Fuse Festival 2010 is the best opportunity for emerging Australian bands to connect with the world’s leading music industry talent.

John Woodruff and Ed St John have been confirmed as keynote speakers at the 2010 FUSE music business conference on 25 & 26 February. Scott Hicks will participate in a keynote panel called Song to Screen with music supervisor Bernard Galbally & musician Jethro Heysen Hicks, moderated by Iain Shedden.

John Woodruff – Thursday February 25th 10am
John Woodruff’s extensive career in the Australian music business spanned over 4 decades and began in Adelaide as the Managing Director of The Sphere Organisation, which at its peak managed 12 local bands. His founding of the Dirty Pool Management Company saw his new brash style markedly change the face and practices of the business in Australia. In recent years he was inducted into the ARIA Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his efforts in mentoring young musicians in this nation. The bands with which he has had an affiliation over the years include, The Angels, Icehouse, Cold Chisel, Savage Garden and Baby Animals.

Ed St John – Friday February 26th 11am
Since 2001, Ed St John has been the Chairman of the ARIA Awards and the ARIA Hall of Fame. In January 2005 he became President and CEO of Warner Music after managerial stints at both Sony Music and BMG, before their merger. And in April 2008 he was appointed Chairman of ARIA, the Australian Recording Industry Association. But before all of that, he stepped into the music industry as a freelance writer for Rolling Stone Australia in 1977.

From Song to Screen – Keynote Panel – Thursday February 25th 10.55am
Fuse is proud to present an innovative panel titled Song to Screen which pairs the film director Scott Hicks (Kino Films) with the music supervisor Bernard Galbally (Mana Music) and musician Jethro Heysen-Hicks (Mayfield) of four of the tracks in his new movie 'The Boys Are Back'. The panel will be moderated by Iain Shedden from The Australian and will focus on the journey a song takes from inception to synchronisation. Why is it there, how is it chosen and what does it mean to the movie!

“At Fuse Festival Australian bands have a unique opportunity to hear from music industry insiders which is the best way to get your band out of the garage and into the tour bus.” Event Director Alistair Cranney said.

The FUSE music business conference on the 25th and 26th of February involves two days of panel discussions, interviews, talks involving a wide variety of music industry professionals.

The live showcase program is also a must see, kicking off with EXPLODE! on 24th February where 14 acts across two stages will bring Rymil Park alive. Don’t miss Hungry Kids Of Hungary, The Swiss, The Paper Scissors, Foxx On Fire and many more! Then on 25th February more than 50 bands in 20 venues will play at IGNITION!

If you are hungry for more information, tickets or keen to register for the conference head to www.fusefestival.com