2023 Performers and Presenters
LON AUSTIN is a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller, and instigator. His songwriting and performing were primarily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Utah Phillips, and Prescott cowboy poet Gail Gardner. Instigations include the Phoenix Folk Traditions Music Festival, Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival, Peoria Library Monday Night Melodies, the Encanto Park Coffeehouse (now evolved into the Beaded Lizard Gathering), the Arizona Songwriters Gathering, Trail Dust, and the Mexican Beaded Lizard Band, among other things. Lon is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee
DOUG BARNETT is an acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter. His repertoire includes decades of covers from pop, folk, bluegrass, western, and country catalogs, as well as dozens of originals. Doug plays in the greater Phoenix area and performs along Route 66 with his wife, Barbara. He flies to Seattle for performances at Katie J’s in Renton, WA. Doug is a BMI songwriter and member of the Arizona Songwriters Association. He has released ten indie albums, available on cdbaby.com, itunes.com, & amazon.com. Doug is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee.
BARBARA RAYES-BARNETT plays the flute and guitar and sings. She coordinates bookings, promotions, and logistics for shows. Barbara emcees in both English and Spanish. She is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee.
ERIN BARRA has been a key player in many projects, with a wide-ranging skill set as a music and tech educator, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, entrepreneur, and activist. Collaborators include John Oates, Kimbra, Lucius, Kaelin Ellis, Kathy Mattea, George Massenburg, Elliot Scheiner, Miles Robertson, Res and more.
An authoritative voice in music, tech, and education, she is the Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University, Executive Director of Beats By Girlz, course developer for Berklee Online, and former Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has a wide breadth of experience developing and teaching curriculums at the open-source, K-12, and collegiate levels, several of which are the most popular and highest-rated courses on their respective platforms.
As a community organizer, she has the ability to mobilize and build from the ground level up, creating and funding several organizations and efforts at the intersection of art, technology, education, and equity. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Music and has spearheaded award-winning research regarding women in the music industry in partnership with Berklee’s Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship, The Recording Academy, and Arizona State University.
Specializing in composition, performance, and creative music technology applications, she has worked with and represented companies such as Ableton, ROLI, MusicTech, Moog, Splice, The Record Co, and iZotope. She has presented at Loop, NAMM, SXSW, Moogfest, Gearfest, KIEM, Future of Music Coalition, Yale's EXPOL, and Re-Mixed Media Festival. Check out her work as an artist on all platforms and catch her live electronic performances on YouTube.
An authoritative voice in music, tech, and education, she is the Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University, Executive Director of Beats By Girlz, course developer for Berklee Online, and former Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has a wide breadth of experience developing and teaching curriculums at the open-source, K-12, and collegiate levels, several of which are the most popular and highest-rated courses on their respective platforms.
As a community organizer, she has the ability to mobilize and build from the ground level up, creating and funding several organizations and efforts at the intersection of art, technology, education, and equity. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Music and has spearheaded award-winning research regarding women in the music industry in partnership with Berklee’s Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship, The Recording Academy, and Arizona State University.
Specializing in composition, performance, and creative music technology applications, she has worked with and represented companies such as Ableton, ROLI, MusicTech, Moog, Splice, The Record Co, and iZotope. She has presented at Loop, NAMM, SXSW, Moogfest, Gearfest, KIEM, Future of Music Coalition, Yale's EXPOL, and Re-Mixed Media Festival. Check out her work as an artist on all platforms and catch her live electronic performances on YouTube.
RANDY BROWN is a country/Americana songwriter and songwriting teacher who has won national lyric writing competitions by both American Songwriter and Billboard magazines. His credits include songs in several movies, most notably Remember the Titans, and songs in numerous television shows, ranging from Malcom in the Middle to A Person of Interest and CMT’s Crossroads. Along with Jon Iger, he hosts a monthly “Songs in Progress” workshop for ASA. He has also conducted songwriting seminars at various folk festivals across Arizona. Randy is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee. To contact Randy, please email oldstallionmusic@gmail.com or visit his website at www.oldstallionmusic.com.
