Music Industry Program Guest Speakers and Industry Partners

Visiting Speakers and Artists

At SUNY Fredonia, our guest speakers bring insightful and realistic perspectives on the music industry. Providing valuable guidance, our speakers represent a wide range of professional paths, including recording artists, producers, and managers, offering diverse viewpoints shaped by their unique experiences. In addition to engaging lectures and interactive learning opportunities, many of our guest speakers have also delivered memorable performances.

Below are some of the guest speakers who have been hosted by the Fredonia Music Industry Program.

June Millington

June Millington, along with her sister Jane were the co-founders of the trailblazing rock band Fanny and a pioneer for women in rock music, changed the landscape of the music industry. Along with her bandmates, Millington was part of the first all-female band to sign with a major record label, Reprise Records. She shattered barriers in a male-dominated industry, proving that women could excel in the rock genre. Many famous classic rock musicians have cited Fanny and Millington as influential figures in their work.

Millington continues to inspire future generations of female musicians, and her legacy remains a powerful force in shaping the music industry. She stands as a rock icon and a symbol of female empowerment. In April 2024, SUNY Fredonia honored Millington by hosting a live music event in her name. At the event, she performed alongside student musicians at her own request.

History of Fanny

Tim Donahue

Tim Donahue is a creative multi-instrumentalist and creator of the fretless and fretted electric harp guitars. Donahue spent March and April 2024 as a Williams Visiting Professor at SUNY Fredonia, working with students and faculty in multiple departments across campus on his multifaceted career in Japan and Europe. His tour culminated in a public lecture and performance called Japan's Influence on My Life and Music on April 25th, 2024. Donahue also worked with a student group, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, presenting his innovative instruments and distinctive musical style including a fusion of jazz, rock, and progressive metal. His residency centered on the convergence of music, culture, and business, providing students with a unique chance to learn from a globally recognized musician and composer.

Robbie Takac

Robby Takac is a bass guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist for the Buffalo-based band the Goo Goo Dolls. Takac became a founding member of the group alongside John Rzeznik in 1986, and has been consistently performing with them ever since. The band, and Takac himself, are good friends of the music industry program here at Fredonia through the faculty head, Armand J. Petri. They have been part of numerous events here on campus, most notably working with HAIL! Fredonia Records to raise $25,000 for autism research.

Takac created the non-profit organization Music is Art in 2003, which celebrates diversity and works to “create opportunities that fuel the unifying power of music in Western New York.” The program hosts the “Music is Art Festival” in Buffalo each year, which promotes local bands, musicians, dancers and other artists, while also creating a fun and family-friendly environment for anybody willing to express themselves through music and art.

Artie Kornfeld

Songwriter, musician, record producer and music executive from Brooklyn, New York, Artie Kornfeld was the co-creator and promoter of the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. Kornfeld played a pivotal role in igniting the spirit of the festival by assisting in the organization and as the sole promoter. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the youngest Vice President of Capitol Records. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, he has successfully promoted over 110 platinum records, collaborating with esteemed artists such as Tracy Chapman, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, and Bruce Springsteen. Kornfeld’s also co-authored the Academy Award-winning documentary about the Woodstock Music Festival. Since Woodstock, Kornfeld prides himself in keeping the spirt and embodiment of the festival alive and in the modern day setting. He had traveled to schools, organizations and universities alike to present on the creation of Woodstock and the lasting impacts to the industry the festival has had. To learn more about his experiences and accomplishments, read his book “The Pied Piper of Woodstock.”

Chris O'dell

Chris O’Dell is a prominent figure in the music industry, from working with The Beatles from the height of their fame and beyond. A former Apple Corps. secretary, tour manager and assistant to industry legends, O’Dell was an insider of the world of Rock and Roll, and the artists who dominated it. O’Dell was able to work closely with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison during her time at Apple Corps. She then went on to encounter—and work alongside—Bob Dylan, Joe Crocker and James Taylor. She assisted the Rolling Stones through their Exile on Main Street tour, and road-managed Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review. To learn more about Chris O’Dell’s impressive and extensive history in the music industry, read her tell-all novel Miss O’Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton. More recently, her documentary Miss O’Dell dives into her adventures in the rock and roll and the legends she worked with, is out now on Blu-ray, DVD, and most streaming platforms.

Joey Molland

Liverpool, England is home to Joey Molland, who was the last surviving member of the Rock and Roll band Bad Finger. Growing up working on the docks, having a paper run, and playing music was only the tip of the iceberg for Molland. Joey's tenacity, dedication, and passion for music led him to join the band Badfinger in 1969, and begin a lifetime of touring and writing hit songs. The band was signed at Apple Records, the Beatles company, and worked alongside McCartney, Harrison, and Lennon. Molland personally made guest appearances on two of George Harrison’s albums, and John Lennon’s album Imagine.

As an influential figure in Rock and Roll, Molland made many appearances at Fredonia and worked alongside the Music Industry department and its students on multiple occasions. From discussing his life experiences with members of The Beatles and Badfinger. Molland also presented and performed with Denny Laine(the founding member of Wings with Paul McCartney), and Terry Sylvester as they discussed the era of the British Invasion and their careers in Rock and Roll.

Victor Delorenzo

Victor DeLorenzo, the former drummer of the Violent Femmes, currently plays with the jazz trio, A Free Society, and owns Joe's Real Recording Studio. DeLorenzo shared his musical experiences as a member of the Violent Femmes, including the lifestyle of a professional musician and his present work as a producer.

Click here to see a recording session with Victor DeLorenzo, Mary Ramsey and John Lombardo of 10,000 Maniacs, and Music Industry students, as they record an original song of Tina Marie Williams.

Vic Anesini

Fredonia Alum, Vic Anesini, is one of the premier catalog mastering engineers in the world. For the past 30 years, he was a Senior Mastering Engineer at Sony Music Entertainment, where he has brought his talents to master and mix music legends such as Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Santana, Elvis Presley, Sly & the Family Stone, The Byrds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Cheap Trick, Lou Reed, Hall & Oates, Jeff Buckley, and James Taylor .

Abigail Morrisette

SUNY Fredonia Alumna Abigail Morrisette returned to Fredonia to discuss her current experience in the music industry with a presentation titled "My Music Industry Journey, From Fredonia to ASCAP to Warner Music Group."

See the whole lecture on youtube

Guest Speakers

Artie Kwitchoff

Former Clear Channel concert promoter, owns The Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY. The venue has hosted acts like Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and Anthrax. Kwitchoff lectured on his career in booking and promoting musical acts for a privately owned venue.

Tom Rizzo

LA-based guitarist and composer who plays music from BeBop to funk, folk, and pop. An exercised member of the Doc Severinsen and Maynard Ferguson bands, Rizzo was also a member of the Tonight Show Band in its final Carson years, where he composed and arr

Nick Karp

A Fredonia alum and event photographer, he has been published in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Vice, Spin Media, AV Club & Alternative Press. Notable artists photographed include Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Cage The Elephant, and Shawn Mendes.

Anthony Caucci

President of Concord Atlantic, is a NJ Licensed Professional Engineer with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University. He has been VP & Director of Mechanical Engineering, managing proposals, cost estimates, contracts, etc.

Andy Karp

Former Vice President of A&R at Lava/Atlantic in New York. He has signed acts like Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Simple Plan, and Porcupine Tree. Karp delivered a lecture on the political dynamics of significant record label agreements.

Dennis Drew

Keyboard player and founding member of the 10,000 Maniacs. Drew spoke about his career in a multi-platinum selling band and his interaction with industry professionals throughout the band's lifetime.

Bruce Moser

Widely known as a major player in music promotion and distribution, Moser is responsible for helping break U2 and others major acts into the United States. During his visit, Moser shared stories and gave his insight and advice to students.

Joey DeMaio

Award-winning bass guitarist for the heavy metal band Manowar, Joey DeMaio founded the entertainment group, Magic Circle Music. DeMaio lectured about the importance of merchandising, the relevance of large festivals in today's music industry, and his work

Chris Ring

An entrepreneur hailing from Buffalo, NY, his company After Dark Entertainment, Inc., books and produces over 200 concerts a year throughout Western NY. His merchandising company, Tour City, Inc., specializes in the needs of touring musicians.

Lynn Lowry

Horror icon Lynn Lowry is an actress, screenwriter and producer. Her most notable films include I Drink Your Blood, The Crazies, and Shivers. Lowry visited Fredonia to discuss her experience in the film industry and answer students' questions in Sept

Micheal Ivins

A founding member and bassist for the rock band, The Flaming Lips. Ivins discussed the transformation of the Flaming Lips from a small independent band in the 1980's to a famed, major-label group.

John Lombardo & Mary Ramsey

John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey, of the alternative rock group 10,000 Maniacs, discussed their history and performed at SUNY Fredonia. Ramsey is a Fredonia Alumna, and Lombardo graduated from SUNY Geneseo.

Music Industry

E336 Thompson Hall State University of New York at Fredonia Fredonia, NY 14063