CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Speaker & Mentors
For information about speaking opportunities email John Harris @ sscapemay@gmail.com
David Ivory Jeffrey Snyder Lou Plaia Rick Eberle
Bill pere Kay Pere Les Scott Dr. E. Michael Harrington
Michael Kornfeld Chris Swartz Keith Lowry Carter Fox
Lucy D Briggs Gerronimo Vanicola Charlie Calv Helen Bruner & Terry Jones
Jill Schafer David Avery Camille K Rob Schwartz
Vic Steffens John Harris Cole Robinson
Jared Lee Gosselin Jim Fetzer Jason Spiewak Marc Swersky
Bill Pere – Connecticut Songwriters Academy www.billpere.com
Grammy Award Winner Bill Pere is one of today’s most sought-after songwriting mentors, workshop presenters,
and song critiquers. He has released 17 albums and is the author of the internationally acclaimed “Songcrafters’
Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting”. Originally from New York City,
Bill travels coast to coast and is committed to helping artists create the best possible songs and achieve their goals.
He founded and runs the Connecticut Songwriters Academy, working with clients around the world.
As a featured contestant on NBC’s America’s Got Talent in 2022, she earned high praise for her original song “Still in Love” from all of the judges. Simon Cowell described her performance as “beautiful” while Heidi Klum called her “absolutely amazing”. Sofia Vergara added her voice was “spectacular”. Camille’s music was also featured in the movies “Finding Christmas” and “7th Secret”. She is currently working with the multiple platinum producers Klubjumpers. Her maxi-single “Daydreamer” charted #2 on iTunes Top Dance Albums. Camille is consistently touring throughout the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. For more on Camille K, follow her on social media on Facebook and Instagram (@camillekmusic).
Carter Fox – Carter Fox Consulting CarterFoxConsulting.com
Carter Fox is an award-winning musician, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur with a career spanning
decades. From touring the world with R&B legend Freddie Jackson to creating his own genre-blending music
with millions of streams, Carter’s influence extends across the music industry. His collaborations include icons
like Leon Huff and companies such as Reservoir Media Management, Universal Music Group, and Disc Makers.
A respected voice in the industry, Carter has authored the Music Business Bassics book series, which includes
five #1 titles (four #1 rankings and a #1 New Release in the Amazon Music Business category), spoken at
prestigious institutions like USC and NYU, and contributed to publications like Hypebot. Endorsed by Aguilar
Amplification, DR Strings, and Moody Leather, Carter continues to inspire musicians and music lovers alike.
Chris Swartz – Talent Agent – Fatabooking.com
Chris Swartz is a talent agent proudly based in Philadelphia with FATA Booking Agency. Some of his clients
include Charles Esten, LowDown Brass Band, Bit Brigade, Kate Yeager, and Kyle Sparkman. Chris was a
DIY touring artist and concert promoter before taking on the world of agenting. Many of his clients come
from non-traditional backgrounds and require unique development strategies. In his free time, you can find
Chris at a Philadelphia Union game or enjoying Philly’s amazing food scene
linkedin.com/in/christine-
began at the age of 14 as a venue manager at a small youth center nestled in the heart of the
Adirondacks. Her journey into the music business was fueled by relentless drive, a thirst for
knowledge, and an innate ability to network. Within a couple years she had expanded her
influence, overseeing multiple rooms and delving into the world of writing all before graduating
High School. Christine’s career trajectory would only continue to soar as she relentlessly built a
diverse portfolio, conquering roles in marketing, branding, public relations, management,
booking, and more. Her approach to success was shaped by her fierce work ethic, leveraging
social media, technology, education, and guerilla marketing strategies to push boundaries.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with artists of all sizes—from Grammy-nominated
and supergroups to emerging acts—proving that her expertise transcends genres and
experience levels.
Having attended Berklee College of Music, Christine further honed her craft and understanding
of the industry, cementing her reputation as a multifaceted professional in the music world. A
passionate advocate for mental health awareness, youth activism, and animal adoption
services, Christine has used her platform to support several philanthropic causes. Her
commitment to creating positive change in the world mirrors her dedication to dismantling the
barriers that exist within the entertainment industry. Christine has become a sought-after voice
in the field, contributing as a published author and guest editor in various publications. Her
candid commentary on the music industry, branding, marketing, youth education, and the
industry’s unjust treatment of artists and offering alternatives for both artist and industry has
garnered her a reputation as a firebrand with a fresh perspective on the future of the business.
