Cutting Edge/Music Business Institute
1524 North Claiborne Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
tel 504.945.1800
fax 504.945.1873
cut_edge@bellsouth.net
Panelist Profiles
James Luther Dickinson
born 11.15.41 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1949. He attended White Station High School, where he formed his first band, The Regents in 1958. Signing his first recording contract with Rubin Cherry’s Home of the Blues on Beale Street, he later recorded as an Artist for Sam Phillips’ SUN label. He attended Baylor University in Waco, TX, studying drama under Paul Baker. Returning to Memphis, he married Mary Lindsay Andrews. The couple graduated from Memphis State University with degrees in History and Anthropology. He participated in the now-famous Memphis Country Blues Festivals at the Overton Park Shell with Furry Lewis, Sleepy John Estes, and Fred McDowell.
After getting his first real break from Bill Justis in Nashville, he began his work in the Memphis music industry, playing sessions at American Studio for Chips Moman, ‘65/‘66; then for John Fry at Ardent Studio, ‘66/’67; then Sam Kessler at Sound of Memphis Studio, ‘68/’69, where he joined Charley Freeman, Tommy McClure, and Sammy Creason in the rhythm section that became know as the “DIXIE FLYERS.” In Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in December, 1969, Dickinson recorded “Wild Horses,” with the ROLLING STONES, for their album Sticky Fingers.
Rico Brooks
Rico Brooks a Manager is responsible for the leadership, coordination and overall direction of an individual, team of individuals and/or enterprise. As President of Block Entertainment and Manager of Superstar Rapper Yung Joc and Co-Manager of Rapper Gorilla Zoe, Rico Brooks leads his team to their current and future success.
Russell “Block” Spencer, CEO of Block Entertainment, hired Brooks to help break records for signed acts, Big Gee (Mechanicsville USA), Boyz N Da Hood, and rising star Yung Joc. Soon after, Rico Brooks became Manager to Boyz N Da Hood (previously featuring Young Jeezy) to his current title as Manager for Yung Joc, Co-Manager for Gorilla Zoe and President of Block Entertainment.
Kris Muñoz
Kris Muñoz is the Director of Business and Legal Affairs at leading independent music publishing administrator, Bug Music. Ms. Muñoz joined the Los Angeles office just over 2 years ago and immediately surged ahead in full force quickly making herself a vital part of Bug Music’s executive team. Ms. Muñoz is responsible for all aspects of the company’s music publishing legal and business development needs, including contract drafting and negotiation, talent acquisition and developing business in an A&R capacity for all three of Bug’s U.S. offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York. A graduate of UCLA and Chapman University School of Law, Ms. Muñoz worked at such notable entertainment law firms as Davis Shapiro Lewit & Hayes, LLP and Myman Abell Fineman Greenspan & Light, LLP prior to joining Bug.
Scott Keniley
former Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for Compendia Music Group, a large 13,000 master recording independent record label and distribution company. He is now director of the entertainment law practice “the Keniley Law Firm.” He also chairs the Southeastern Regional Entertainment & Sports Law Conference.
SPONSORS
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Louisiana Music Commission
Welcome to the Edge
Quick Links
Cutting Edge's New Works Showcase
Westin New Orleans Canal Place
Louisiana Economic Development
American Federation of Musicians
Louisiana Office of
Culture, Recreation and Tourism
Contacts and Dates to Remember
Artist Showcase Deadline extended to
July 15th
Showcase artist send a Sonicbids (http://www.Sonicbids.com) Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
Hotel reservations – Westin New Orleans Canal Place
Visit our friends:
World Music Expo (www.WOMEX.com)
American Federation of Musicians
USA Songwriters Competition
Folk Alliance (www.folk.org)
For More Information:
contact MBI/Cutting Edge at 504.945.1800
16 Years and still going strong. Clarifying Income Opportunities In the Music Industry
The 16th Annual Cutting Edge Music Business Conference
and Roots Music Gathering
August 13-17, 2008
Location: Westin New Orleans Canal Place-3rd Floor
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans - 3rd FloorMAP
News
Cutting Edge Conference Featured in Lagniappe section of the Times-Picayune
The 16th Cutting Edge Music Business Conference gets under way Thursday and continues through Aug. 16 with daytime seminars and panels at the Westin Canal Place and nighttime music showcases in clubs.
