THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY AWARDS $5000 GRANT TO BRING THE

BUSINESS OF MUSIC INTO PUBLIC LIBRARIES!

Hazel Crest, IL  -- Q. What do TLC, Sam & Dave, & Frankie Lymon have in common? A. Bad contracts, stolen royalties, deceptive practices.   The music industry is constantly changing and more than ever, emerging artists and songwriters must be equipped with business basics to be successful.  The Libraries, Literacy, & Lyrics project was created to empower musicians with the basic skills needed for careers in music and to create awareness of the resources within the libraries for lifelong utilization.  The grant initiative, secured by library director and recording artist Tracy Worth for the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District, includes a songwriting contest and workshops facilitated by music professionals who support the value of libraries.

LIBRARY SONGWRITING CONTEST

The contest series will give songwriters an opportunity to share original compositions among professionals and peers.  The first 10 people to register (per event) will be invited to submit an original song to showcase.  At each Spotlight Showcase, music professionals will critique and select the best composition for the final event on July 19th. Participants can only showcase one selection, 3-4 minutes in length.  Any genre is acceptable, but no profanity or lewd language will be allowed.  Those interested in showcasing should contact a participating library to registration. Grant monitors reserve the right to select or deny any submission.  For more information, please call 708-798-5563 or visit www.ProjectL3.org.

PARTICIPATING LIBRARIES

Nancy L. McConathy Public Library

Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library

University Park Public Library

Grande Prairie Public Library

MAKING MONEY & MAKING MUSIC: Grande Prairie Library, Saturday, June 28, 1:00-4:00pm

Part one will focus on songwriting, production, recording, publishing, and music licensing.  The session will be facilitated by Felton Offard, Producer & Music Professor, Mark Taylor, Producer, Michael Weatherspoon, Spoonfed Productions, Mark Thame, Engineer, CleVon Brown, APMG Music, and Charlie Chaney, creator of the Indie Band Manager.  Refreshments will be served!  The library is located at 3479 West 183^rd Street, Hazel Crest, IL  60429 Tel. 708-798-5563.  www.Projectl3.org

MAKING MUSIC & MOVING FORWARD:  Prairie State College, Saturday, July 19, 1:00-4:00pm

T Part two will focus on the technological shifts within the music industry, avenues for income, and how to create and stay abreast of the changes.  his workshop will be facilitated by Bryant Scott, President of Tyscot Records, Stan Jones, Producer/Songwriter, Stantastic Entertainment, Thomas Cain, Songwriter and Senior Director of Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI, Donna Harris, NARAS Board of Directors, Tawanda Shamley, Radio Promoter, Reginald Miles, Radio Host, and Professor of Media Communications, Howard University, and Daniel Weatherspoon, Producer/Musician, SpoonFed Productions, and representatives from ASCAP and SESAC.