Music industry comes to Ettalong

Top Australian and international music industry professionals and amateur songwriters from across the country took part in the third annual Australian Songwriters Conference in Ettalong last month.

Event organiser Ms Lisa Butler said the conference proved to a brilliant success for both the organisers, participants and local community.

"The weekend was an eye opener for both the professionals and the attendees," Ms Butler said.

"The calibre of songwriters attending this year was extremely high and many of the publishers and producers were practically climbing over each other to spend time with the most talented attendees - and there were quite a few.

"The opening ceremony was hosted by music industry stalwart and local music identity Rusty Wallis of RAW Music and Media, and the evening included speeches by Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein and international US hit songwriter Jason Blume.

"The ASC 2010 Song Contest Awards were also held on the evening with awards being presented by hit songwriters Shane Nicholson, Alan Roy Scott, Jason Blume, award-winning hit songwriter Mia Fieldes and country music award-winning performing songwriter Lyn Bowtell.

"The grand prize winner went to Zoe Elliot for her brilliant song Preciptitate and is now being pursued by several publishers who attended the event."

Ms Butler said the four-day conference included seminars and workshops on the craft and business of songwriting, publisher pitch sessions where the attendees could pitch their songs directly to the publishing companies at the event, production and recording in the on-site recording studio, and live performances that the attendees give to the general public over the course of the weekend.

"Attendees travelled from every corner of the country and this year included attendees from New Zealand, the USA and Canada," Ms Butler said.

Press release, 14 Jul 2010 Lisa Butler, ASC Songwriter Assist