Billy Joel's Drummer, SNL Vocalist Set for Panel at Loyola University New Orleans, 10/26

Liberty DeVitto, legendary musician and long-time drummer for Billy Joel, headlines a panel of national musicians and experts gathering at Loyola University New Orleans Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to examine the ever-changing landscape of the music industry business.

The event is free, open to the public and set for Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, located in the Communications/Music Complex on Loyola's main campus.

"The Sessions," an interactive presentation covering contract negotiations, entertainment law, marketing, networking, self-promotion, image maintenance and performance fundamentals, features a group of core panelists and special guests. The daylong event will conclude with an open jam session.

Although DeVitto is best known for his more than 30 years on stage with Joel, his history of collaborations with other artists is extensive, and his decades of experience in the industry offer insight and inspiration.

Christine Ohlman, "The Beehive Queen," a singer, songwriter, guitarist, recording artist and music scholar, will join Devitto on the panel. In addition to her own band, Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez, Ohlman is a longtime vocalist with the Saturday Night Live Band. Ray Fransen, a New Orleans-based drummer, teacher and entrepreneur, along with Emmy Award-winning composer and local pianist Mike Esneault, who has performed and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard, will round out the special guests on the panel.

Core panelists include drummer Dom Famularo, artist relations and products manager Joe Hibbs, entertainment lawyer Paul Quin, and production and tour manager Carlos Guzman.