Known for her wit, composure, and sharp sense of humor, Christine embodies the spirit of a
strong female leader at the forefront of the evolving music landscape. She continues to work as
an author, podcast host of “Who is Christine Anyway?”, venue manager and developer,
marketing and branding strategist, and public relations manager, while inspiring the next
generation of music professionals with her unapologetic and innovative approach.
David Ivory – Ivory Entertainment LLC ivoryproductions.com
David Ivory is a GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum engineer, and producer. He served as President
and Trustee for the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammys) for the Philadelphia
chapter (2010-2016). Among others, his gold and platinum RIAA awards include the Roots, Erykah Badu,
Patti LaBelle, and Syleena Johnson. Ivory’s engineering skills landed him credit for one of the founders of the
neo-soul sound in the mid1990’s. Ivory’s producer credits include Patti LaBelle’s Timeless Journey (Island),
Kindred’s Surrender To Love (Hidden Beach) as well as producing and developing Philadelphia’s own rock
act Silvertide, resulting in their two releases American Excess and Show And Tell (J Records). Ivory is also
credited with discovering and producing the GRAMMY-winning rock band Halestorm, which he got signed
to Atlantic Records in late 2005. He produced their first release on Atlantic entitled One And Done. One of
the singles from their LP Halestorm (“It’s Not You“— originally co-written and produced by Ivory) reached
Top 20 status on the rock charts in 2011. Most recently Ivory produced Knoxville’s favorite Count Pariah’s
number 1 single on iTunes “Worst Version Of Me” which climbed to #1 over the labor Day weekend 2024.
Ivory also hosted a television series on Comcast On Demand entitled “David Ivory Presents”
(davidivorypresents.com), featuring live performances and interviews with up-and-coming independent local
and national talent. As well as producing and running Ivory Entertainment LLC, David Ivory is currently the
Director of Sound Recording and Music Technology program and the Mass Media and Production programs at Montgomery Country
Community College. He oversees the program, as well as teaches music production in their new two-million-dollar
studio including the SSL mix room of which he designed. Ivory also chaired the Blue-ribbon committee the
Philadelphia Mayor’s office formed with the most prestigious music professionals in the city. This “Music Industry
Task Force” serves to help develop and cultivate the music industry in the Philadelphia region. Today Ivory sits on
the board of the Philadelphia Music Alliance and is chair of the education committee. Ivory also owns and operates
Flexitone Records, which periodically releases singles from regional, national, and international artists
(flexitonerecords.com).
Dr. E. Michael Harrington – Nashville & Boston – https://x.com/emh2625
Dr. Harrington was the expert witness responsible for freeing the iconic civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome” in
2018. He co-authored two successful amicus briefs for defendants Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry in the U. S. Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2020 & 2022 and has served as consultant in hundreds of music copyright & IP
matters involving Apple, Amazon, Buena Vista, Walt Disney, HBO, Samsung, Blurred Lines, Busta Rhymes,
Dua Lipa, Marvel, EA, 50 Cent, Tupac, the Chicks, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Steve Perry, Adele, Lady Gaga,
Deadmau5, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Snoop, Vince Gill, T-Pain, Steven Spielberg, USPS and more. Harrington served
as expert at the U.S. Copyright Office and World Intellectual Property Organization’s symposium “Copyright in the
Age of Artificial Intelligence” at the Library of Congress on February 5, 2020 and has spoken about AI, music & IP
to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Leadership Music, Rotary International, Copyright Society of the South,
Administrators of Gospel Music as well as other companies and organizations. Harrington has been interviewed by the
New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Forbes, Scientific American, Esquire, Fox, Bloomberg Law, Wall Street
Journal, Time, Boston Globe, NPR, PBS, BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, CBC and more, and spoken at more than 500 music
conferences, bar associations, law schools and universities including Harvard Law, BC Law, GWU Law, Cardozo Law,
Brooklyn Law, Penn State Law, Houston Law Center, Boston Bar, Beverly Hills Bar, Texas Bar, American Bar
Association, Minnesota Bar, NYIPLA, SF Music Tech, Future of Music Coalition, Mondo.nyc, Leadership Nashville,
Leadership Music and others. Harrington created the Berklee College of Music/Coursera Copyright Law In The Music
Business class/MOOC which has been taken by students from 181 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the
Berklee Graduate Music Business Law class and Music Business Capstone class. An avid bicyclist, Harrington has
bicycled three (3) times across the United States – twice from Los Angeles to Nashville, and once from Florence,
Oregon to Nashville (3,400 miles).