JEFF DAYTON's career is a success story built on hard work, faith and professionalism. From his 15 years as bandleader and guitarist with Hall of Fame legend Glen Campbell to his tours on guitar with Lee Greenwood and megastar Kenny Chesney, he has kept the same upbeat gratitude and energy he's had since his early days in club bands. He's played shows on guitar with Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Toby Keith, Buck Owens and Bo Diddley, to name a few of the greats.
Born and raised in rural Minnesota, he grew up influenced by his mom's diverse record collection of Johnny Cash, Roger Miller and Kingston Trio, plus Dixieland, Caribbean and calypso styles. It wasn't long before he discovered his own love for guitar greats Eric Clapton, Jerry Reed, Jimi Hendrix and, naturally, Glen Campbell, plus bands like the Byrds, Moody Blues and Allman Brothers. He still credits his Twin Cities time working with Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones and sidemen from Bob Dylan and Prince for giving him a deep sense of the value of "the groove."
Next up was his move to Arizona and his Jeff Dayton Band years, where he built a major following, had a regional #1 hit, received a Best of The Decade's Best Award and opened shows for dozens of major tours that came through Phoenix. It was at one of those shows with Merle Haggard, the Judds and Alabama that he met Glen Campbell, who had been listening to his band's set. The very next night, he was playing a Jack Nicklaus grand opening and there was Glen again. After an impromptu jam session that delighted the VIP crowd, he got the phone call that would change his career forever.
His move to Nashville in 2000 opened the door to writing with the cream of Music City's phenomenal creative community. He's had songs recorded by George Strait, Doug Stone and Sarah Darling, and used on The Voice and Hawaii Five-O. His producing credits include rising artists who have become hit writers and major label stars like Matt Stell (Sony), plus established stars like Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, The Kingston Trio and more.
After the passing of his mentor, he got so many requests for a show of Glen Campbell's music that he launched "Salute to Glen Campbell," an intimate, upbeat presentation of his hits and the first-person stories of their years together. 2019 was the busiest year yet, filled with sell-out crowds and national tours.
Born and raised in rural Minnesota, he grew up influenced by his mom's diverse record collection of Johnny Cash, Roger Miller and Kingston Trio, plus Dixieland, Caribbean and calypso styles. It wasn't long before he discovered his own love for guitar greats Eric Clapton, Jerry Reed, Jimi Hendrix and, naturally, Glen Campbell, plus bands like the Byrds, Moody Blues and Allman Brothers. He still credits his Twin Cities time working with Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones and sidemen from Bob Dylan and Prince for giving him a deep sense of the value of "the groove."
Next up was his move to Arizona and his Jeff Dayton Band years, where he built a major following, had a regional #1 hit, received a Best of The Decade's Best Award and opened shows for dozens of major tours that came through Phoenix. It was at one of those shows with Merle Haggard, the Judds and Alabama that he met Glen Campbell, who had been listening to his band's set. The very next night, he was playing a Jack Nicklaus grand opening and there was Glen again. After an impromptu jam session that delighted the VIP crowd, he got the phone call that would change his career forever.
His move to Nashville in 2000 opened the door to writing with the cream of Music City's phenomenal creative community. He's had songs recorded by George Strait, Doug Stone and Sarah Darling, and used on The Voice and Hawaii Five-O. His producing credits include rising artists who have become hit writers and major label stars like Matt Stell (Sony), plus established stars like Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, The Kingston Trio and more.
After the passing of his mentor, he got so many requests for a show of Glen Campbell's music that he launched "Salute to Glen Campbell," an intimate, upbeat presentation of his hits and the first-person stories of their years together. 2019 was the busiest year yet, filled with sell-out crowds and national tours.
ERIC DOUGLAS began writing and performing in New York City bars and coffeehouses in the late ‘90s and has lived in Arizona since 2002. A veteran of folk festivals in Glendale, Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff and Prescott, he regularly performs in the Phoenix area. His writing has been recognized in nationwide competitions for his songs "Old 66," "Hammer and Heart," and "City of Stone."
