The Kauai Music Festival is a four-day celebration of the art of songwriting held on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The festival runs from May 26th to May 29th. Participants are able to learn songwriting techniques from some of the best songwriters in America. The event allows for one-on-one consultation with award winning songwriters, Grammy winning producers, and top A&R and other music industry people. BMI will be providing the very best songwriters and other music professionals including Vanessa Carlton, Stephan Jenkins, Jeff Cohen, Harold Lilly, Sean Garrett, Jeffery Steel, Hugh Prestwood and Hawaiian Songwriters, Jake Shimabukuro, Willie K. and John Cruz. Top industry producers such as David Tickle, Russ Titelman and Charles Brotman will also be there to discuss other aspects of the business.

Gibson is proud to be a part of this great event and will be corresponding from Kauai. If you have any questions or comments for any attendees or instructors, please send them to us and we will do our best to get answers for you! Submit your question and/or comments here!

Stephan Jenkins and Vanessa Carlton

For a Complete Daily Schedule of events go here!

Check our our daily journal of happenings from Hawaii!

Day 1 - Opening Ceremonies: The festivities began on Thursday with performances by a local Hula troupe, a welcome from the Mayor of Kauai, Brian J. Baptiste, a prayer by a local Pastor, and an indroduction from the KMF Board.

             

                            

     

            

           

Day 1 - Breaking Through The Wall Panel: The afternoon session was a panel discussion of industrial professional telling how they got their break in the business and giving advise to the group on what to avoid and where to seize opportunities to 'break through the wall.' The panel consisted of Michael Laskow, President & Chief of Taxi; Harry Witz, founder of db Sound Image; John Titta, VP/GM of Warner Chappell Music; and Lydia Hutchinson, Editor of Performing Songwriter magazine.

Harry Witz, Michael Laskow, Lydia Hutchinson and John Titta

Day 1 - Songwriters In The Round: The Gibson Stage was the scene of the evening's big event.  JW Johnson from BMI hosted the show which included performances and stories from Hugh Prestwood, Jeffery Steele and Jeff Cohen.

JW Johnson introduces Hugh Prestwood

Hugh Prestwood recalled a funny story about writing a song that both The Judds and Randy Travis wanted to record at the sametime, after some negotiation the artists decided to record together, then after 6 months of lawyers and labels getting involved Travis pulled out.  This inspired him to write a song called "That's That" about his frustration.

Day 2 - Interviews: Vanessa Carlton and Stephan Jenkins are grilled on the songwriting expertise, during an on-stage interview session. Moderator is Rich McSheehy from Kauai Music Festival.

Day 2 - Concert: A 600-ticketed, sold-out concert was held at the Kauai Community College, featuring headlining performers Vanessa Carlton and Stephen Jenkins. The concert also featured Hawaii's John Cruz, Sista Robi, Jake Shimabukuro, Eric Gilliom & Willy K as well as songwriters Jeff Cohen, Hugh Prestwood and Jeffrey Steele. All festival winners were presented with Gibson or Epiphone guitars.

Day 2 - Demo Derby: During the event the panel and audience listened to top hits from the '50s to modern day and discussed what made them popular songs. Songs included Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel," Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You," Boyz To Men's "I'll Make Love To You" and Goo Goo Doll's "Iris."

 The panel (l-r) first person is tbd, John Titta (Warner Chappell) and producer Russ Titleman,