According to the their website G.E.M.S. was created to provide a forum for the exchange of views, ideas and contacts in the independent music, film, video and multimedia worlds of the entertainment and communications industries in a context of innovation, reinvention, and the creation of possibility for sustainable careers and a revolution in marketing and distribution. The Global Entertainment Summit will convene once more in 2005 in Hamden, Connecticut on October 15 and 16, before exporting their message of digital revolution and artistic possibilities overseas for a meeting in Amsterdam next February 25 and 26. G.E.M.S. will return to New York City on April 8 and 9, 2006. Hundreds of musicians turned out for panels throughout the weekend that were geared towards film, deal making, creative branding and marketing, and the convergence of the film, music and video game industries.

If the music industry has been seen as an imposing monolithic structure then the digital age has proven to be a worthy opponent. In fact, it's like a giant wall has been torn down allowing a multitude of industry and artists into the former overly protected musical kingdom. So, who better to serve as the keynote speaker then famed music producer Bob Ezrin whose most famous work was Pink Floyd's 1979 masterpiece, The Wall!

Famed music producer Bob Ezrin was a keynote speaker!

Ezrin was on hand to discuss where the industry has been, where it is now, and where it is going. As a most successful producer for the likes of Alice Cooper, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel and many others Bob has a clear understanding of where the entertainment industry is headed.

Mr. Ezrin began his speech by asking attendees to consider why they were there for the Summit.

"Perhaps a fire started when we were young and someone exposed us to music, films, the arts, and dance," Ezrin suggested before delving into a history of the recording industry. Bob reminded everyone that as technology has changed since the development of tape machines during World War II, more opportunities arise as the technologies are developed. This branched into a tale of the earliest record labels in the U.S. such as Chess, Sun, and Stax who were the pioneers of artist development.

Bob emphasized that emerging artists today should seize opportunities by finding places that will play their music. They should support other artists and seek each other out to learn from and inspire each other. Mr. Ezrin said that this is an exciting time to be in the industry because everything is in flux and "the rules are changing."

Bob did remind the audience that music has been a business that traditionally sucks artists dry before moving on and that "pure passion" is what music is about and not chasing a dollar. Even so, what has rescued the industry in each prior crisis has been the emergence of a new media format like the CD and cassette tape before that.

"We have a tired format," stated Mr. Ezrin before revealing his theory that the new media just might be the air around us. "I imagine pointing a device at a vending machine somewhere to download a full album of songs."

Imagine that. The wall is down, the old system is destroyed and people are imagining a world of new portable devices, instantaneous downloads, and artistic freedom ... a brave new world where the future is on demand!

G.E.M.S. founder Steve Zuckerman (left) and songwriter Martin Briley (right)

The Future is on Demand was a four-person panel that discussed the options and obstacles facing artists in the rapidly changing digital world. These industry leaders and entrepreneurs analyzed the present and future direction of the entertainment sector.

Many recalled the days when people believed that VCRs and tape decks were going to kill the movie and music worlds but they didn't. In the music realm, the new format of CDs created a whole new market. Today, the industry and artists must respond and move into the digital age.

Bradley Horowitz of Yahoo mentioned that his company is already providing on demand music and that Yahoo is working on tools to direct people to additional music content. Yahoo is also promoting social networking sites where music is shared and discovered. The term viral marketing was used to explain how new technology can help artists move their names and music to top of lists. If an artist can get more Internet exposure he/she can build on that momentum with live shows. Yahoo is looking for win/win models that promotes their company but also provides a creative, diverse and effective forum for musicians.

Richard Gotterher of The Orchard and also a composer who penned "My Boyfriend's Back" commented on the availability of music and listeners from around the globe. Richard, speaking from personal experience, implied that downloading and the use of back catalogue, copyrighted material, such as his famous song, could create future revenue. There were a number of copyright lawyers in the audience and it is clear that it is a hot topic of debate that will not be easily resolved.

How can an indie artist avoid being lost in the vastness of the Internet? Today, they can exploit search engines, choosing key terms and "sounds like" references, to align themselves with bigger-named acts. Submitting music to Internet radio stations and music promotion websites are other options to increase exposure, as well as exchanging links and utilizing queries that search by type of music and friend's groups.

As improvements are made to Internet infrastructures artists can utilize enhanced built in connections and recommending engines. There was also talk of hand held devices becoming more pervasive and powerful where people in the future will be able to grab things from the air so to speak. There could be the ability to buy a coke from a vending machine with your phone and downloading a song that you hear to your PDA. Lastly, success is in the doing combined with hard work and sometimes luck.

Another Saturday panel stressed the use of alternative media for artists to get the word out about themselves. Web Logs, known as "blogs", and audio broadcast on the web known as "webcasts" and "podcasts" are powerful and economical new tools used by artists to forge closer ties with their fan base. The Blogs and Webcasts and Podcasts: The New Artist Outreach session covered the basic concepts and addressed the technical, artistic, financial, and promotional aspects of new media. An additional Sunday panel, entitled Using the Media to Spread your Message continued the self-empowerment theme and encouraged determined musicians to create positive and productive media opportunities in order to advance their careers.

