ASCAP to Host Songwriting Seminar During Grammy Weekend

Attention, Los Angeles-area songwriters…

In celebration of this year’s Grammy Awards, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will present a special “Hitmakers” panel discussion on Saturday, February 7th, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California.

The panel features Grammy Award-winning artists/producers and some of today’s top songwriters; Johntá Austin (ASCAP’s Pop and Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, Songwriter of the Year in 2007), Ne-Yo (nominated for six Grammy Awards this year), Manuel Seal and Tricky Stewart.

Moderated by Billboard Magazine’s Senior Editor/R&B Hip Hop, Gail Mitchell, the event is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required, but it is first come, first served.

The featured panelists will discuss their experience with the hit records they have written:

Johntá Austin
Songwriter: “Be Without You” (Mary J. Blige), “Don’t Forget About Us” (Mariah Carey), “Poppin'” (Chris Brown) and “Shake It Off” (Mariah Carey).

Ne-Yo
Songwriter: “Because of You,” “Closer,” nominated at the 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Irreplaceable” (Beyonce), “Let Me Love You” (Mario), “Miss Independent,” nominated at the 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B song, “**** Love,” “Take a Bow” (Rihanna) and “Unfaithful” (Rihanna).

Manuel Seal
Songwriter: “Always Be My Baby” (Mariah Carey); “My Boo” (Usher), “My Way” (Usher) and “We Belong Together” (Mariah Carey) where he won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Tricky Stewart
Songwriter: “Me Against the Music” (Britney Spears featuring Madonna), “Umbrella” (Rihanna featuring Jay-Z), “Touch My Body” (Mariah Carey) and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (Beyonce).

Ne-Yo, “Closer”