CONFERENCE INFO
SPECIAL GUESTS
LAUNCH is pleased to welcome the following music industry professionals here to share their expertise with attendees. Whether you are an artist, a professional or someone who aspires to work in the music industry, these folks have a wealth of experience to share. For a compete list of panels and who will be speaking on them, see pgs 16-17. For more in-depth biographies on our guests, please visit our website
Please note that due to changes in schedules, cancellations sometimes happen and our speakers are subject to change.
Chuck Andrews
Good Fight Entertainment
As a member of the management team at Good Fight Entertainment, Chuck Andrews manages the careers of artists such as AUGUST BURNS RED, BALANCE AND COMPUSRE, BEHEMOTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE and more. In addition, Andrews also spent years of his life on the road tour managing bands big and small all over the world, including COHEED AND CAMBRIA, THE BRAVERY and FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER. (goodfightentertainment.com)
Nyeri Azablar ADA/Warner Music
At ADA/ Warner Music, Nyeri works directly with over 100 labels on both physical and online advertising for retail record placement. She has also spent time over at EMI Music as an Artist Development Rep, at Capitol Records as a Marketing Manager, and at Nettwerk Records as the East Coast Sales Manager. Nyeri has worked directly with artists like MEGADETH, DAVE NAVARRO, RON SEXSMITH and NEIL FINN. (ada-music.com)
Terry “Buzz” Brown DarkChild Entertainment
For 10 years Terry has impressed label executives and the rest of the world by finding and matching some of the most creative talent the music business has seen. He is known for his ability to identify, spot and elevate raw talent and completely understands how to fulfill the role of the “traditional A&R”. Even with the industry’s drastic changes, Terry continues to rise to the top and find great talent and connect them with deals so they can live out their dreams. (darkchild.com)
Jimmy Boswell
Tour Manager - Texas In July
Jimmy Boswell is the Tour Manager and Front of House Engineer for TEXAS IN JULY, with whom he has spent the last three years touring North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He has also toured with and mixed such acts as OF MICE & MEN, LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES, IMPENDING DOOM, VOLUMES and more. He has Tour Managed on headline runs, support tours, and branded tours, such as Scream It Like You Mean It, Take Action and more. (texasinjuly.net)
Andrew Buck
Agency For The Performing Arts
Andrew Buck is a music agent at the Agency for the Performing Arts in NY. APA represents over 300 diverse artists ranging from JUDAS PRIEST to DAVE KOZ to JACK’S MANNEQUIN. Andrew’s roster has included the likes of THE HUSH SOUND, STRAYLIGHT RUN, DRAKE BELL, LUDO, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, HE IS WE, GO RADIO, LEILA BROUSSARD and more. Buck has built a system of developing bands on the road regardless of a label or radio presence. (apa-agency.com)
Spencer Carpenter Artery Global
Spencer Carpenter is a booking agent with Artery Global, an international talent agency with agents specializing in booking North America, Europe/UK, Austrailia and New Zealand. Spencer has worked bands such as LAUNCH 2013 performers TEXAS IN JULY, ICE NINE KILLS, CAROUSEL KINGS and ONWARD TO OLYMPAS as well as artists such as LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES, THIS OR THE APOCALYPSE, CLOSE TO HOME and many more. (arteryglobal.com)
Patrick Dahlheimer
Live / Think Loud Entertainment
Patrick Dahlheimer is a founding member of multiplatinum band +LIVE+ who has graced the cover of Rolling Stone as “Artist of the Year”, performed at Woodstock 94/99 and appeared on Saturday Night Live, Letterman, The Tonight Show and more. With over 20-million album sales, 22 top-ten singles and multiple international #1 albums, +LIVE+ helped pioneer the sound of 90s rock music. Dahlheimer acts as director of Think Loud Holdings, which has developed a diversified portfolio of multi-national companies. (thinklh.com)
Daniel Defonce The Phoenix Agency
Daniel DeFonce is the Co-Owner of The Phoenix Agency based out of Dallas, TX. He represents bands such as ADESTRIA, LEGEND, RINGS OF SATURN, KING CONQUER, SWORN IN, CITY LIGHTS, & many others. The Phoenix Agency has additional offices in Nashville, TN and represents artists such as AS CITIES BURN, VIA COMA and others. (thephoenixagency.net)
Todd Erickson
More Music Group / MasterKey Mgmt
Todd Erickson is the owner of artist management group Masterkey Management. As a key member of More Music Group, Erickson is talent buyer for several colleges and venues in the Northeast and Midwest. Notable acts booked by Erickson in 2013 include WILLIE NELSON, KE$HA, B.O.B, JASON MRAZ, ALL AMERICAN REJECTS, THE BLACK CROWES, 311, HEART, GOO GOO DOLLS and more. (masterkeymanagement.com)
Matt Friction The Pink Spiders
As the frontman/songwriter for THE PINK SPIDERS, Friction’s experiences include signing a blockbuster major label record deal, recording alongside the likes of Ric Ocasek (THE CARS) and JERRY HARRISON (TALKING HEADS), performing at Dodger Stadium, appearing on MTV, FUSE and FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen. With THE PINK SPIDERS, Friction has been writtern about in publications ranging from Rolling Stone to USA Today. Friction also manages high-profile Nashville music venue The High Watt/Mercy Lounge.
