AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 18 - 22, 2009 in Austin, Texas is excited to announce the participation of the Oak Ridge Boys in the 2009 Music Conference and Festival. Through decades of mainstream success, the Oak Ridge Boys continue to reinvent themselves, meeting the challenges of the changing nature of the music industry. As their era of radio dominance wound down, they forged unique marketing partnerships and sought out innovative concert bookings. They are a tireless touring act, playing over 170 dates a year and are annually among the top grossing acts in country music. Their multi-platinum pop crossover hit 'Elvira' started a chain of hits with sales exceeding 30 million. They come to Austin to celebrate their amazing history, exciting future and share their expertise with emerging artists and executives attending SXSW. The Oak Ridge Boys will sit down for a SXSW Interview on Thursday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center. The group will expound upon their experience, offer advice to new artists, answer audience questions, and possibly offer an a cappella song or two. For the first 200 registrants, there will be a giveaway of free Oak Ridge Boys Blu-Blocker Magnum sunglasses. For more information on the Oak Ridge Boys, visit http://www.oakridgeboys.com
South By Southwest is also thrilled to announce Steven Van Zandt as a featured speaker. 'Little Steven' will address registrants on Friday, March 20 at the Austin Convention Center. Steven Van Zandt is a musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, human rights activist, radio and TV content producer, and radio DJ. He is a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and a well-known musician in his own right, performing with his band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. Van Zandt was an original cast member of all seven seasons of HBO's hit series "The Sopranos." He is also a critically acclaimed record producer and radio host. Van Zandt's acclaimed radio show, Little Steven's Underground Garage, now reaches over 1.2 million listeners in North America and over 50 countries around the world via international affiliates, Voice of America, and Armed Forces Radio. Van Zandt also created and programs two formats on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, the Underground Garage channel and the Outlaw Country channel. In 2006, Van Zandt created Wicked Cool Records, an imprint which is now home to more than nineteen Garage Rock bands. For more information on Wicked Cool Records, visit: www.wickedcoolrecords.com. For more information on the Underground Garage, visit: www.undergroundgarage.com.
The SXSW Music festival is pleased to announce Steve Aoki (Los Angeles, CA), Brownout (Austin, TX), Chiwoniso (Harare, South Africa), Easy Action (Detroit, MI), Perry Farrell (Los Angeles, CA), Charles Hamilton (New York, NY), PJ Harvey & John Parish (ENGLAND), Ladyhawke (Wellington, NEW ZEALAND), LMFAO (Los Angeles, CA), MSTRKRFT (Toronto, CANADA), The Proclaimers (Edinburgh, Scotland), Reigning Sound (Asheville, NC), Rox (London, UK), School of Seven Bells (Brooklyn, NY), Shwayze (Malibu, CA), That Petrol Emotion (London, UK), Themselves (Oakland, CA), Wayna (Washington, MD), and The Whip (Manchester, ENGLAND). A list of 1800 confirmed bands is currently on the website. A full band schedule will be posted to sxsw.com on Monday, February 16.
The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 18 - 22, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The previously announced Quincy Jones' keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition covering a wide variety of topics, addressing the concerns and interests of musicians, executives and music lovers. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1800 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin.
For more information on SXSW or to register for the conference, please access the website at www.sxsw.com or e-mail sxsw@sxsw.com.
SXSW Music Conference and Festival is sponsored by Miller Lite, Fuze Beverage, Sonicbids, ZonePerfect, Independent Film Channel, The MLB Authentic Collection, Pepsi, and the Austin Chronicle.
For more information, contact
Elizabeth Derczo 512/467-7979 ext. 209
