Mannie Fresh belongs in the latter camp. He is not quite a household name like some mixmasters, yet he is nonetheless a force, a man responsible for engineering much of the popular Southern rap music of the late 1990s. His productions have moved over 20 million units, and set the tone for an influential style of “street” music that has replicated by countless artists across the country.

A native of New Orleans, Mannie — born Byron O. Thomas — learned to play keyboard as a youngster. By 10, he’d become a DJ for a hip-hop group named New York Incorporated. Spinning records at hot local parties put him in the attention of a rapper named Gregory D, with whom Mannie released the 1992 album The Real Deal on RCA Records. The album didn’t do well outside of the South, but it introduced Mannie to the industry, and of course, made him a local star.

Disenchanted with the big labels’ handling of street music, Mannie parted with Gregory and began producing for local talents, including rapper Mia X. Mannie also fell in the company of Bryan “Baby” Williams (also known as “Birdman”), who hired Mannie Fresh as the in-house producer for artists on his Cash Money Records label. In its heyday, — the late 1990s through 2001 — Cash Money saw phenomenal success, cranking out a number of Top Five Billboard singles as well as platinum and gold albums by artists including Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G., and Baby. Much of this is Mannie’s doing; he’d become revered for his bouncy sound, built around thick bass and quirky, often deceptively simple synthesizer strokes.

But Mannie’s success meant more than just selling a lot of records. The stronghold his music created shifted the spotlight away from New York and West Coast rap, generating considerable interest in the South as a new creative center.

In 1998, Mannie Fresh and Birdman formed Big Tymers and released four albums. Mannie branched out a bit in 2004, releasing his first solo album, a 30-track opus called The Mind of Mannie Fresh. In the same year, he also co-produced tracks on the critically praised comeback album for Teena Marie and even opened a car customization shop in Houston called Fresh Rydes. In the following year, Mannie Fresh joined Def Jam South, and in 2006 he appeared alongside singer Frankie J on a pop-r&b song “That Girl.”

Mannie has since been slated to contribute to projects by artists including T.I. and Nas, further proof that his once local “street” style has officially caught on.

"The Game of Love" earned the BMI Pop Song of the Year Crystal for songwriter Gregg Alexander and his publishing company Keepin' It Real How 'Bout You Music Publishing; this distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Recorded by Santana featuring Michelle Branch, "The Game of Love" was a #1 single from Santana's Arista album Shaman and has already been certified as a BMI Million-Air (one million broadcast performances). Multi-instrumentalist and producer Alexander won a Pop Award in 1999 for "You Get What You Give," a hit for his former group, the New Radicals. Alexander co-wrote "The Game of Love" with Rick Nowels (share not licensed by BMI).

Brian Wilson	Gregg Alexander	The Matrix

Lauren Christy and Scott Spock contributed three to the Most Performed List of 50 to share the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year crown. The songs earning Christy and Spock the title were "Complicated" and "I'm With You," both #1 singles for Avril Lavigne, and "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," recorded by Jason Mraz. Christy and Spock, along with Graham Edwards (PRS), are also known professionally as songwriting/production team The Matrix. Other artists for whom they have written songs are Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Ricky Martin, Ronan Keating, Liz Phair and Hootie & the Blowfish.

With 11 songs represented, Warner/Chappell Music Group (through its companies Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc.) claimed the BMI Pop Publisher of the Year prize. Les Bider, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Group, accepted the crystal obelisk. The Publisher of the Year accolade is given to the publishing concern with the highest percentage of copyright ownership in award songs. Warner/Chappell's top performing tunes were "Are You Happy Now?," "Crazy In Love," "Complicated," "Dilemma," "I'm With You," "In A Little While," "Mesmerize," "Miss You," "Picture," "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" and "Soak Up The Sun."

Brian Wilson was saluted as a BMI Icon for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." One of the most revered pop music creators of the last 50 years, Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys and co-wrote such seminal rock and pop songs as "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," "California Girls," "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice," among many others. Collectively with the Beach Boys and individually, he helped to create the sound that defined a generation and painted the picture of the West Coast "surf" sound. His genius is embedded throughout the group's history, but it particularly resonates on their legendary 1966 release, Pet Sounds.

