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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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There’s a new music festival and conference called Confluence set at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte in August that looks interesting. Here’s a breakdown of the event:

The event: Confluence is billed as part festival, part platform and part conference. Musicians will be performing on several stages, but it’s the music industry discussions that really intrigue me. Confluence will feature “local and national professionals across topics like artist development, branding, songwriting, and recording as well as revenue generation, the booking process, and live music economics.” That’s hot.

Creators/backers: The event was created by the Whitewater Center, in association with MaxxMusic and Midwood Entertainment in Charlotte.

It’s free: The event, scheduled for Aug. 3-4, is free and open to the public, but you need to make a reservation if you plan to attend a panel discussion.

Asheville connections: The festival is mostly centered on Charlotte, featuring Charlotte-based musicians and music industry people. But key players on the Asheville music scene will be there. Jessica Tomasin, manager of Echo Mountain Studios, will be a part of several panels, including one about branding in the music industry. Ellie Schwarz, a managing partner at EastCoast Entertainment who co-manages the Charlotte, Asheville, and Columbia, S.C., offices, will be there to talk about the music booking and buying process. Benton Wharton, the general manager at Pisgah Brewing who is best known for his work as the events, PR director and talent buyer for the Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage, will talk talent buying.

Other key panelists: The event is stacked with connected folks in the music industry. Dolph Ramseur, founder of Ramseur Records, who has helped foster the creative and artistic visions of The Avett Brothers, Bombadil, David Childers, Samantha Crain and more. Michael L. Kitchen, the founder of The Sol Kitchen, an events promotion and production business based in Charlotte, is an expert in branding, marketing, and urban music Paul Lohr is a veteran booking agent and Nashville staple known for representing a top list of rock, Americana, country, bluegrass, blues and roots artists.

Musicians: The musical acts that will be performing include: Jim Avett and David Childers, The Hawthornes, Sinners and Saints, Chocala, Cyanca, Dexter Jordan and more.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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