The Crescendo program is more of a conversation than a lecture. Musicians’ stories and actual situations are used to present the information. The combination of Whetstone’s and Hill’s perspectives is what makes the series so dynamic. 

 Whetstone’s advice centers on the legalities of the industry — and watching out for red flags. Hill’s guidance centers more on the strategies and processes of the music business. 

 “We want to make the material relatable,” Whetstone said. Now in its sixth year, the series is available virtually in Louisiana and in-person at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Although participants can pick and choose which sessions to attend, the series is designed to build a body of knowledge in sequential order. 

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…”

In her 20+ year career, Cole Williams has frequently worked as a songwriter and studio musician. Early on she learned the importance of clear agreements before embarking on creative projects. Cole's belief that being ready, so you don’t have to get ready, ensured that she always prioritized handling split sheets and formalizing other agreements before initiating any studio work.

As this singer, songwriter and guitar master is promoting his new album, “The Deep and the Dirty,” he gives credit to the Ella Project – which he heard about through word-of-mouth – for always looking after his best interests in the process of contracts and other music industry business.

“It’s such a valuable thing,” he said of the Ella Project’s services. “In this industry, usually the person or company giving you the contract has a lot more resources, so being able to access sound legal advice makes all the difference.”

Over the years, The Ella Project’s intellectual property lawyer Ashlye Keaton has counseled Mr. Johnson regarding his rights as an artist to support himself as a working musician in New Orleans. We believe that artists should get paid for their work. Mr. Johnson also just registered a selection of songs from his 60+ year catalog with the nonprofit Mechanical Licensing Collective in order to collect royalties from streaming 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.