Conference 2024
2024 Conference Schedule
The second annual Fort Worth Music Conference begins Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 and runs through Friday, March 1st. The conference will begin with a keynote address from Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office, on Wednesday evening. The Thursday and Friday sessions will cover a number of topics for artists, singer-songwriters, event promoters, venue operators, and festival promoters. Several catch-all sessions are also scheduled, including The State of the Texas Music Industry, The Power of Digital Marketing, and Knowing Your Rights: Music Distribution, Licensing, A.I. & Live Performance Redtape.
The artist breakout portion of the conference will focus on panel discussions regarding booking, management, songwriting, branding, product and merch distribution, and a songwriting workshop. Panelists featured will be industry-leading agents, managers, and established artists and singer-songwriters.
The concert promoter breakout portion of the conference will have sessions highlighting venue & event operations, talent booking, festival production, special events, staffing and vendors. Panelists featured will be industry-leading booking agents, event promoters, venue operators and event marketing professionals.
The goal of the conference is to generate awareness surrounding the Texas music scene while working to build an infrastructure where artists can establish and grow their career in Texas and beyond.
The 2024 Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference will begin with an evening opening keynote address from Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office, mixer and performance by Radney Foster on Wednesday, February 28th, followed by two full days of conferences: Thursday, February 29th & Friday, March 1st, beginning at 10am and ending at 4pm each day. Following the conclusion of the conference sessions each day, there will be live musical performances throughout the Fort Worth Stockyards at seven different venues showcasing both established and up-and-coming talent. The musical performances will extend to an all-day festival on Saturday, March 2nd.
FWMF24 Speaker Lineup
As Director of the Texas Music Office, Brendon Anthony sets the agenda for business development, helping music industry professionals navigate their entry into the Texas market, as well as moving their businesses to Texas (including corporations, start-ups, and everything in between). Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015, Brendon provides the link between the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Division executive staff, private sector music industry businesses, and non-governmental music organizations and trade associations. In addition to leading the Texas Music Office, Brendon is also the point person for the Music Friendly Communities program which helps connect the various music markets throughout the state with one another, establishes best practices for economic development success, and fosters the development and connection of higher education music programs to real-world music business opportunity.
Mitch Ballard is BMI’s Executive Director, Creative in Austin. He is responsible for signing and developing new talent and supporting BMI’s extensive family of Texas songwriters and publishers within the country and rock genres, among others. In addition, Ballard assists BMI songwriters with creative and administrative tasks and helps coordinate showcases, educational seminars and other events that support BMI’s creative community, including BMI’s Songwriter Series at the famed Saxon Pub.
Breanne Beal is the dynamic General Manager behind the success of Brewster Street Icehouse - Downtown, nestled in the vibrant heart of Corpus Christi. With a passion for integrated communications and keen business acumen, Breanne orchestrates the seamless operations of this iconic event venue and restaurant, ensuring unforgettable experiences for patrons day in and day out. An avid music enthusiast, she thrives in curating over 100 concerts annually, showcasing a diverse array of talent to the community.
A proud alumna of the University of Houston, where she earned her BA in Integrated Communications in 2017, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, where she completed her Masters in Business Administration in 2020, Breanne's educational background has equipped her with the skills to navigate the multifaceted realm of hospitality and entertainment.
Breanne's dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed. Recognized as one of the CoastalBend's rising stars, she was honored with the Young Professionals of the Coastal Bend - 40 Under 40 accolade in August 2023. Her contributions to the local tourism industry were celebrated when she was named Corpus Christi's Under 35 Tourism Professional of the Year in November 2023. Beyond her managerial duties, Breanne also lends her expertise to the Visit Corpus Christi Music Advisory Council, shaping the future of entertainment in the region.
Though Houston raised her, Breanne found her true home in Corpus Christi, captivated by its laid-back charm. You can often find Breanne soaking up the sun on the beach, rejuvenating her spirit and drawing inspiration from the coastal beauty surrounding her.
With her unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and love for her community, Breanne Beal continues to shape the cultural landscape of Corpus Christi, ensuring that Brewster Street Icehouse remains a cornerstone of entertainment and hospitality for years to come.
Meet Tamera H. Bennett: a wife, mom, lawyer, and advocate for protecting content creator’s and user’s rights. With 25+ years of experience as an attorney, she's your trusted guide in trademark application prosecution, content licensing (especially in music), and protecting and monetizing inherited song and sound recording copyrights.
