If you’ve read my Dana Point ROCKS column over the past 6½ years, you probably know that my two mantras are “Dream big and do something about it” and “It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.” Those philosophies have served me well in my Arts and Culture journey. Every time I put myself out there and invest my time in community events, musical gatherings, and conferences, I meet people who are pulling hard in the same direction. It’s precisely how I’ve built an extensive, engaged network.
If you have a serious interest in any aspect of the music business, take my advice; accelerate and amplify your dreams by joining me at the “Breaking Into the Music Industry” conference next week, May 1-3, in Indio, at the Cache Estate, adjacent to the world-famous Coachella Festival Grounds at the Empire Polo Club.
The inaugural event, hosted by music industry veterans John Reese and Craig Duswalt, and sponsored by their company DAMN (Disrupt Artist Management Network), is a 2½-day conference designed for entrepreneurs, aspiring musicians, and professionals looking to establish or elevate their presence in the music industry. The conference will include expert panel discussions, inspirational keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities with top executives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Billboard, Live Nation, Pollstar, and Liquid Death, to name a few. (More info at breakingintomusic.com.)
The event has strong Orange County and Dana Point ties, too, featuring Rich Best (Global Touring, Live Nation/Ohana Festival), Matt Sorum (Grammy Award-winning drummer, Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult), John Feldmann (Goldfinger, Grammy-nominated producer), Joe Muller (South Coast Water District director, former Dana Point mayor), Matt Rosenblum (tour manager, owner Golden Lantern Coffee Roasters), Kylie Zinsser (Banjo Productions, festival production) and so many others.
Also speaking will be Richard Matthew, UC Irvine professor of urban planning and public policy, and Alec Glasser, founder of UC Irvine’s Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change, The Drake restaurant, and The Drake Gives foundation. The Glasser Center is sponsoring the attendance of 10 UC Irvine students who hope to infuse music into their career paths.
"We hope this experience opens doors for these students—introducing them to opportunities and connections in the music industry they might not have otherwise encountered," said Glasser.
Craig Duswalt and John Reese added, “Partnering with the UCI Glasser Center has been an incredibly exciting and rewarding opportunity. Throughout our careers in the music industry, we've had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the business—and we've always believed in using those connections to help the next generation break into this competitive field. That's why we're bringing together 24 top music executives to mentor aspiring artists and professionals at our ‘Breaking into the Music Industry’ event. A heartfelt thank you to Anthony Small for introducing us to the Glasser Center. This collaboration feels like the perfect alignment of purpose, passion, and potential—and we’re confident it will thrive for years to come.”
REDO Vintage & Maker’s Market takes place this Sunday, April 27,, on the entirety of Del Prado Avenue. This event has become a Dana Point classic, and I’m proud to curate and host the Truly Pizza “Dana Point ROCKS Stage” and also perform there from noon to 1 p.m. Excellent local emerging artists (Guillermo Otero, Mojave Ghost, Poppies, The Touring 55) will play on that stage, and there will be outstanding music throughout the event, including on the Main Stage, Arts for All Stage, and the Stillwater, Violet and Tree Lot stages. (More info at redomarket.com and anthonysmallmusic.com.)
A big Dana Point ROCKS shout-out to Ohana Festival for being named the Pollstar Global Festival of the Year again! Stay tuned for upcoming lineup announcements for Ohana 2025.
Anthony Small is a City of Dana Point Arts & Culture Ambassador, local musician, and recipient of the 2023 California Arts Council Individual Artist Legacy Fellowship. Small and his family have lived in Dana Point for 27 years.