Geronimo Vannicola -A Voting Member and Board Governor of the Recording Academy Philly Chapter, Geronimo Vannicola is a Grammy Certified Producer/ Engineer. From humble beginnings growing up in the foster care system and coining the term, “From Group Homes to the Grammys”, he has established a name for himself in the music industry by doing sync work, eclectic instrumentals, and engineering multi-genre music.
Early in his career, Geronimo worked as a freelance producer, scoring with Tempo TV, Sony /ATV, and even a movie for comedian Michael Blackson. As an Entrepreneur, owning a recording studio/production company for well over a decade, jump started several independent artists’ careers with over 1000 credits on over 370 songs registered to DPSs. He also engages in community outreach, empowering inner city youth and in 2013 created music production education programs, based in New Castle County, Delaware which partners with the PAL centers, S.A.V.E. Program (Suicide And Violence Education). In 2015 he was named Delaware Businessman Now’s 40 under 40.
Geronimo has mentored over 20 students from Delaware State University and other neighboring colleges with internships earning them a total of 17,000 credit hours. As he developed his craft evolved into working with Labels, Multi-Platinum Artists and Producers including RocNation, VEDO, Freeway, Fat Joe and hundreds of independent artists, expanding his catalogue. His company is currently a vendor for Paramount, doing sync work and cue scoring for TV shows and movies. This year 2025, Geronimo Vannicola expanded his studio to a 15,000 square production studio, creating a label & also pioneering the “industry integration” concept bridging the gap between the music business and education institutions. A Father of 2 girls, Geronimo hopes his story of resilience, hard work and determination is one that will inspire many generations to come.
Helen Bruner & Terry Jones – Producers https://
Kay Pere – Heart and Spiral Studios www.kaypere.com.
Kay Pere is a multi-dimensional performing songwriter, visual artist, writer, educator & activist whose work embodies
a message of hope, healing, humor & humanity. She has recorded in Nashville with Grammy-winner Michael Hopkins,
has performed across the US and Canada with top artists, and has had a song recorded by music legend Melba Moore.
Kay offers personalized voice coaching, group workshops, performance, production and songwriting instruction.
Keath Lowry is a seasoned songwriter and music producer committed to community building through the healing and
uplifting powers of music. While musical excellence runs in his family (Philadelphia International Records songwriter,
John Whitehead, and founding member of Frankie Beverly and Maze, Roame Lowry), Keath has successfully forged
his own path in the music industry true to his unique life experiences. Raised in Philadelphia, PA, Keath began his
musical endeavors as a DJ who spun at the same parties as the soon-to-be-famous Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
As an avid student of the music he loved, Keath learned about song structure and arranging from listening to the
records he spun and went on to try his hand at songwriting. The second full song he ever wrote, “You Are the One”
(1989 Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Dance Music/Club Play), unexpectedly became his first placement in the 1989
film Lean On Me starring Morgan Freeman.
Today, Keath’s robust musical collaborations include TKA, Shirley Jones (of The Jones Girls), Sybil, Jimmy “Bo” Horne, and Tank. His independent song catalog includes a Top 20 Billboard Dance Hit, two Billboard Hot 100 singles, and over 20 years of music licensing placements in
television and films including Lean On Me (Morgan Freeman), Murder City (2023) When Will I Be Loved (Neve Campbell), Made in Chinatown, Vanvittig Forelsket (2009, Denmark), Frit Fald (2011, Denmark), and VH1’s hit TV series Single Ladies (2011-2013) and Love & Hip Hop: Miami (2019). Keath has been an active voting member of The Recording Academy
(GRAMMY’s) and continues to write and produce new music from his home in Carbon County, PA. Keath is currently producing an album for Indie Pop artist Dee Dasher set to release 2025.
