LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - February 3, 2009) - In celebration of this year's Grammy Awards, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will present a special "Hitmakers" panel discussion on Saturday, February 7th, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.
The panel features Grammy Award-winning songwriters and producers; Johntá Austin (ASCAP's Pop and Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, Songwriter of the Year in 2007), Ne-Yo (nominated for six Grammy Awards this year), Manuel Seal and Tricky Stewart. This event is part of an ongoing ASCAP series of professional development programs that focus on the music creation process. Moderated by Billboard Magazine's Senior Editor/R&B Hip Hop, Gail Mitchell, the event is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required, but it is first come, first served.
Commenting on this special event, ASCAP's SVP Domestic Membership, Randy Grimmett said: "ASCAP's commitment to the songwriting community is evidenced once again in the high-caliber programming of our 'Hitmakers' panel. On the eve of the Grammy Awards, ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Team has gathered Johntá Austin, Tricky Stewart, Manuel Seal and Ne-Yo to discuss the art and craft of songwriting and producing. This event is sure to fill quickly and we are honored to be joined by such an esteemed group of ASCAP members."
The featured panelists will discuss their experience with the hit records they have written:
Johntá Austin
Songwriter: "Be Without You" (Mary J. Blige), "Don't Forget About Us" (Mariah Carey), "Poppin'" (Chris Brown) and "Shake It Off" (Mariah Carey).
Ne-Yo
Songwriter: "Because of You," "Closer," nominated at the 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, "Irreplaceable" (Beyonce), "Let Me Love You" (Mario), "Miss Independent," nominated at the 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B song, "Sexy Love," "Take a Bow" (Rihanna) and "Unfaithful" (Rihanna).
Manuel Seal
Songwriter: "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey); "My Boo" (Usher), "My Way" (Usher) and "We Belong Together" (Mariah Carey).
Tricky Stewart
Producer: "Me Against the Music" (Britney Spears featuring Madonna), "Umbrella" (Rihanna featuring Jay-Z), "Touch My Body" (Mariah Carey) and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyonce).
ASCAP PRESENTS... "THE HITMAKERS" PANEL
Saturday, February 7th from 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Free and open to the public
MUSICIANS INSTITUTE
6752 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
For more information, call Briana @ Bobbi Marcus PR & Events (310) 889-9200.
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 340,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com
