ASCAP Creative Director Beth Brinker (L) and songwriter Ashley Gorley attend the 2016 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO. Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for ASCAP
Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Rob Thomas, Desmond Child, Suzanne Vega, Brian McKnight, Brett James and Kevin Kadish. Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP
Songwriters with Nashville ties were among those showcasing their talents during ASCAP’s three-day “I Create Music” Expo, held April 28-30 in Los Angeles.
Desmond Child, Brett James, Kevin Kadish, Chris DeStefano, Audra Mae, and more were on hand for the event.
Pictured (L-R): Marc Emert-Hunter, VP, ASCAP Pop/Rock; musicians Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; John Titta, Exec. VP, ASCAP Membership. Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP
Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Bonnie Baker; Cornman Music GM & VP, Creative, Nate Lowery; Black River Entertainment Creative Director Dave Pacula; Songwriter Forest Glen Whitehead speak during the ‘This Is Country Music’ panel, part of the 2016 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO. Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for ASCAP
The expo closed out Saturday afternoon with The Writers Jam, featuring LaShawn Daniels (Lady Gaga’s “Telephone;” Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name”), Chris DeStefano (Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night”), Audra Mae (Kelly Clarkson’s “Heartbeat Song,” Miranda Lambert’s “Little Red Wagon”) and Priscilla Renea (Pitbull & Kesha’s “Timber”) telling stories and performing some of their own songs.
Renea also delivered a master session designed to motivate aspiring songwriters, urging them to remember they are the CEO of their own business. Later, multi-platinum recording artists and songwriters Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo shared advice from their lives in music and gave the EXPO audience an impromptu performance of a few verses of “We Belong,” with Giraldo on piano.
Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Brett James, Priscilla Renea and Chris DeStefano sing at the ASCAP Annual Membership Meeting and ASCAP EXPO. Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP
Pictured: Singer-songwriters Charles Kelley (L) and Rob Thomas attend the 2016 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO. Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
