Austin Turns Out For BMI’s ‘Your Band As a Business’ Forum
An SRO crowd of more than 400 musicians, band managers, producers, songwriters and publishing company representatives attended BMI's "Your Band As a Business" Forum 2001, held December 3 at Antone's in Austin.
Tips on touring, production, publishing, performing rights, manufacturing, packaging, promotion and legal issues were shared during a lively Q&A session between attendees and industry pro panelists including Mark Mason of BMI Nashville; Kevin Connor, local radio host and chairman of the Austin Music Commission; Patrice Pike of Patrice Pike and Black Box Rebellion and longtime lead singer of Sister Seven; Casey Monahan, director of the Texas Music Office; Randolph Houston, trademark, copyright and entertainment lawyer; Richard Luckett, manager of La Tribu and entertainment merchandising expert; and Freddy Fletcher, owner of Arlyn and Pedernales Studios. Andy Langer, writer, radio host and on-air TV music reporter, served as panel moderator.
 "Your Band As A Business" panelists Mark Mason, Freddy Fletcher, Randolph Houston, Kevin Connor, Andy Langer, Patrice Pike, Richard Luckett and Casey Monahan |
Kicking off the evening showcase was Cruiserweight, a four-piece pop-punk band formed by brothers Urny (lead guitar, harmony vocals) and Yogi (drums) Maxwell, fronted by their sister, Stella, and backed by Dave Hawkins on bass and harmony guitars.
 Cruiserweight in performance: Urny Maxwell, Stella Maxwell, Yogi Maxwell and Dave Hawkins |
Endochine, led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Casey McPherson with Darrell Moran (vocals, drums) Steven Six (vocals, guitars) and Nathan Harlan (vocals, guitars), followed with its modern rock sound that's been described as "Radiohead meets the Beatles on the way to a Nirvana concert."
 Endochine's Steven Six; Jill McGuckin; Endochine's Casey McPherson; Antone's Stephanie Seeley, Endochine's Darrell Moran; and BMI' Mark Mason |
The dynamic Los Lonely Boys -- the Garza brothers, guitarist Henry, bass player Jojo and drummer Ringo -- wrapped up the showcase with their luscious three-part harmony of Latin-blues-Texas music whose sound seems to cross Richie Valens with Jimi Hendrix.
 Backstage at Antone's with Los Lonely Boys: guitarist Henry Garza; Arlyn Studios' Freddy Fletcher; drummer Ringo Garza; BMI's Mark Mason; and bassist Jojo Garza |
Special BMI Forum guests were Jackie Goodman, Austin City Council member and longtime music community supporter; Carlyne Majer, executive director of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy; Wendy Morgan, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau music marketing director; and Nancy Coplin, City of Austin music coordinator for Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
 BMI's Mark Mason; Patrice Pike; Capital Sports & Entertainment's Charlie Jones; and Jill McGuckin |
Music reps on the scene included Motorblade Postering, Crystal Clear Disc & Tape, Austin Quantity Photos and New West Records.
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