Jackson Browne to Speak at 3rd Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 20, 2008) - ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman is pleased to announce that singer-songwriter and 2004 ASCAP Founders Award honoree Jackson Browne will be a special guest at the 3rd annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO on April 10th. Browne will be interviewed and will answer questions from the audience of songwriters and composers. The EXPO will take place April 10-12 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

Singer-songwriter and ASCAP Founders Award honoree Jackson Browne, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007, has defined a genre of songwriting charged with honesty, emotion and personal politics. With classic songs such as "Running on Empty," "Doctor My Eyes," "The Pretender," and "Take it Easy," which was written with the Eagles' Glenn Frey, he continues to be one of the most successful songwriters of the modern era.

Marilyn Bergman commented: "Jackson Browne has an extraordinary career writing, recording and performing songs. One of his greatest achievements, however, is his ability to meld serious thought -- whether it be personal or political -- with beautiful music. With his singular artistic vision, a strong commitment to his beliefs and a gift for creating songs that are both popular and profound, he continues to influence new generations of songwriters. We are thrilled to have him as our special guest at the 2008 EXPO."

The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO has become a destination event for music creators -- songwriters, composers, producers, musicians and performers alike -- and the industry players that support them. It is the only conference dedicated to songwriting and composing and, in just two years, has attracted over 4,000 attendees. This three-day event covers all genres of music and features a comprehensive array of panels, workshops, keynotes, master classes, song critiquing, networking events, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and much more.

As a testament to the success of the past two years, the 2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is attracting both new and returning panelists and will feature some of the biggest names in music, both on the creative and business side. Returning panelists include Alan & Marilyn Bergman; Glen Ballard; Richard Bellis; Bun B; Chamillionaire; Desmond Child; Jay L. Cooper, Esq.; Michael Eames; Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald; Keri Hilson; Wayland Holyfield; Michael Howe; Mark Hudson; James Kendrick; John King (Dust Brothers); Leeds Levy; Johnny Mandel; Nitti; Frank J. Oteri; Stephen Paulus; Linda Perry; Steve Porter; John Powell; John Rich; Alex Shapiro; Stephen Schwartz; Billy Steinberg; and Doug Wood.

New panelists at the 2008 EXPO will include Walt Aldridge; AM; Dave Bassett; Eric Beall; Danny Benair; Lonny Bereal; Jeff Biederman, Esq.; Jonatha Brooke; Darius Brooks; Mike Busbee; Don Cannon; Mary Chapin Carpenter; Matthew "Cornbread" Compton; Julio Reyes Copello; Anthony Davis; Jackie DeShannon; DJ BattleCat; DJ Bobcat; DJ Jazzy Jeff; DJ Pooh; Jeremy Fabinyi; Michelle Featherstone; Focus; Toby Gad; Pete Ganbarg; Joshua Glazer; Natalie Grant; Amaury Gutiérrez; Damita Haddon; Bernie Herms; Mike Himelstein; Daron Hollowell; Bill Holman; Jamie Houston; Ed Hunt; Molly Kaye; Steve Kipner; Michael Korie; Jodi Marr; Mateo Messina; Midi Mafia (Bruce Waynne & Dirty Swift); Martha Mooke; Trevor Morris; Erika Nuri; Atli Örvarsson; David Paich (Toto); Paul Reisler; Rivers Rutherford; John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls); Darrell Scott; Asa Taccone; Evan Taubenfeld; Beka Callaway Tischker; Butch Walker; and Chris Wallin.

"As the music industry continues to change, music creators are looking for ways to combine talent, technology and tools to help shape their careers," added Bergman. "We are proud to continue to lead and be the voice of the music creator with events like the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO bringing together the best in the industry."

Focus on Professional Development and Advocacy

The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO features content that is designed to support music creators at every stage of their career. Whether just starting out in the music industry and needing to learn the essentials of publishing, production and promotion or accomplished, but wanting to learn about the latest technology and trends, attendees will have the opportunity to navigate the conference by selecting panels and workshops that fit their particular interests and level of experience. For example, those who need to nail the basics can attend introductory panels on topics such as music publishing or online marketing, while others will have the opportunity to attend advanced panels on the same topics.

There are many issues impacting today's music creators. From copyright to compensation, the 2008 EXPO will have a variety of sessions focused on advocacy and protecting the rights of music creators. In addition to the broad range of topics already being explored, new panels will cover ad & promo music, new avenues for marketing and promoting music, DJs and producers, as well as panels that will simulate real-life, interactive situations such as taking meetings with a publisher, music supervisor and a manager, and negotiating a publishing contract, among others.

Additional information on panels, panelists and performers will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about the EXPO, please visit www.ascap.com/expo.

Members of the press may apply for media credentials at www.ascap.com/press/pressroom/expo/

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 315,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com