The Merge Summit 2013 - Conference

 

(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.

The Merge Summit 2013 - Conference

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

By Rych McCain, www.twitter.com/rychmccain and Facebook

The 2013 Merge Summit

Is A Resounding Success!

    

Dr. Holly Carter Merge Co-Founder

The annual Merge Summit is an event where the Christian entertainment community gathers to meet, greet, inform and celebrate in music and worship. The Merge Summit is the brainchild of Dr. Holly Carter, President/CEO of Releve’ Entertainment and Her Partner Robi Reed, VP Talent and Casting, Original Programming, BET Networks. 

Robi Reed Co-Founder Merge Summit

    Every year they put together an outstanding event that brings all sectors of the entertainment industry together. Actors, music artists, songwriters, producers, play writes and everything else in between are able to participate and come face to face with the actual power brokers who make it happen. 

Actress Kym Whitley Awards Luncheon Speaker

 







The Thursday Opening night dinner was address by actress Kym E. Whitley. The red carpet was ablaze with celeb talent. The Friday session opened at 7:15 AM for “The Worship Experience At The Merge,” with singer/psalmist Kevin LaVar for praise and worship followed by an inspiring word from Pastor Toure Roberts of the “One Church International.”

    

 

The Rt. Rev. DeVon Franklin VP Sony Pictures

  

L-R: Tracee Edmonds & Suzanne dePasse TV/Movie Producers

   


















     






     Friday and Saturday saw over 60 industry experts and executives including major TV, film and recording stars lead more than 20 dynamic classes and workshops on branding, music, television, radio, film and new media, providing attendees with the opportunity to interface, learn from, and partner with the industry’s best. There were meet and greet sessions with the pros giving the inside skinny and tips on auditioning, pitching songs, scripts to even getting in on the executive side.

One of many master classes given by top indy pros

     For those with poetry and musical talents, the summit offered their annual “The Merge Showcase 2013” where 10 artists competed for a spot on the “BET Music Matters Showcase.” There was also the “Freedom” closing night concert that featured Mali Music, Kierra Sheard, Kevin Levar, Missterious Janette..ikz, Jessica Reedy and gospel rapper Tedashi. The Merge Summit Awards Luncheon was hosted by Fonzworth Bentley. The honorees included

    Debra Lee, Chairperson and CEO of the BET Networks; Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional VP of Walgreens; Pastor Toure Roberts, One Church International. A Pastor and leaders forum was held and a wellness lounge was provided that offered treatments in reflexology, massage therapy, ear candling and antioxidant screening to the V.I.P’s.

     The Merge Summit draws participants from all over the U.S, and those who come leave with a feeling of great accomplishment because of the industry contacts they have established and the friendships they have developed that may even last a lifetime. If you don’t live in the Los Angeles area and would like to attend, go to www.themergesummit.com and get the information you need to be there next year.

 

The Merge Summit

Who heard of this event?  If you’re trying to break into Hollywood and haven’t heard of this merging Faith and Entertainment 3 day event, then something is wrong.  If you did not attend this incredible workshop/program and you knew about it, you are not taking your career seriously.  I could give a line-up of panelist and celebrities that gave their time and wisdom to everyone who showed up.   Why do so many of us spend more time with what’s going “on our heads”, than putting value “in our heads”.  For those who missed this event, I urge you not to miss it next year.  As with all professions it takes commitment and perseverance.  You cannot just lay back and expect things to happen. It’s not just about going to auditions either.  We need to learn.  And what better way to learn than from those who are doing it.  I’ve been fortunate to be on Modern Family, Family Game Night, Shake it Up, The Young Icons and ABC’s The View + more.  All of these opportunities came because of connecting and investing the time to learn from 

those in the industry.  So if you’re serious about your career, invest in it.  

 

Editor's note: 
To see Leroya's performance at the Beverly Hils Country Club click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=abb1bBcaDvg  or go to youtube and type in "Leroya Poetry & Comedy at the Beverly Hills Country Club."
To see her on ABC-TV's "The View"click on
www.youtube. com/watch?v=wf7y9joqIJI
Like her facebook page
www.LeroyaSanford.com

© 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook

IES (Indie Entertainment Summit 2013)

 

(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.

IES (Indie Entertainment Summit 2013)

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

By Rych McCain, www.twitter.com/rychmccain and Facebook

The IES (Indie Entertainment Summit)

Wraps Up Another Dynamic Event For 2013!

Photos by RMMS

 

  

Jay Warinski Founder of The IES

       

   This was the second year for the ”Indie Entertainment Summit” held in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, California, which concluded last weekend. The five day summit hosted speakers, seminars, panels and workshops which were conducted personally and up close with the who’s who’s in the music entertainment industry. This included label reps (major and independent), attorneys, personal managers, recording and mastering engineers, home studio set-up & recording equipment technical experts, platinum and gold producers, songwriters and artists. The five nights of the summit also held live music showcases for a couple of hundred bands from all over the U.S. and the world in some eighteen clubs and venues in the area. And of course, the after parties were a major draw weather you attended the summit or not as usual.

   

The El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District

  The two main sights for the event were The El Portal Theatre and The Federal restaurant and club. Both played host to packed sessions and major networking opportunities for all involved. The summit’s opening night presented the “IES Hip Hop Honors” which paid tribute to N.W.A. i.e., Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella. There was also a tribute to the fallen hip hop pioneers Eazy-E, 2Pac and Nate Dogg. Special guest in the house included Bone Thugs’n Harmony, DJ Quik, Cypress Hill, Warren G, Above The Law and many others to name some. There was also a special tribute to Priority Records, former Wherehouse Records store buyer Violet Brown and Guerilla Union (producers of “Rock The Bells & Paid Dues”). The IES also presented the “Rock Honors” with a special night tribute applauding the trailblazers of rock including Randy Rhoads & Ozzy, Motorhead, Foo Fighters, Motley Crue, Slash, Blink-182 and a salute to Sound City. Members of the honored bands were there to accept awards.

     “IES 13 was an overwhelming success”, states IES Founder & Chairman Jay Warsinske, “with the incredible level of top industry movers & shakers speaking, major technologies & innovators involved & the high level of networking & opportunities, everyone is saying it will be more important than SXSW, Sundance, Ascap Expo & all the rest for serious entertainment professionals & talent!”

   Warsinske is a 40-year music industry veteran and has been responsible tor the career advancement of some of the biggest superstars in music from rap/hip hop to rock. His company “Indiepower.com” Is the #1 company in the world to promote, market, develop and push independent artists without them giving up their publishing, merchandising and other sources of revenue. Warsinske is all smiles when he says, “The industry and attendees are saying IES is ‘the right thing, in the right place, at the right time’. And with industry super heavyweights such as the #1 songwriter of all time Diane Warren attending this year’s IES HONORS along with other icons in attendance such as Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, P-Funk, The Who, Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads, Foo Fighters & other legends, IES is firmly established as the greatest event in the world for serious artists, producers, managers, labels, production companies, DJs, video/film makers & entertainment / technology entrepreneurs.” 

     To get ready for next year’s 2014 IES go to www.iesfest.com and get set to see your career advance to the next level!.

 

Leroya Sanford

The Constant Battle

I realize that there is a constant never ending battle.  Good vs. Evil.  We may have a beautiful garden but if we don’t maintain it the weeds will take over.  It’s the same with our minds.  If we don’t guard our thoughts, the bad thoughts will grow like weeds in a garden and strangle our potential and our productivity.   Jamie Masada, the owner of The Laugh Factory, has a quote posted, “Laughter is the best Medicine”.   That’s why I love making people laugh.  Laughter stops the angry depressing weeds from growing in our minds.  You can’t be laughing and be angry at the same time.  Well unless you’re doing an evil laugh.  Remember, every minute spent angry is 60 seconds of happiness wasted.

Editor's note: 

To see Leroya's performance at the Beverly Hils Country Club click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=abb1bBcaDvg  or go to youtube and type in "Leroya Poetry & Comedy at the Beverly Hills Country Club."

To see her on ABC-TV's "The View"click on

► 4:41► 4:41

                                www.youtube. com/watch?v=wf7y9joqIJI

www.LeroyaSanford.com

© 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook