Conference
Our annual Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) conference brings together our membership, artists, industry professionals, and wider Americana music community to discuss important issues, share experiences and knowledge, and foster collaboration. This year’s conference theme is :
“CAN SONGS CHANGE THE WORLD? AMERICANA IN 2025”
CONFERENCE: AMA-UK and MU Songwriting Workshop 2025 - Documentary and Performances
This session will include a screening of the documentary filmed during this year’s workshop, live performances and short Q&A.
See full length documentary below. (20mins)
CONFERENCE: Artist Management: Navigating Genre and Managing Expectations
Full Details coming soon.
SPEAKERS:
Brendan McCarthy (CHAIR) - WHYANDHOW Management + AMA UK Board Member
Manasvi Dethekar - MMF
Donna Zanetti - Artist Manager (Kezia Gill) / Creative Director (Roadhouse Group)
John Woollcombe - Artist Manager (Ward Thomas)
CONFERENCE: Read The Small Print: Labels, Deals and Contracts
Full Details coming soon.
SPEAKERS:
Luke Hill -CHAIR - Head of Music at Grey Seal Media + AMA-UK Board Member
Elles Bailey - Artist
Chloe Foy - Artist
Rob Collins - Label Head at Cooking Vinyl
Charles Kirby-Welch - Head of Distribution - Kartel
Dylan Myerscough-Harris - Peer Publishing
CONFERENCE: Building Bridges: Strengthening the Grassroots Live Music Ecosystem
Full Details Coming soon.
Speakers:
Martin Furlong - CHAIR - Grassroots Promoter at Black Cat Music Promotions
Hannah Deeble - Arts Council (Supporting Grassroots Music Fund)
Matt Mandrella - Music Officer at the City of Huntsville, Alabama
Carl Bennett - Live Music Promoter at Roman Candle Promotions
Alex Ellis - Artist (Our Man In The Field)
Other - TBC
CONFERENCE: Open AMA-UK Members Session
Full Details Coming Soon. This session will be led by Ian Thomas - Acting CEO of AMA-UK.
CONFERENCE: Women in Americana Music
Full details coming soon.
SPEAKERS:
Tricia Duffy - Moderator
Jade Turner - Artist
Annie Dressner - Artist
Debbie Wilson - Executive Director at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Sophie Daniels - Head of Songwriting at ICMP. Co-Founder at The F-List.
Dan Nevin - Music Consultant
CONFERENCE: A Journey To Americana : In Conversation With Nina Nesbitt
Born in a small village outside of Edinburgh, Nina Nesbitt's career as an artist began at 15 when she uploaded a Taylor Swift cover to YouTube. The years that followed have seen Nina signed to a major label for the release of her debut pop album, dropped by the major label, signed to indie label Cooking Vinyl, working as a songwriter for international artists and most recently starting her own label 'Apple Tree Records', through which she released her latest offering 'Mountain Music' in September 2024. Recorded in Devon and drawing on her folk and Americana influences, 'Mountain Music' sees Nina start a new chapter in her career, master of her own creative destiny and head of her own business. Turning 30 last summer whilst supporting her idol Stevie Nicks on tour, Nina's journey as an artist and songwriter is a fascinating and insightful story for any aspiring musician.
CONFERENCE: Delegate Networking Lunch - OPEN
This will be an open networking situation! Open to all with a delegate ticket.
The feedback from previous years was that there was never quite enough time to network between conference sessions, so here’s your chance to connect with new delegates, reconnect with old contacts and hatch plans!
Why not check out our delegate list here . If you are attending as a delegate and would like to be added to this page - please email events@theamauk.org.
PS. The pizza stall will be open for business between these times!.
CONFERENCE: Sync 101 Panel / Feedback Session
Our coveted sync session returns to our 2025 conference and once again gives you the chance to have one of your tracks listened to by a selection of top Music Supervisors (also known as the people who pick the songs for films, TV, ads, and games!).
The Music Supervisors will select 7 tracks from those submitted by attendees, and play them in front of the audience, offering feedback on how to get them synced. Special thanks to DISCO for making this happen.
THIS YEAR’S PANEL INCLUDES:
- Lara Baker - Moderator.
- Zoe Bryant - Carbon Logic (music supervisor)
- David McGinnis - Mute Song (publisher)
- Sophie Urquhart - Tin Drum Music (music supervisor)
- Gary Welch - Eye Hear (Music supervisor)
- Rupert Hollier - Five Creative (Music supervisor)
- Amelia Hartley - Banijay (Music supervisor)
SUBMIT YOUR TRACK FOR CONSIDERATION
Submit your track on the following link by Monday, 13th January, at 9 AM to be considered: https://s.disco.ac/kxbzkyuojmoe
CONFERENCE: Making a Living as an Independent Artist
FULL DETAILS COMING SOON.
SPEAKERS:
Chris Simmons - CHAIR - Artist. Founder of Smithereen Music Group and City Sounds Festival.
Stuart Belsham – PRS for Music - Writer Relationship & Outreach Manager
Westley Holdsworth - PRS Foundation - Open Fund Manager and Grants Coordinator
Grace Taylor -Co-Founder of Hootenany. and Artist Manager
Sarah Jane Scouten - Showcasing Artist
Mark Smutz Smith - Artist manager
