Sunset Sessions

Sunset Sessions
Dates	February/June
Frequency	bi-annually
Location(s)	United States
Inaugurated	1998
Website
sunsetsessions.org

Sunset Sessions is a conference for music industry professionals, established in 1998, which includes performances from new musical talent and established acts. The event is held over three days and nights twice a year. Guests include radio programmers, music supervisors from film, television, ads, games and sports, artists, artists’ managers, major and independent record labels, tv bookers, press and booking agents.

Overview

Sunset Sessions hold two conferences each year; a February event for the Triple A music format, which started in 1998, and a June event for Rock and Alternative music formats, which started in 2011.^[1]

Sunset Sessions held its first songwriters retreat in October 2012 in Las Vegas where alumni were able to meet, write, and collaborate on new music. The first Sunset Sessions Tour was held in November and December 2012 and featured Duncan Sheik, Alpha Rev, Courrier and Laura Warshauer.

Sunset Sessions alumni include Fun., Jason Mraz and The Black Keys and over 400 other artists.^[2][3]

The 2nd Annual Sunset Sessions Songwriters Retreat took place in Tulum, Mexico October 26-30, 2013 at Shambala Petit Hotel. There were public concerts at Ahau Tulum as well as Papaya Playa. There were 30 participants all together including artists such as Bob Schneider, Tristan Prettyman, Anya Marina, Kahn Morbee and Glenn Hodgson from South Africa's The Parlotones, Grammy Award winner Alex Cuba, Mark Bryan from Hootie and the Blowfish, Bob Stein aka Whitebread, Shawn Pereira, Dave Sloane from Feral Vinca, Josh Solomon from The Empty Pockets, Eric Scullin and Lucas Asher of Faulkner, American Idol Finalist Michelle Delamour, Ali Handal, Louise Goffin and Brittney Rose.

The 17th Annual Triple A Sunset Sessions will take place February 20, 21, and 22 2014 at the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort in Carlsbad, California with Main Stage shows at the Belly Up with Keynote Speaker Erik Logan, Co-President of Oprah Winfrey Network and Harpo Productions, owned by Oprah Winfrey. Marc Geiger, head of music for WME as well as Danny Goldberg will also be speakers and leaders. Artist line up already includes Ziggy Marley, John Butler Trio, Needtobreathe, Jeremy Messersmith, Louise Goffin, Robert Delong and many others to be announced.

the 4th Annual Sunset Sessions Rock will be in the same location in June of 2014.

History

Sunset Sessions was founded by Michele Clark, who owned a radio promotion firm for over 20 years. Clark has assisted in building the careers of artists by getting them radio airplay primarily in the Triple A radio format.

1998

The first Sunset Sessions was in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands at the Marriott in March 1998 and the first artist was Susan Tedeschi (now of the Tedeschi Trucks band).
Additional artists included:
Francis Dunnery, Matthew Ryan and Box Set.

1999

Held at the Westin Regina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Featured artists:
Wes Cunningham, Lynn Miles, Duke Daniels, Tommy Castro, Kim Richey, Venice, John Eddie, Kory and the Fireflies, Jonatha Brooke and The Nields.

2000

Held at the Westin Regina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the 2nd year in a row.
Featured artists:
Bob Lowery, Peter Searcy, Justin Clayton, Mike Younger, Mark Selby, Deborah Coleman, Jill Sobule, Nina Storey, John Eddie and The Jayhawks.

2001

Held in Cancun, Mexico
Featured Artists:
Yve Adams, Pat McGee, Maia Sharp, Five for Fighting, Amy Correia, Jonatha Brooke, Ryan Adams, Jess Klein, John Eddie, Josh Joplin and Pete Yorn.

2002

Held at Mauai Prince in Maui, Hawaii.
Featured artists:
Maia Sharp, John Eddie, Dishwalla, Phantom Planet, Luce, Shannon McNally, Tommy Castro, Chuck Prophet, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Johnny A.

2003

Held on the Big Island of Hawaii at The Orchid at Mauna Lani
Featured Artists:
Vessica Pisces, Jesse Malin, Colin Blades, The Thorns (Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge), Jennie DeVoe, Edwin McCain, Jack Johnson, Feel, Steve Poltz, Rosanne Cash, Ziggy Marley and Pete Yorn.

2004

Held in the Bahamas at The Atlantis Resort
Featured Artists:
Toots & the Maytals, Donavon Frankenreiter, Joe Firstman, Sophie B Hawkins, Jackson Sneed, The Old 97’s, Andy Stochansky, Jen Foster, Ben Aurthur, Indigenous and Rachael Yamagata.

