“Then I met Ashlye [Keaton], and I realized the Ella Project also was helping musicians. This is invaluable resource to me and all musicians,” he said. “They answer all my legal questions, and it’s incredible that this is free.”

Player has used the Ella Project’s assistance for any number of legal issues, including copyrights, trademarks, contracts, operating agreements, partnership agreements, and establishing his LLC. “No matter what my project, I can count on them for excellent legal advice,” Player added. 

He also gave a shout out to the Ella Project’s Crescendo Program. Attorney Bri Whetstone and musician and music entrepreneur Lou Hill lead the sessions, which are free of charge. It is a series of seven workshops on topics such as copyrights, music licensing, collecting royalties, touring, festival gigs, album releases, and keeping up with the technologies changing the music economy. 

More than a year ago, he met a workshop instructor at a networking event for the music industry who told him about the Ella Project. “I was just amazed that this service even existed, and that it was available to musicians!” Rosa said. “One of the most expensive things for a small business, or especially a solo musician, is legal services…”

Lou Hill is a musician and music/media entrepreneur born and based in New Orleans. You may know him as the drummer, vocalist, and songwriter of the local Billboard-charting funk band Water Seed, his current and long-term project. A true multi-hyphenate artist-entrepreneur, Hill sustains his music career in roles of songwriter, performer, producer, tour manager, and has created opportunities for other musicians as well. Lou is also a lead presenter of The Ella Project’s Crescendo music business intensive program.