Bertis Downs: Bertis Downs lives in Athens, Georgia, where he received his law degree in 1981 from the University of Georgia's School of Law. He represented the band R.E.M. throughout the band's career and has remained an advisor to their various endeavors since disbandment. In 1988 Downs originated the Entertainment Law course at the University School of Law. Since then, he has regularly nourished his interest in teaching by speaking at various continuing legal education, law schools and music industry conferences.
Jennifer Jenkins: Jennifer Jenkins is a Clinical Professor of Law at Duke University teaching intellectual property and Director of Duke's Center for the Study of the Public Domain, where she heads its Arts Project - a project analyzing the effects of intellectual property on cultural production. While in practice, she was a member of the team that defended the copyright infringement suit against the publisher of the novel The Wind Done Gone (a parodic rejoinder to Gone with the Wind) in SunTrust v. Houghton Mifflin.
Cicada Rhythm: Born and raised in Georgia, this talented pair imitates and modernizes folk music to a rejuvenating degree. The sound of Andrea DeMarcus and Dave Kirslis exhibits skilled and articulate guitar picking honed in the dive bars of Atlanta over rolling Julliard-trained bass lines. Expect chilling harmonies, unbridled enthusiasm, some wholesome tunes and a sincere performance.
Knowa Johnson: Knowa Johnson is an event producer and activist. He co-founded the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), the annual Athens MLK Jr. Day Parade and Music Festival, the Athens Hip Hop Awards, and the "Athens in Harmony" annual concert, which pairs Black and white musicians to sing duets across the invisible lines that often separate us.
As a reminder, the Conference will be held over Zoom on April 1st, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Please register with the link below to secure your spot, as you will not be able join the conference without registering.
The link for registration is: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uJeVcT3WQUq4JJoURbhPQA