Who Is Scott Austin?

I’m pleased to announce that I have been asked to moderate “It’s Broken, Fix It”, a panel featuring multi-platinum Record Producer/Record Mogul Dallas Austin (Madonna, TLC, Pink, Kelis), Steve Yegelwel, President, S-Curve Records and other industry leaders at the 2008 CMJ Music Festival taking place in New York City next month.

This is the first year I’ve been asked to speak at a coveted CMJ engagement and I am truly honored. I am proud to add this amazing focal point to the growing list of opportunities where those in the know including EXTRA, G4 TV, Style Network, Music Connection Magazine and others, have asked my advice on music industry issues.

If you’re going to be at CMJ in NYC this year, hit me up and let’s grab a cocktail.

Just a quick reminder that The :90 Music Show, a weekly online show hosted by yours truly will debut next Friday. The show features the week’s top music news, exclusive interviews and commentary and provides info on emerging artists that YOU need to know about!

TUNE In.

I am very excited to announce that starting in January I will be hosting a weekly online show called The :90 Music Show which is, well, 90 seconds long. The show will feature the week’s top music news, exclusive interviews and commentaries and a section spotlighting unsigned/independent emerging artists each week that I think you need to check out.

Think of this as the “soundbites” version of MTV news with an inside look at new talent that’s on my radar. This show is for musicians, fans and industry/A&R Execs who want a weekly dose of good wholesome pop music.

When it comes to good-against-evil, right-against-wrong flicks, there are a handful of stories that come to mind that were depicted as epically on film as the author originally intended.  The Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars (not including throwaway Episodes One and Two), Batman Begins and 300 are nothing short of action/adventure perfection and BEOWULF has as much curb appeal with as many similar underlying themes, albeit slightly cartoon-ized due to the very unique visual effects treatment that is used throughout the movie.  This pic is shot in such a way that you’re not quite sure whether you’re playing a video game, watching a cartoon or a feature film, but after a few minutes your eyes adjust and you realize you’re not revisiting a Shrek sequel, but rather a compelling and familiar tale… the struggle of a society against its “monster.”

Who better to slay the tyrannical demon than a HERO, one of the rare individuals who seems to bare no emotion, whose sole purpose seems to be to fulfill his destiny, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice.  What the world needs right now IS heroes.  The music industry certainly needs them, only in that forum they are called ROCKSTARS.  There are countless news stories on a daily basis that discuss this subject and the resounding theme is that there are few with the tenacity and courage to truly endeavor to affect change. 
 
Another interesting thought to ponder is that before technology made information and communication so accessible, people were judged based on who they were the spawn of, an inverse societal “class” system that meant that you were defined at least initially by the actions of your parents and not a title or company logo.  It’s interesting how a person who used to be defined by actions and ethics is now defined by a logo and “castle” that they in fact didn’t have any part in actually building, with very rare exception.
 
It’s Not Who You Are Underneath, It’s What You Do That Defines You.