NWME is a volunteer organization formed and operating under the auspices of Songwriters in Seattle, a 501(c)(3) organization. The leadership consists of a Board of Directors staffed as follows, under the leadership of the Board are several committees organized about tasks related to the event. There is also an Advisory Board of key influentials from the Seattle music and business community who are endorsing and advising the event as well as may be participating as speakers or panel members.
Board Chair and Treasurer
Chris Klimecky: Chris is the leader of Songwriters in Seattle, a non-profit with over 750 members that holds a mission to educate musicians and enrich the creative musical culture of the Pacific Northwest. He is also active as an independent music producer and musician with 20 years of writing and recording history, including 5 full length album releases of his own. His career as a videogame producer continues to place him on the cutting edge of mixing creativity, technology, and business. Learn more about Chris at chrisklimecky.com
Responsibilities:
- Chair – Organizes meetings, steers decision-making, is primary spokesperson
- Treasurer – Handles money and budget, writes grants, manages bank account for event
Sponsor and Publicity Director, Social Media Manager
Linda Gordon:Linda is co-owner and co-founder of Seattle WAVE Radio, an on-line station which exclusively features WA State bands and solo artists. She has created panel discussions and networking events for Seattle musicians over the past 2 years which have been very well received and well-attended. She is currently producing monthly shows at the Hard Rock Café. Her background includes over 25 years of Executive Director level national marketing positions. Linda is at ease with both the marketing side of event planning and execution as well as the technical side of event planning and execution.
Responsibilities:
- Sponsors -Designs sponsor tiers, solicits and handles follow-up with sponsors, hand-holding, damage control, etc.
- Publicity – Creates PR plan, manages all media contacts
- Social Media – Responsible for all social media content distributed across Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, etc. Works with publicity director to plan targeted social media campaigns (i.e get feedback, generate awareness, schedule online events)
Seed Funding Manager and Event Logistics
Mark Gordon: Mark is co-founder and co-owner of Seattle WAVE Radio, an on-line station which exclusively features WA State bands and solo artists. He has created panel discussions and networking events for Seattle musicians over the past 2 years which have been very well received and well-attended. He is currently producing monthly shows at the Hard Rock Café. Mark has over 25 years of General Manager experience in the restaurant and print shop industries, and in addition was operations manager for an executive housing provider. Mark is extremely proficient with graphics design work, and also runs an event and entertainment web site with a calendar of Seattle live music events. Mark holds an A.A. degree from Palomar College, where he was on the state level Championship water polo team; was a competitive swimmer; and was a certified ocean lifeguard.
Responsibilities:
- Seedfunding – Point person for creation and implementation of Crowdfunding campaign for event seed money.
- Event Logistics – Liaison with event planner, permits, logistics, AV (streaming, sound, etc. ), also liaises with performance/showcase venues
Performance Director
Bob Myers: Bob “beak” Myers is the former owner of B Major Artists Management-Seattle (Edison Jones-Laura Love-Son of Man-Dave Ellis), board member of now defunct NAMA, staff member at Robert Lang Studios, consultant for Seattle guitar/fiddle duo Impossible Bird. He is also a drummer with 20 yrs. of experience – latest project Ron Don Juan & the Wingmen – and operated/managed Record Theater in Ohio. He spent 17 yrs. in the label biz (Polydor, Elektra, RCA, EMI, Virgin, Island Records) – promotion, marketing, A&R, and publicity. Bob currently is assisting Heart & Soul Management with career development of Vicci Martinez, Tacoma based singer/songwriter and star of The Voice.
Responsibilities:
- Performance Director – liaison with performance venues, books and schedules artists.
Advisory Board Liaison
Carol Handley: Carol is founder and principal of Smooth in Seattle and Carol Handley Presents. Since the early 80?s Carol has been presenting Jazz and Adult Alternative music in the greater Seattle area both on the air and in lifestyle events in the Pacific Northwest. Carol has created, produced and presented concerts and events featuring traditional, progressive and contemporary styles of jazz and roots music. Through her work at KWJZ from 1996 to 2010 as Program Director and on-air host, Carol created the Smooth Jazz Festival for fans of the music for 13 years in the Northwest. She also created 11 volumes of CD samplers that have become collector items as a tribute to the artists and the station that brought their music to life in Seattle. In 2009 Carol created the successful Secret Concert series with Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, introducing many artists to the audience in CD release concerts.
Responsibilities:
- Advisory Board – Reaching out and securing the Advisory Board members (luminaries, local/international, superstars, local officials, etc.) to lend their name to the event; to attend the VIP Reception Friday night, + the Legacy Musician Honoring session Saturday morning; and securing the Keynote Speaker.
Open BoD Responsibilities:
- Vice-Chair – acting Chair when the Chair cannot be at a meeting or make an urgent decision
- Educational Tracks Director – Designs, coordinates, schedules, and recruits for the event sessions and speakers
- Secretary – Records meetings and important decisions
- Website Manager – Handles design and implementation of event website, logos, graphic design, content plan, video (both creative and tech)
Advisory Board
Carol Handley – A broadcaster with 30 years in Seattle including past stations, KZAM, KEZX, KMTT, KWJZ and current Program Director of KRWM and owner/operator of the streaming station Smooth In Seattle and concert promotion company Carol Handley Presents.
Ed Beeson – With a long history in the NW as a venue owner and concert promoter, Beeson owned The Silver Spoon in Duvall & The Backstage in Ballard. As a booker and promoter with One Reel was involved with Summer Nights at the Pier, WOMAD, Bumbershoot and Teatro Zinzanni. Currently Beeson is the Music Director of Live at Benaroya.
Eric Tingstad – Grammy winning guitarist Eric Tingstad is a classically trained NW artist and has received acclaim as a solo artist as well as his work with Nancy Rumbel. His credits include over 20 album projects, two grammy nominations and one grammy win.
Roger Fisher – Most known for his role as founding member and guitarist in the bands Heart and Alias, Fisher is also known for his work as a composer and member of the organization Synergia Northwest, a live music event mixing professionals and students for Washington state youth musical education fusing classical and contemporary music.
Michael McMorrow – Composer, recording artist and keyboardist Michael McMorrow was a founding member of the band Stolenogre. As executive producer and musical director, Michael produces Synergia Northwest Presents, an annual concert event to raise funds and awareness for youth music in the Pacific Northwest. The series is now in its fourth year and artists performing with the 50 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra have included members of Heart, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Blues Traveler, Tracy Bonham, Queensryche, YES and others.
John N. Wilson – A Northwest sound engineer and audio tech with record producing credits as well as a touring band manager. Wilson also currently oversees production at the Admiral Theater in Bremerton.
Chris Knab – Owner of FourFront Media and Music, Knab is a veteran of the music business wars, and since the late 80’s has turned his attention to educating and consulting musicians about the realities of an industry that is constantly in flux. He teaches, consults and writes about issues important to recording artists and bands.
