The College Circuit:  Cashing in On Campus
Monday, June 27th,  2005, Tambaleo, 6:30pm - 7:30pm Seminar Discussion, 7:30pm - 8:30pm Round Table Workshop

A practical how-to of cracking the college markets. Want more fans?  Don't know how to reach college students?  Want more college radio playtime?  Need new venues to play at? And what is that "NACA" thing all about anyway? Is is better to try to tour through NACA shows or go the DIY way? This month's Music Industry Boot Camp entitled "The College Circuit: Cashing in on Campus" will cover all of these questions and a whole lot more. We're very excited to feature national panelists as guests for this panel as well as experienced local artists and radio reps. Don't miss this Boot Camp happening Monday, June 27th at Tambaleo, beginning at 6:30pm.

Panelists:  
Ari Nisman - President/CEO Degy Entertainment (New York, NY) http://www.degy.com/
Jamie Chvotkin - Director of Operations, CD Baby (Portland, OR) http://www.cdbaby.com/
Casey McPherson - Endochine/Songwriter (Austin, TX) Casey's MySpace Page
Charlie Hueber  - National Association of Campus Activities - NACA - (Nacogdoches, TX) http://www.naca.org/
George Dishner - Former Music Director. KVRX (Austin, TX http://www.kvrx.org/

Panelist Bio's:

Ari Nisman is the President and CEO of Degy Entertainment, which comprises several music companies including Degy Management Services, Degy Booking International, Degy Publicity, and DegyShop.com.  Ari obtained his degree in business communications from the University of Michigan.  He began his work in the industry with Polydor/Atlas Records, in the early '90s and then in several A&R roles at other smaller labels.  Nisman joined up with Capitol Records as a marketing representative handling promotions for the Midwest region in 1996.  Working with major artists such as George Clinton, Everclear, Butthole Surfers, and Radiohead, Nisman built a strong
working knowledge for marketing and promoting national acts.  But it was his work with the newer, "baby bands", which gave him more pleasure.  He supported and helped launch budding acts such as Nil Lara, Mazzy Star, Less Than Jake, Lucious Jackson, and Jimmy Eat World during his stay there.  All while working at the labels, Ari signed his first band to management in 1996 and soon after signed a few more.  Before he knew it, Ari was managing several label acts and developed a company to support the groups on his roster.

Ari's companies now represent nearly 100 acts exclusively including nationally touring names such as The Toasters, Flickerstick, Alana Davis, Jeffrey Gaines, Magna-Fi, Bobaflex, and Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root.  His artists have sold a combined 5 million plus albums, and had dozen of singles on the Top 10 of the Billboard Radio Charts.  He has and still does manage both major and indie label acts, and now puts a great deal of his time and attention into the booking agency which he purchased in 2001.  The agency not only represents acts for worldwide booking, but also has a specialized college department helping to tour artists through the North American college and university circuit.

Before Casey McPherson's  solo career, he acted as the front man for the Austin-based Endochine. Now independent, Casey relies on his classical, hard rock, experimental influences and has developed three new unique projects that will stun and capture listeners from all corners. His new projects include a symphony hip-hop video rock opera, a new rock band and free release of solo material. <br><br>Over the past few years, he has opened for many nationally acclaimed artists and renowned festivals without help from a label. Such artists and festivals include: Willie Nelson, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Staind, Skunk Baxter, Bob Schneider, Pete Yorn, Austin City Limits Music Festival, 101X Springfest, Budweiser SuperBowl, Summerfest, & Red Bull Flugtag.

Jamie Chvotkin has been working within the college entertainment environment for seven years. Like they say, you just never want to leave.  In such roles as the college booker, the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) agent and a fan of DIY college booking Jamie has seen it from all angles. In the four years spent at the University of Hartford, he was a part of the programming board that had a yearly budget of $100,000
to program entertainment for the school, and half was reserved for music. 60% of the acts brought to the campus came from attendance at NACA conferences. Acts ranged from small local bands to the Third Eye Blind/Smashmouth tour and George Clinton.

In 2001 Jamie moved from New York City to Portland to run Agent Baby. Taking what he knew about the market he created a musician co-op, an idea to give every independent musician the opportunity to perform in the
college market by creating an open market for artists to be represented. After running its course the program had given 30 bands the opportunity to showcase at NACA's nationwide, had over 400 bookings, and gave free advice to thousands more. Today, he still offers free advice to bands looking to get into the college scene, while partnering with a NACA agency to help independent musicians and filmmakers get their works onto college
campuses.

George Dishner is in his last semester as an American Studies student at the University of Texas.  He has been involved with KVRX as a Programming Director, and spent the past 2 years as a Music
Director.

Charlie Hueber has served in various rolls as a volunteer for NACA and is currently serving as the Educational and Professional Development Coordinator for the Central Region. He is presently a member of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and The International Leadership Association (ILA). Charlie received his B.A. in Speech Communication and M.I.S. in Counseling and Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University and has been on staff at SFA for the past 4 years as the Program Coordinator for Student Activities. Before that time Charlie served as SFA's Student Activities Program Board President, Student Body President and Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Affairs.