“Over the past 15 years I have had the privilege of working with many independent artists, and the conversation has been the same… they want to know how they can become relevant in today’s competitive gospel music industry,” Jemison explains. “My objective for this conference is to assemble some of the top industry clinicians who have had the privilege of working with major artists and labels in addition to independent artists. In this type of conference atmosphere, artists will have an opportunity to gain a clear expectation of what it takes to be relevant in today’s gospel market.”
Classes and sessions will include key topics of interest lead by music and entertainment professionals from around the country. Grammy Award winning producer Kevin Bond of Bonded Music (Production and A&R), Stellar Nominated and award winning Creative Marketing and Publicity specialist Benita Bellamy of The Bellamy Group (Publicity and Social Media); Christian Music Sales and Distribution directors Judy Copeland of Central South Distribution and Thomas Rollins of New Day Christian Distribution (Sales & Distribution); Radio personality and programmer Ace Alexander of the nationally syndicated show “On Air With Ace Alexander” and radio promotions professional Tawanda Shamley of Joyful Noise Promotions (Gospel Radio); and Industry veteran Telisa Stinsonand Roderick Jemison (Marketing). A Mentorship Forum will also be held that will include the legendary Dottie Peoples, Songstress Monica Lisa Stevenson and award winning singer Lowell Pye. More clinicians and mentors will be added!
Singers and groups will also have the opportunity to showcase their talents during nightly musicals which will include written evaluations and personalized assessments from a panel of professionals. These individualized critiques are to aid in continuing the artist development process in which Jemison has included in the goals for the conference – to address and assist with the challenges indie artists face in the industry and to equip them with relevant tools that can be applied in achieving personal levels of success in music.