Jason Isbell announced as Music Industry Summit’s closing keynote and performance

Jason Isbell has been announced as the closing featured artist keynote for the 2024 Music Industry Summit. A Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist, Isbell will also perform the Closing Night Concert Wednesday, April 10, the evening of the keynote.

Registration for the keynote portion of the Music Industry Summit (MIS) is free and open now; registration is required for attendance. The concert, to be held at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium in collaboration with the Ohio University Performing Arts and Concert Series, is a ticketed event, with tickets on sale Friday, October 20, at 10 a.m.

Josh Antonuccio, MIS director and director of the School of Media Arts and Studies, said summit organizers expect Isbell to bring a crowd.

“Jason Isbell is a consummate artist, relentless performer, and is roundly considered to be one of the finest songwriters of the moment,” Antonuccio said. “As a result, it’s no secret that he has built a massive fan following. We are privileged to welcome him to campus.”

This will be the sixth year for the annual summit, which brings prominent artists and music industry leaders to OHIO’s Athens campus over two days every spring. It consistently attracts major names from the industry, with past speakers and artists including Caamp, Phoebe Bridgers, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, Chuck D, FINNEAS, and Saba. 

In addition to Isbell, this year's summit will also feature the rapper and producer Earl Sweatshirt, who will discuss his storied career in a featured artist keynote. 

Other summit sessions announced so far will include: 

• A songwriting workshop with featured artist Craig Finn of the Hold Steady
• "Queen of Sample Clearance" Deborah Mannis-Gardner, president and owner of DMG Clearances
• New York Times music journalist Marcus J. Moore
• Miriam O'Shea, parter manager for major labels at YouTube Music
• Creator economy workshop with consulting agency founder Maria Gironas

“The Music Industry Summit has grown to become a premier music industry conference in the Midwest,” Antonuccio said. “This year’s lineup will again feature conversations with artists and industry leaders, mentoring meetups, networking opportunities, and specialized workshops.”

Isbell is a native of Alabama and was a member of the southern rock band Drive By Truckers for six years. His own musical style has been described as “Americana,” but it combines disparate genres and influences. A prolific writer and touring artist, Isbell’s 2015 album, Something More than Free, simultaneously debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums, Folk Albums, and Country Albums charts.

The 2024 Music Industry Summit will be held April 9-10 on the Athens campus with a virtual option available. Follow the event on Instagram to keep up-to-date on future announcements.