BRYAN FISHKIND has been writing and performing songs about wildfires, guns, borders, dogs in the night, sanity, vampires, hot shots, princesses, propane, churches, fields, beaches, ships, repression...fractured hearts, confusion for a half century. He won 1st Prize for a song that the Arizona National Organization for Women deemed depicted the philosophy of the Equal Rights Amendment.
JEFF FREUNDLICH, COO of Fervor Records, is a native of New York City. He graduated Cum Laude from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Following gigs at EMI Records, tech startup Net2Phone, and consulting giant Accenture, he co-founded Whirled Music Publishing, Inc. in 2002. His focused and charismatic leadership style has propelled the company to international prominence in the film, television, and advertising industries. Visit the Fervor Records website at https://fervor-records.com to explore more of the company’s accomplishments under his executive leadership.
GLEN GARDNER picked up his first guitar at the age of 13 and hasn't put it down since. He is a veteran performer and founding member of one of the most popular bands to emerge from Iowa, Jif and the Choosy Mothers. The band played to packed houses for more than 35 years and opened for the likes of ZZ Top and the Gin Blossoms. Following the retirement of that band, Glen developed a solo act that has been honed at coffee houses and clubs from Boston to Phoenix. Glen was also a pioneer in rock radio, having been a driving force in developing the Active Rock radio format. At 16-years-old he walked into WAAF Worcester/Boston and got a part-time job. From there it was a radio roadshow from Vermont and New Hampshire to Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Glen was also half of the popular "Those Guys in the Morning" radio show on KRNA in Iowa City/Cedar Rapids for 13 years in the 80s and 90s. Then it was off to Madison, Wisconsin and station ownership and management. Glen has promoted more than 300 major concerts. He has also received Gold and Platinum records for his work on albums with Sevendust, Mudvayne, White Zombie and others. Glen can currently be heard on SmartFM at 95.1 doing the Live From the Soundboard show on Saturday nights and Sunday morning.
HOLLAND GORMLEY is a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Copyright Office, where she focuses on outreach to creative communities. She brings 10 years of experience working with private, non-profit, and government arts organizations. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and Art History from UNC-Chapel Hill, an MA in Arts Management from American University, and certificates in International Art Business (Sotheby’s Institute, London), Leadership Communications (Harvard), and Social Media Communications (Georgetown). In her free time, she is an avid watercolorist and restores vintage furniture.
DAN GUTENKAUF was inspired by a 1973 Emerson, Lake & Palmer concert to take the first college-level course in Electronic Music Theory and Composition, taught by Dr. Gerald Lloyd, an apprentice to Robert Moog. While attending Drake, he studied jazz history, played bass in the Jazz Stage Band, and studied jazz guitar with renowned instructor Don Archer of the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame. He has been a full-time professional musician since moving to Phoenix in 1978. In 1980, he started attending Arizona Songwriters Association meetings, where he met his friends and mentors Jon Iger and the late John Braheny, “The Godfather of Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase (LASS).” In the mid ‘80s, he played bass for national corporate events at numerous 5-star resorts across the country. He has played bass with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Coasters, and Leslie Gore, as well as for Glen Campbell and “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton. On his Big Band corporate gigs, he has shared the stage with The Four Tops, Dionne Warwick, The Pointer Sisters, Charley Pride, Lee Greenwood, Ray Charles, Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers), and Mary Wilson (The Supremes). In 1985, he earned a Scholastic Achievement Award for Excellence in Classical Music Theory at Mesa Community College. He recorded and toured with Scottsdale Bible Church orchestra and choir on trips to Argentina, Romania, and Budapest. In 2005, he and his twin brother Dennis on guitar were inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with their band “Rhythm’s Children.” They also performed with fellow Hall of Fame inductee John “JR” Robinson, legendary L.A. studio drummer for David Foster and Quincy Jones. In 2019, he was nominated to become the new local Phoenix Chapter Coordinator for Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He attended the NSAI Tin Pan South Songwriting Festival in Nashville, where he received his Coordinator training. That same year, he was a finalist in NSAI’s Chapter Challenge songwriting contest, sponsored by Ole Media Management (now Anthem Entertainment).
