MUSIC BIZ 2019 SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT — Elizabeth Chan, Merry Bright Music
Music Biz is excited to welcome Elizabeth Chan, CEO of Merry Bright Music, to the Music Biz 2019 Program! As part of this year’s Career Development Workshops, she will moderate the panel “The Journey of a Music Entrepreneur,” set for Sunday, May 5 at 3 pm. She will also lead the session “Parents in Music: A Roundtable Discussion,” on Monday, May 6 at 2 pm.
Check out the Speaker Spotlight profile below to learn more about Elizabeth before her panel next week! You can also keep tabs on the latest featured speakers on our Speaker Spotlight Portal.
Besides attending the Music Biz Conference, what is your favorite thing about Nashville?
Sorry, I can’t answer this question right now, I’m too busy practicing my hot chicken eating moves! Can someone get me some Goo Goo Clusters to wash it down?
What do you foresee being the most impactful trend for the industry in the coming year?
The most impactful trend for the industry in the coming year is, quite simply, globalization. The world is getting smaller and now English is no longer the default language required to reach global audiences. With record growth in Latin American nations as well as the emergence of K-Pop as a mainstream genre, the global landscape is not simply dominated by North American artists.
When did you know you wanted to work in the music business? If there was no specific “Aha!” moment, what led you to working in music?
I knew when I was a little girl that I wanted to be in the music business. I was maybe seven at the time. Sometimes life has a way of turning you away from your destiny but it’s your responsibility to be true to yourself. I’m glad I’ve been able to find myself back where I belong.
What music-focused app or tech could you not live without?
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t rely on my Sonos app. My musical life is organized between the different playlists in my office for work and in my home for my family!
Aside from speaking, what are you most excited to experience at this year’s Conference?
The Music Biz Conference for me is like an annual reunion where I meet up with my colleagues and partners to discuss where we are and where we want to be in the future business-wise — and to actually do something about it.
What are your Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for 2018)?
Shameless plug for my own single “Best Gift Ever,” which charted in the Top 5 Christmas records in the nation.
For songs not my own, I’d say it is a tie between Zedd & Marren Morris’ “The Middle” and Drake’s “God’s Plan” – songs of the year in my world! My infant daughter went crazy every time she heard both of these songs, so I have a soft spot for them.
Do people still listen to albums? 😉
How do you discover new music?
Social media plays a huge part!
What is your dream industry project? Is there an artist or power player you’d give anything to work with?
I would love to work with Stevie Wonder! Also, I would love to write and produce tracks for Adele, Celine Dion and Michael Buble.
Music Biz 2019, the industry’s premier business-focused event, takes place Sunday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 8 at the JW Marriott Nashville. Attendees can look forward to keynote presentations from influential industry trailblazers including Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Capitol Records’ Amber Grimes, RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier, Motown Records President/Capitol Records EVP Ethiopia Habetemariam, Caroline President Jacqueline Saturn, and CEO of Def Jam Recordings Paul Rosenberg. The event will also feature our Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner, a celebration of artistic & executive achievement sponsored by BuzzAngle Music, City National Bank, Cracker Barrel, Jammber, and TiVo. Announced thus far, Bebe Rexha and Kane Brown will receive Breakthrough Artist Awards; Darius Rucker will accept the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman will receive the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement; Record Archive owners Richard Storms and Alayna Alderman will accept the Independent Spirit Award; The Orchard Co-Founder Richard Gottehrerwill receive the Outstanding Achievement Award; and Peter Frampton will receive the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement. This year’s ceremony will also see the induction of the late Sir George Martin into the Music Business Hall of Fame by his son Giles Martin, along with 12 other notable industry executives, record labels, landmarks and media outlets.