Equally empowering was A crash course in artistic self-promotion where artists could learn how to create inexpensive T-shirts, posters, buttons, CD covers, mouse pads, bumper stickers, to not only promote their music, but also to create additional revenue streams. Another panel geared at the income potential of music was the SoundExchange Presents: New Ways for Artists and Record Labels to Receive New Streams of Money which emphasized the new stream of income from digital performances and downloads.

During a Saturday keynote address with Songwriter and Artist Martin Briley (Celine Dion, NSYNC, Kenny Loggins, Greg Allman, more) it was learned that now is a time of opportunity. Briley confirmed that there are a lot of opportunities for the creative songwriter and that there is money to be made out there, "you just have to dig."

Riley was joined by G.E.M.S. founder Steve Zuckerman who was quick to point out that help can come from all around and emphasized the importance of creating great teams to accomplish your goals. Zuckerman said that the important people could be the persons next to you and not necessarily the experts on the panels before describing a mind-blowing recording project that he recently was involved with as an executive producer – the forthcoming tribute record for Les Paul's 90th birthday celebration – and how important networking and team-building was in pulling off this latest incredible achievement.

Scenes from G.E.M.S. I!

On Sunday, a panel discussed the dilemma of balancing commercial success with creative integrity. It was an in-depth look at how artists can follow their own muse and put out product that is marketable. Topics also included maintaining a career at home in the fast-paced and changing entertainment industry.

These subjects tied in to many of the ideas that keynote speaker Bob Ezrin analyzed in his Saturday address. Mr. Ezrin emphasized the need to create and the many things that inspired him at a young age. Bob considers music the highest art form and pointed out that all cultures have music. He also observed that our hearts on average beat 60 times per minute, which is a perfect rhythm. He encouraged artists to "create because you want to" and be truly committed to it. Music is about pure passion not chasing the dollar but the industry sees it as a business. Mr. Ezrin suggested that artists craft what is in their heart and make it as good as possible then look for new media forms to promote it and reach open audiences.

Besides utilizing digital tools, artists also need to consider their own personal development and image. On Sunday, Mr. Wayne Allen an actor, tenor singer and teacher gave an enlightening message on creative fulfillment and professional success. Mr. Allen, in tandem with John Battaglia who spoke on Saturday, outlined strategies for self enlightenment and creating an artistic, professional image.

John is an author, speaker and personal coach. Mr. Battaglia conducted an interactive discussion entitled "the rock star in you." John's advice was not only pertinent to musicians but to everyone.

The first step is to figure out who you really are and craft your outer image to match your true self. It is important to clarify your goals and take proactive steps to reach them. Self-knowledge includes understanding your barriers and fears and finding ways to over come them. A member of the audience asked about stage freight. Mr. Battaglia replied that it is different for each person but generally an artist needs to pin point the fear behind the fright and take the big steps necessary to conquer it.

Artists must be aware of how they walk and how they communicate on and off the stage. Musicians should know their audience and keep in mind the environment they are working in.

Mr. Battaglia outlined the following steps for creating the rock star in you:

1. Give it your all, all the time, regardless of how big or small the audience.
2. Take chances.
3. Beat your fears.
4. Play big.
5. Be open to creativity and new opportunities.
6. Perseverance.
7. Networking.
8. Define yourself and strengthen yourself.
9. Flexibility.
10. Master your craft.
11. Live fully.

John inquired what the audience wanted to talk about. Many desired to discuss perfecting live performances. Building on the information that he outlined, John suggested being in the moment on stage and making a connection with the audience is key. Mr. Battaglia also asked "who are your favorite stars and why"? He stated that musicians should create a signature style and have an outward appearance that is in line with their inner passion. John's seven steps and beyond directed people onto the road of success!

We met several musicians at this year's summit. First up was Billy Terry who was covering G.E.M.S. for his Always Positive Productions label while promoting his recently released debut In The Beginning CD. Next we crossed paths with guitar-player extraordinaire Johnny Young and his engineer, Michelle Young. This was the second year in a row we saw them at G.E.M.S. and they gave us their brand new "Bloodroot" band CD.

We also met up with Ed Hale who was on hand to spread the news about his band Transcendence and their new CD, Nothing Is Cohesive. Ed reports that this record is doing well and already rating high on the college charts. We had the pleasure of speaking with indie artist and label owner, Lucinda, and we ran into Jan Owen, a New Jersey based artist who was recently signed to Subway Records.

Other notable events during the two-day conference included a preview and discussion of Tony Cox's "Three Days in the Life" a documentary film about John Lennon during the year 1970. On Saturday night a VIP party was held for G.E.M.S. participants where Howard Bloom was presented with an Achievement & Commitment to Excellence award. Howard Bloom was a public relations genius who helped develop the careers of Michael Jackson, Prince, John Cougar, Bette Midler and many others. Mr. Bloom was active in fighting censorship with his Music In Action coalition. In 1988, he left the music business to pursue a career in science and writing with a focus on mass behavior.

G.E.M.S. continues to be a rewarding and optimistic summit, which holds out the hope of a better future for music makers and the entertainment industry. This organization is boldly guiding a new generation of artists toward creative expression that is financially rewarding and that's no joke!

Scenes from G.E.M.S. II!

Related Links: For more information on Global Entertainment and Media Summit and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- G.E.M.S. Summit | LaughFactory.com | Pink Floyd: The Wall | Transcendence CD | Bloodroot CD | Billy Terry CD | JanOwen.com

(Originally Published on June 01, 2005)