Urban Network Music-Entertainment Summit to Honor
Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy; Actor Danny Glover &
Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame to Host Dinner Gala
Kicking Off 4-day Event
Legendary music executive and founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, will be in attendance at the Urban Network Music-Entertainment Summit's Awards Gala, Saturday evening, March 14, 2009, at the beautiful Pacific Palms Resort, located at One Industry Hills Parkway, Industry Hills, Calif., 91744. Urban Network will honor Mr. Gordy's career achievements in tribute to Motown's year-long 50th Anniversary Celebration. Invited recording artists from the Motown label, in addition to executives past and present are expected to be on-hand for the event.
To kick off the 4-day Urban Network Summit, Wednesday, March 11, acclaimed actor Danny Glover will host a special dinner in association with the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. Honorees for the gala are to be announced soon. Wednesday's schedule will feature panel discussions pertinent to the film industry, in addition to screenings of two new films.
Golf enthusiasts will have the chance to play in Urban Network's Celebrity Golf Tournament on Wednesday, morning, March 11, at 8am. Shotgun starts at 10am. Already celebrity golfers Guy Black (KJLH-FM morning show personality), with recording artists Howard Hewett, Kenny Lattimore and others have signed on to play.
R&B band Mint Condition, which blew everyone away at last year's conference, will be back by popular demand to perform at the Summit, Friday evening, March 13. Also on Friday, Warner Elektra Atlantic Distribution (WEA) will be hosting "Ladies Night," with special performances by Grammy Award-winner James Ingram, Pleasure P (formerly of Pretty Ricky) and newcomer Young Steff. Urban Network will continue its tradition of spotlighting the Gospel genre, Thursday, March 12, at its Gospel Music Fest, with performances by Phil Tarver, Cynthia Jones, Holy Boy and Canton Jones. Saturday afternoon Urban Network will play host to some dozen Independent recording artists at the Annual Independent Music Fest. Other performers will continue to be announced.
"This Summit is quickly shaping up to be a fantastic event," says Miller London, Publisher & CEO of Urban Network. "Our panel sessions will be compelling, and our showcases very entertaining. With Mr. Gordy joining us for a salute to the company that he created in Detroit some 50 years ago, this year's Summit will be truly unforgettable. Having personally worked at Motown Records for more than 20 years, I am so proud to have been a part of the legacy that Mr. Gordy, the countless recording artists and my fellow executives and colleagues built."
Central to the Summit are Urban Network's informative and topical seminar sessions. There are nearly two-dozen panel sessions providing attendees with information on a diverse array of entertainment industry-related topics. Panelists will include representatives from companies such as MySpace.com and ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Universal Music Group, Fontana Distribution, EMI Distribution, the Recording Academy, Rushmore Drive, SoundExchange, Warner Bros. Sony Music Entertainment, Interscope Geffen A&M, a number of DJ organizations, and more. Aspiring artists will get a chance to present their demos and received feedback to an exclusive panel of A&R/Music Publishing execs on Friday and Saturday.
Some of the world's most recognizable recording artists have participated in past Urban Network Summits, from Destiny's Child, Will Smith, Lionel Richie and Mary J. Blige, to Boyz II Men, Patti LaBelle, Busta Rhymes, and Mint Condition. Other names include Wyclef Jean, Rahsaan Patterson, Kirk Franklin, Chante Moore, Trey Songz, Ludacris, LL Cool J, Mary Mary, and Yolanda Adams.
Registration for the Summit is as follows:
General Registration $200 - Allows attendees access to ALL panel/seminar sessions, Exhibit Area, Conference Gift Bag and Saturday, Independent Music Festival
VIP Registration $375 - Allows attendees access to ALL panel/seminar sessions, Conference Gift Bag, Meal Events, Showcases, Exhibit Area, etc.
To Book Your Hotel Room - Please contact the Pacific Palms Resort, 626.810.4455
Celebrity Golf Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 ($125 to register). Please contact LaTanya Marble at 818.795.3735 to register or for sponsorship ops.
For more information and Summit updates, regularly visit www.urbannetwork.com or contact 213.388.4155, ext. 102 or ext.105.
3255 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 815, Los Angeles, CA 90010