2005

Held at the Westin Regina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the third time
Featured Artists:
Cantinero, Billy Miles, Richard Julian, The Young Dubliners, Christine Martucci, Jackie Greene, The Shore, The John Butler Trio, Maia Sharp, Josh Ritter, Charlie Mars and Francis Dunnery.

2006

Held at The Parker in Palm Springs, California
Featured artists:
JJ Appleton, Jamie Cullum, Jacob Miller, Danielia Cotton, Greg Johnson, Amelia White w. Tony Furtado, The Exit, Tom Sartori, Ben Lee, Abbotfinney, Fred Martin & the Levite Camp, Stephen Stills and Jewel.

2007

Held at Paradise Point in San Diego, California
Featured artists:
Page Aufhammer, Ten West, Christine Martucci, The Colour, No More Kings, Tyrone Wells, Josh Kelley, Joss Stone, Alexa Wilkinson, Left4Dead, Joshua Radin, Malea McGuinness, Willy Mason, Ozomatli, A Fine Frenzy and The John Butler Trio.

2008

Held at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. It was here that American singer-songwriter, Jason Mraz launched his Grammy award nominated single "I'm Yours".
Other featured artists included:
Two Loons for Tea, George Stanford, Jessie Baylin, Tristan Prettyman, Feeding 5000, Virginia Coalition, Cary Brothers, Joie Calio (Dada), Colbie Caillat, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ben’s Brother, Jackson Sneed, Tift Merritt, Gabe Dixon Band, Emerson Hart (of the band Tonic), Alexa Wilkinson, Hilary McRae, Dave Barnes, Missy Higgins, James Blunt, Jon Foreman (of the band Switchfoot], Johnathan Rice and The Black Keys.

2009

Held at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California for the second time.
Featured artists:
Zac Brown Band, Eric Hutchinson, Chris Isaak, Meaghan Smith, Jason Reeves, Sara Watkins, Lisa Hannigan, Rick Springfield, Serena Ryder, Robert Francis, Green River Ordinance, Sara Haze, The Rescues, Luke Winslow King, Third Eye Blind, Bascom Hill, Lex Land, Tamarama, Honeyhoney, Mishka, Carolina Liar, Aaron Barnhart, Evan Craft, Jack Tempchin, Crowfield, War Tapes, Maia Hirasawa, The Fab Four, Rachael Sage and Maria Taylor.

2010

Held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn In San Diego, California
Featured Artists:
Alpha Rev, Reni Lane, Robert Francis, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Maia Sharp w/ Edwin McCain, Jason Mraz, Saucy Monky, Sara Petite, Joey Ryan, Malea McGuiness, Salvador Santana, Danni Rosner, Bob Burger, Ry Cuming, Sara Haze, Fanfarlo, Kevin Hammond, One EskimO, The John Butler Trio, Holding Air Hostage, ACIDIC, Bob Schneider, Smile Smile, Sarah Jaffe, Dave Barnes, Steven Fiore & Mark Bryan, Daniel Merriweather, Melissa Etheridge, Boscom Hill, Stand, Lisa Bouchelle, NEEDTOBREATHE, The Makepeace Brothers, Landon Pigg, Susan Justice, Tyler Hilton and Nikki & Rich.

2011

(Triple A) Held at La Costa Resort and Spa
Featured Artists:
Bushwalla, Vanessa Carlton, Stevie Nicks, Mike Mills (of (R.E.M.), Incan Abraham, Scars on 45, The Makepeace Brothers, Parker Ainsworth, Iron & Wine, Francis Dunnery, Sia, Laura Jansen, The Wood Brothers, MYRADIO, Frentik, Benny Merchant, Lucy Schwartz, Augustana, Andrew Allen, Blame Sally, Sarah Lee & Johnny, Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Cas Haley, Eric Berdon, Alex Cuba, Mads Langer, Jason Spooner, k.d. lang, Tori, Emily Hearn w/ Mark Bryan, Ximena Sarinana, The Belle Brigade, Everlast, NEeMA, Whitney Wolanin, The Alternate Routes, Nicole Atkins, Crystal Bowersox, John Waite, Chris Amodeo, April Smith & The Great Picture Show, SO & SO and Cody Beebe & The Crooks.