DR. E. MICHAEL HARRINGTON is a composer, musician, consultant, and professor. He served as expert at the U.S. Copyright Office and World Intellectual Property Organization’s symposium on Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence at the Library of Congress on February 5, 2020. He was also the expert witness responsible for freeing the iconic civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” in 2018. He co-authored two successful amicus briefs for defendants Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2020 and 2022 and has served as consultant in hundreds of music copyright & IP matters involving Apple, Amazon, Buena Vista, Walt Disney, HBO, Samsung, “Blurred Lines,” Busta Rhymes, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Marvel, EA, 50 Cent, Tupac, Led Zeppelin, the Chicks, Katy Perry, Steve Perry, Adele, Lady Gaga, Deadmau5, Danger Mouse, Vince Gill, T-Pain, Steven Spielberg, USPS and more.
He has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Forbes, Esquire, Fox, Bloomberg Law, Wall Street Journal, Time, Slate, NPR, PBS, BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, CBC and more, and has spoken at more than 400 music conferences, bar associations, law schools and universities, including Harvard Law, UNH Law, Penn State Law, BC Law, GWU Law, Cardozo Law, Brooklyn Law, Boston Bar, Beverly Hills Bar, Texas Bar, American Bar Association, Minnesota Bar, NYIPLA, IIPLA, SF Music Tech, Future of Music Coalition, Rotary International and others.
He has created more than 30 courses at several universities, including Berklee, Berklee Online, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, William Paterson and Belmont University. He is course author and professor at Berklee Online. He created the Berklee College of Music’s Coursera Copyright Law in the Music Business class, which has been taken by students from 171 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, plus the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law class and the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course.
SANDY HATHAWAY’s original songs reach back in time and deliver stories that touch the heart. She is a daydreaming artist from West Michigan lakeshore. She taught herself to play guitar at eight. Her live performances are filled with emotion and expression. Sandy’s original songs contain vivid descriptions and metaphors that transport the listener to a country garden or a dirt road. She plays nearly all genres of music and has about six hours of songs in her cover song library.
Sandy studied classical guitar with David Molinari at Meyer Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is currently a student of classical and opera voice with Bonfanti’s Voice Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. “One of the busiest female cover artists in Arizona”, according to News Anchor Mike Chamberlin, TV3.
Hathaway’s original music has won several awards in Arizona. Her music can be described as a soulful blend of Dar Williams, Joni Mitchell, and Patty Griffin. She sings in several popular genres, Rock, Pop, Country, Blues, R&B, and Opera. She continuously studies to improve her music craft. Sandy is a multi-instrumentalist and stays busy playing popular venues like Tucson, The Living Room in Phoenix, and many private events. She has worked with several popular booking agencies, Arizona’s Finest Entertainers, Paragon Booking, and GotYouCovered. She is the Chairperson of the board for Independent Artist Music (IAM), a non-profit association, to support musicians.
Sandy studied classical guitar with David Molinari at Meyer Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is currently a student of classical and opera voice with Bonfanti’s Voice Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. “One of the busiest female cover artists in Arizona”, according to News Anchor Mike Chamberlin, TV3.
Hathaway’s original music has won several awards in Arizona. Her music can be described as a soulful blend of Dar Williams, Joni Mitchell, and Patty Griffin. She sings in several popular genres, Rock, Pop, Country, Blues, R&B, and Opera. She continuously studies to improve her music craft. Sandy is a multi-instrumentalist and stays busy playing popular venues like Tucson, The Living Room in Phoenix, and many private events. She has worked with several popular booking agencies, Arizona’s Finest Entertainers, Paragon Booking, and GotYouCovered. She is the Chairperson of the board for Independent Artist Music (IAM), a non-profit association, to support musicians.
DAVID HILKER, CEO of Fervor Records, launched his lifelong music career as a teenager and now offers vast experience encompassing virtually all aspects of the music business. He founded indie label Fervor Records in 1989, followed by the launch of Wild Whirled Recording studio in 1991. In 2002, he co-founded Whirled Music Publishing, Inc. He has forged an independent path to success by merging his musical background and business expertise with visionary, unconventional thinking. Visit the Fervor Records website at https://fervor-records.com to explore more of the company’s accomplishments under his executive leadership.