Tyler Greene
Cory Hajde
24x20
Tyler Greene shares responsibilites of GM / Talent Buyer / Promoter for VA venues Empire and Kingdom in addition to being an owner of Enlighten Graphic and Print and an artist manager at Imperial Artist Management. Greene has worked as a promoter/talent buyer for 8 years and has additional experience as a touring musician, tour manager, stage manager and more. (24x20.com)
The Artery Foundation
Cory Hajde is an artist manager at The Artery Foundation, a worldwide full serve management company founded in 2004. The Artery Foundation has been at the forefront of music management across the spectrum, from the mainstream to the most nuanced of subculture. Artery acts make regular appearances on the covers of magazines like Alternative Press and Revolver and on the stage of branded tours like Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Mayhem. (thearteryfoundation.com)
Dennis “Aganee” Jenkins DarkChild Entertainment
Platinum producer/Drum Programmer/ Writer/Artist Dennis “Aganee” Jenkins has worked with the likes of JUSTIN BEIBER (‘Die In Your Arms”), CHRISTINA AGUILERA, ARIANNA GRANDE, MEEK MILLS (“Push Bricks”), BEENIE SIEGEL, FREEWAY and countless others. He is a multi platinum selling producer, with over 8 million records sold world wide. (darkchild.com)
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2013 LAUNCH MUSIC CONFERENCE
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Jesse Korman Piermont
Jesse Korman co-owns Piermont, a music management and marketing company where he helps to creatively enhance bands, songwriters, producers, photographers, designers, businesses and more. In addition to being a musician himself, Korman is also a graphic designer, lighting technician and tour consultant. (piermontmanagement.com)
FESTIVAL OFFICIAL GUIDE
Gregg Barley Chameleon Club
Gregg Barley is the general manager and talent buyer of Lancaster’s historic Chameleon Club, which has operated since 1985 and been in its current location since 1991. The club has received industry recognition for its contribution to the overall success of many national touring artists, and for it’s dedicated music fans and local music scene. With over 200 shows a year, no other venue in Central PA even comes close to the amount and caliber of acts seen on the Chameleon’s stage. (chameleonclub.net)
Amy Troendly Buck Good Fight Entertainment
Amy Troendly Buck works for Good Fight Entertainment handling marketing and sponsorship opportunities as well as taking on freelance marketing and sponsorship opportunities. Amy has overseen tour marketing for the likes of JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, ATREYU, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, THE HOLD STEADY, LEONARD COHEN, AUGUST BURNS RED and more. (goodfightenterainment.com)
Steve Ceragno Dropcards
At Dropcards, Steve provides custom digital download cards to bands and artists to help connect their music with fans. Prior to Dropcards, Steve started his music career at EMI Music Marketing where he was the Soundscan guru and founded the College Rep Program. Additionally, Steve is also an accomplished guitarist who has performed with members of DANZIG (John Christ and Eerie Von) to Rob Halford’s (Metal Mike) band. (dropcards.com)
Ace Enders
The Early November
Enders is the lead singer and guitarist of internationally touring indie rock outfit THE EARLY NOVEMBER. He is also the lead musician, songwriter and co-producer in his side project, I CAN MAKE A MESS LIKE NOBODY’S BUSINESS and has also released music under the name ACE ENDERS AND A MILLION DIFFERENT PEOPLE. In addition, Enders owns and operates a full-service recording studio in NJ under the name The Living Room. (theearlynovembermusic.net)
Adam Gray Texas In July
As the drummer for the Lancaster-based TEXAS IN JULY, Adam Gray has toured North America, Europe, Asia and Australia nonstop for the past 4 years. His acrobatic drumming talents have seen him appear on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno after a video of him juggling 3 sticks while playing went viral. The video was championed by the likes of Travis Barker (BLINK 182) and Ryan Seacrest (American Idol). (texasinjuly.net)
Greg Hildebrand Decadent Suite Records
Greg Hildebrand is the guitarist for Ducky & The Vintage and has been independently booking US tours for several indie bands including coveted appearances at major festivals such as SXSW and Summerfest. In addition, he also handles day to management duties for the Decadent Suite Records Roster. (decadentsuiterecords.com)
Ben Leubitz Bravo Artist
Ben Leubitz is the co-founder of BravoArtist, a multipurpose music company focused on artist management, marketing and talent buying and founded with the mission of developing artists’ longterm careers consistent with their creative philosophy and vision. As a talent-buyer, Leubitz promotes concerts throughout Ohio, including Akron, Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus. (bravoartist.com)