Organizers have announced a diverse mix of music industry panels and panelists – including P.O.D. artist Traa Daniels and Martin Atkins of Pigface – during the two-day event in downtown Tulsa on July 24 and 25.
“This is a rare opportunity for emerging and aspirant artists to connect face-to-face with industry professionals” said Tom Green, Dfest founder. “We’ve organized a very experienced and sophisticated line-up of panelists from all over the nation to speak and answer questions on topics that are relevant to budding musicians.”

Songwriter, performer and producer Andrew W.K. is the leading Artist Series Keynote Speaker of the two-day conference.  Other panelists include Artist Series Keynote Series Speaker P.O.D. artist Traa Daniels and Business Series Keynote Speaker Martin Atkins. Daniels is also president and CEO of Ryot Entertainment Group, which was formed to help artists achieve their goals in the music industry. Atkins is a drummer and session musician best known for his work in post-punk and industrial groups including Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Pigface and Killing Joke. Also presenting panels at Dfest will be representatives from MTV, Atlantic Records, Universal Music and much more. The complete list of panels and panelists is included or you can visit www.dfest.com and create your Dfest conference schedule.

Travelers flying into Tulsa for Dfest are eligible for a 5 percent discount on American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connections. Go to www.aa.com to book your flight and after you have selected your flight(s) under the "Enter Passenger Details" tab, go to the "AA.com Promotion Code" field and enter in your Authorization Code without the leading “A”. The group name is Dfest and the code for our group is 9479BP.

Plus, Kum & Go locations in Oklahoma are offering $5 off Dfest tickets from July 1 until July 23. U.S. Cellular locations in Oklahoma are also offering $5 off tickets until July 20 when you grab a digital download card.

ABOUT DFEST

Fueled by a diverse collection of national and top local acts, the high-energy music festival broke attendance records in 2008 and is positioned to be even larger in 2009. Dfest 2008 featured 150 artists representing more than 20 musical genres on a dozen stages in downtown Tulsa’s historic Blue Dome District.

The two-day multi-genre music festival fused with a music industry conference was established in 2002 to help emerging artists gain exposure and connect with the music industry. The conference consists of music panels, a tradeshow, music clinics and artist mentoring. Each night, national recording artists perform on large outdoor festival stages while top local, regional and national emerging artists perform on a multitude of outdoor stages, indoor venues and club stages.

Dfest has quickly become one of the top independent music conferences in the nation as well as the Midwest’s largest music festival of its type, and a hot bed for showcasing exciting new diverse music talent. For more information go to www.dfest.com

###

2009 Dfest Panelists

Alissa Hernandez            Universal Music
Amanda Berman            EMI Publishing
Amy Blackman                Manager, Ozomatli
Andrea von Foerster            Music Supervisor, MTV
Andrew W K                Artist
Barry Bergman                Management, Barry Bergman Management
Ben Spear                President, Smart Punk
Bill Hamel                Producer / DJ
Bob Forest                Artist, counselor, VH1 Celebrity Rehab   
Brad Rains                President, Bug/Windswept
Chris Jackson                Music Supervisor, E! Television/G4 Television   
Craig S. Hyman            Manager, MMF-US/Numinous Music
Damien Elahi                Warner Music Group
Daryl Berg                Music Supervisor, Fuel TV
David Ponak                Licensing, Rhino/WMG
DJ Rekha                Artist/DJ
Eavan Porter                Manager, Nettwerk Management
Harold Owens                Senior Director, Musicares
Jake Schneider                manager/agent, Madison House
Janelle Barretto                Licensing, Universal Music
Jason Feinberg                On Target Media
Jeff Jampol                Manager, Doors Music
Jenny McPhee                Agent, TKO
Jeremy Volk                Licensing, Activision
Jesse Willoughby            ASCAP
Jerry Davis                Music Supervisor, Fox Sports
Jolene Pellant                Manager/Marketing Consultant, Yes, Dear Entertainment
Jon Delange                Owner, Tinderbox Music
Justin Levenson            Artist Relations, SESAC
Justin Seidenberg            Manager, Kiqstart Music
Keith Lacock                 Tinderbox Music
Laura Webb                Music Supervisor, MTV
Martin Atkins                Artist / Author, Tour Smart
Mike Gormley                Manager, MMF-US/ L.A. Personal Development
Mollie Moore                A&R, Atlantic Records
Steve Garvan                Manager, Garvan Mgmt
Steve Labate                Journalist, Paste Magazine
Steve Robertson            A&R, Atlantic Records
Tarik Bradford                Licensing, Universal Music
Tony VonPervieux            Music Supervisor, ABC/Disney
Traa Daniels                Artist, P.O.D.
Val Wolfe                Agent,    The Agency Group
Brian Meiler                Licensing, WMG
G.I. Sanders                Owner, Fancorps
Jeff Scheel                Agent, Artist,    Box Talent


