We are excited to bring this Music Industry workshop to Clifton, where local and regional Indie bands can gain insight from Industry pros who have walked the walk.  Here’s a brief run-down on the Industry Experts who will conduct the clinics/panels.

Mark Wolfson – Music Producer/A&R/Music Supervisor, Reel Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA

Mark has been in the entertainment business since 1972 and has continued, on a consistent basis, to cross from music to film, commercials to live events and television as a Producer, Music Supervisor, Engineer, Writer and Musician. His main clients included The Playtone Company (Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks) where, as Director of Production and Development for Playtone/Epic Records, worked on films like: That Thing You Do, Mi Vida Loca and My Big Fat Greek Wedding and soundtracks like: The Sopranos, Sex And The City, Josie and the Pussycats, Philadelphia, Stop Making Sense and Silence of the Lambs.

The spirit, along with opportunity, patience to persevere, the stamina to build skills, and the foresight to see the path ahead have brought Mark over 25 Gold, Platinum and 3x/6x Platinum record awards.

Mark will be hosting the Band Boot Camp Sessions along with his team of hand selected Music Industry Insiders.

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Neil Citron – Music Producer / A&R , Los Angeles, CA

If you’ve seen the films “That Thing You Do” or “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” listened to rock-guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, heard recent recordings by the legendary Yardbirds, or appreciated the talents of internationally renowned drummers Greg Bissonette, Virgil Donati or Mike Mangini, then you may already be familiar with the wealth of musical projects Neil Citron has worked on. In 2002, he received a Grammy Award in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category for engineering “No Substitutions: Live in Osaka” by Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather. Citron has written more than 50 songs for Chrysalis publishing and as a guitar player, has worked on many recordings of artists from all over the world.

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Details on Clinics / Panels

“Production Corner”
A band “bids” (EBay bidding starts at $300) for the spot to set up and play for experts and the other people who sign up [observation with question and answer (flat fee $50 per person) - ask about group band member rates].

The Band/Artist plays and the observers watch receiving the benefit of seeing and hearing what Mark and Neil do and how Production experts think. We explain what and why to everyone. It would be 3 hours with a rough 2 track live recording of the first performance and the final with changes. The band and people in the audience can ask questions and question our choices. Learn new information you or validate your own choices.

Explanation: The number one reason why bands, you love, sound so good is that on the production and development side they receive immediate support, direction and response thereby understanding their music process via Producers and other supportive professionals who understand the medium. This process happens best in rehearsal and while recording. We are offering this direct and personal input to one band and the opportunity for others Artists and bands to be a “fly on the wall” as to the how and why the process works, the thought process that goes along with that and the ability to ask questions immediately and directly relating to their own process. See this with your own eyes and hear the metamorphosis with your own ears.

“Song Circle”
Artists’ and songwriters pay $50 and bring their best song for full review by Mark and Neil (and one other professional from Austin of our choice). [ask about group band member rates].

Show your “cards”. We will review your packaging and a song and give you input to support your advancement in the art of production, songwriting and presentation. The audience can respond and ask questions either about the song or questions relating to the basic why of structure and production. We get very specific. This session has a limit, as we have to give enough time to each song.

All songs are reviewed and a limit on the number of submissions based on what we can review in the 3 hour session. 10 minutes per song with a 15 minute introduction. Basically 18 spots as a cut off. In the outside world maybe Labels and A&R will listen through the chorus if you are lucky, here is the chance to be heard in total.

“Individual Reviews”
Any band can meet with Mark, Neil and (a third person to be named) to individually and privately have their project materials and songs reviewed; basically a “round robin”. That would be $100 per project with a 15 minute max. All band members and support people can be present. Up to 20 bands can be reviewed in the time we have allotted for this process so sign up sooner than later.

Private session to look at the overall packages (presentations), listen to songs and look at what is online and the links, review the fan base, income streams and listen not only to the songs selections but hear what you want to do to advance your project. Through the 3 experts get multiple individual views of your project. Help focus and direct the energy.

Bring your Laptops, marketing materials, songs, photos, etc but remember it is 15 minutes per expert. You will receive information on the expertise and order of presentation to each expert to make the most of your time and questions.