2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO Announced

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 2, 2007) - Following the second successful year of the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO -- the first and only national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing -- ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) announced today that its third annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will be held April 10-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

By bringing together the world community of leading songwriters, composers, music publishers and professionals with emerging music creators, the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO offers participants the opportunity to engage in the entire music creation process while acquiring valuable information, skills and insight to strengthen their craft and develop their career.

Since its inaugural year, the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO has attracted more than 4,000 music creators, industry professionals and exhibitors and is expected to bring together another sizeable gathering in 2008.

"The EXPO is programmed to serve music creators, and those that support them, across all genres and at different levels of experience," said ASCAP President and Chairman and Academy Award-winning lyricist, Marilyn Bergman. "We invite all music creators to come to the 2008 EXPO to combine their love of music with valuable experience to help shape their future. Each year the attendees leave enriched and excited by the three days of great events."

All songwriters, composers, producers, publishers and other music industry professionals, regardless of affiliation, will benefit from this unique creative experience, which will be presented in a stimulating format designed to facilitate personal interaction, education and networking. The EXPO covers all genres of music and includes panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, one-on-one sessions, song critiquing, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and more.

"Looking to the future of the music industry, music creators are faced with many exciting changes," said ASCAP CEO John A. LoFrumento. "Heading into the third ASCAP 'I Create Music' EXPO, we will explore these issues and offer specific insights on how creators can enhance their careers."

Following in the footsteps of the past two years, the 2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is expected to draw some of the biggest names in music, both on the creative and business side. The EXPO's headliner interviews have featured Tom Petty and Randy Newman. Other panelists and performers have included Clarence Avant, Johnta Austin, Glenn Ballard, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Stephen Bray, Darrell Brown, Chris Brubeck, Bun B, Kandi Burruss, Regina Carter, Chamillionaire, Tom Chapin, Desmond Child, Alf Clausen, Ted Cohen, John Corigliano, Marshall Crenshaw, Hal David, Patrick Doyle, Dre & Vidal, Jermaine Dupri, Barry Eastmond, Mike Elizondo, Michael Giacchino, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Jerry Harrison, Mark Hudson, Brett James, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, John King (Dust Brothers), Holly Knight, Russ Landau, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Tania León, Alejandro Lerner, Seth MacFarlane, Kenny MacPherson, Johnny Mandel, Tom Maxwell, MC Lyte, Rhett Miller, Rick Nowels, Martin Page, Rudy Perez, Linda Perry, David Renzer, John Rich, Matt Scannell, Stephen Schwartz, Jill Scott, Matt Serletic, Jeff Silbar, Marc Shaiman, Michelle Shocked, Jill Sobule, J.D. Souther, Don Was, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart), Bill Withers and Dan Zanes, to name just a few of the stellar participants representing a wide range of genres.

Panelists and performers for the 2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will be announced in the coming months. For more information about the EXPO, including early bird pricing and registration, please visit www.ascap.com/expo.

Members of the press may apply for media credentials at www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/expo/

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 300,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com