2008 NewWorks Showcase schedule Posted!!
Check out the Newworks showcase schedule
Download "At a Glance" shedule in Adobe PDF format
Blind Boys of Alabama
at Roots Music Gathering!
Blind Boys of Alabama, Jimmy Carter (founding member) and Joey Williams will speak at the Cutting Edge's Roots Music Gathering, _A Conversation with the Blind Boys of Alabama_ will take place Friday, August 15, 3:00 - 3:30 pm
New Hotel room Rates!!
We have negotiated rates of $109.00 a night for single or double rooms. Please call 504-566-7006 or toll-free at 1-866-527-1381 for reservations. Mention you are attending the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference.
Artists Showcase deadline extended to July 15th
Artists are being notified now, but it is not to late for your artist or band to showcase for the pros.
Cutting Edge Entertainment Law Continuing Legal Education Seminar receives Louisiana State Bar Association accreditation.
For sixteen years, the Cutting Edge CLE program has gained State Bar approval, stating 'Approved by the Louisiana State Bar Association for 18 total hours of CLE credit, including 1 hr. of Ethics and 1 hr. Professionalism" See full bar statement, schedule
Cutting Edge KeyNote Interviewee: John Rudolph
CEO, Bug Music
John Rudolph is the CEO of Bug Music, Inc., a leading global independent music publisher
and innovator in music business services for over 30 years; headquartered in Los Angeles with offices
across the US and in Europe. Handpicked by Bug’s founders, Dan and Fred Bourgoise, for his knowledge
of music and writers and his proven, diverse business acumen, John carries on the legacy of one of
the world’s most significant independent publishers.
With a deep understanding of music publishing, copyright statutes, technology and global finance, he is a future focused proponent of publishers and creators rights across the world.
John will sit down with Cutting Edge Interviewer John Snyder for a substantive conversation
on his vision for the future of Bug Music and artists rights.
Friday, August 15th 5:30pm
CLE/Film Luncheon Speaker: Kelly Crean
Creanspeak Productions/Falcon Film Funding
Kelly Crean is founder and president of Creanspeak Productions, Falcon Film Funding, and Creanspeak's financing arm Creanspeak Funding, LLC. She is the managing member of three film financing funds, one of which is based and traded internationally. The other two are housed at UBS & Merrill Lynch respectively. Ms. Crean is currently in pre-production on ONCE WASLOST,the follow up feature to writer/director Bradley Gann’s BLACK IRISH,(www.blackirishmovie.com), starring multi-platinum rapper T.I. Kelly will be speaking on film funding and tax credits
Friday, August 15th 12:30pm
Cutting Edge KeyNote Interviewer : John Snyder
Grammy Winning Producer
Loyola University Music Chair
John Snyder is the founder and president of the Artists House Foundation, a nonprofit music
company dedicated to creating educational presentations in several areas; including instruction for instruments,
master classes, careers in the arts, and legendary performers. Additionally, John is the Conrad N.
Hilton Professor of Music Studies at Loyola University New Orleans.
In addition to his producing career, Snyder has held positions at the upper levels of many major
recording companies. As the assistant to the president of CTI Records, Creed Taylor, Snyder oversaw
legal and business affairs, publishing, manufacturing, distribution, and artists and repertoire operations.
He served as director of Horizon Jazz Series for A&M Records. Snyder later served as director of jazz
production for Atlantic Records, where his responsibilities included production and packaging, promotion,
publicity, and marketing.
John will lend his considerable knowledge to this year’s Cutting Edge Conference as Keynote Interviewer
Friday, August 15th 5:30pm
More...
"The Cutting Edge is a must attend event for those who want to gain control over their music careers and make Money in today's entertainment industry"