(Rock) Held at La Costa Resort and Spa^[4]
Featured Artists:
Redlight King, Deep Dark Robot, Transfer, AWOLNATION, Raine Maida, KO, Sons of The Lawless, 321 Stereo, Donna Loren, Mike Mushok (of Staind), Secondhand Serenade, Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise), Art Alexakis (of Everclear), Givers, Ali Handal, Dead Sara, Drive A, Kopek, DJ’s Skratch N’ Sniff, Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe, Innerpartysystem, Incan Abraham, Chris Amodeo & The Modern Minds, Sounds Under Radio, Jenny O, Barcelona, Holcombe Waller, Alex Cuba, Blessed Le Strange, FERAL VINCA, One Less Reason, Unwritten Law, Evan Watson, The Deadlies, Bushwalla and The Wedding.
The event is also credited for exposing the band Dead Sara and for its exclusive world premiere of Staind's self-titled album in 2011.^[5]

2012

(Triple A) Held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn In Carlsbad, California
Featured Artists:
ZZ Ward, Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter, Arlan Feiles, Brandon & Leah, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, James Morris, The Pierces, John Eddie, Laura Bell Bundy, Everest, SLATER, Moon Taxi, Arielle Verinis, Oria Aspen, The Empty Pockets, Rebecca Pidgeon, Clark Graham, Chris Shinn, Audra Mae, Marc Scibilia, The Dirt Drifters, Yuna, Eve 6, Jimmy Cliff, The Chamilions feat Pras, Vintage Trouble, Fun., Birdy, Eric Hutchinson, LP, Gary Clark Jr., Sarah Packiam, Gayle Skidmore, Kevin Martin, Rose Cousins, Milow, Jason Mraz,^[6] Shawn S.W.I.M. Pereira, Scott H. Biram, Lucinda Williams, Marit Larsen, The Villains, The Parlotones, Tyrone Wells, Bushwalla & Broadway West, Vintage Trouble, The White Buffalo, Rumer, Brothers of Brazil, Everlast, The Makepeace Brothers, Dawn Mitschele, Laura Warshauer, Moi and Steve Poltz.

(Rock) Held at La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, California.
Featured artists:
Billy Corgan, Richie Sambora, Serj Tankian (of System of a Down), P.O.D., Everclear, Jim Lindberg, Lit, Taproot, 7Lions, A Silent Film, Art Alexakis, Art of Dying, Beware of Darkness, Big B, Black Oxygen, Cheating Daylight, Courrier, Dead Sara, DJ’s Skratch n Sniff, Hydro Da Hero, Killinger, Oedipus, SLATER, Sloane, Stellar Corpses, Tanlines, The Last Nova, The NowhereNauts, The Parlotones, The Royalty, Tora and Versus the World.

(All Format) Held at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada.^{[7][8][9][10][11]}
Featured Artists:
Laura Warshauer, Tora, Jack Tempchin, Susanna Hoffs, Faulkner, Steve Earle, Santana, The James Douglas Show, Joel Piper, Angels Landing, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, Courrier, JJAMZ, Doris, Duncan Sheik, Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, DJs Skratch N Sniff, Brooke Palsson, Clay Priskorn, Lucas Asher, Elliot Root, The NowhereNauts, Cheating Daylight, FERAL VINCA, Stellar Corpses, Beware of Darkness, Tyler Bryant, Lit, SLATER, Alpha Rev, of Verona, Matt White and Olivia Olson.

2013

(Triple A) Held at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco, California
Featured Artists:
Whitebread, Marie Miller, Devlan James, Gooding, Faulkner, Saints of Valory, John Hiatt, Kate Earl, Finish Ticket, Matt Costa, Anna Rose, The Parlotones, Mishka, Fitz & The Tantrums, Chris Assaad, Anna Bergedahl, Anuhea, Keith Harkin, The Wild Feathers, Dido, Alpha Rev, The Staves, Matt Hires, Milo Greene, Doran Danoff, Savannah Philyaw, Stefani Scovolo, Junkyard Academy, Cael Dadian, Emily Bell, Fernando Perdomo, The Nikhil Korulo Band, Stone Senate, Brett Dennen and Spencer Emanuelle.^[12][13][14]

(Rock) Held at the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California
Featured Artists:
Yellow Marbles, Cameron Rafati, The Unlikely Candidates, Faulkner, Semi Precious Weapons, Monster Truck, DJ Skratch N Sniff, FERAL VINCA, Big B, OLEANDER, Emphatic, Lonely Kings, Sammy Hagar, Jim Lindberg, Cheating Daylight, Leogun, Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr, 7Lions, Redlight King, Heaven's Basement, Michelle Delamor, Ed Hale and Transcendence, Porter Lori, Clay Priskorn, Beachwood Coyotes, The Negotiators, The Boxer Rebellion, Eve to Adam, ACIDIC, Dig the Kid, Brand New Machine, Strange Native and D-Strutters.^{[15][16][17][18][19]}

Notes

References