Les Scott – Source Q Boutique www.lesscottmusic.com & &
Les Scott is a veteran of the music industry whose publishing company Source Q Boutique specializes in music placement
in film & television and currently represents over 400 writers/artists. SQB is exclusively marketed through its alliances
with Crucial Music Group, Expressive Artists LLC., Generation Music, Inc., FuzeArtz, LLC. A few of SQB placements
include; 9-1-1 (fox), Shameless (show), Pivoting (fox), Chicago P.D. (nbc), American Idol (fox), Marvel’s Agents of
S.H.I.E.L.D (abc), House (fox), Shut Eye (hulu), Love (netflix), The Fosters (abc), Breaking Bad (amc), Castle (abc),
Rizzoli & Isles (tnt), American Gods (starz), Californication (show), Once Upon a Time (abc), Weeds (show),
Cold Case (cbs), Ugly Betty (abc), Saving Grace (tnt), Prison Break (fox), Friday Night Lights (nbc), Dancing With The
Stars (abc), along with landing the theme song for the CW show, Life Unexpected. As a Producer, Les is commissioned
to produce master recordings for such companies as FirstCom Music, Killer Tracks, One Music, Network & other
Companies under the Universal Production Music umbrella. Les has produced over 500 artists/bands in all genres
wherein his writings and productions appear daily throughout the film/television industries. As a Consultant, Mr. Scott
consults on music business matters such as: music clearance, writer collaborations, performance releases, publishing
agreements, cue sheets, PRO & copyright registrations.
Lou Plaia-Artist Manager/Consultant/Artist Services Specialist Hot Rats Entertainment, LLC- www.hotratsentertainment.com – www.linkedin.com/in/louplaia/ Lou Plaia is a seasoned music industry professional, starting his career at Atlantic Records where he spent 12 years rising through the ranks to ultimately become the VP of Marketing & Strategic Planning. He then helped relaunch Atlantic Records imprint, Lava Records, and was the Head of Marketing & Artist Development there for 4 years. In these roles, he worked in some capacity with Kid Rock, Matchbox Twenty, Simple Plan,Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Stone Temple Pilots, Jewel, Hootie & the Blowfish, O.A.R., Collective Soul, Tori Amos, George Carlin, and many others. After leaving Lava Records in 2006, Plaia “disrupted” the industry and founded ReverbNation, a platform offering ALL artists distribution, publishing, promotional tools, and thousands of performance and media opportunities that were previously only available to artists signed to record labels. ReverbNation became the largest DIY Artist Services Platform in the world, with more than 5 million artists. In 2021, Plaia sold the company to BandLab. From 2023-2025, Plaia was the A&R Director for the award-winning global independent music publisher, Sentric. Plaia currently owns and operates Hot Rats Entertainment, a boutique artist services company that he started in 2023. Hot Rats offers customized services for recording artists ensuring that they receive the support needed to thrive in their careers so they can focus on their music creation and performances. Hot Rats provides their clients with a strategic roadmap that includes a current assessment of their brand and positioning in the marketplace, release planning, registration and onboarding songs and metadata with Distributors, Publishers, PRO’s, SoundExchange, and the MLC so royalties are paid properly, tour budgeting & travel, merchandise management, business set-up, and more. The company handles all the non-sexy aspects of the music business so you don’t have to. At Hot Rats, Plaia also manages the Spinefarm/Universal recording artist, Deadlands. Plaia also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Five Towns College, teaching Artist Management. Throughout his career, Plaia has been a guest speaker at more than 100 music industry events.
Lucy D. Briggs – Marketing Manager WXPN xpn.org Lucy is currently the Marketing Director at WXPN 88.5 FM (NPR) Philadelphia and a social media and email marketing specialist and a multimedia content creator with ten years of marketing and content strategy experience. Lucy has guided marketing strategies and content development for start-ups and established brands in several industries, including entertainment, music, self-publishing, news media, and sports.
In February 2018, Lucy co-authored “The Marketing Plan Blueprint,” a step-by-step workbook on how to create a marketing plan for entrepreneurs. Find it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2Omb4IM
Michael Kornfeld – Acoustic Music Scene www.acousticmusicscene.com
Michael Kornfeld is an award-winning public relations and communications strategist and writer, who counts a number of
independent recording artists among his clients. He’s also editor & publisher of AcousticMusicScene.com — an online
publication for the folk, roots and singer-songwriter communities — and a former contributing writer for The New York
Times. A past president of two professional associations in his field, Mike is currently president of the Northeast Regional
Folk Alliance (NERFA) board of directors and the Folk Music Society of Huntington (NY), as well as a board member of
Folk Alliance International. He organizes the annual Huntington Folk Festival and hosts showcases and song swaps at
music conferences and festivals.
