Jeff Lynne, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Ricky Skaggs Confirmed for ASCAP ” EXPO”

Los Angeles / New York, March 23, 2009: ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is pleased to announce that some of the biggest names in music, both on the creative and business side, will convene at the 4th Annual ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO next month to share their knowledge and expertise on a broad range of topics of great importance to today’s music creators. The three-day event will take place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 23-25, 2009.

Programming highlights include:
“I Create Music” Interview with Jeff Lynne on Friday, April 24, focusing on his incredible 40-year career as a songwriter, producer and leader of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), co-founder of The Traveling Wilburys and producer of such artists as The Beatles, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty. Prior to the interview, ASCAP will present Lynne with its prestigious Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to music. Previous honorees include Tom Petty, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Garth Brooks, to name a few.


“I Create Music” Interview with Ann & Nancy Wilson on Thursday, April 23, focusing on their 35-year career as songwriters and leaders of rock group Heart, the 30th anniversary of their classic multi-platinum album Dog & Butterfly, and their 14th studio album which will be released next year. The Wilson sisters will be honored with ASCAP’s Founders Award during the organization’s Pop Music Awards ceremony, held the previous evening, in recognition of their pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators.


“We Create Music” – a super panel featuring songwriter, musician and producer Wyclef Jean, country songwriter Craig Wiseman, composer Sean Callery, OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, and others to be announced. These successful songwriters and composers from across the musical spectrum will share their in-depth knowledge about building a life in music.


A conversation with Chaka Khan, who will be interviewed by singer-songwriter and actress LeToya Luckett.


A series of Master Sessions featuring top songwriters and composers representing a cross-section of genres, including composer Paul Chihara; songwriter Richard Marx; composer-producer Marcus Miller; film/tv composer James Newton Howard; rapper-producer Pete Rock; songwriter, producer, performer Ricky Skaggs; and songwriter Billy Steinberg.


Round Up: The Writer-Producers Jam featuring The Hooters’ Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, Holly Knight and Narada Michael Walden. This successful group of songwriters and producers will share their fascinating stories behind their work and will perform them live in a fun, stripped down, in-the-round setting.

Go here for more information and registration: http://www.ascap.com/press/2009/0319_EXPO_confirmed.aspx