No Limitz successfully hosted the The 1st Annual Peace Country Music Industry Conference & Songwriter's Workshop with Keynote Speaker Duane Steele June 14 & 15, 2008 Duane Steele along with singers, songwriters, musicians and more from all corners of the Peace Country came together on June 14 and 15 in Peace River for a weekend of information, networking, songwriting and most of all fun. We, (Dana and Sherry) organized and hosted the conference which also included a concert and workshop, with help coming from local sponsors and volunteers. The two day event was held at the Belle Petroleum Center, and featured CCMA Award Winning Country Music star Duane Steele as the keynote speaker, mentor, and major showcase attraction. Marlon Wilson of Alberta Music, Wayne Saunders of SOCAN and Paul Morrow of YL Country rounded out the industry panel and provided the 21 delegates with relevant information pertaining to the craft and business of music and songwriting. Duane talked about his journey to success from Hines Creek to Nashville and back as well as his days as a staff songwriter in Nashville. Participants enjoyed Duane's friendly and honest approach, his humility and especially his humor. We were extremely pleased with the entire weekend and were excited to have such talented people all come together under one roof. We had delegates come from Manning, Fairview, Grimshaw, Nampa, Peace River and Grande Prairie and from what we have heard, there are plenty more people wanting to come to next years event… which we have already starting planning! We knew there was a need for this in the Peace Country and our delegates agreed. Everyone was very appreciative of the weekend and they all came away with a ton of good information and a great feeling of accomplishment. Saturday night's concert showcase featured 15 performers with a wide array of music styles where they had the pleasure of singing alongside Duane Steele. Following the show, participants as well as audience members were invited to socialize during the wine and cheese reception, where informal jam sessions kept the crowd entertained well into the evening. Sunday involved more work for Duane, but mostly for the songwriters, as they broke into three groups, each in a different room. Duane gave them a theme of "no limits" (gee, I wonder where he got that idea?) and they were challenged to co-write a song. Four hours, some lunch and a lot of crumpled paper later, they all came back together to share their creations. Success was joyfully experienced by all three groups and the magic of the day came to fruition through three excellent new songs that were recorded live off the floor with help from Allan Rathgeber. Music has the amazingly ability to make wonderful moments happen and we feel that this is only the beginning to many more excellent opportunities and events for songwriters and musicians here in the Peace Country. We are already looking ahead to next year's event and plan to expand it even further. We are very pleased to invite Duane back next year and are planning to add another star to the panel as well, however, we're not ready to release that information just yet, but we guarantee, it's gonna be good! We truly believe that people need to pull together to make dreams come true and we are very appreciative of everyone who helped to make this one a reality, in particular, Toni Antonietti of Belle Petroleum Center. Toni was instrumental in helping with this event and allowed the conference to take over her facility for the weekend. Thanks to Toni, all you have to do to hear the talent of this region yourself, is to call Belle Petroleum Center and ask to get put on hold...or go to www.myspace.com/singnolimitz. What does Duane Steele have to say about the conference and Peace Country talent? "Fabulous weekend, very well organized. My best moment was listening to the songs after the song teams worked for a few hours and came out with some really catchy and entertaining songs. It made the whole weekend for me.... totally awesome!!!!" Thanks Duane, you totally ROCK and everyone in the Peace Country agrees! ITINERARY Peace Country’s 1st Annual Music Industry Conference Belle Petroleum Center, Peace River, Alberta Saturday June 14th, 2008 9:00 am – Registration 9:45am – Welcome & Introductions 10:00 – Duane Steele – The Road to Nashville & Back. – 10:45 – Paul Morrow – YL Country/KIX – How local radio follows music mandate. Q&A Overviews of what is : (Write down your questions) 11:15 – SOCAN - Wayne Saunders - The Wide World of Royalties. How performers and songwriters get paid. 11:50 – ALBERTA MUSIC – Marlon Wilson – What is Alberta Music. What is WCMA, CCMA, and other organizations have to offer. 12:30 – Lunch & Talk - *Remember to write down your questions even if they get answered. They will be reviewed during Q&A. 1:30 – Duane Steele – What is a hit song. 2:00 – Panel Q & A – Ask your questions and our panel will help you understand how the industry works. Answered questions will be reviewed. 2:45 – Duane Steele - Stage Presence for the Performer. How to connect & entertain your audience. 3:30 – Q&A & Wrap Up (Idea’s for next year?) 4:00 – Showcase Performers perform sound check for Evenings Showcase. 5:00 – Break 6:30 – All Performers arrive for showcase. 