NO COVER CHARGE, NO VELVET ROPE, NO GUEST LIST -- JUST MUSIC! ASCAP PRESENTS... HEINEKEN AMPT MUSIC SHOWCASE SERIES AND FESTIVAL

Tour Celebrates The Best In Emerging & Established Music With Panel Discussions, Celebrity Q&As and Showcases in New York, Atlanta, Detroit, and Chicago Donnie, Kenna, Luis Resto, Gil Scott-Heron and Don Was Sign On To Ampt!

New York, NY: Some of the top names in music have signed on to support this year's ASCAP Presents... Heineken Ampt Music Showcase Series and Festival, including progenitor of rap music Gil Scott-Heron, Grammy-winning artist/producer Don Was, two-time MTV VMA nominee Kenna, OSCAR winner and songwriter Luis Resto ("Loose Yourself" from 8 Mile), and Motown artist Donnie. The Festival is designed to bring the best in emerging performers and songwriters to the attention of both the music industry and the public.

ASCAP and Heineken encourage music lovers to come out and support new music and artists as the Ampt Music Festival kicks off on October 7 at The Supper Club in New York City. The event is free and open to the public, and will include a special hour-long interview with Gil Scott-Heron, panel discussions featuring Carol Watson (Publisher of Vibe Magazine), Paul Resta (Island/Def Jam - Andrew WK, Saliva, Thrice), Jeff Sledge (Jive Records - *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys), Charles Ferrar (platinum writer/producer - Whitney Houston, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men), and Vickie Starr (Girlie Action Media & Marketing - Bjork, Belle and Sebastian, Good Charlotte), among others, and performances by two-time MTV VMA nominee Kenna, Refugee Camp's Carl Restivo, Columbia recording artists Wylde Bunch (Sprite Liquid Mix Tour), and Lola (MKB Management). Tour dates for Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit events to be announced.

As part of the program, ASCAPs Rhythm & Soul and Pop/Rock Departments will join forces to showcase groundbreaking artists and bands whose music reaches across genres and appeals to hip-hop, rock, funk R&B and pop fans alike. These two powerhouse ASCAP departments have been responsible for showcasing artists prior to their current superstar status including Gordon Chambers, Vivian Green, Ben Harper, India.Arie, Jack Johnson, Alicia Keys, Kings of Leon, Lit, The Mavericks, John Mayer, Nickel Creek, Old 97's, Ozomatli, Pearl Jam, Liz Phair, Damien Rice, Semisonic, The Verve Pipe, and Rufus Wainwright.

Founded in 2000, the ASCAP Presents... Heineken Ampt Music Series & Festival is designed to bring the best in emerging performers and songwriters to the attention of both the music industry and the public. As part of the festivities, Heineken Ampt/ASCAP Recognition Awards will be presented to music industry players in each of the four cities, acknowledging their contributions to local music scenes. Past honorees have ranged from record executives to music magazine publishers, including Sub Pop founder Jonathan Poneman, Jan Ramsey, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of OffBeat Magazine, and Jody Stephens of Ardent Studios, formerly of the legendary Memphis band Big Star.

For additional information about the Ampt Music Series, tour dates, schedules etc, go to www.ascap.org.

Heineken USA Inc., the nations largest beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken N.V. (Netherlands), which is the worlds second-largest brewer. Brands imported into the U.S. include: Heineken Lager, the worlds most international beer brand; Heineken Special Dark; Amstel Light, the largest-selling imported light beer brand, and Buckler non-alcoholic brew.

Established in 1914, ASCAP is the worlds largest performing-right organization, with over 160,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP is committed to protecting the rights of its members by licensing and collecting royalties for the public performance of their copyrighted works, and then distributing these fees to the Societys members based on performances. ASCAPs repertory spans the entire spectrum of music - from pop to symphonic, rock to gospel, Latin to country to jazz, rhythm and blues, theater, film and television music. ASCAPs Board of Directors is made up solely of writers and publishers, elected by the membership.

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