Tamera doesn't just walk the walk, she talks the talk, having co-hosted over 160 episodes of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast and written for esteemed publications like BILLBOARD and TEXAS LAWYER.
In the music industry, Tamera has made her mark. She is serving her fourth term on the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy (the Grammys) and advocates for the industry, speaking at events and sharing her expertise.
Leadership is in Tamera's DNA. She is a past chair of the State Bar of Texas Entertainment & Sports Law section. Her impact extends to education, where she shaped the minds of future music business professionals as an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University.
Volunteering and community service are core values to Tamera. For more than a decade she’s volunteered with DFW Women in IP, the Recording Academy, local and state bar associations, the Boy Scouts of America, and her church.
Tamera graduated Cum Laude from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree inRecording Industry Studies, and Magna Cum Laude from Texas Wesleyan University School ofLaw (now the Texas A&M School of Law).
But Tamera's not just about law; she's about adventure too. In 2015, she backpacked 100 miles with her son's Boy Scout Troop. And when it comes to physical challenges, Tamera’s walked five half-marathons and is currently planning a campervan trip around New Zealand with her husband.
You can learn more about Tamera by visiting her website at www.tbennelaw.com.
Some careers can be described with a couple of words, but Shawn Camp's isn't one of them. A bold and distinctive singer, a songwriter who's provided material for artists ranging from Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn and Brooks & Dunn, with hits such as “Two Pina Coladas” (Garth Brooks), “Nobody But Me” (Blake Shelton), “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner), “River Of Love” (George Strait), and Billy Currington’s hit single “Love Done Gone”.
Along with being a hit writer, he is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who's played as a touring/recording musician with everyone from Jerry Reed, Trisha Yearwood, Shelby Lynn, and Alan Jackson to the Osborne Brothers, Guy Clark and John Prine.
Camp also co-produced a compilation tribute album for his friend and hero Guy Clark, which was #1 on the Americana Charts for several weeks in the spring of 2012, and voted Americana Album Of The Year 2012.
Entitled, Guy Clark: This One's For Him.
This Album was also Grammy nominated for Folk Album Of The Year 2012. It is a virtual who's who of Americana/Texas/Country music including everyone from Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Verlon Thompson, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Shawn Colvin, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Ray Wylie Hubbard, etc... (too many to name, 33 artists in all).
Then Shawn co-produced and won the Grammy for Folk Album Of The Year-2013, for Guy Clark's "My Favorite Picture Of You".
Camp's music sprawls across the lines that divide Country, Americana, Bluegrass and roots Rock. His solo records, The self titled SHAWN CAMP (Warner Bros), Lucky Silver Dollar, Fireball and 1994, further prove Camp to be one of Nashville's most unique talents.
He also is a member of The World Famous Headliners; an All Star Band made up of Camp and veteran writers Big Al Anderson and Pat McLaughlin, along with Michael Rhodes and Greg Morrow.
He is also the lead singer for The Earls Of Leicester, an all acoustic band that consists of legendary Bluegrass musicians Jerry Douglas, Jeff White, Daniel Kimbro, Charlie Cushman and Johnny Warren.
The band performs and records only the music of Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys. They capture the essence of the sounds and that period of time in an effort to bring the old style back into the psyche of the modern world.
The Earls Of Leicester won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album 2015 Then, The Earls Of Leicester made a huge sweep at The International Bluegrass Music Association's IBMA Awards Show winning, Entertainer Of The Year Album Of The Year Instrumental Group Of The Year Gospel Recorded Performance Of The Year with Shawn Camp - Male Vocalist Of The Year & Jerry Douglas - Dobro Player Of The Year
0ctober 1st 2016, THE EARLS OF LEICESTER were awarded IBMA'S ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR 2016 AND 2017.
SHAWN WAS THE MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 2017, AND WAS NOMINATED AGAIN IN 2018.
Any time day or night, he is either writing songs, performing shows, or recording. His life's work, speaks for itself.
Bob Clay is the lead buyer of electronic music for concerts and festivals at C3 Presents. He currently oversees the electronic music programming for Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and clubs and concerts in Texas.
He has also been focused on creating new business across the festival sector, including the Two Step Inn Festival in Georgetown, Texas, which was a sold-out smash in its inaugural year (2023).
Now, with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry, he is dedicated to creating new and exciting events for music fans of all genres.
