Guitar Center & ASCAP are bringin' out the big guns to get you on the right track. It all happens November 15th. Read on, motivated ones.......

CONTACT: John Escamilla 281-441-2263 jetspeed@pdq.net

ASCAP & Guitar Center (Houston)Team Up to Present First Annual Music Panel

November 15th Panel to Feature Top Songwriters, Producers, Attorneys and Industry Executives

* On November 15th, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and Guitar Center will co-host the first annual Music Business 101 Panel at the Guitar Center (7729 Westheimer Road) in Houston from 6 - 8 p.m.

* The panel will provide an open forum for questions and answers on songwriting, publishing, artist management, and performance rights.

* Featured will be a number of leading music industry professionals who will share their insights and experiences. Scheduled to participate as panelists are:

Walt Aldridge is a songwriter, singer, musician, engineer and producer who has exercised his musical skills in Nashville and in Muscle Shoals, AL for twenty years. In 1992, he was awarded with a Bronze Star in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame's Walk of Fame. His hit song, "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me," recorded by Ronnie Milsap was ASCAP's most performed country song in 1982. Walt has written numerous top ten hits recorded by artists such as Reba McEntire, Shenandoah, Blackhawk, and Steve Wariner.

Al Staeheley has practiced law since 1979, with a specialty in Entertainment Law. He represents clients in negotiations with major record and publishing companies, and on copyright and trademark issues. His clientele of artists and producers has included Stevie Ray Vaughn, Andy Johns, Bluewater Music, Warner Brothers Records, Warner Chappell Music, and many others.

Rodney Alejandro is an arranger, songwriter, producer, and keyboard player. His experience co-founding the Latin band Valentino allowed him to work on many exciting projects such as Selena's "Entre Mi Mundo" album, and recordings by Latin stars La Sombra, Tiger, Chullito, and Gavino. His production work has also been featured on the theme song for the CBS prime time show "Now and Again," as well as the theme song, "Running for the Gold" for the World Track and Field Championships.

Johnny Escamilla's work as a musician, agent, songwriter and producer have allowed him to excel in several aspects of the music industry and concentrate on what he does best. After years of performing, he focused on booking live entertainment and developed a management division at Jetspeed Entertainment. He currently manages William Emery, Joey Gutierrez & The Latin Experience, and Brian Torres.

Christy DiNapoli is the co-chairman, content marketing and management, at Copyright.net. He currently manages several artists including Tim Rushlow, former lead singer of Little Texas, the award-winning band DiNapoli formed and managed, co-produced, and co-published for their nine-year career. He works with the artists to develop their music and image, as well as market them through most of the technical properties that run through the Copyright.net portal. He also oversees the traditional publicity and promotional activities. Numerous artists have recorded DiNapoli's songs including Hall & Oats, Reba McEntire, and Ricochet.

John Briggs - As Vice-president, ASCAP Membership, John is responsible for signing new writer and publisher members from all genres of music to ASCAP, and assisting them with royalties and distribution. He has played a key role in bringing many well-known acts to the Society including the Dixie Chicks, Deana Carter, ZZ Top, and the Backstreet Boys. He will serve as moderator for the Music Panel.

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the world's largest performing- right organization, with over 100,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP is committed to protecting the rights of its members by licensing and collecting royalties for the public performance of their copyrighted works, and then distributing these fees to the Society's members based on performances. ASCAP's repertory spans the entire spectrum of music - from pop to symphonic, rock to gospel, Latin to country to jazz, rhythm and blues, theater, film and television music. ASCAP's Board of Directors is made up solely of writers and publishers, elected by the membership.