Some of the most influential names in the music business will be sharing secrets from the industry in a bid to boost the careers of up-and-coming Scottish musicians.

The Music Panel - part of the two day goNorth Festival in Inverness - draws together top representatives from major national music industry bodies.

As one of the world's toughest businesses in which to make a living, the event, which takes place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel on Friday, June 8, offers rare insights into the industry.

The nine-strong panel includes representatives from UK Trade and Investment, BPI, the British record industry's trade association and MCPS-PRS Alliance which represents some of the world's best-known song writers and musicians to license their music and ensure royalties are collected.

There will also be advice on two of the least-understood but potentially most lucrative areas of the music world - copyright and intellectual property.

Iain Hamilton, Head of Creative Industries at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) says: "This event is a must for any musician in the region keen to get to grips with the music industry.

"The purpose of the event is to give people a much better understanding of how the music business works and, in particularly, intellectual property. The rights to a piece of music or a song are worth money and knowing these rights are key to making a living."

As well as tips on how and where to access finance, the Music Panel will also use the event to launch a major new initiative to support the industry.

The Scottish Music Futures Fund is a £500,000 business development fund to help companies involved in the music industry such as record labels, publishers and management firms.

Iain Hamilton says: "This fund is specifically for those businesses directly involved in the infrastructure of the music industry. The money is not for one-off projects but is there to support a structured plan that ensures the overall development of a business."

The Music Panel is a free event and runs from 10.30 am until 2pm.

goNORTH, supported by Highland 2007, is the Highland's largest showcase festival event aimed specifically at creative industries. This is the first year it has been held in the Highland capital. On June 7 and 8 there are packed day-long programmes. Anyone with an interest is encouraged to come along to hear and discuss issues among those working at the top of the music, fashion and screen world; to network with other writers, designers or composers and to contribute views on the future of creative industries. For a full programme and further details log onto http://www.gonorth.biz/

June 7:

11am-1pm Screen and broadcast
12.30-3pm Why English?
1-3pm Writing/publishing, Colin Larkin, to book one-to-one session with Colin email peter@hi-arts.co.uk
2-4pm screen and broadcast commissioners
3-5pm designer fashion
3.30-4.30pm keynote interview with Jazz Summers, band manager
4.30-5.15pm presentation of international showcases
5.15-6.15pm creative speed dating
6.30pm reception
8.45pm showcases.

June 8:

10.30-2pm music pane
l2-2.30pm launch of Scottish music futures fund
3-4pm keynote interview with Alan McGee, Creation Records
4.30pm Perth College
6-8pm mystery tour - booking required
8.45 showcases.

All events take place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, for more information on every event, log onto http://www.gonorth.biz/

Ends

For further information contact:
Caroline Rham
HIE Communications
01463 244244