Indie Go Inspire (IGI) & Merge Music Group (MMG) hosted the 3-night Power Up! Virtual Music Conference last week that featured industry tastemakers from Gospel Music Workshop of America executives, producers and with elite radio programmers from across the country.
The conference opened with a cute skit from conference host Patrice DeLisser (IGI) and Sherri Johnson (MMG). It started with DeLisser in her car on the way to the music conference. Then shifts quickly to Miss Johnson leaving her home to get to the conference as her two daughters are running behind her, trying to remind her that the conference is virtual and not in person. She turns back to the house to get ready to log into the virtual conference.
Once the video finishes, the third host, Roderick Jemison welcomes the audience followed by Sherri, and Patrice starts the first session.
This session featured Da T.R.U.T.H., who seriously set the tone for the entire conference by sharing his personal testimony, the Word of God, and exalting the Lord all at one time. The feedback from the virtual audience was immediate as they typed “Amen” and had hands-up emojis posted.
After Da T.R.U.T.H., the conference went straight into the segment where indie artists had an opportunity to share their new music with radio programmers from across the country for immediate constructive feedback. There were over 20 submissions, and the radio programmers and artists did not disappoint. The experts included Ed Long (WDAS), Karen Rogers (WIMG), Tracy Morgan (Tracy Morgan Show), Shaute Garrett (WENO), Pam Dixon (WEAM), Robyn McCollum, and Fred Blain right here from Philly. Artists left the evening with more insight as to how to move forward with their music ministry.
Night 2 of the conference was information-packed as it featured experts in branding, sales, producing, marketing and distribution fields, and more. Dennis Cole of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (Alliance for Gospel Music Professionals) and Stellar Awards gave tips on how to have an award-winning project. He explained the importance of networking and maintaining a balance. He was followed by producer Jason Hendrickson who brought a wealth of information from how to negotiate percentages for royalties to properly copywriting music.
The media partner for the conference was WFNK Radio and its program director, Duane Knight aka Dr. D (the original Gospel DJ) opened up the three-night event with his unique style that pulled you right into the atmosphere. DJ 3 W spun us all happy on the second night, then on the final night, DJ Rich mixed a little bit of the classics with his original mixes and just created amazing music.
Friday, was the Power Up!’s finale, and it couldn’t get any better than worship and praise sensation herself—Benita Jones. She spoke on staying relevant in this ever-growing virtual world and how to still stay connected to God. She spoke on balancing the demands of ministry in relation to your personal desires.
To close out the conference the hosts asked national recording artist Lecrae to perform. His virtual performance of all his hit songs just blew the roof off the building. He had people young and young at heart glued to their smart devices.
From start to finish Indie Go Inspire and Merge Music Group put together a spectacular event that was enjoyed from the comfort of each person’s home. They aren’t taking much time to rest because June 2022 will be their 2nd annual Power Up! Conference, but instead of virtual it may be in-person. Stay tuned.
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