After an Icon video tribute, Fountains of Wayne performed "Be True To Your School," followed by Wilson Phillips - featuring Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy - singing "In My Room." Wilson and his band took the stage for several songs, closing with "Good Vibrations."

Wilson enters the elite company of previously praised BMI Icons including Isaac Hayes, Bill Anderson, James Brown, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley . He is also the first person to be honored by BMI as both an Icon and with the President's Award (in 1995).

Of the 80 songwriters cited, nine were double winners: Sheryl Crow, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Shania Twain, N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett, and matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas.

Other writer/artists earning awards were Audioslave, Daniel Bedingfield (PRS), Big Tymers, Michelle Branch, Cam'Ron, Vanessa Carlton, Creed, Eminem, Evanescence, Ja Rule, Kid Rock, Linkin Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, 3 Doors Down, Uncle Kracker, and Unwritten Law.

Publishers garnering three or more awards were EMI Music Publishing (EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc./EMI-Unart Catalog, Inc./EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.); Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc./Zomba Songs Inc.; Universal Music Publishing Group; Dwight Frye Music, Inc.; Mr. Spock Music/Scott Spock Songs; Rainbow Fish Publishing (Christy's company) and Sony/ATV Songs LLC.

"When I'm Gone" by 3 Doors Down enjoyed Most Performed Song on College Radio kudos for songwriters Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Matt Roberts of the group. Included on 3 Doors Down's Republic/Universal CD Away From the Sun, "When I'm Gone" is published by Escatawpa Songs and Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.

Another special presentation was the announcement of Andrew Horowitz as the 1st Place winner of the 2004 John Lennon Scholarship Awards. A student at the University of Michigan, Horowitz earned a $10,000 scholarship for his song, "Goodday." Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship Awards recognize the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24. More than $125,000 has been awarded over the last seven years through generous donations from Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments. The BMI Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants.

Five of the 2004 top Pop songs are repeat achievers: "Heaven," first honored in 1985 for writer/artist Bryan Adams; "Landslide," a 1998 Pop Award winner for Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks and the 2003 BMI Country Song of the Year via its recording by the Dixie Chicks; plus last year's winners "Complicated," "One Last Breath" and "Soak Up The Sun."

BMI's Citation of Achievement performance certificates are given annually in recognition of popularity in the field of popular music, as measured by feature broadcast performances on American radio and television. This year's Pop Awards eligibility period ran October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.

BMI saluted the top R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 2003 Urban Awards, staged last night (8/5) at Club Tropigala at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers in Miami. The black-tie ceremony was hosted by BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston, with Executive Vice President Del Bryant and Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton. Top honors went to Murder Inc. President Irv Gotti, who earned his second Urban Songwriter of the Year award; the #1 smash "Hot in Herre" was named Song of the Year, and EMI Music Publishing took home its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year trophy. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo from famed production duo, The Neptunes, were named BMI Urban Producers of the Year.

BMI Urban Awards Event Photos

BMI Urban Awards Song List

Irv Gotti

Pharrell Williams

Chad Hugo

A special highlight of the gala evening featured a salute to soul music legend Isaac Hayes, who was honored as a BMI ICON for his enduring influence on generations of music makers. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was honored during the dinner with an all-star musical tribute that featured stellar performances by BMI artists Bilal, Floetry, and Anthony Hamilton, among others. From the instantly recognizable beats of the "Theme From Shaft," to the Sam and Dave classic hit "Hold On! I'm Comin'," the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer and singer continues to impact music and is widely sampled by some of today's biggest rap, hip-hop, and R&B artists.

Isaac Hayes

Bilal

Floetry

The BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year trophy went to rap mogul Irv Gotti, who placed nine titles on the most performed list. Songs earning him the crown included the Ja Rule hits "Always On Time" (feat. Ashanti), "Down 4 U" (feat. Vita, Ashanti, and Charli Baltimore), "Down A** Chick" (feat. Charli Baltimore) and "Livin' It Up" (feat. Case), as well as "Rainy Dayz" (Mary J. Blige feat. Ja Rule), "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe feat. Ja Rule and Ashanti), and "Baby," "Foolish," and "Happy," all recorded by Murder Inc. artist Ashanti. This is the second Urban Songwriter of the Year award for Gotti; he shared the spotlight last year with five others. Gotti was also named BMI's Pop Songwriter of the Year at the May 14 ceremony in Los Angeles, bringing his total BMI Awards to 19.

Anthony Hamilton

Ja Rule

Charli Baltimore

In addition to Gotti, several other writers earned multiple awards including Ja Rule with six; Pharrell Williams with four; and Charli Baltimore, Jeff I. Bass, Cam'Ron, Eminem and Mario Winans, who each placed two songs on the most performed list.

Song of the Year "Hot in Herre," co-written by BMI songwriters Charles L. Brown and Pharrell Williams, and published by Ascent Music, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc., Nouveau Music Company, Swing T Publishing and Waters of Nazareth Publishing, spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The infectious number one hit was last summer's party anthem and is still heating up at radio and on the dance floor as well.

Jeff I. Bass

Cam'Ron

Eminem

Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, better known as The Neptunes, were feted as Producers of the Year with a performance from multi-platinum artist (and fellow Top 10 Songwriter/Producer) R. Kelly. The hit-making production and songwriting team has collaborated with the A-list in urban music, from Snoop Dogg to Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake, with titles including "Beautiful," "Pass the Courvoisier Part II," and "Rock Your Body." Rounding out the BMI Top 10 Urban Producers list were Songwriter of the Year Irv Gotti, rapper Eminem, Big Tymers' Mannie Fresh, Cash Money's Jazze Pha, Trackmasters' Poke, producer Cory Rooney and Hitmen Production's Mario Winans.

Mario Winans

Charles L. Brown

R. Kelly

EMI Music Publishing picked up its third consecutive Urban Publisher of the Year award by placing 11 songs on the most performed list, including Song of the Year, "Hot in Herre." This is the thirteenth top BMI Publisher honor awarded to EMI since 1989 in all genres of music. Other multiple award-winning publishers included Ensign Music Corporation (10), D J Irv Publishing (9), Universal Music Publishing (8), Slavery Music (6), Waters of Nazareth Publishing (4), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (3), and Careers-BMG Music/Zomba Songs, Eight Mile Style Music, Inky Sisi Music, Janice Combs Music, Killa Cam Music, Marsky Music, Songs of DreamWorks, SPZ Music, Inc., and Taking Care of Business Music (2).

In addition to the song, publisher and producer awards, music trade magazine Billboard announced the names of the BMI-affiliated writers who had #1 songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Rap Tracks charts during the past year. Among the winners were Producer of the Year Pharrell Williams, who placed two songs on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and the #1 hit "Dilemma," which reached the peak position on both Billboardcharts. The BMI Urban Awards 2003 is the kick-off event to the 4th Annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Conference and Awards, taking place in Miami Beach August 6-8.

Among other songwriters, producers and artists confirmed to attend are multiple-platinum recording artist R. Kelly, Ja Rule, Irv Gotti, Rodney Jerkins, Chad Hugo, Mario Winans, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Charli Baltimore, Nappy Roots, Angie Stone and Jazze Pha. Additional names will be released as they are confirmed.

The BMI Urban Awards will recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most-played urban songs on US radio and television. An Urban Song of the Year, Urban Songwriter of the Year and Urban Publisher of the Year will be announced that night. In addition to the song awards, BMI will also honor the Top Urban Producers of 2002-2003 and the BMI writers whose songs hit #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop and Rap charts.]]> 2003-07-27T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233773 Artists, Big Tymers, Braxton, Toni, Juvenile, Kelly, R., Musical Styles, R&B, Urban, Musicworld, Hitmaker Cash Money, the camp that that brought the term “bling-bling” to the masses, is gearing up to close out the second half of the year with a slew of new releases. Coming this summer are two new Cash Money signees: r&b/hip-hop singer TQ and R. Kelly protégés Boo & Gotti. In the fall, the label issues new projects from its perennial hitmakers Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Big Tymers.

