MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- May 18, 2002 -- The Blues Music Association (BMA), an organization of blues professionals dedicated to advancing the business of the blues, will sponsor a public 'town hall' style meeting to discuss the state of the blues industry during the 2002 W.C.Handy Awards weekend in Memphis. The title of the meeting will be “The Blues: Did It Die and You Didn't Notice? An expose: the business today and the search for tomorrow."
The event will take place on Friday, May 24th, from 4-6pm at Automatic Slim's, 83 South Second Street, in Memphis.
Encouraged to attend this open discussion forum are blues music professionals including musicians, labels, booking agents, artist managers, songwriters and publishers, festival promoters, professional blues radio programmers, club talent buyers, blues publications, musical instrument manufacturers, CD and tape duplicators, retailers, publicists, journalists and authors.
Although the format of the meeting will be driven by audience participation, confirmed blues industry professionals who will serve as facilitators include Mike Kappus (The Rosebud Agency), Ted Drozdowski (journalist, Pulse!, the Boston Phoenix), Rick Bates (The Bates/Meyer Agency), Chris Kreiser (editor, Blues Revue), and several founders and board members of the Blues Music Association. Moderators will include Gaye Adegbalola (artist) and Scott Barretta (editor, Living Blues).
The meeting will open with the presentation of the BMA's annual A.G.E.S. Award (Achieving Greater Economic Success) to an industry professional whose career efforts have helped improve the commercial success of blues music.
A complimentary buffet will be provided to attendees as well as entertainment by Georgia artist E.G. Kight and band.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
