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DAMN! Reveals Debut Event “Breaking Into the Music Industry”
Disrupt Artist Management Network (DAMN!) has announced its first live event “Breaking Into The Music Industry.”

Disrupt Artist Management Network (DAMN!) is the brainchild of music industry powerhouses John L. Reese and Craig Duswalt, a revolutionary new venture dedicated to transforming artist management and event production. DAMN! combines decades of experience with a bold vision: to prioritize creative freedom, create and produce boldly immersive live events and unlock groundbreaking monetization strategies that empower artists and their representatives.
With their extensive backgrounds in artist management, large-scale event production, global sponsorships, and brand development, Reese and Duswalt are redefining the traditional artist management model. DAMN! puts artists’ creative visions at the forefront while utilizing inventive strategies to amplify their success and financial independence.
Breaking Into The Music Industry: A Groundbreaking 2-Day Event:
DAMN! will host its first live event, Breaking Into the Music Industry, a one-of-a-kind, two-day experience designed to inspire and educate aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, college students, and industry professionals. Taking place May 1st through 3rd, 2025, in Palm Springs, CA, this event will feature top music executives and industry leaders offering mentorship, actionable strategies, and insider knowledge to attendees.
Tickets and event details are available now at this location.
Speakers are as follows:
Rich Best — Global Tour Promoter, Live Nation
Matt Sorum — Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy award-winning Musician
Ryan Harlacher — Music Agent, Creative Artist Agency
Cory Brennan — Founder and CEO of 5B Artist Management
John Feldmann — Record Producer and Musician
Kasey Mckee — Music Agent, Creative Artist Agency
Sean Akhavan — Festival Producer, Artist Management
Vinnie Capizzi — President of 1Fifty1 Inc and West Coast Concessions
Keli Tomack — Managing Principal, Epic Insurance Entertainment & Sport
Peter Kahn — CEO of Patriark Records and Fight Game Advisors
Bobby Alt — Artist & Entrepreneur
Jason May — CEO of Weird Beverages
Ryan Borba — Managing Editor, Pollstar
Sam Simmons — Site Architect
Kylie Zinsser — Festival Production
Blasko — Manager, Marketer
Amy Sciarretto — Owner and Publicist, Atom Splitter PR
Matt Rosenblum — Tour Manager, Production Manager, Tech
Dave Brooks — Senior Director of Live Music + Touring (Billboard)
Jennifer Clemens — Makeup Artist
Matt Pinfield — Author + Syndicated Radio + TV Host
Belle Popoff — Sponsorship Director
Joe Muller — Former Mayor, Dana Point, CA
+ very special desert guest
Leadership Rooted in Expertise + Vision:
Craig Duswalt, renowned for his work with legendary bands like Guns N’ Roses and Air Supply, brings unparalleled expertise in artist management and marketing innovation. As a keynote speaker and producer of marketing seminars, Duswalt’s fresh, unconventional approaches have inspired countless entrepreneurs and creatives to achieve success without compromising their artistic vision.
John L. Reese has earned his place as a trusted name in live music production and artist management. Recognized twice among the Orange County Register’s “100 Most Influential People” and named a Pollstar Magazine Impact 50 recipient, Reese has produced over 50 global music festivals and worked with iconic artists such as Slipknot, Korn, The Offspring, The Cure, and Rob Zombie. His proven track record as a visionary makes him a driving force in reshaping the future of the music industry.
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