11/9/2012 by Sharifa Godfrey
Says the event’s founder Michele Clark: “Giving artists a true voice to be heard and creating an environment that’s conducive to listening and connecting, that’s what it’s all about.”
For nearly 15 years, Sunset Sessions has stayed true to its mission: to bridge the gap between artists, radio programmers, managers and other important industry professionals.
Indeed, as music conferences go, the tightly curated event, which is taking place at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas from Nov. 8 to 10, can tout some impressive accomplishments of its own, like launching the careers of San Diego-based singer-songwriter Jason Mraz along with such Grammy winners as the Zac Brown Band and the Black Keys.
Founder Michele Clark says it’s all about dedication. “It’s so hard to break new music these days which is why I work so tirelessly on Sunset Sessions,” Clark tells The Hollywood Reporter. Having worked for more than 20 years in radio promotion, she knows firsthand the difficulties artists encounter in an ever-changing business.
This year’s performances include new bands like Cheating Daylight and Beware of Darkness and also one on one Q&A’s with Carlos Santana and Stevie Nicks. For the first time all main stage performances will be open to the public with 100% of the ticket proceeds going to the charities of each artist’s choice. This includes; MusiCares, Wounded Warriors and The Food Bank of New York.
Sunset Sessions is the ideal stage for musicians searching for exposure, and the music tastemakers who want to discover and share them with the rest of the world. Clark says, “Giving artists a true voice to be heard and creating an environment that’s conducive to listening and connecting, that’s what it’s all about — it’s all about connections.”