All of these releases come on the coattails of the platinum-plus CD from the label’s co-CEO, Bryan “Baby” Williams. His debut solo release, Birdman, was released in November of 2002 and has generated three top 10 hip-hop/r&b singles. Baby’s videos have remained in heavy rotation and feature various superstar guest spots, including P. Diddy on the first single, “Do That”; The Clipse on the follow-up, “Whatever Happened To That Boy”; and Toni Braxton on the SOS Band-inspired rendition of “Baby We Can Do It.”

Cash Money was founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Baby” Williams. Natives of the New Orleans area, the pair inked a much-publicized multi-million dollar deal with Universal Records in 1997 and have sold more than ten million albums from its relatively tight clique of artists, which also includes titles from B.G., the Hot Boys, and Mack 10.

At the core of the company’s success is the label’s resident producer, Mannie Fresh, who has placed his signature sound on nearly all of Cash Money’s hits.

Cash Money has more recently diversified its business interests. Earlier this year, the label teamed up with urban fashion mogul Karl Kani to design a new line of street-wear called “Life.”

So, to any of the non-believers, who thought that Cash Money, like so many hip-hop camps, was going to be a flash in the pan -- think again, because Cash Money has positioned itself for long-term success.]]> 2003-07-01T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/200050 Artists, 3 Doors Down, Aaliyah, Adams, John, Aguilera, Christina, Arnold, Brad, Bacilos, Baltimore, Charli, Bedingfield, Daniel, Big Tymers, Blind Boys of Alabama, The, Bowie, David, Branch, Michelle, Brandy, Busta Rhymes, Cachao, Carlton, Vanessa, Christy, Lauren, Christy, Lauren, Creed, Crow, Sheryl, Daniels, Charlie, Dirty Vegas, Dixie Chicks, Elfman, Danny, Eminem, Enya, Evans, Faith, Flaming Lips, The, Floetry, Foo Fighters, Gabriel, Peter, Garza, David Lee, Golijov, Osvaldo, Green, Al, Green, Pat, Hammond, Fred, Hancock, Herbie, Hargrove, Roy, Harris, Jesse, Henley, Don, Hill, Faith, Intocable, James, Etta, Jars of Clay, John, Elton, Jones, Norah, Juanes, Kelly, R., Kenny G, King, B.B., Kinky, Knapp, Jennifer, Korn, Krauss, Alison, Lauderdale, Jim, Lonestar, Maines, Lloyd, Mardin, Arif, McBride, Martina, Metheny, Pat, Miller, Lee Thomas, Moby, Nappy Roots, Nelson, Willie, Neptunes, The, Newman, Thomas, Nickel Creek, Nickelback, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The, Parton, Dolly, Queens of the Stone Age, Roberts, Matt, Santos, John, Scruggs, Earl, Shorter, Wayne, Slutsky, Allan, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spears, Britney, Spock, Scott, Stanley, Ralph, Sting, Stone, Angie, Tedeschi, Susan, Temptations, The, Tesh, John, Trick Pony, Williams, Lucinda, Winans, Bebe, Musical Styles, Blues, Country, Jazz, Pop Sheryl Crow, Eminem and Norah Jones lead the list of nominees for this year's Grammy Awards with five nods each. Nominees were announced today (1/7) at a press conference at New York's Madison Square Garden. The 45th Grammy Awards will be held on February 23 at the Garden, and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8-11:30 (ET/PT).

Sheryl Crow

Eminem

Norah Jones

Other BMI writers who received multiple nominations included four each for country darlings the Dixie Chicks, producer Arif Mardin and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger (including Record of the Year for the Nickelback smash "How You Remind Me"). Newcomer Vanessa Carlton picked up three. Fellow BMI pop divas Pink, Britney Spears and Michelle Branch garnered two nominations each, as did blues legend B.B. King, film composer Thomas Newman and gospel giant Fred Hammond.