Chase Colston is a co-owner of Double Tap Entertainment, LLC and founder/promoter of Troubadour Festival, an independent Texas barbecue and music festival founded in 2021 that happens twice each year in Celina and Bryan-College Station, TX. Prior to Troubadour Festival, Chase created and produced Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival for Townsquare Media in Tyler, TX from 2014-2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
After signing with Atlantic Records and touring as a musician, J.R. quickly went the entrepreneurial route and helped to start Prekindle, an event ticketing platform that now hosts 40,000 events a year and is one of the leading event tech platforms in the space. Denson also built a career as an artist manager having discovered Charley Crockett and helping him to build a global touring and recording business. Then, along with cofounder Adam Barnes he founded Space Colonel which manages 14 clients in the Country/Americana/Folk space and also consists of a publishing joint venture with Warner Chappell where they represent a growing roster of songwriters.
Quinn Donahue has 18 years of talent buying and event production experience. Extensive agent and manager relationships in all genres of music.
Currently booking: Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, Choctaw Casino and Horseshoe Hammond.
As Sr. Manager of Public Relations & Content Strategy at Visit Fort Worth, Terran implements public relations and content marketing efforts, develops content strategy, pitches stories for publications and hosts national and international media. She efficiently and enthusiastically generates buzz for Fort Worth, boosting interest in tourism and collecting stories from across the community.
Terran has over a decade of music industry experience, implementing marketing strategies for some of the region's most well-known artists and venues. Prior to Visit Fort Worth, Terran served as director of marketing and communications at Billy Bob's Texas and oversaw digital marketing efforts for Dickson Productions.
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In May 2000, Wayne Foster celebrated his graduation from the University of Oklahoma, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. The festivities included a graduation party that would unknowingly set the stage for a series of pivotal relationships and career paths. For entertainment, Wayne enlisted Stoney Larue, a then relatively unknown musician from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Stoney's journey to the event was as humble as his beginnings, traveling from Stillwater to Norman in the back of a pickup truck, accompanied by a small PA system and some OSU football players. That night not only did Stoney meet his future wife, he also formed a lasting friendship with Wayne which lead to several fruitful business collaborations.
Despite having no experience in the music industry, Wayne recognized Stoney Larue's extraordinary talent and was determined to help advance his career. Shortly after, Wayne relocated to Austin, Texas, accepting a position at DELL Computer and simultaneously booking gigs for LaRue. The well-timed partnership proved advantageous, and Wayne opened some new doors for LaRue. Foster will also tell you that, “Stoney helped me make countless connections in the music industry that are still relevant today.” LaRue soon joined the same management team as Cross Canadian Ragweed, and then signed with a major booking agency in Nashville.
Subsequently, Wayne had relocated and launched a new company in Fort Worth and by 2005, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish another company called Rock & Soul Printing. Initially, Rock & Soul designed and produced merchandise for Stoney LaRue, but quickly gained traction with a broad clientele across the Texas music scene. Now based in Granbury, Rock & Soul Printing has become a staple in the industry, still supporting LaRue and an increasingly diverse array of bands and businesses.
The expansion continued in 2010 when Wayne added a management division to Rock & Soul with Mike Ryan being one of the inaugural clients. Under Wayne's management, Ryan has ascended to significant heights in the independent country music scene boasting performances at prestigious venues, including the White House, the Grand Ole Opry, and headlining Billy Bob’s Texas over a dozen times. Ryan has shared the stage with country music luminaries like Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen in addition to achieving over ten #1 hits on the Texas music charts, a recent #1 on the American Country Music Chart nationally, and notable airplay on SiriusXM's The Highway.
Beyond the realm of music, Wayne has successfully diversified his entrepreneurial pursuits into construction materials and solar lighting systems, owning multiple companies and continuing to expand his influence across various sectors. Wayne, Kelli and their three children, horses, dogs, and cows, now call Granbury, Texas home.
A singer and songwriter whose slice-of-life tunes and rough, heartfelt delivery earned him a following in the Southwest, William Clark Green was born in Flint, Texas on May 19, 1986. When Green was 12, his family moved to College Station, Texas, and he began taking guitar lessons at church. Green's tastes then leaned to hard rock, but when his father played him Willis Alan Ramsey's classic 1972 debut album, the youngster became interested in the Texas singer/songwriter tradition.