Marc Swersky is a record producer, songwriter, and artist development mentor whose work has contributed to album sales exceeding 50 million copies worldwide, along with over 50 million streams. Known for his organic, human- centered approach in an increasingly digital world, Swersky has built a career grounded in musicality, emotional honesty, and artist-first collaboration. As a songwriter, Swersky is a credited writer on two Grammy Award–winning albums, including The Bodyguard soundtrack—one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time—for the song “Trust in Me,” performed by Joe Cocker, and Thanks and Giving All Year Long (Executive Producer: Marlo Thomas) for the song “I’ll Give Anything But Up.”His compositions have also been featured prominently across film and television, appearing in major motion pictures such as Ella McCay, Creed, Get Hard, and Barbershop 3: The Next Cut, as well as television series including Showtime’s Shameless. These placements underscore his ability to create music that connects powerfully with both narrative and audience. In 2014, Swersky founded Monocentric Music, an entertainment and production company dedicated to artist development. The company’s name reflects its artist- centered philosophy—placing the creator at the core of the process in an industry where artists often struggle to retain control of their careers. Through Monocentric Music, Swersky has developed multiple artists who have achieved significant national recognition, including finalists and runners-up on NBC’s The Voice. Whether producing, writing, or mentoring, Marc Swersky remains committed to one guiding belief: the most powerful records are made by real people, in real rooms, driven by real emotion. “Taking time (months or sometimes years) to develop an artist is really a lost art. I strive to bring back the old school approach to artist development. Most young artists want instant gratification. What they don’t always realize is that sometimes their impatience will ultimately be their downfall in this industry. Securing a lasting career takes time, commitment, hard work and focus”-Marc Swersky
Jason Spiewak, CEO and Founder of Noble Steed Music
Jason is a seasoned music manager and industry executive known for his artist-first approach and deep commitment to creative development. With more than two decades of experience across management, label operations, A&R, and production, he has built a reputation for guiding artists with clarity, strategic vision, and an understanding of what it takes to succeed in a changing music landscape. His work spans genres and career stages, from emerging talents to established acts seeking fresh momentum.
Before stepping into full-time management, Spiewak served in multiple leadership roles within the music business, including co-founding and running Rock Ridge Music (Warner/ADA), where he helped develop touring artists, release charting records, and build long-term careers. His background gives him a rare 360-degree perspective—combining creative instincts with a strong command of branding, digital strategy, touring, recording, and release planning. His collaborative, transparent style has earned him the trust of artists, producers, promoters, and partners throughout the industry.
Beyond management, Spiewak co-founded Noble Steed Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with Grammy-winning engineer Craig Alvin. The studio blends vintage and modern gear — including a UA 610 console and the API Legacy console from Omnisound in Nashville. Alvin, a two-time Grammy winner for his engineering work (including on Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour), leads the studio, while Spiewak brings his A&R, production, and songwriting experience to the creative direction of the space.
Jared Lee Gosselin Multi-Platinum, Grammy-Winning Producer & Engineer
jaredleegosselin@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/
Gosselin’s work on India.Arie’s Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationships earned him a Grammy nomination, and he later secured a Latin Grammy win for his production on Beto Cuevas’s album Transformación. Bridging the worlds of pop, R&B, and electronic music, he is also the creative force behind the acclaimed EDM project DVRKO. At the Cape May Singer-Songwriter Conference, Jared brings decades of studio expertise and industry insight to the stage, joining fellow heavyweight David Ivory to discuss the evolving landscape of music production.
Jim Fetzer- jbfetzer@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/
JB Fetzer President, Fetzer & Associates | Artist Manager & Industry Consultant
With over 17 years of experience in the entertainment industry, James Bryan “JB” Fetzer is a seasoned artist manager, tour manager, and event promoter who has produced over 500 live events. As the President of Fetzer & Associates, he specializes in bridging the gap between creative talent and commercial success, providing strategic management and logistical expertise to national acts and emerging artists alike.
Fetzer currently manages the hard rock outfit Who On Earth and works closely with industry heavyweights such as multi-platinum producer Jared Lee Gosselin and legendary keyboardist/producer Ronnie King. His diverse background spans tour management, international licensing negotiations, and brand development, making him a versatile force in the modern music business. At Cape May, JB joins the panel to share his insights on artist development, professional team building, and navigating the complex dynamics between artists and producers
John Harris – The John Harris Group www.johnharris.com
John Harris Group is a Consultancy to the Entertainment, Sports and Hospitality Industries. We create, develop and
maintain professional relationships in the industry. John is the founder of the Millennium Music Conference (25 Years)
& Showcases and the Singer Songwriter of Cape May (NJ). (12 Years) Currently John is the Talent Buyer for Harrisburg’s
XL Live & Southside Stage and Production Manager for Harrisburg University presents. Harris received the Whitey Noll
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame several years ago.
