowes, and Jimmie Vaughan. He currently is the leader and front-man of Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl, which released their second album in 2014. 

Part 2 of 2: Kellee Maize is a Pittsburgh-based independent artist, rapper, singer, activist, and entrepreneur. Her music focuses on a variety of issues, including human rights, environmentalism, and the co-existence between religions--but the common theme is love.   Kellee has self-released five albums since 2007 that have collectively seen over 1 million downloads. All of her music is free and licensed through Creative Commons, and she has performed at nearly 500 shows, including Bonnaroo, Harvest Fest, Zeitgeist Media Festival, and MIDEM.   Additionally, Kelle has produced 20+ music videos with millions of views on Youtube, is verified on Twitter with over 116,000 followers & 55,000 Facebook fans, a the spokesperson for a Toyota Hybrid National Ad Campaign, the co-founder of Nakturnal, a female-owned integrated marketing and events agency, and is the #1 search result on Google for the keyword "female rapper."

Part 1 of 2: Kellee Maize is a Pittsburgh-based independent artist, rapper, singer, activist, and entrepreneur. Her music focuses on a variety of issues, including human rights, environmentalism, and the co-existence between religions--but the common theme is love.   Kellee has self-released five albums since 2007 that have collectively seen over 1 million downloads. All of her music is free and licensed through Creative Commons, and she has performed at nearly 500 shows, including Bonnaroo, Harvest Fest, Zeitgeist Media Festival, and MIDEM.   Additionally, Kelle has produced 20+ music videos with millions of views on Youtube, is verified on Twitter with over 116,000 followers & 55,000 Facebook fans, a the spokesperson for a Toyota Hybrid National Ad Campaign, the co-founder of Nakturnal, a female-owned integrated marketing and events agency, and is the #1 search result on Google for the keyword "female rapper."

Marcio Novelli is a Toronto-based independent musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and filmmaker. He’s recorded two solo EP’s, with “Break Me” winning Best Pop/Rock Recording of the Year at the 2009 Hamilton Music Awards. He also won an  Independent Music Award in 2014 for the documentary “Walking Proof,” which chronicled the making of his debut album, “It’s Not An Excuse, It’s A Reason.”

Dion Roy is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and performing artist. His music has been featured in TV & Film and his albums have ranked in the Top 10 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts. Dion has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, and he’s currently the frontman for the Band Fire and The Romance, which working on their debut LP “Adaptations” set to release on August 26, 2014.

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bill Toms joined Pittsburgh’s legendary band, The Houserockers, as lead guitarist in 1987. The band’s meteoric rise into the professional music scene enabled Bill to tour the United States and Europe repeatedly. While with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers he opened for and played with a long and impressive list of notables, such as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat and Stevie Ray Vaughn. During his 20 years of playing guitar, co-writing, and singing back-up vocals for the Houserockers, Toms recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, the acclaimed CD, “American Babylon,” was recorded and produced by Bruce Springsteen. Bill Toms’ solo performances have taken him all over the United States and Europe. In addition to his previous six studio CD's, one “Live” CD, and single EP, his latest record, the Will Kimbrough produced, “Memphis” was released to international critical acclaim in 2011.

Part 2 of 2 with lyricist and singer Cilette Swann, and multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Roman Morykit, who came together to create Gypsy Soul over 15 years ago. In that time they have  received more than 60 critics’ choice awards across a discography of 10 truly independently-produced CDs, and their songs have been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. In addition, their music has been featured in multiple TV shows and movies. Their 2013 release, "The World Is My Country" has already won both the Independent Music Award and International Acoustic Music Award.

Lyricist and singer Cilette Swann and multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Roman Morykit came together to create Gypsy Soul over 15 years ago. In that time they have  received more than 60 critics’ choice awards across a discography of 10 truly independently-produced CDs, and their songs have been downloaded more than 1.5 million times. In addition, their music has been featured in multiple TV shows and movies. Their 2013 release, "The World Is My Country" has already won both the Independent Music Award and International Acoustic Music Award.

