Major Record Labels to Share Expertise at Indie Music Week

Nashville, Tennessee - Indie Music Week organizer, DaCapo Music, has announced the first panelists for IMW 2005! IMW, taking place in Nashville March 11-12, will feature three industry panels of Major and Independent A&R, promoters, label executives, producers, managers and lawyers, and will wrap up with a Music Industry Summit.

Confirmed panelists include representatives from Universal Music Group, Universal South, Lyric Street Records (Disney), Sony Music, Broken Bow Records, and Vivaton Records. In conjunction with the theme of Indie Music Week, Indie Artists in the Digital World, panelists will discuss many of the new challenges facing artists including shrinking artist rosters, the new face of record contracts, satellite radio, and online Digital Music Services such as iTunesâ„¢. Indie Music Week attendees will have an exclusive insight into today's music industry as they discuss topics and ask questions of today's industry movers and shakers.

"For the first time ever, independent artists are beginning to be taken as seriously as they always should have been. Satellite radio, companies such as Apple with the iPodâ„¢ and the iTunesâ„¢ music store, and the internet in general have leveled the industry playing field for the local and regional artist. The major labels are being forced to cut budgets and strip away the layers of redundant positions and run a much leaner operation, just to stay competitive. We want to show the hundreds, if not thousands, of independent artists and aspiring go-getters where the opportunities are that weren't there before,'� states Indie Music Week President Jonell Polansky.

In addition to the industry panels, Indie Music Week will also feature two Artist Showcases to be held at Nashville's famous Douglas Corner Café.

To attend Indie Music Week 2005, please visit IndieMusicWeek.org for registration information. The registration fee for Indie Music Week is $99, with 50% fee discounts for music industry students or artists that showcase. To be an Indie Music Week sponsor, please visit IndieMusicWeek.org or call 615-292-1337. For more information about Jonell Polansky and DaCapo Music, please visit DacapoMusic.com