Starting on Thursday, October 1st at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, Colorado (NOT in Durango, Folks!), the Durango Songwriters Expo presented live showcases of attendee singer / songwriters and followed up with an open mic session hosted by the wonderful Joe Kellogg.
The Song Listening Sessions started at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2nd, with Country Song reviewers Eric Gallimore, Warren Sellers, Rebekah Gordon and Chelsea Kent. Pop/Rock reviewers were Megan Wood, Richard Harris, Brian Naguit (CBS Television), Randall Foster, Nick Haussling, Chris Cole, Katy Wolaver, and Jake Simon. Steve Garvan and Bob Rea critiqued Folk/Roots songs.
Panel Discussion #1 centered on The Durango AllStars – Artists that have attended the Expo for a long time. Most of them have established careers. They will share their insights about how the Expo can help YOU! And attendees heard some great performers!
Panel Discussion #2 focused on “Getting Signed” and was hosted by Jack Hayford. The discussion featured panelists Nicolette Hayford, Sophie Rose, Dustin Christensen, Olivia Rudeen (from Denver and now working as a professional songwriter), and Chris Gelbuda. Attendees heard from those who have actually been signed to publishing deals directly from the Expo or since they have been attending the Expo. A Q&A session was held for attendees to ask the questions that they really wanted to know the answers to!
Later in the afternoon, another discussion was held by songwriter Richard Harris which he focused on Songwriting and Production.
Country/Americana Song Listening Sessions were monitored by Bobby Rymer, Chris Gelbuda, Kendall Lettow, and Garth Brooks’ songwriter Amanda Williams. Pop/Rock listening sessions featured reviewers Buffy Hubelbank, Ryan Shupe (Toad, The Wet Sprocket), Adam Epstein, Brooke Arrington, Chuck Bein, Ciara Gardner, and Howard and Monica Benson.
More showcases and the open mic, again hosted by Joe Kellogg, followed in the evening on Friday.
On Saturday, October 3rd, the day started with a workshop on “What’s Up With Digital?”, hosted by Amanda Williams. She talked about what’s REALLY going on in the world of digital music, rights, and licensing. Amanda is a Grammy-Nominated Songwriter, owner of SongWritingandMusicBusiness.com and she has a cut (“She’s Tired of Boys”) currently on the Platinum-selling Garth Brooks CD, “Man Against Machine.” She is a brilliant performer and teacher.
The ever popular “Film and TV” session was discussed by jon Ernst, Chuck Bein, Brian Naguit, Megan Wood, Randall Foster, and Adam Zelkind.
Afternoon Country listening sessions were critiqued by Taylor Lindsey, Chris Cole, Patrick Clifford, James Elliott, and the Pop/Rock sessions featured Gary Bowen, Sophie Rose, Travis Gordon, Ryan Shupe, Richard Harris,Brian Naguit, Jon Ernst, and Ron Harris.
Another panel discussion on “Publishing” featured panelists Eric Gallimore, Bobby Rymer, Patrick Clifford, Travis Gordon, Buffy Hubelbank, Kendall Lettow, Katy Wolaver, and Jake Simon, while “Do Your Own Thing” was hosted by Steve Garvan (formerly of Denver) with panelists Ryan Shupe, Stephanie Mabey, and Jeff Cook.
Saturday night’s closing concert show featured Big All Anderson, Glen Phillips, Josh Kerr, Chris Gelbuda, with special guest appearances by some of the other VIPs including Amanda Williams.
Open acts were Sophie Rose, Olivia Rudeen, Richard Harris, Nicolette Hayford, Dustin Christensen, and Ryan Shupe.