Songwriter's Technology Forum Spotlights Latest Music-Making Tools From Yamaha

SONGWRITER'S TECHNOLOGY FORUM SPOTLIGHTS LATEST MUSIC-MAKING TOOLS FROM YAMAHA

—Paul Williams, Jon Vesner, Beth Nielsen Chapman Panel Participants—

NASHVILLE (July 16, 2001)—Yamaha Corporation of America, in cooperation with ASCAP, BMI and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), hosted a reception and panel discussion entitled "The Yamaha Songwriter's Technology Forum" on Monday, July 16, at Nashville's New Country Music Hall of Fame. Current and future developments in music technology, with an emphasis on new music tools available to the songwriting, performance and production communities, were the prime focus of the evening.

"The" Technology Forum songwriting panel: (standing L-R) Steve Hornbeak, Kenny Greenberg, Tony Haselton, Jon Vesner, Tom Shapiro, Michael Omartian, moderator Gary Chapman, Gary Nicholson. Center: Paul Williams and Yamaha Corporate Director of Artist Affairs Chris Gero. Seated L-R: Allen Shamblin, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Annie Roboff.

Panel participants included: Paul Williams, Jon Vesner, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Annie Roboff, Gary Nicholson, Kenny Greenberg, Allen Shamblin, Tony Haselden, Michael Omartian, Steve Hornbeak, and host/moderator Gary Chapman.

"Our goal is to provide an overview of the many Yamaha audio and music products available to the professional songwriter, record producer and artist to assist in better crafting their work," notes Chris Gero, Corporate Director of Artist Affairs for Yamaha.

The event also included hands-on demonstrations of the newest products offered by Yamaha's Professional Audio, Portable Keyboard and Digital Musical Instrument areas, including the AW4416 Digital Audio Workstation, 9000 Pro Keyboard. and Motif Music Production Synthesizer.

"This event was of real interest to the growing number of songwriters who create their own demos," comments Jon Vesner, who has penned the hit "Where've You Been" for Kathy Mattea, and "I Know Him By Heart," from the Ally McBeal soundtrack (which he co-wrote with Paul Williams). "I use Yamaha products for all my demos, and they have been both valuable and cost-effective tools."

"Music technology is constantly evolving," adds Rick Young, general manager, Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division. "Such a forum will provide the industry professional with a better understanding of what is available, and help them make educated equipment selections. Yamaha products have been used for many, many years by songwriters from Beth Nielsen Chapman to Melissa Manchester."

The evening began with a reception followed by an open forum. Browse a Photo Gallery of the event to catch a glimpse of all the star-studded talent who participated.

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