Dfest 2009 Panels

July 24

12:00    pm
Building Your Team: Strategy 101
Amy Blackman
Keith Lacock
Damian Elahi (moderator)
Daryl Berg
Eavan Porter

1:30 pm
Keynote:  Andrew W. K.

3:00 pm
I Need a Booking Agent, I Think...
Val Wolfe
Jenny McPhee
Patrick McAuliff
Jake Schneider (moderator)

3:00 pm
Music Managers Forum - Discussion
Craig S. Hyman (moderator)
Barry Bergman
Mike Gormley
Justin Seidenberg
Steve Garvan

3:15 pm
Rethinking the Kegger: Niche & Lifestyle Marketing
DJ Rekha
Jason Feinberg
Jolene Pellant (moderator)
Ben Spear

4:30 pm
Demo Derby
Brian Meiler
Mollie Moore
Amanda Berman
David Ponak

4:45 pm
The Music Biz is Not For You
Jeff Scheel (Moderator)
Martin Atkins
Barry Bergman
Steve Labate

5:00 pm
What Is MusiCares?
Amy Blackman
Bob Forest (moderator)
Jeff Jampol
Harold Owens

________________________________________________________________

July 25

12:00 pm
If the Record Deal is Dead, How Are Bands Getting Signed?
Amanda Berman
Steve Robertson
Justin Seidenberg
Mike Gormley
Tarik Bradford

12:00 pm
Licensing Workshop - Part 1
Jon Delange (moderator)
Justin Levenson
Jesse Willoughby
Laura Webb
Jerry Davis
Chris Jackson
Tony VonPervieux
Andrea Von Foerster

12:30 pm
Your Local Scene Sucks - How To Fix It
Jeff Scheel (mod)
Jason Feinberg
Steve Labate
Steve Garvan
Bill Hamel

1:30 pm
Keynote: Martin Atkins

1:30 pm
Licensing Workshop - Part 2
Jon Delange (moderator)
Justin Levenson
Jesse Willoughby
Laura Webb
Jerry Davis
Chris Jackson
Tony VonPervieux
Andrea Von Foerster

2:00 pm
Internet killed the Radio Star - New Media & Social Marketing - Reaching your fans
Jason Feinberg (moderator)
GI Sanders
Jolene Pellant
Brandon Chamberlain

2:00 pm
Music Managers Forum - Peer Group Meeting

3:15 pm
Facing The Inevitable:  Your Band Will Break Up
Mollie Moore
Craig S. Hyman
Ken Abdo (moderator)
Keith Lacock

3:15 pm
Video Games Create the New Rock Stars
Alissa Hernandez
Jeremy Volk (moderator)
David Ponak
Janelle Barretto

3:30 pm
Keynote:  Traa Daniels (P.O.D.)

4:45 pm
Publishing Today - Why It Matters To You
Amanda Berman
Brad Rains
David Ponak
Brian Meiler

4:45 pm
Demo Derby
Steve Robertson
Brandon Chamberlain
Tarik Bradford
Janelle Barretto
*All subject to change, please check dfest.com for most up-to-date info, additions and/or corrections.