How does the music industry work? Who are those faceless people who sign bands and artists to record labels? How does a promoter decide which acts are suitable for one festival or another? What are the factors that underpin the prices of concert tickets (and are there any free ones going)? How did your man get that crazy guitar sound? What are the secrets of writing a great song? Or even just a successful one?

These are the kind of questions that fascinate not just aspiring musicians and band members but fans of live music and record buyers alike. Well, if you’re looking to hear them answered, Music Ireland ‘06 is the place for you.
Over the course of two days at the RDS, many of the top names in the industry in Ireland will gather together for a series of seminars, panels and workshops – at which all of this and much more will be explored. From the opening guitar workshop on Saturday which will see two of Ireland’s greatest guitarists, Conor Brady (who has played with Paul Cleary and Sharon Shannon and featured on a host of Irish albums) and Anto Drennan (best known as the guitar-slinger with Moving Hearts and The Corrs, amongst others) demonstrate their licks to what is certain to be a packed room, to the closing seminar on Digital Music – covering how to make it, and where the business of downloading is taking us – there will be a wealth of information, entertainment and lively debate.
With Rick O’Shea of 2FM, Jerry Fish, You’re A Star man Thomas Black, songwriter and film-maker Nick Kelly, solo artist of the year Julie Feeneyand promoter Peter Aiken all taking to the stand at different times, there’ll be a hell of a lot to learn – and bum notes will assuredly be at a minimum! The message is to be there – or miss out on a unique opportunity to get an insight into the business they call show, and the people who make it happen.
*For the full list of seminars and workshops, see Page 2

SPECIAL GUEST: PHILOMENA LYNOTT
Personal appearances will be another highlight of Music Ireland ‘06
Philomena Lynott will be among the special guests at MUSIC IRELAND ’06. She will be signing copies of her book My Boy, as well as the recent special edition of Hot Press that featured a free CD of music by Philip Lynott, entitled Philip Lynott: The Lost Recordings. The full list of tracks on that very special CD reads as follows:
1. Mama And Papa
2. Saga of the Ageing Orphan
3. It’s Really Worthwhile
4. Dublin
5. The Friendly Ranger at Clontarf Castle

Other Artist PAs Will Be Announced Closer To The Time. Log onto
www.musicireland.ie for fresh information over the coming days.