RHONDA HITCHCOCK-MAST has been writing music for close to 15 years. Her favorite styles are country, pop, rock and blues. She co-wrote and performed "I Believe," which was featured on the TV show Summerland, while her holiday song "Sugar Cookie" has gained some traction and received web radio airplay. She recently signed another co-written song to be pitched to artists, TV and movies called "Can’t Get Enough of You." In October of 2007, she teamed up with Pandy Raye to start Chicks with Picks, a platform for “up-and-coming” female singer-songwriters to showcase their talent. To date, Chicks with Picks has featured/helped over 400 artists, offering regular workshops covering such music industry topics as professional songwriting, recording and music business mentoring.
JON IGER is a songwriter and publisher with major label cuts, whose song placements in movies and TV shows include The Sopranos, Parks & Recreation, Ugly Betty, My Name Is Earl, Touched by an Angel, The Oblongs, Brooklyn 99, Where the Money Is (starring Paul Newman), and many more.
A former Capitol recording artist, he co-founded the Arizona Songwriters Association in 1977, and has kept it rolling ever since. He was inducted into the Greater Arizona Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018, served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame from 2005 to 2015, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2019, and continues to serve on its Advisory Council.
He co-produced the cable TV series The Arizona Songwriter with producer Randee Mossburg and has co-produced the annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering since its inception over twenty years ago. He has also taught songwriting workshops at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) along with Randy Brown, and co-hosts the ASA 3rd Saturday Songs in Progress workshop. Jon is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee. To reach Jon or the Arizona Songwriters Association, please email Jon@IgerMusic.com. The Arizona Songwriters Association website is www.azsongwriters.org.
A former Capitol recording artist, he co-founded the Arizona Songwriters Association in 1977, and has kept it rolling ever since. He was inducted into the Greater Arizona Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018, served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame from 2005 to 2015, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2019, and continues to serve on its Advisory Council.
He co-produced the cable TV series The Arizona Songwriter with producer Randee Mossburg and has co-produced the annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering since its inception over twenty years ago. He has also taught songwriting workshops at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) along with Randy Brown, and co-hosts the ASA 3rd Saturday Songs in Progress workshop. Jon is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee. To reach Jon or the Arizona Songwriters Association, please email Jon@IgerMusic.com. The Arizona Songwriters Association website is www.azsongwriters.org.
IVY JARVIS is a programming librarian at the Glendale Public Library. This is her 13th year on the planning committee for the Arizona Songwriters Gathering. She has organized a wide variety of programs for the library since 1999, including author appearances by world-renowned authors Diana Gabaldon, Jodi Picoult, Nancy Turner and J.A. Jance; performances by R. Carlos Nakai, Walt Richardson, Big Pete Pearson, Dolan Ellis and Marshall Trimble; lectures on the humanities and arts, health and wellness, the paranormal, astronomy and financial topics; plus artistry workshops, the Socrates Café philosophical discussion group, and the Gentle Reads book discussion group. Ivy is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee.
JOHN KEENAN is a famed music producer who has produced, remixed, and mastered releases for top artists such as Beyoncé, Pet Shop Boys, Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliot, Philip George, Kelly Rowland, Billie Ray Martin, Kenny Loggins, Mary Wilson, and countless others. With 11 top 25 Billboard charting hits of today and several #1 singles on the Billboard Dance Chart, John is highly attuned to current musical trends.
In addition, John Keenan is a supremely skilled studio engineer and mastering engineer with 25+ years of experience and knowledge at his disposal. As he continues to work with acts such as Mary Wilson (of The Supremes, Universal), develop upcoming artists, and produce killer remixes that climb the charts and rock the house, Keenan is truly a tastemaker.
As a veteran college professor at Paradise Valley Community College, Keenan teaches and certifies students in Pro Tools software, teaches advanced audio mixing techniques classes, and Live Sound classes with individual lessons as a bonus for those wanting to go further.
In addition, John Keenan is a supremely skilled studio engineer and mastering engineer with 25+ years of experience and knowledge at his disposal. As he continues to work with acts such as Mary Wilson (of The Supremes, Universal), develop upcoming artists, and produce killer remixes that climb the charts and rock the house, Keenan is truly a tastemaker.
As a veteran college professor at Paradise Valley Community College, Keenan teaches and certifies students in Pro Tools software, teaches advanced audio mixing techniques classes, and Live Sound classes with individual lessons as a bonus for those wanting to go further.
ERIC RAMSEY is the winner of the International Blues Challenge as well as the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for the outstanding guitarist in the Solo/Duo Category. He's a three-time Champion of the Phoenix Blues Society's Blues Showdown and a two-time finalist at the Telluride Blues Challenge. He's a winner of the Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Contest sponsored by the Tucson Folk Festival, winner of the Peoples' Choice Award at the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival, a finalist in the Al Johnson Songwriting Competition, and has been tapped for the prestigious Songwriter's Showcase produced by Tempe Center for the Arts, filmed for PBS distribution. He's been a 4x featured performer at the Dripping Springs (TX) Songwriter's Festival, has garnered numerous accolades for his songwriting, and performs at concerts and festivals nationwide.
He is a perennial favorite on the folk and blues festival circuits, not only for his dynamic, engaging performances but for his open tuning and slide guitar workshops as well. With soaring vocals and organic arrangements, his original compositions reflect his musical influences, but come from a place all their own. He writes from experience about the human condition - stark, at times sensitive, at times humorous, always thought-provoking. His arrangements and delivery encompass a spectrum of styles, from delicate fingerpicking to raucous, bluesy bottleneck slide.
He lives in the Phoenix area with his patient, long-suffering wife, three kids, and four dogs of indeterminate pedigree. He can often be found in the garage, where his family prefers that he practice…
He is a perennial favorite on the folk and blues festival circuits, not only for his dynamic, engaging performances but for his open tuning and slide guitar workshops as well. With soaring vocals and organic arrangements, his original compositions reflect his musical influences, but come from a place all their own. He writes from experience about the human condition - stark, at times sensitive, at times humorous, always thought-provoking. His arrangements and delivery encompass a spectrum of styles, from delicate fingerpicking to raucous, bluesy bottleneck slide.
He lives in the Phoenix area with his patient, long-suffering wife, three kids, and four dogs of indeterminate pedigree. He can often be found in the garage, where his family prefers that he practice…
JOHN RILEY is an Assistant General Counsel at the U.S. Copyright Office, where he has contributed to the U.S. government’s Supreme Court briefs in Aereo and Petrella and frequently advises Congress on copyright law. He has helped author the Office’s policy reports “Copyright Small Claims,” “Copyright and the Music Marketplace,” and “Unclaimed Royalties: Best Practice Recommendations” for the Mechanical Licensing Collective. He has also contributed significant expertise towards the regulations surrounding the Music Modernization Act, Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act of 2020, and the Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music (GRAM) registration option. He earned his LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from The George Washington University Law School and his JD from Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law. He has been recognized by the American Intellectual Property Law Association for his distinguished service and contributions in the field of intellectual property law.
ROBBY ROBERSON sings original musical stories full of reality and imagination, happiness and sorrow – delivered through multiple stringed instruments, played skillfully and passionately. His songwriting and vocal style have an organic, urban, acoustic music vibe that is enhanced by dynamic rhythms and grooves. He uses the instrumentation as an equal, interconnected partner of his songs and not just for melodic accompaniment. His songwriting has not gone unnoticed across the Valley and state; he is the winner of the songwriter contest at the Tucson Folk Festival and a finalist in the band contest at the Pickin’ in the Pines Music Festival. He has also performed at the Tempe Center for the Arts Songwriters Showcases III and VII, and Scottsdale Center for the Arts. His musical versatility makes it possible for him to be a solo act or to include other talented musician friends in various collaborative settings. He lives in Tempe, Arizona and performs regularly at various venues, festivals, and benefits throughout Arizona.
LES SCOTT is a veteran of the music industry whose publishing company Source Q Boutique (SQB) specializes in music placement in film and television and currently represents over 400 writers/artists. SQB is exclusively marketed through its alliances with Crucial Music Group, Expressive Artists LLC., Generation Music, Inc. and Fuze Artz LLC. As a producer, he is commissioned to produce master recordings for major companies and has produced over 500 artists/bands in all genres; his writings and productions appear daily throughout the film and television industries. As a consultant, he consults on music business matters such as music clearance, writer collaborations, performance releases, publishing agreements, cue sheets, PRO and copyright registrations. Les is an instrumental member of the Arizona Songwriters Gathering planning committee.
For private consultation, please call 602-705-3554 or email les@lesscottmusic.com. Website: www.lesscottmusic.com
For private consultation, please call 602-705-3554 or email les@lesscottmusic.com. Website: www.lesscottmusic.com
LARRY VAIL has been writing songs since he was in high school, and semi-professionally since 1994. As an artist, he has had airplay on several Los Angeles area radio stations (including KLOS) and on over 1,000 radio stations all over Europe. He was on the National Cable Radio Network playlist for over eight months.
As a songwriter/composer, he has had songs placed in film and television, and was featured in a Los Angeles Times article on country music songwriters in the L.A. area. He is a published songwriter, having written at Cedar Cove/Cedar Creek Music, HoriPro Entertainment, RPM Publishing, Altadena Music, Sprockets Music and Washington Street Publishing in Nashville. He has also had many single song publishing contracts, including for multiple sync publishers in both Nashville and Los Angeles. He was the featured composer of the month at Pink Shark Music in L.A. and is a member of ASCAP, The Nashville Songwriter’s Association International, Songtown, and The Tennessee Songwriter’s Association.
He has performed at various songwriter venues like Douglas Corner Café, The Courtyard Café, The Commodore Grille, The Millennium Maxwell House Hotel and The Broken Spoke Saloon, and was also a regular at The Bluebird Café Sunday Writer’s Night in Nashville. In Los Angeles, he was frequently seen at Billy Block’s Western Beat at Highland Grounds, where he shared the stage with luminaries like Steve Seskin, Tim James, and Steve Dorff. He has also performed at the Songwriter’s Circle at The Palomino Club, Kulak's Woodshed and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.
As a songwriter/composer, he has had songs placed in film and television, and was featured in a Los Angeles Times article on country music songwriters in the L.A. area. He is a published songwriter, having written at Cedar Cove/Cedar Creek Music, HoriPro Entertainment, RPM Publishing, Altadena Music, Sprockets Music and Washington Street Publishing in Nashville. He has also had many single song publishing contracts, including for multiple sync publishers in both Nashville and Los Angeles. He was the featured composer of the month at Pink Shark Music in L.A. and is a member of ASCAP, The Nashville Songwriter’s Association International, Songtown, and The Tennessee Songwriter’s Association.
He has performed at various songwriter venues like Douglas Corner Café, The Courtyard Café, The Commodore Grille, The Millennium Maxwell House Hotel and The Broken Spoke Saloon, and was also a regular at The Bluebird Café Sunday Writer’s Night in Nashville. In Los Angeles, he was frequently seen at Billy Block’s Western Beat at Highland Grounds, where he shared the stage with luminaries like Steve Seskin, Tim James, and Steve Dorff. He has also performed at the Songwriter’s Circle at The Palomino Club, Kulak's Woodshed and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.
JIM WEST caught the radio “bug” when he was 9 years old in 1962, when he visited a radio station in upstate New York for the first time. That visit made a big impression on him, as he later learned that Dick Clark had begun his broadcast career at that very same station before his American Bandstand fame. In the early 1990s, he served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Country Music in Hollywood with Dick Clark, who was producing the television network award show.
In 1973, he began his own radio career working part time in Rapid City, South Dakota, while serving full time in the U.S. Air Force. Today, after nearly 50 years in country radio, he has been a part of the success of some of America’s biggest country stations, including KNIX and KMLE/Phoenix, WFMS/Indianapolis, and WGRX/Baltimore, plus stations in Tucson, Albuquerque and other locations.
