If you enjoy SXSW, and other conferences, I urge you to come to Detroit April 20 thru 24th, 2004 - to take part in the first annual Motor City Music Conference!

THE FIRST ANNUAL MOTOR CITY MUSIC CONFERENCE (MC2), will include 400 bands showcasing in 40 downtown Detroit venues, a music and lifestyle tradeshow and music industry panels at Cobo Expo Center on April 20-24, 2005.

Modeled after successful long running music conferences SXSW and CMJ, MC2 will reflect Detroit's rich music history, while spotlighting these genres: rock, hip hop, electronic/techno, World Music, R&B, urban, soul, blues, country and gospel. Derrick May (Transmat), Greg Baise (Majestic/Magic Stick), Rich Hansen (Lagerhouse), Rico Shelton and Mark Hicks (Jaguar Wright, Paradime, D12) will participate in artist selection which will encompass 40% local and 60% national hot up and coming artists. The Detroit Music Awards will kick off MC2 on Wednesday, April 20 at the State Theatre.

A downloadable band showcase application applications is now available
online at www.motorcitymusic.com. Performing bands/artists will be
announced in mid February. Online registration will be available on
January 15, 2005.

MC2 sponsors include WRIF, 89x, Channel955, Radio One, WDRQ, WJLB, WDET, Real Detroit Weekly, The Metro Times, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Hits Magazine, Sonicbids, Skidmore Design, In The Mix, and Lucky Monkey Tattoo Parlour. More sponsors to be
announced shortly.

Details will be updated on www.motorcitymusic.com as they are finalized.

Some of MC2's Confirmed Panelists (More TBA):

Jeff Blue, VP of A&R, RCA
Daniel Shulman, Director of A&R,Island Def Jam
Ben Lazar, A&R, Island Def Jam
David Boxenbaum, General Manager,Octone Records
Denise George, Jive/Zomba
Jackie Kallen, "The Contender"/"Against the Ropes"
Andrew Suggs, Octone Records
Murray Brookshaw, General Manager, 89x
Howard Hertz, Esquire
Nick Ferrara, Esquire
Roger Jansen, KMA Management/MOBfest
Dan Colucci, Lucci Entertainment
Patrick Grueber, Aezra Records
Alex Tear, Program Director, WDRQ
Doug Podell, Operations Manager, WRIF
Mike Halloran, DJ, 94/9
Kelly Brown, DJ, 89X
Dom Theodore, Operations Manager, Channel 955
Amy Butterer, Billions
Perry Lavoisne, Clear Channel
Scott Guy, Web Entertainment
Gary Graff, Music Journalist
Robert Jr. Whitall, Publisher/Editor in Chief, Big City Rhythm &Blues Magazine
Shirley Mae Owens, President, The Detroit Blues Society
Mark Arminski, Rock Poster Artist
Gary Grimshaw, Rock Poster Artist
Carl Lundgren, Rock Poster Artist
Paradime (Kid Rock/Lava)
Myron, The Dirty Americans (Roadrunner)
Brian Vanderark, The Verve Pipe (RCA)
Vinnie Dombrowski, Sponge (Idol Records)
Teddy Richards (Skip Records)

Confirmed Venues (More TBA)
Hard Rock Café
Alvin's
St. Andrew's Hall
The Shelter
Majestic Theatre
Majestic Café
Garden Bowl
The Lagerhouse
250 Club
Small's
CPOP
Agave
313JAC
Hockeytown
The Belmont
New Dodge
Fishbones
Outer Limits
-end-
Conference directors and select panelists are available for interviews.

I will be attending the entire weekend, start to finish - and plan on blogging my experience as well! You are welcome to join me in Detroit history !