Grammy GPS: Behind the Scenes

J. Sider, CEO of RootMusic, displays his latest product

Producers Nate "Danja" Hills, Jimmy Douglass and Rico Love 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31n-Hxav26I

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/31n-Hxav26I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Grammy GPS

By Morgan Lovelace

With many ways to get into the music industry today, students came to the Grammy GPS seminar in Miami at the Gibson showroom. There were many industry professional and vets, including producer/ engineer Tom Morris who has done work for Destiny’s Child and producer/ songwriter Rico Love and Nate “Danja” Hills who has worked with everyone from Diddy (now known as “Swag”) to Beyonce.

The day started with a Mic Tech Panel and it was all about microphones. Panelist included Grammy/ Latin Grammy winner Eric Schilling, Sennheisser Electronic Corp’s Director of Marketing and Education Department Joe Ciaudelli, Tom Morris and engineer Bob Ohlsson whose resume includes Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Joe Ciaudelli showcased Sennheisser newest products like the MKH 800 Twin. This studio microphone can switch between all three main polar patterns (Cardioid, figure 8 and omni). But don’t go rushing to the nearest B&H unless you can drop the near $4000 it will cost you to own this piece of extraordinary equipment. The MKH 800 Twin includes dual Cardioid capsules. He also showcased the Neumann (noy-mən) Digital Series. They spoke about how they got their start in the music industry as engineers. They also expressed their techniques in micing. Mike Couzzi stated he learned his micing techniques from doing live sound and that is how he got into recording. Also at the seminar, spectators learned about the importance of online promotion and how it is changing the music industry altogether.

At the seminar, students learn about the changes that are to come in the music industry. Every since Internet and MP3 came about, the music industry has been looking for a way to sell their music for profit. RootMusic.com CEO, J Sider showcases several new online music applications that can be used for Facebook to showcase a new band or artist, including ticketfly.com and Songkick.com for gig promotions.

Many aspiring musicians, engineers and producers were in attendance at the seminar, networking to get to the next step in their career. Artists like Mossie Million and Karha had copies of their music and business card. I have heard some of their music and definitely feel like I was in the presence of the next Drake and Katy Perry. There were also engineers like Wayne Davis, Rocket Jackson and Shi-wun (Shy One) who are engineers who use all DAW systems like ProTools, Logic and Fruity Loops. Terry Bennet was another attendee who is on his way to becoming a music entrepreneur like Russell Simmons and Sean Carter.

The next panel was that of the touring panel. This panel included the who’s who of booking all of Miami and the world. Melanie Masterson of Eleven:11 Entertainment, Inc., whose roster includes Spam Allstars, DJ Le Spam, ArtOfficial, and Pop Garage's studio projects Pepvert, Popvert and forget the name, was the moderator on this panel. The panel also included Aimee Berger of Hear, Here LLC, AEG Live Talent Buyer, Ethan Levinson, Sharisse Pessar, Senior Vice President of Booking for Live Nation Florida and Micheal Vega, VP at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, a Talent and Booking agency. The panel talked about what they specifically looked for in an act to book them for shows. Berger expressed how she books acts based on their following. If they have a strong buzz behind them it is easier for her to get people to pay to see their act.

Though many people learned new things in the seminar about touring, micing techniques and how to promote they learn more about the last panel of Artist and Producers. Producer of such great song like “Get Naked” off of Britney Spears Blackout album, “Just a Dream” that resurrected the career of rapper Nelly and an engineer who has worked with everyone from the Rolling Stones to Missy Elliot, this panel included Jimmy Douglass, Nate “Danja” Hills and Rico Love. They talked about their experiences in their career. For three men whose careers expand nearly three generations, they are all quite similar though Douglass has been engineering songs that inspired the two younger producers. Both Love and Hills, thought quite successful, are still passionate about their music and careers. Hills expressed how he produced 50 songs a day! He also included that he has sometimes wanted to throw out a beat that either Beyonce or either Britney loved. Hills started his career as an apprentice of super producer Timbaland whose roster includes Missy Elliot, Britney Spears and the late Aaliyah. Love expressed his start in the industry as an aspiring rapper for Usher. Usher liked him more as a producer, and now Love has produced songs like “Hello Good Morning” from Diddy and “Sweet Dream” by Beyonce with fellow music producer and comrade Jim Jonsin who got his start at rapper Trick Daddy’s label Slip-N-Slide Records whose roster included rappers Trina and Rick Ross. With so many new thing to learn and people to meet, the Grammy GPS was a chance for aspiring acts, engineers and future super producers to see what is in store for them.

Welcome to the DCN Music Florida Chapter blog!!

Each semester, DCN's music interns will be covering the latest and greatest in Florida music with a college edge.

About the DCN Music Internship:

Internship Objective

DCNLive Music Internship provides college students an opportunity to learn how to navigate the music industry. Students will gain practical experience in the field, network with industry professionals, develop professional skills, including interpersonal skills, teamwork and time management, as well as build their music resume.

Music Rep Responsibilities

As DCN Music Rep, students will have the following responsibilities:

• Start a music blog chronicling the local music scene, to be updated weekly
• Post video updates to DCNLive.com bi-weekly on local music news/events
• Coordinate with a local venue to help plan, produce and promote a live event
• Send bi-weekly progress reports to DCNLive Music
• Cover local Grammy events as assigned by DCNLive Music
• Students must choose to assist in one of the following (see attached requirements):
• On Camera Talent
• Filming/Production
• Editing

This checklist is what is expected of each intern, but it is not meant to be limiting. Students are welcome and encouraged to reach beyond the guidelines and create experiences themselves and expand the internship to take on additional challenges. Interns are, however, required to keep DCNLive Music informed of their direction and progress.

About DCN

DCN is the nation’s largest college-only network. Our LCD screens in 300+ college bookstores stream our for-students/by-students programming, with 10 million+ monthly impressions. Our multi-level platform extends further: online at DCNLive.com, on-site with special events, and in touch via our mobile network.