Ross Barber is the owner of Electric Kiwi, a web design and marketing firm for musicians located in Glasgow, Scotland. Ross helps bands and musicians by building websites, creating online presence and branding, designing posters and album art, and providing social media design support. Ross holds a BA in popular music performance with honors from the UHI Millennium Institute, and supports clients throughout Europe, the Americas, and Australia.

Hanz Araki is a sixth-generation Japanese grandmaster flute player and accomplished Celtic musician. This unlikely fusion of sounds and cultures gives proof to the adage that the path of a musician is often unpredictable.   Hanz calls Seattle, Washington home, and has amassed an impressive body of award-winning Celtic music albums over the last 25 years, including a series of seasonally-themed albums released in 2012 with fiddle player and vocalist Kathryn Claire.   Festival appearances include the Austin Celtic Festival, the Maine Celtic Celebration, the Missoula Celtic Festival, KVMR Grass Valley Celtic Festival, Milwaukee Irish Festival, Bumbershoot, Celtic Connections, and over 20 years of performances at the Northwest Folklife Festival. Hanz has also been invited to perform with the Seattle Symphony, at the Gates Estate, and for the Japanese Consul General.

Bev Barnett is a music marketing expert, singer, songwriter, guitar-string jewelry maker, and blogger. Bev had never been on stage before she was 40 years old, but in the past 12 years she's really made up for lost time, recording three CDs and touring the Western half of the US with her husband, guitarist and songwriter Greg Newlon. Bev has served on the nonprofit boards of Guitars Not Guns, West Coast Songwriters, Folk Alliance Region West, and a new nonprofit that she and Greg have recently created called Woodshed Music and Arts. She’s been a guest lecturer for UCLA’s undergraduate Digital Music Marketing program and presented marketing and digital media workshops at FAR-West, SWRFA-Colorado, and the Empower Music & Arts Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Composer Chris Opperman has been carving his own niche in today’s pop-saturated music world since 1998. He’s released five full studio albums, an EP, and a single in that time. Chris also performed on two of guitarist Steve Vai's Grammy-nominated recordings: "Lotus Feet" (2006) and "The Attitude Song" (2008). During this same period, Chris held positions at Universal Music Publishing Group and GSO Business Management. Currently, Chris is teaching courses on music business and composition at Rutgers and Montclair State University while earning his Ph.D. in Music Composition. In Chris’s spare time, as if he had any, he is the President and CEO of Purple Cow Records, a label he started.

Kenny is a keyboardist extraordinaire who’s played with many great bands and artists, most notably a 6-year stint with the Georgia Satellites. He’s also an accomplished studio and teaching musician. Kenny plays regularly with noted singer/songwriter Tommy Talton and a variety of other great musicians in and around the greater Atlanta area.

Roger Gupton is a North Carolina-based singer, songwriter, and bass player with appearances on NPR’s Mountain Stage, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, SXSW, and the Artist Den. More recently, Roger began performing his music solo, with a duo featuring pedal-steel virtuoso Allyn Love (Jeanne Jolly, Mount Moriah), as well as with a full band. Recent appearances include the Haw River Ballroom and the Amphitheater at the North Carolina Museum of Art.   Roger is also a founding member of The Letter Jackets, which includes members of Chatham County Line (YepRoc). He produced and mixed the band's debut release in November, 2013.

Colleen is a gifted traditional Irish music singer. She’s been described as “one of America’s best traditional voices.” She’s toured extensively both here in the states and abroad and her music can be heard on radio from Italy to Ireland to New York to Hawaii, Japan and all points in between. In addition to this, she founded LittleSea Records to manage the release of her most recent album, Here This is Home, the organization has expanded to include a podcast and a concert series both co-produced with flute player and singer Hanz Araki. In the coming year, the label has plans to release a full length record as well.

Uncle John Moyer has served the music industry for more than 40 years. Currently, John is the Owner and President of Uncle John’s Bands, an artist management and representation company in Raleigh, North Carolina.   Over the course of John’s career, he has touched nearly every aspect of the industry, including talent buying, tour management, advertising, promotions, recording, and venue ownership. Over the years, numerous acts under Uncle John’s management have broken into the Billboard Top 20.