Jeff Lynne, Heart's Ann & Nancy Wilson, Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Ricky Skaggs and Others Confirmed for ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO

LOS ANGELES, CA and NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - March 23, 2009) - ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is pleased to announce that some of the biggest names in music, both on the creative and business side, will convene at the 4th Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO next month to share their knowledge and expertise on a broad range of topics of great importance to today's music creators. The three-day event will take place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 23-25, 2009.

The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is the premier conference for songwriters, composers and producers. It covers all genres of music and includes panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, One-on-One sessions, song critiquing, networking events, product displays, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performances, and more. All music creators, producers, publishers and executives -- regardless of their performing rights organization affiliation -- will benefit from this unique creative event, which is designed around personal interaction, education and networking.

Programming highlights include:

--  "I Create Music" Interview with Jeff Lynne on Friday, April 24,
    focusing on his incredible 40-year career as a songwriter, producer and
    leader of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), co-founder of The Traveling
    Wilburys and producer of such artists as The Beatles, Roy Orbison and Tom
    Petty. Prior to the interview, ASCAP will present Lynne with its
    prestigious Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary
    contributions to music.  Previous honorees include Tom Petty, Quincy Jones,
    Stevie Wonder, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Garth Brooks, to name a few.
    
--  "I Create Music" Interview with Ann & Nancy Wilson on Thursday, April
    23, focusing on their 35-year career as songwriters and leaders of the rock
    group Heart, the 30th anniversary of their classic multi-platinum album
    "Dog & Butterfly," and their 14th studio album which will be released next
    year.  The Wilson sisters will be honored with ASCAP's Founders Award
    during the organization's Pop Music Awards ceremony, held the previous
    evening, in recognition of their pioneering contributions to music by
    inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators.
    
--  "We Create Music" -- a super panel featuring songwriter, musician and
    producer Wyclef Jean, country songwriter Craig Wiseman, OneRepublic's Ryan
    Tedder, and others to be announced.  These successful songwriters from
    across the musical spectrum will share their in-depth knowledge about
    building a life in music.
    
--  A conversation with Chaka Khan, who will be interviewed by singer-
    songwriter and actress LeToya Luckett.
    
--  A series of Master Sessions featuring top songwriters and composers
    representing a cross-section of genres, including composer Paul Chihara,
    songwriter Richard Marx; composer-producer Marcus Miller; film/tv composer
    James Newton Howard; rapper-producer Pete Rock; songwriter, producer,
    performer Ricky Skaggs; and songwriter Billy Steinberg.
    
--  Round Up: The Writer-Producers Jam featuring The Hooters' Eric
    Bazilian and Rob Hyman, Holly Knight and Narada Michael Walden.  This
    successful group of songwriters and producers will share their fascinating
    stories behind their work and will perform them live in a fun, stripped
    down, in-the-round setting.
    

For more details, including a regularly updated list of panelists, go to www.ascap.com/expo.

The 4th Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is part of "ASCAP I Create Music Week" -- an entire week of events being held in Los Angeles to celebrate the voice of the music creator.

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

About ASCAP

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 350,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. 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 PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com