DECATUR – MAY 4
More to be announced soon.
Martin Atkins
Music Industries Coordinator
Millikin University
Martin Atkins is the definition of entrepreneurial activity in cultural arts endeavors, his 35+ years in the music business spans across genres and borders and industries. He was a member of Public Image Ltd and Killing Joke. He founded industrial supergroup Pigface, The Damage Manual, and Murder Inc., and has contributed to Nine Inch Nails (for which he has a Grammy) and Ministry. He is the owner of Invisible Records and Mattress Factory Recording Studios (est. 1988). He is the author of “Tour:Smart, Welcome to the Music Business…You’re F*cked!”, “Band:Smart”, and is the Music Industries Coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. In 2021, he created and founded the Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music (PPIM) in Chicago, IL. Martin is a producer, drummer, documentary filmmaker, DJ, and father of four. Whatever the future of entrepreneurial music business education is, you can pretty much bet that he’ll be in the middle of it.
Guido Esteves
Coordinator/Teacher
Danville Area Community College
Guido Esteves has been a working professional musician/producer for over 25 years. Along with producing music in the studio and for live productions, Guido has been involved in teaching both privately and at First Gig Rock Camp where he serves as a Director and co-creator. Recently he has taken a position at Danville Area Community College working in the music, production, recruitment, eSports and marketing departments. Besides performing, Guido has had a very active career on the business side of the music industry booking shows and producing events with Portal Entertainment and Red Hot Productions as well as serving on the board of the Danville Symphony. He can be seen playing bass with several bands including local favorites, 90’s Daughter.
Peter Blackmon
Principal
Portal Entertainment Group
Peter Blackmon has been in the entertainment industry for 30 years; involved in everything from Production and Stage Management to Event and Festival Planning to Talent Management and Buying. For Twenty years, Mr. Blackmon managed the David S. Palmer Arena until 2019 when he left to pursue other endeavors; not the least of which is creating Vermilion River Beer Company, in Danville, IL where he is the managing partner, event coordinator and talent buyer.
In addition, as one of the four Principals at Portal Entertainment Group, Blackmon spearheaded the creating of First Gig Rock N Roll Camp for Kids which celebrates its 12th year, here in Central, IL.
Odell Mitchell III
Attorney
Thirdinline Legal
Odell Mitchell III is a triple threat. Prior to founding Thirdinline Legal, he worked in the music industry as a musician, producer, and creative director. As a musician and visual artist, himself, he understands the needs of the creative entrepreneur firsthand. With over 10 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industries, Odell is pleased to unite his passions of creativity and the law to provide excellent legal services to other entertainment, business, and creative professionals.
Darin Coffman
Organizer/Promoter/Stage Manager for Oakwood Block Party, and Downtown Decatur Music Festival
As a musician, organizer, and promoter, I have a set of skills that allows me to express my creativity, and nurture/promote creativity through art and music festivals. I’m the local dude who was lucky enough to surround myself over the years with very knowledgeable individuals that would help guide me on my journey, as I DID NOT go to college for this. It’s a passion.
Braun Sheets
Musician/Studio Owner/Teacher/Events & Marketing Coordinator for Decatur Area Arts Council
Zo Audio | The Loft | Decatur Area Arts Council
Braun Sheets has been a gigging musician for over two decades and a guitar instructor for a vast majority of that. He currently runs a recording studio in Downtown Decatur called Zo Audio and right next door is a space that occasionally becomes a pop-up DIY venue called The Loft. Community arts and engagement has become a main focus in recent years while working with the Decatur Area Arts Council and Millikin Community Arts Academy. Braun also writes and performs in local original band Said Echo.
Mollie Krueger
Singer/Songwriter
The Hangovers
Mollie Krueger is a singer and songwriter of the band The Hangovers, a yoga teacher, a vocal coach, and a health and wellness consultant. She is a Millikin University 2021 Alum, majoring in Commercial Music and Music Business. She has experience in touring and as a recording artist. Mollie considers herself a strong advocate for holistic health and helps to guide others on a path of finding more physical, spiritual, and energetic alignment!
Bennie Smith, Jr.
Owner
Suite 704
Bennie Smith Jr. is the founder of Suite 704, a multimedia production studio and creative agency located in Decatur IL. Suite 704 is a physical space and community designed and dedicated to providing its members with the resources, education and opportunities to build sustainable and scalable businesses around their talent. Its facilities and team support many kinds of creative endeavors including podcasts, studio recording, photography, video production and brand development.
Bennie’s nearly 20 year career in the entertainment industry includes radio, DJing, concert promotion, live and televised production, and tour management. Locally, he has worked with NBC affiliate WAND News, WJMU 89.5, and Hot 105.5. His knowledge of strategic marketing and media production led to opportunities of working with artists spanning multiple genres from Young Money Cash Money’s Lil Wayne and Drake to Sesame Street Live. He has also assisted in production of Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, and America’s Got Talent. Bennie is driven by his passion to amplify the talent and creativity of his hometown of Decatur, IL and the mid-west region.