He has established himself as a country music historian of sorts, with deep knowledge of country music and its history. He has volunteered his time with the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, working to write, produce and voice many HOF induction videos, as well as volunteering with the Greater Arizona Country Music Association, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2019.
He became an author in 2015 when he wrote a book called The Phoenix Sound: A History of Twang and Rockabilly Music in Arizona. In 2021, he wrote a historical timeline of the history of KNIX radio in Phoenix during the ownership years of country singer Buck Owens. In 2022, he has once again been nominated for the Country Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville.
In 1973, he began his own radio career working part time in Rapid City, South Dakota, while serving full time in the U.S. Air Force. Today, after nearly 50 years in country radio, he has been a part of the success of some of America’s biggest country stations, including KNIX and KMLE/Phoenix, WFMS/Indianapolis, and WGRX/Baltimore, plus stations in Tucson, Albuquerque and other locations.
He has established himself as a country music historian of sorts, with deep knowledge of country music and its history. He has volunteered his time with the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, working to write, produce and voice many HOF induction videos, as well as volunteering with the Greater Arizona Country Music Association, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2019.
He became an author in 2015 when he wrote a book called The Phoenix Sound: A History of Twang and Rockabilly Music in Arizona. In 2021, he wrote a historical timeline of the history of KNIX radio in Phoenix during the ownership years of country singer Buck Owens. In 2022, he has once again been nominated for the Country Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville.
ASHLEY WINELAND offers voracious vocals, a relatable demeanor, and a soulful sound. Along the way in her musical journey, this diminutive “girl next door,” with a voice and heart as vast and vibrant as the Arizona desert, has amassed a fervent global fanbase (known as “Winelanders”) and a colossal presence on social media. Possessing the impassioned spirit of an old-world troubadour, her enthralling songs strike a chord of authenticity while capturing the heartbeat of the heartland. Whether she is performing while racking up miles on tour, in the studio creating her original music, or lending her voice to support charitable causes that are close to her heart, such as our country’s veterans and animal rescue groups, this national country music artist is leaving an indelible impression on audiences across the U.S.
She first made a splash in the Southwestern music scene at age 14. To date, she has released three albums, including Family Business, Simple Life, and the much-anticipated I’m Gonna Ride, recently released in 2022 just prior to the start of her U.S. national tour.
Years of hard work, dedication to her craft, and a close, personal connection to her fans have found her in demand at top music events, a frequent guest on television and radio alike, and a sought-after subject of music media outlets with three magazine covers to her credit. Known for her tireless support of our nation’s veterans, she is often called up to perform the national anthem for MLB and the NFL, and she recently had the honor to sing the anthem for the racing enthusiasts at NASCAR and the motocross fans at the Supercross Championships. In November of 2021, she performed at Phoenix’s 22K seat AK-Chin Pavilion, sharing the roster with Aaron Lewis and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry for “A Salute to American Vets,” where she dazzled the audience with her sizzling set.
She recently signed a multi-year contract with the prestigious tequila company Casa Amor, the sponsor of her 2022 Tour!
Learn more about Ashley Wineland at www.ashleywineland.com
She first made a splash in the Southwestern music scene at age 14. To date, she has released three albums, including Family Business, Simple Life, and the much-anticipated I’m Gonna Ride, recently released in 2022 just prior to the start of her U.S. national tour.
Years of hard work, dedication to her craft, and a close, personal connection to her fans have found her in demand at top music events, a frequent guest on television and radio alike, and a sought-after subject of music media outlets with three magazine covers to her credit. Known for her tireless support of our nation’s veterans, she is often called up to perform the national anthem for MLB and the NFL, and she recently had the honor to sing the anthem for the racing enthusiasts at NASCAR and the motocross fans at the Supercross Championships. In November of 2021, she performed at Phoenix’s 22K seat AK-Chin Pavilion, sharing the roster with Aaron Lewis and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry for “A Salute to American Vets,” where she dazzled the audience with her sizzling set.
She recently signed a multi-year contract with the prestigious tequila company Casa Amor, the sponsor of her 2022 Tour!
Learn more about Ashley Wineland at www.ashleywineland.com