Green immersed himself in the work of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Pat Green, and began writing songs of his own. He eventually enrolled in college after jobs as a ranch hand and working in a feedlot didn't work out for him. But he was more interested in music than academics, and it took him six years to complete his Agriculture Economics degree at Texas Tech. Green spent nearly as much time playing open mikes and acoustic gigs as he did studying, and by 2008 he was playing a weekly residency at the Blue Light in Lubbock. That same year, he released his debut album, "Dangerous Man."
The album "Misunderstood" followed in 2010, but it was 2013's "Rose Queen" that became Green's breakthrough. The album was a solid success in Texas, where the songs "She Likes the Beatles" and "It's About Time" earned significant airplay. The album eventually peaked at 34 on the U.S. Country Albums chart as Green's reputation grew beyond his home state.
In 2015, Green dropped his fourth album, "Ringling Road." "Sympathy," "Sticks and Stones," and the title tune were all radio hits in Texas, and the album sold even better than "Rose Queen," climbing to 18 on the U.S. Country Albums chart and going all the way to number one on the Heatseekers chart, a listing for new artists on the rise. Following the 2016 concert set 'Live at Gruene Hall,' Green returned in 2018 with "Hebert Island."
Shayne Hollinger is a lifelong radio personality, starting at the age of 15. For more than 3 decades he’s been a champion for Texas, Red Dirt & Americana music. Shayne is known for discovering tomorrow’s big stars early in their career.
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Fort Worth's Jamey Ice, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of 6th Ave LLC, leads a diverse portfolio including 6th Ave Homes, offering comprehensive real estate services, and 6th Ave Storytelling, a marketing firm specializing in business growth through storytelling. He's also at the helm of 6th Ave Investments and 6th Ave Lending. As a music aficionado, Jamey is the founding member and lead guitarist of the country/rock band Green River Ordinance with Capitol Records. He co-founded BREWED, a unique coffee shop and restaurant, located in Fort Worth, Bishop, Dallas, and DFW airport. His recent ventures include the podcast Stories with Soul, showcasing Fort Worth's influential figures, and luxury vacation rentals Casa De Ice and Casa De Camino in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Assisting in running multiple Twisted J family businesses from our boutique to apparel company over the past 14 years, it was no question when we opened the bar in 2016 I would get involved one way or another. For the past 5 years I was promoted to CEO of Twisted J LIVE. While that job description may come with wearing many hats, it's an honor to work with my team to continue to keep music alive in Stephenville, TX.
Eric grew up in Fort Worth, attending R. L. Pascal High School and TCU just like his parents. His destiny in the music industry was formed from the start - listening to his father's Willie and Waylon records and later spending time at Record Town with Sumter Bruton to get the latest updates on new releases.
Eric's career began in Fort Worth in corporate technology and data but eventually took him down the road to Austin. In 2009, after a twelve-year stint leading a data consulting practice, Eric met the three Charlies at C3 Presents (now owned by Live Nation) and was finally able to combine his passion for music and data and has been there since - transforming data and technology for large music festivals into cash and smiles on fans' faces.
Tim Love is a culinary pioneer and vibrant personality, renowned for his signature urban Western cuisine. With over 25 years of experience, Love has blazed a trail from a single restaurant to a nationwide culinary empire, earning celebrity chef status along the way. His remarkable journey includes elevating dining experiences at music festivals worldwide for more than a decade.
As the chef and owner of Love Management, Inc., Love leads a multi-faceted experience company that encompasses an array of culinary concepts. His portfolio includes the iconic Lonesome Dove Western Bistro with locations in Fort Worth, Austin, and Knoxville, as well as Woodshed Smokehouse in Fort Worth and select Live Nation Venues in Dallas, TX, Irvine, CA, Mountain View, CA, Tampa, FL, Wantagh, NY, Holmdel, NJ, and George, WA. Love also oversees Love Shack in Fort Worth and DFW Airport, Queenie's Steakhouse in Denton, White Elephant Saloon, Gemelle, Ático, Paloma Suerte, Hotel Otto, and the recently opened Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall and Caterina's, all situated in Fort Worth.
Love's influence transcends the restaurant industry, with a growing entrepreneurial footprint in the event and entertainment spheres. He has forged strategic partnerships with Live Nation, collaborating on various ventures and aligning with renowned music festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo. Love holds the esteemed title of official chef for Austin City Limits and is a co-founder of Austin Food & Wine. In Fall 2022, in partnership with Live Nation, Love opened Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, a 1,000-person venue with three, 20-person VIP suites plus a dedicated bar and full-service restaurant, in the Fort Worth Stockyards. In March 2023, Love again partnered with Live Nation plus Larry Joe Taylor to produce the Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference at the Stockyards, a new music networking conference and festival aiming to highlight the Texas music scene while working to build an infrastructure where artists can establish and grow their career in Texas and beyond.
The Love Collection, a premium limited edition apparel and accessory brand, is Love's latest venture. Embodying laid-back luxury rooted in the spirit of the West, Love Collection combines the quality and heritage of Texas with modern details and the distinctive style of its creator. Made for confident folks to make their own, no matter what life might bring them. Love Collection is available online at Cheftimlove.com or in-person in the heart of Mule Alley, and is a testament to Love's deep roots in the Stockyards, where he has established iconic concepts such as Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, and others.
Julie Margolin, Dickies Arena Vice President of Food & Beverage, oversees all venue F&B operations including, but not limited, to concessions, suites, clubs, rodeo boxes, and catering services, as well as serving as the on-site retail liaison. Margolin played a key role in the opening of the venue having joined Trail Drive Management Corp in May of 2018.
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Margolin has over 20 years of industry experience. She previously transitioned the Honda Center to an in-house Food & Beverage operation in 2013 after successfully opening Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to that she worked at STAPLES Center & Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, Hollywood, California & Osaka, Japan, as well as Royal Caribbean International: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruise Lines.
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As the Associate Vice President of Creative & Branding, Tom Martens has elevated the profile of the 13th largest city in the US and led the charge to incorporate music into events, advertising and brand activations. He was instrumental in creating the new marketing campaign for Visit Fort Worth, The Unexpected City, and had an active role in conceptualizing and developing “An Unexpected Friendship: Jimmy Stewart’s Love For Fort Worth,” an exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
Tom is a founding member of Hear Fort Worth, an initiative of Visit Fort Worth and the local music community. As Director of the Fort Worth Music Office, Tom builds national awareness of the Fort Worth music scene and collaborates with the local community to offer education opportunities and travel grants to export local music.
Tom began his career as an art director at Stuart Bacon Advertising and Public Relations. He worked at various agencies before joining the Visit Fort Worth team in 2011.
He attended the University of North Texas and graduated with a degree in communication design with a focus on advertising and “Best Portfolio in Art Direction.”
Tom is an avid record collector and can take you to all of Fort Worth’s new hot spots and original hangs.
Andrew McWilliams is a booking agent who has been playing in bands, managing and booking artists since 2005. A native of Southern Louisiana but raised Texan, he earned a Music Business degree from Loyola New Orleans and began working as an agent formally after college. He currently resides in Ausitn, TX with his family, and owns and operates Evergreen Artist Group, a boutique talent agency founded in 2022.
Jarrod Morris is an up-and-coming Texas country singer-songwriter known for bringing an unique Western country style and it’s time we share this fresh sound to Red Dirt fans. During the day Morris works as a horseshoer but at night he has people dance around in circles to his songs in Honky Tonks. He brings heart melting lyrics to the table that come across as honest and relatable to most while tucking the sound in a Western style instrumentation. His talent is undeniable and his fun outgoing personality is contagious when you’re watching him live. Morris' career has been on the right track for a while now but there is something that made things start moving quickly for him.
Morris’ career took a big leap after he won the Larry Joe Taylor songwriter’s showcase in 2018. This lead to him making his debut into the scene on October 24th, 2018 with his single “Red Bandana” while he worked towards his debut album. “Red Bandana” was produced by Derek Hames at Edgewater Recording Studio and was the first impression of the Western sound you now expect from Morris. In April of 2019 to keep things moving Morris released his 10 song debut album “West of East”. The album was recorded at Melody Mountain Ranch and was produced by Derek Hames along with Grammy award-winning producer and musician Llyod Maines – who’s is the father of the Dixie Chicks and is known for producing some well established artists such as Pat Green, Parker McCollum, and Robert Earl Keen along with others.
This new album opened up more doors for the up-and-coming artist and showcased his Western sound. In September of 2020 he released another single titled “West of East” named after his debut album. Morris went back to Melody Mountain Ranch for this single but this time it was produced by producer, mixing engineer, and musician Josh Serrato who is also known as one of William Clark Green’s guitar players. At Melody Mountain Ranch with help from Josh Serrato this relationship led to other singles like “I Didn’t Think About Rain” in January of 2021, “When You’re Coming Down” in October of 2021, and my personal favorite “Truth Like a Lie” in December of 2021. Starting off 2022, Morris recently put out a new 3 song acoustic EP titled “The Acoustic Covers, pt. 1” that covered well recognized songs like “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World, “Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters/ Dave Grohl, and “Desperado” by Rihanna/Mick Schultz with his Western twist.
His songs like “West to East”, “I Didn’t Even Think About Rain”, “When You’re Coming Down”, “Truth Like a Lie”, “Coyote”, and “Red Bandana” have made quite an impact on his career. Under Texas Music Pickers Spotify charts “West to East” charted at No. 19 as “most stream increase, biggest jumper”. “ I Didn’t Think About Rain” got the same recognition at No. 20. “When You’re Coming Down” also charted at No. 21 as well as “Truth Like a Lie” at No.10. On Spotify alone, his songs like “Coyote” has racked up nearly 3 million streams and “Red Bandana'' racked up just a little over 1 million streams. With these stream numbers that just keep on climbing, Morris is gaining new fans everyday and landing in big venues not only within Texas but across the United States as well with his unique Western sound.
Today, Morris is an independent self-managed artist with the help of his booking & tour manager – also fiddle player – Mike Poole. Although Morris has previously been affiliated with Red 11 Music. His sound is a fresh twist to the Western sound and he’s one of few that are bringing this outlaw Western style back. It will be exciting to see how Morris will reestablish the Western sound within the Texas Country music scene in general. When it comes to Jarrod Morris, “the truth sounds like a lie”, it’s almost too good to be true but there's no denying that he’s doing it just right.
Rick Poss started his career in live music venues in 1990 at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA. He has since spent time running the 40 Watt Club in Athens as well as The Brooklyn Bowl and The Bell House music venues in Brooklyn, NY. He helped open The Brooklyn Bowl Nashville in 2020 and is an Operations Manager/Talent Buyer there where he also works with the local community on special events and fundraisers.
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My love for live music started in 2004, as a sound apprentice at the Green Elephant in Dallas, Texas. While learning the ropes, I earned a degree in Recording Technology and gained retail experience at Guitar Center. This foundation led me to Copasetic Ballyhoo, where I went beyond sound engineering. I co-produced festivals, managed a studio/rehearsal space, and even tracked and mixed over 100 music videos (still on YouTube). These experiences sparked my desire to be more involved in the live music scene and seek out new roles within the industry.
Next, around 2010 I co-founded 2826 Arnetic in Deep Ellum, a 500-capacity venue in Deep Ellum that was a stopping spot for artists like 21 Pilots, Kendrick Lamar, Fortunate Youth, HR of Bad Brains, and Passafire. Plus we hosted a monthly Hip Hop open mic called Coffee Music Hub that was the spot to be for the scene back then. Judges and performers included members of Erykah Badu's band The Cannaboids and Symbolyc One (or S1) This was jsut the start for some artists such as Bobby Sessions, A.Dd+, and JustUs. This venture allowed me to support new talent and solidified my love for the collaborative spirit of live music.
After a few years as FOH at Love and War Grapevine it granted me an introduction to almost everyone in Texas Country from 2014-2015, it's when I first met Zane Williams. In 2015 I became stage manager, FOH, and monitor engineer at Gas Monkey Bar & Grill and Gas Monkey Live, working as A1 for artists like Motley Crue, Jane's Addiction, Migos, Travis Scott, Merle Haggard, and Chris Stapleton. These diverse roles challenged me, emphasized collaboration, and allowed me to contribute to unforgettable live shows. I then joined Zane Williams on the road as Tour Manager and Sound Guy in April 2016. This led to continuing on with him to form The Wilder Blue in 2020 and I was also their booking agent from the beginning until recently when the band signed with Make Wake Management and WME who took over booking.
Currently, I wear multiple hats for The Wilder Blue, serving as their Road Manager, Production Manager, and Front of House Engineer. Additionally, I am still a Booking Agent at Atomic Music Group, working with rising artists such as Kin Faux and Ryan Lindsay. I also handle booking for Zane Williams and Paul Eason solo acoustic.
This journey has been a testament to the power of passion, continuous learning, and embracing diverse opportunities. I'm excited to share my insights and participate in the discussion at this year's conference panel.