BMI's 2003 Grammy nominees:

FIVE NOMINATIONS

Sheryl Crow
Eminem
Norah Jones

FOUR NOMINATIONS

Dixie Chicks
Chad Kroeger (SOCAN)

THREE NOMINATIONS

Vanessa Carlton
Floetry (Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart)
Arif Mardin
Pat Metheny

TWO NOMINATIONS

Michelle Branch
Michael Brecker
The Chieftains
Madukwu Chinwah
Natalie Cole
Dirty Vegas (PRS)
Foo Fighters
Carlos Franzetti
Kenny G
Pat Green
Herbie Hancock
Nellee Hooper (PRS)
B.B. King
Diana Krall (SOCAN)
Rashid Lonnie Lynn
Nappy Roots
Willie Nelson
Thomas Newman
Nickel Creek
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dolly Parton
Pink
Britney Spears
Ralph Stanley
3 Doors Down (Brad Arnold, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson, Matt Roberts)
Doc Watson
John Williams

SINGLE NOMINEES

Aaliyah
Will Ackerman
John Adams
Christina Aguilera
Darol Anger
Audio Adrenaline
Bacilos
David Balakrishnan
Charli Baltimore
Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga
Jeff Bass
Daniel Bedingfield (PRS)
Big Tymers
Eddie Blazonczyk
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Kevin Bond
Ryan Bowser
David Bowie (PRS)
Brandy
Norman Brown
Solomon Burke
Burning Sky
R.L. Burnside
Gary Burton
Gary Calamar
Michel Camilo
Cam’Ron
The Canton Spirituals
Capleton (PRS)
Caribbean Jazz Project
Cee-Lo
Lauren Christy
The Clinch Mountain Boys
Andy Colver (PRS)
Commissioned
Common
Creed
Bill Cunliffe
The Charlie Daniels Band
Diamond Rio
Michael Doucet
Dave Douglas
Don Edwards
Danny Elfman
Enya (PRS)
Faith Evans
Tommy Flanagan
The Flaming Lips
Béla Fleck
Michael J. Fox
Allison Brewster Franzetti
The Funk Brothers
Peter Gabriel (PRS)
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Osvaldo Golijov
Gov’t Mule
Al Green
Grits
Dave Grusin
Deitrick Haddon
Fred Hammond
Roy Hargrove
Jesse Harris
Don Henley
Faith Hill
Dave Holland Big Band
David Holt
Intocable
Etta James
Jars of Clay
JaRule
Jay-Z
Maxi Jazz (PRS)
Little Joe & La Familia
Elton John (PRS)
The Jordanaires
Juanes
John P. Kee
Salif Keita (PRS)
R. Kelly
Kinky
Kitaro
Jennifer Knapp
Knoc-Turn’Al
Korn
Dave Koz
Jeff Koz
Alison Krauss
Femi Kuti (SACEM)
kd lang
Jim Lauderdale
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Don Letts (PRS)
Lonestar
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
The Light Crust Doughboys
Limi-T 21
Israel “Cachao” López
Taj Mahal
Lloyd Maines
Maraca
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Freddie McGregor (PRS)
Lee Thomas Miller
Mingus Big Band
Moby
Charlie Musselwhite
Meshell Ndegeocello
The Neptunes
Newsong
Nickelback (SOCAN)
*NSYNC
The Oak Ridge Boys
Makoto Ozone (JASRAC)
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Pharrell
Queens of the Stone Age
Busta Rhymes
Riders In the Sky
Peter Rowan
Nancy Rumbel
Nicky Ryan (PRS)
Roma Ryan (PRS)
Mingo Saldivar y Sus Tremendos Cuatro Espadas
Santana
John Santos and the Machete Ensemble
Al Schmitt
The John Scofield Band
Earl Scruggs
Wayne Shorter
Jon Sidel
Siggno
Allan Slutsky
Arthur Smith (PRS)
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Scott Spock
Ralph Stanley II
Sting (PRS)
Angie Stone
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Take Six
Susan Tedeschi
John Tesh
The Temptations
Eric Tingstad
Tobymac
Trick Pony
Kathy Troccoli
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
McCoy Tyner
Jai Uttal
Bebo Valdés
Carlos “Patato” Valdés
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Scott Wenzel
Kenny Werner
Lucinda Williams
Robin Williams
Dean Wilson (PRS)
BeBe Winans
The Roland White Band
Pete Woodruff
Yellowjackets
Joe Zawinul

