Minister Marion Hall To Headline Mindset Conference In May

Minister Marion Hall, singer and Minister Junior Tucker, and former Main Street producer Danny Browne are set to feature at the first-ever staging of the Mindset Conference for members of the music industry in May.

Mindset is the brainchild of Hall’s manager, Delroy Escoffery, of D’Empire Management. It will be held from May 20 to 22 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston and will feature iconic gospel singer-songwriter Kevin Downswell.

Mindset is described as a “community for creatives such as singers, songwriters, composers, publishers and musicians”, with a mission geared at “equipping, encouraging and empowering them in the Kingdom of Christ”.  It will focus on the four main areas of the music industry: recorded music, live music, music publishing, and artist management.

“Mindset Conference will play a significant role in determining achievement and success in the Gospel Music Industry. This conference will force you to gain knowledge and understanding of ALL facets of the music industry.  Mindset Conference is intended to Equip, Encourage, and Empower, but is not limited to Creatives in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, but to anyone interested in successfully navigating the music business,” the organizers note on their website.

The event will cater to individuals and organizations that “earn money by writing songs and musical compositions, creating and selling recorded music and sheet music, and presenting concerts, as well as the organizations that aid, train, represent, and supply music creators”.

“Mindset will provide the necessary and precise information on how to navigate various industries, more specifically, the music industry. It’s a networking hub and the answer to anyone’s dream to be a part of the music industry,” the organization’s website also notes.

“There are several job roles within the industry, and it is ever-evolving. The number of record labels is expanding, and more and more artistes are coming forth, coupled with competing streaming platforms,” it added.

Activities at the event include eight workshops, led by experienced music professionals, on topics such as the Recording Industry, Publishing, Royalties (Performance, Mechanical, Synchronization), Songwriting, Copyright, Radio, Digital Music Distribution Industry, Streaming, Licensing, Artist Management, Touring, Merchandising, Events, Production, Social Media, Monetizing Social Media, Marketing and Public Relations, and Legal Affairs.

Emphasis will also be placed on the mechanics of the Music Industry, namely: the Recording Industry, Digital Music Distribution Industry, Streaming, Live and Touring Industry, Licensing and Sync, Artiste Management, Music Publishing Industry, Radio, Legal, Audience, and fan Attention.

“Teamwork is essential for any artiste looking to succeed in the music industry. You need to be able to collaborate and work with other musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and other industry professionals. Working well with others will help you create better music and get more opportunities. At the Mindset Conference, we will provide exactly that and much more,” the organisers website states.

“The Mindset Conference will host panel discussions, with spirited praise and worship sessions to uplift the name of our Lord and Savior, whilst concluding with the undiluted Word of God each day,” it added.

In an interview with The Star in February, Escoffery explained the conference’s objectives, saying it was “not limited to creatives in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, but to anyone interested in successfully navigating the business.”

“It will provide the necessary and precise information on how to navigate various industries, more specifically, the music, fashion, and film industries. It’s a networking hub and the answer to anyone’s dream to be a part of the creative industry,” Escoffery explained.

“God said go back to Jamaica and build the industry by equipping, encouraging, and empowering the creative in the body of Christ; start with the music industry, do a conference; and then do a musical project with both international gospel artistes and Jamaican gospel artistes,” he told the publication, in explaining the genesis of the event.