Jeff Snyder – Professor Emeritus –
Snyder’s Music Biz News Professor Emeritus Jeff Snyder has worked as a professional musician, manager in music
instrument retail, been published and interviewed by major media outlets, and invited to give presentations at numerous
conferences on topics ranging from music industry trends to circuit bending. As songwriter, keyboardist, and guitarist,
Snyder has played with various known artists in multiple bands, ranging from jazz, country, rock, and reggae. During
his 25-year tenure in Higher Education, Professor Snyder taught a variety of topics including recording, sound design,
MIDI, synthesis, copyright law, and more. He created and directed a highly successful Music Business Degree, served
as Music Department Chair, and led students in creating the award-winning VALE Music Group. In 2019 he was
awarded the first annual “Educator of Note” award by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. In the summer of
2023, Professor Snyder retired from Academia and was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He now spends his time,
surfing, tinkering with his old synthesizers, making music, and hosting his YouTube Channel: Snyder’s Music Biz News.
Rick Eberle –
Rick Eberle made a name forhimself working as a Record Executive on online initiatives for artists such as Pink, Usher,
Outkast, Avril Lavigne and others at Arista Records in NYC. He spent time in venue management and booking for The
Downtown, presenting artists like Jewel,Fall Out Boy and Maroon 5. Rick has also had a long career in radio, including
time at 92.7 WLIR FM and at 94.3 The Shark, where he was instrumental in the initial branding and launch of the
station as Promotions Director. Rick’s label services incubator Magnetic Vine offers record label/ film studio
marketing services, publicity, social media, talent management and booking duties for venues, festivals, conventions,
TV/radio stations, bands, artists, actors, authors, chefs, sports figures and companies of all kinds. Rick is a Partner at
G&R Events, which curates the Jones Beach Bandshell Summer Concert Series, The Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay, and
the Summer Arts Festival at Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington Rick also works with 501 C3 Non For Profit The Plaza
Cinema & Media Arts Center in Patchogue. Rick will also deliver a showcase performance at SS Cape May.
music industry. A perennial New England Music Awards “Producer on the Year”
nominee (winning once) and a New England Music Hall of Fame inductee, Steffens
appeared early on as a session musician on recordings by The Rolling Stones,
Donovan, Ben E King and others, also touring with the very popular Scratch Band,
which also featured his sister Christine Ohlman and guitar icon G.E Smith.
Regular session experience fueled Steffens’ interest in production and engineering,
which led him to move his focus to those fields in the late 1970’s. Steffens became
manager of Connecticut Recording Studio, working with noted producer Paul Leka
(Harry Chapin, Paul Mariat, Steam, The Lemon Pipers) as a session player, engineer,
and associate producer. Paul hooked him up with his first significant production project,
Boston based The Neighborhoods, which charted nationally.
After traveling New England producing through most of the Eighties, Steffens opened
Horizon Music Group in Wilton, CT. in a house formerly owned by Ace Frehely of Kiss,
which was run as a residential studio. Horizon became the home away from home for
super producer Mike Chapman (The Sweet, The Knack, Blondie, Pat Benatar, John
Cougar Mellancamp, among others). Steffens also hosted an eighteen month project
with Sly Stone in this era.
In 1990 Steffens purchased the former Audio West facility in West Haven Ct., where
Horizon has remained for 35 years. Sessions with artists SWV (double platinum) and
The Blues Brothers (platinum), as well as work with Harry Connick Jr, Bobby Brown,
Donna Summer and more elevated Horizon to the top rank in New England studios.
Steffens also partnered with former Sony A and R exec Michael Caplan on the Elm City
Music imprint with Universal Music, releasing projects from The Adrenalin Mob, Steven
Kellogg, and Matisyahu
Steffens always maintained a great interest of Americana, and was significant force in
the development of gospel mainstays J.J Hairston and Youthful Praise, and Deon
Kipping and New Covenant, also working with gospel legend Edwin Hawkins (Oh
Happy Day) on two projects for Kevin Monroe and Devotion. Steffens produced chart
topping jam band projects for The Breakfast, Creamery Station, Red Matter and others,
as well as blues acts Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Jeff Pitchell, Charlie Karp, The
Namedroppers, The Mighty Soul Drivers, and Bart Bryant.
Stated for release on Steffens HMG imprint in 2025 are Jennifer Hill’s “Love Bomb” full
length, Collaborations “Let The Love In” cd, and as yet unnamed projects from jam band
Jeff Summa and the Roasters, The Name Droppers, and Bart Bryant.