Multiple BMI award-winning songwriters Cory Rooney and Rodney Jerkins will be attending the Urban Awards as well, with Jerkins joining Dallas Austin and Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams in producing the musical tribute to BMI ICON Award recipient, James “The Godfather of Soul” Brown. The BMI ICON Award will be presented to Brown in recognition of his contributions to music and the music business. The first ICON Awards were presented in May to fellow pioneers Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard.

The BMI Urban Awards will recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most-played urban songs on U.S. radio and television. An Urban Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year will be named that night. In addition to the song awards, BMI will also honor the Top Producers of 2001-2002 and the BMI writers whose songs hit #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Charts.

The black-tie, invitation-only event will be held to coincide with Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Conference & Awards, also in Miami Beach.

The August 6 ceremony will be the first one for the BMI Urban Awards. The 2001 Urban Awards presentation, scheduled for October 3 last year, was cancelled due to the events of 9/11, although the actual awards were later distributed to the winners. BMI also honored its Latin music songwriters and publishers May 8 with the 9th Annual Latin Awards in Hollywood, Florida.

Christopher Lewis

Abby Dobson

Jonz

MaJoR KEyZ

With a performance by special guests and Universal recording artists Big Tymers. Superproducer Manny Fresh and Cash Money co-CEO Bryan “Baby” Williams mix their free-wheeling lyrical improvisation, larger-than-life personas and Freshís superb production, incorporating live instrumentation inspired by 70ís old school R&B, a touch of New Orleans bounce and classic hip hop. Come see why their single “ Still Fly “is moving up the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks.

The showcase winner will be determined by a distinguished panel of industry standouts, including:

Rodney Jerkins, two-time Grammy-award winning producer (Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, N’Sync & Brandy)

Shakir Stewart, Senior VP & GM Hitco Music (BeyoncÈ Knowles of Destiny’s Child)

Shante Paige, VP of A&R Motown Records (Profyle, Rasheeda, the Temptations)

Tse Williams, VP of A&R Universal Records (3LW, Joe)

Toi Green, Director of A&R Jive Records (Mystikal, The Wood Soundtrack)

J-Que, Winner BMI New Music Urban Showcase 2001 and Hitco Music songwriter

Frank Ski, Program Director at V103/Atlanta

Kamala Gordon, Director of Publishing Warner Chapell (Rockwilder, Faith Evans)

Leotis Clyburn, Director of Creative Development Ground Control Music (Tyrice Jones, Jerel Allen and Terry Harris of 7 Productions)

Teddy Bishop, CEO of Grove Factor Production, songwriter, composer, and producer (Toni Braxton, Montell Jordan, Jagged Edge)

Brian Jackson, Senior Vice President, Creative A&R EMI Music Publishing (Rodney Jerkins, The Neptunes, Jerry Duplessis, Pink)

Rico Wade, three-time Grammy-nominated producer (TLC, Outkast, Goodie Mob & The Dungeon Family

Directions to Celebrity Rock Café, 56 East Andrews

From Airport/Downtown/Midtown

Take I-75/I-85 north. When the interstate splits remain on I-75 North. Take the W Paces Ferry Rd exit. Turn right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. Remain on W Paces Ferry Rd for approximately 3 miles. Turn left on E Andrews Dr. Celebrity Rock CafÈ will be on the right side of the road.

From Lenox Mall/Buckhead

Take Peachtree Rd south (towards downtown). Make a right onto W Paces Ferry Rd. At the second stop light, E Andrews Dr., turn right. Celebrity Rock Café will be on the right side of the road.