ASCAP Expo Day Two: Ne-Yo, Billie Eilish, JoJo + more

Day Two of ASCAP's 13th annual "I Create Music" EXPO in Hollywood brought together music's top hitmakers, most fearless women and passionate songwriter advocates for panels, workshops, master classes, one-on-one sessions, networking events and performances. Thousands were on hand for another jam-packed day at the United States' largest conference for music creators.

Find a recap and photos of Ne-Yo, Billie Eilish, JoJo, Betty Who, Marcus Miller, Songwriters Hall of Fame member Desmond Child + more here: https://bit.ly/2K5A0ia

Ne-Yo treated EXPO attendees to a morning Master Session, pulling back the curtain on a career that's delivered five #1 albums, a dozen Top 10 singles, multiple Grammy awards and success across genres as a singer, songwriter and producer (...and dancer...and actor).

Renaissance Women in Music brought together some of the most influential women in songwriting - chart-topping artists JoJo and Betty Who, multi-genre standout Priscilla Renea (Rihanna, Kesha, Carrie Underwood), Forbes 30 Under 30 selection Lindsey Stirling and Kanye West collaborator Gizzle - to share inspirational stories of busting through boundaries to become some of the most successful music creators in the world today.

ASCAP Board Members Desmond Child, Michelle Lewis and Alex Shapiro - as well as Rihanna producer Deputy - employed sing-alongs, improv skits, animation and audience participation to take EXPO attendees to "Splitsville USA," a lively, informative discussion on songwriting splits. 

Billie Eilish was joined by Finneas O'Connell - her collaborator, producer and older brother - to discuss her breakthrough 2017 EP and ascent to “Pop’s Next It Girl” (Vogue) status. O'Connell returns to EXPO as a panelist after first attending in 2014 - shortly before the now 20-year-old music creator wrote "Ocean Eyes," a viral hit for his younger sister with more than 50 million streams.

Jazz legend Marcus Miller joined three of the industry's most in-demand music directors for a look at the ins and outs of that world. Highlights included “The Voice” music director Paul Mirkovich's insights on building trust between a musical director and an artist, composer Kevin Teasley on what makes a great leader in the field and Greg Phillinganes explaining how to write arrangements for the stage while doing his best impression of (his longtime client) Michael Jackson's moonwalk.

GRAMMY-award winner Darrell Brown spent more than four hours helping music creators get the best of their song ideas. With #1 Billboard hits on the country, dance and pop charts, Brown is uniquely qualified to give hands-on advice to writers in a wide range of genres.