Sill the One

The ASCAP Foundation Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop gives talented writers a look inside the industry

Pictured: The group takes their "class picture" with the evening's esteemed guest, Jody Gerson, co-president of Sony ATV Music. (l-r) Brian Cohen, Matthew Puckett, Janet Onyenucheya, Kenny Foster, Jess Furman, Lea Herman, Jason Whitton, Rinat Arinos, Ryan Dilmore, Gerson, Amy LaCour, Jeremy Silver, Shawn Pander, Brian Lam. Seated: ASCAP's Brendan Okrent

The annual ASCAP Foundation Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop once again brought together a diverse group of songwriters to explore the art and business of songwriting. Run by ASCAP's Brendan Okrent and Etan Rosenbloom, the 2008 edition of the workshop united a class of 13 talented writers, hand-picked from hundreds of applicants, who met at the ASCAP L.A. offices for eight sessions of informative and inspiring seminars. The workshop participants were treated to colorful anecdotes and advice from hit songwriter/ producer Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou. They learned the publishing ropes from attorney Doug Mark and Michael Eames (Pen Music Group). Hit songwriters Billy Steinberg, Michelle Lewis and Robin Lerner led a night dedicated to the art and craft of lyric writing, while manager Lynn Grossman (Secret Road) talked to the group about artist development and DIY marketing strategies. Singer/songwriter Michelle Featherstone, Cherry Lane VP Brooke Primont, 20th Century Fox's Ward Hake and ASCAP's Mike Todd dropped in for a Film/TV summit. Sony/ATV Co-President Jody Gerson, who discovered and developed superstar Alicia Keys among others, talked about the creative dynamic between songwriters and publishers. To cap off the 2008 Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop, the class collaborated on a special showcase at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles.