ASCAP Announces 2007 "I Create Music" EXPO Speaker Lineup

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 8, 2007 -- The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today that more than 130 panelists are scheduled to participate in this year's "I Create Music" EXPO, which will be held April 19-21, 2007 at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The three-day event, sponsored by Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer, is the only major entertainment industry conference dedicated to songwriting and composing.

Top industry professionals representing a broad array of genres, mediums and musical perspectives will share their expert advice and inspiring success stories with the more than 1,500 music creators expected to attend.

"As the voice of the music creator, ASCAP is thrilled to again host an event that brings together people from aspiring composers and songwriters to many of its most celebrated and respected voices," said Marilyn Bergman, renowned lyricist and ASCAP president and chairman. "While songwriting and composing can be solitary endeavors, collaboration is a critical part of the experience. By allowing our attendees to meet, listen to and in many cases receive direct feedback from some of the top professionals in the business, the EXPO will give attendees the skills, contacts and tools they need to help realize their own career aspirations."

The EXPO experience is highlighted by a wide range of speakers offering attendees relevant perspectives on what it means to create music in today's fast-evolving music marketplace. Building on the groundbreaking success of the inaugural ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO in 2006, hundreds of music creators are already registered for the event.

Unparalleled Panelists & A Packed Agenda

The 2007 EXPO agenda includes panels, workshops, keynotes, master classes, song critiques, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and much more. Adding to the broad range of musical topics already being explored, new panels will cover music for children, comedy, opera & musical theatre and video games, among others. All music creators, producers, publishers and executives -- regardless of their performing rights organization affiliation -- will benefit from this unique creative event, which is designed around personal interaction, education and networking.

This year's panels consist of a stellar group of established music creators, including many who participated in the EXPO's inaugural year.

Just a few of the panelists to date include: Mitch Allan (songwriter, producer: "1985"), Clarence Avant (recording industry executive), Glen Ballard (songwriter, producer: "Jagged Little Pill"), Alan & Marilyn Bergman (lyricists: "The Windmills of Your Mind"), Desmond Child (songwriter: "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"), Alf Clausen (composer: "The Simpsons"), Timothy "Attitude" Clayton (songwriter: "Promiscuous"), John Corigliano (composer: "The Ghosts of Versailles"), Hal David (songwriter: "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head"), Dre & Vidal (songwriters, producers: "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"), Mike Elizondo (songwriter, producer: "In Da Club"), Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald (songwriter, producer: "Since U Been Gone"), James Newton Howard (composer: "King Kong"), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (songwriters, producers: "No More Drama"), Brett James (songwriter: "Jesus, Take the Wheel"), Holly Knight (songwriter, producer: "Love is a Battlefield"), Johnny Mandel (composer, arranger, producer: "The Shadow of Your Smile"), MC Lyte (songwriter: "Ruff Neck"), Seth MacFarlane (songwriter, creator/executive producer: "Family Guy"), Rhett Miller (Old 97s - songwriter: "Question"), Rick Nowels (songwriter, producer: "White Flag"), John Rich (songwriter: "Redneck Woman"), Stephen Schwartz (composer: "Wicked"), Matt Serletic (songwriter, producer: "Smooth"), John Shanks (songwriter, producer: "Everything to Me"), Jimmy Webb (songwriter: "Galveston"), Paul Williams (songwriter: "Evergreen") and Dan Wilson (Semisonic - songwriter: "Closing Time").

For a complete and regularly updated list of panelists, please visit: http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/expo/panelists.html.

Song Listening Panels Offer Feedback from the Pros

ASCAP is currently inviting EXPO attendees to submit their original songs online, to be judged by their peers and potentially to be selected for one of the EXPO Song Listening Panels. Songs selected for these innovative sessions will receive honest and constructive feedback from experts and peers. To be considered for the Song Listening Panels, registered attendees may submit up to three of their original songs through March 1, 2007. More details can be found at http://www.ascap.com/expo.

Members of the press may apply for media credentials at http://www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/expo/2007/.

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 275,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP also represents the repertories created by the international affiliates of 70 foreign performing rights organizations. 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