PRESENTS

2026 Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Matt Pinfield

Gardner Cole

Gardner has been working professionally in the music industry solely since the age of 17. He’s performed with various bands, including as drummer with the hit English group ABC and as keyboardist with the hit Norwegian group A-HA! Hundreds of his songs have been recorded worldwide on Grammy and AMA award winning and Grammy and AMA nominated albums totaling over 100 million (including 27 Billboard charting records).
 
As a Producer he’s recorded over 350 songs (including 11 Billboard charting singles) for major labels such as Universal, Hollywood, Sony, CBS, A&M, MCA, Chrysalis, Virgin, Interscope, Dreamworks, Capitol, E.M.I., Warner Brothers, Polygram and Motown. Gardner has been signed to Warner-Chappell Music since 1984 as a Writer/Publisher, and was a Recording Artist at Warner Brothers Records where he self-produced two solo albums. Gardner Cole was also the number 2 songwriter in 1988 according to Billboard magazine with 6 Billboard charting singles.

Featured Speaker

Tyson Ritter

Tyson Ritter is the frontman, bassist, and lyricist of multi-platinum rock band The All-American Rejects. With more than 12 million albums sold worldwide and hits including “Swing, Swing,” “Dirty Little Secret,” “Move Along,” and “Gives You Hell,” the band became one of the defining rock acts of the 2000s.

Today, Ritter is the co-founder of PlayHouse.band, an artist-first platform bringing live music into intimate, unconventional spaces. