Having a great time - wish you were here

This week, the fine folks at NARAS hosted a panel in Waikiki as part of their traveling MusicTech series.  I was not only honored to attend to speak on the panel for the second straight year, but was in awe of my fellow panelists, who, in present and past lives, were in bands that represent the best of 80's and 90's alt-rock:

Our organizer and moderator, NARAS' Ben London, was the lead singer of one of my personal favorite Seattle youth ensembles, Alcohol Funnycar.  Ben is one of the smarter folks I know - he makes me proud to be an American.  Ben runs the Seattle chapter of NARAS.

All-around good guy Gang of Four's Dave Allen was there - he of Portland, OR's Nemo Design.  Dave runs one of my favorite blogs: Pampelmoose - if you want to know anything about everything in the ever-changing weird world of the music bizzness you'll become a regular reader.  And you're guarenteed to hear some great tunes there too.

Tim Quirk is the VP of music programming over at Rhapsody - and perhaps better known as the former screamer for SF's Too Much Joy (whose "Green Eggs and Crack" and "Cereal Killer" are must owns).

Last - and most certainly not least - Lux Media owner and NARAS PNW Chapter President Steve Mack.   Steve is the frontman for the rock & roll combo That Petrol Emotion, who have just reformed - go see them when the come to your town, they do not disappoint.  In addition to participating on the panel, Steve opened the day's activities with a presentation on making the most of your music in our technological world.

The panel, which continued the topic from Steve's presentation, was a huge success.  To be able to come to the great state of Hawaii and meet the local songwriters and composers who represent the best of the creative community was a treat I won't soon forget.  In a world where regionalism is swiftly being abolished, it was great to come to a place where locals fuse tradition and modernism to contribute to what is a very vibrant music scene.  

As for my fellow panelists - well, aside from being musicians that I have long admired (and with some have had the pleasure of knowing for more years than we care to remember), I was truly astounded by the knowledge and insight that these fellows possess on the subject of the online world as it relates to the arts.  We are in what many feel is the most exiting and vibrant time for music... and hearing what these chaps had to say about the future of our business left me incredibly excited about the biz 2.0 and the possibilities for great songwriters and composers everywhere.  Go visit their respective sites and blogs, you may just learn something - I know I did.

MusiCares Health & Human Services Director Erica Krusen wrapped up the day with a presentation on her organization and all the truly wonderful things it offers to the creative community.  Everyone in the music business needs to know about this fine, fine charitable division of NARAS.

Many many thanks to Georja Skinner and Tracie M. Young of the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for helping to make this wonderful event possible.

Mahalo,

DeSavia

Now listening:

Entertainment! - Gang of Four