Dre Rocha is currently the tour manager for Koe Wetzel, and is also a drummer, manager and booking agent.
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Becky Lynn Street is a music industry professional with two decades of experience in artist management, touring, and live event production. As General Manager of Venue Operations at Whitewater Amphitheater, a 5,600-capacity outdoor venue in New Braunfels, Texas, Becky Lynn is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the independent venue’s operations to deliver remarkable events. When not producing a show or developing ways to improve the live music experience, Becky Lynn can be found pursuing a master’s degree in legal studies at Texas A&M University’s School of Law, rescuing plants and animals, and trying to keep her BeReal streak alive.
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Currently overseeing booking for House of Blues Dallas, The Echo Lounge & Music Hall and George’s Majestic Lounge, previously was Director of Marketing for Bomb Factory, Trees & Canton Hall as well as account manager for social marketing company Media Whisper who serviced portfolio of Live Nation & House of Blues Entertainment venues.
Zack Taylor, president of Melody Mountain Ranch Inc., is an independent promoter who has organized various events, including LJT Texas Music Festival, Coastin' & Crusin', Rhymes & Vines Festival, Red River Cool Mountain Nights Festival, and Island Time Festival. He has also teamed up with Live Nation for Ryan Bingham's The Western and the Fort Worth Music Festival.
Larry Joe Taylor is an avid songwriter, rancher, lover of the Texas coast, and established festival producer. He began his festival career in 1989 by hosting his own gig with Ray Wiley Hubbard and Joe Pat Hennen. Not only did Larry Joe need a place to perform his music, he had a vision to create a music friendly environment in which both the artists and fans felt welcome and on common ground. Today, Taylor and his family produce the largest independently-owned outdoor 6-day music festival in Texas, known as the Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival, and often referred to as “LJT”. Not only does the Taylor family host multiple live music events year-round on the 380 acre “Melody Mountain Ranch” in Stephenville, Texas, Larry and his crew have produced and co-produced off-site live music events at other venues such as “Pickin’ at Possum” at The Lush (Possum Kingdom Lake), “Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights” in Red River, NM, “Island Time” in Isla Mujeres, MX, “Coastin and Cruisin” Songwriter’s Cruise, and many more to follow.
Civil attorney and organizer/promoter of the Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival and various other live music events both off site and on location at Melody Mountain Ranch in Stephenville, Texas such as Rhymes & Vines Texas Music Festival, Keith Sykes Songwriter Weekend, the LJT Songwriter Showcase, Red River Cool Mountain Nights Festival, Pickin’ at Possum Festival, and the Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference.
Songwriters seem to flourish on the fertileOklahoma plains. Woody Guthrie, Roger Miller,Leon Russell, J.J. Cale and Jimmy Webb.
Add Verlon Thompson to that list.
Thirty years as a professional songwriter and traveling troubadour serve as credentials. As a solo performer, and as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana songwriting icon Guy Clark, Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma).
Along the way Verlon Thompson compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett and AlanJackson, Dierks Bentley, Suzy Bogguss, Anne Murray, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, KennyRogers, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Trisha Yearwood and many more.
Equally important in his songwriting and live performances, Verlon's guitar work cannot gounnoticed. His guitar can be heard on recordings by Restless Heart, Pam Tillis, and manymore, including, and especially Guy Clark.
Verlon has co-produced Guy Clark's Grammy nominated CD "Cold Dog Soup" as well as "TheDark", "Workbench Songs" and "Somedays the Song Writes You".
As the in-house musician for Genuine Human Productions, Thompson scores themes andbackground music for documentaries and special film projects.
Verlon Thompson is currently on the road. Or in the studio. Or writing in his bunkhouse on the river in Tennessee...
....but never far from the fertile plains of Oklahoma.
Kristen is a creative coordinator at Broadcast Music, Inc.
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A seasoned music industry veteran, Geoff Turner joined WME in 2023 through the agency’s acquisition of Red 11 Music where he had previously worked for eight years.
In his role as agent, he manages the daily touring, television, literary, and brand partnership opportunities for BAND OF HEATHENS, CORY MORROW, PONY BRADSHAW, TYLER HALVERSON, UNCLE LUCIUS, THE WILDER BLUE, among others. In addition to working with his roster, he oversees bookings for WME’s American Roots roster in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Outside his role as agent, Turner serves on the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) Alumni Board in Nashville.
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