7:00 – –Singer/Songwriter Showcase 7:50- Intermission 8:05- Continue Showcase 9:00 – Thank You’s 9:15 – –Wine & Cheese – For conference attendees & their guests, Sponsors, & Panel. (Bring your instruments for a little jam afterwards) Sunday, June 15th, 2008 – Songwriters Workshop 9:30 am – Workshop begins. Itinerary TBA (16 students max. for Sunday) PANEL BIOS Duane Steele is among Canada's top country recording artists and songwriters with a professional career dating back to 1984. Born and raised in the small Alberta Peace Country town of Hines Creek, music was a big part of Duane's life growing up. He fondly remembers parties at his parents home with everyone sitting around singing and playing various instruments. As teenagers Duane and his cousins started a band spending summers and weekends playing for weddings and community dances. In 1984 Duane's professional career began, fronting the band Rock 'N' Horse. Their album, Highways, was released in 1991. Despite top 20 singles, nonstop touring, and a Juno nomination for Country Band of the Year Rock 'N' Horse disbanded in 1993. Duane took this opportunity to pursue his goals as a recording artist and songwriter, landing a publishing contract with Warner Chapel in Nashville. This full time job as a staff songwriter allowed him the privilege of working with and learning from some of the most talented writers from the United States and Canada. In 1995 a showcase at Canadian Country Music Week in Calgary resulted in his signing a recording contract with Mercury Canada. Duane's solo debut album "PO Box 423" was released in February 1996 and saw his first three singles go Top 5 on the Canadian Country Charts, including the #1 Hit "Anita Got Married". His sophomore release "This Is The Life" was released a year and a half later and furthered his presence on the Canadian music charts with all six singles released achieving Top 30 chart position (two becoming Top 10 hits). In support of both albums Duane released seven music videos on CMT (three of which went to #1). Touring and promoting became a way of life for Duane once again. He was on the road traveling with his CCMA award winning band opening for some of the hottest acts in country music including Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Kershaw, and Prairie Oyster. In 1997 Duane was the winner of the CCMA for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Lisa Brokop for the single "Two Names On An Overpass". In the spring of 1999 Duane returned to Canada to focus on his recording career. His third solo album "I'll Be Alright" was released in August 2000 with seven singles released to radio and three videos released to CMT. In 2001 Duane was rewarded for his first independently released album by winning the Independent Male Vocalist of the Year Award by the CCMA. 2004 saw the release of "Set List". A best of album including 17 radio singles from his three previous solo albums and three new songs that were released to radio. A video for the song "Better Man" was filmed in Calgary for CMT. July 2006 is the release date of Duane's newest project "Ghost Town" which he co- produced with recording artist, songwriter, and producer Steve Fox. Duane is extremely proud of this 100% Canadian album! This is Duane's first time assisting with the production side of the recording process. He is also excited to have national distribution through Icon Records with Universal Canada. Duane's pure voice and natural stage presence makes his live shows a must see. Fans relate to his lyrics and song writing style. When he is not touring or working on his own projects he is often writing with other artists. Production has been a natural progression and he looks forward to working in this area while continuing his own solo career. CCMA - Canadian Country Music Association Awards 2003 - Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year 2003 - Nominated Independent Male Vocalist of the Year 2002 - Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year 2002 - Nominated Independent Male Vocalist of the Year 2001 - Winner - Independent Male Artist of the Year 1999 - Nominated Vocal Collaboration with Shirley Myers "Forever In Love" 1998 - Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year 1997 - Winner Vocal Collaboration with Lisa Brokop "Two Names on an Overpass" 1997 - Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year 1996 - Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year 1996 - Nominated Vista Rising Star JUNOS 1998 - Nominated Country Male Vocalist of the Year 1997 - Nominated Country Male Vocalist of the Year 1996 - Nominated Best New Solo Artist 1996 - Nominated Country Male Vocalist of the Year SCMA - Saskatchewan Country Music Association 2001 - Winner - National Humanitarian Award www.duanesteele.com MARLON WILSON - ALBERTA MUSIC– About Marlon “Arlo Maverick” Wilson Marlon “Arlo Maverick” Wilson is a man of many hats. In addition to being part of one of Edmonton’s most recognized urban music groups, “Politic Live”, Wilson has an education in Marketing and Promotions, a background in journalism and has been a DJ on CJSR FM88.5 for 10 years. Sharing his experiences with the community around him, Wilson acts a consultant for up and coming artist assisting in creating promotional campaigns and preparing grant proposals. A philanthropist to the heart, Wilson has been integral in producing and promoting Edmonton’s annual Food Bank Christmas food drive event Hip-Hop For Hunger, which has raised over 5,000 lbs of food in six years. In February 2008, Wilson became a board member for the Alberta Music Industry Association. FIND HIM ON UTUBE. DISCOGRAPHY ADAPTATION(Music For Mavericks 2006) NOTORIETY (Music For Mavericks 2003) WEBSITES www.PoliticLive.com www.myspace.com/PoliticLive www.sonicbids.com/PoliticLive ALBERTA MUSIC WEBSITE WWW.AMIA.COM WAYNE SAUNDERS - Member & Industry Relations Executive SOCAN-Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada Long before becoming a full time employee for SOCAN, Wayne’s musical journey began as a guitar/bass player based in Edmonton. The experience of working with recording artists, songwriters and producers throughout the 70’s and 80’s contributed to the knowledge he needed to step out on his own as a record producer, arranger, and studio musician. Working closely with artists involved in the writing and recording process, also helped Wayne learn about the importance of Copyright issues, and “performance rights” in particular. An employee with SOCAN since 1992, Wayne has worked within the Licensing department at SOCAN’s Edmonton office, becoming manager of that facility in 2003. In 2007, Wayne was appointed the newly created position of “Member & Industry Relations Executive”. The new position offers him the opportunity to work closely with Industry Associations as well as SOCAN members. www.socan.ca Paul Morrow – YL Country Radio Paul is the Music Director and the Midday Announcer at the country radio station in Peace River. Read all about Paul on YL Country’s Website: www.ylcountry.com/pmorrow.shtml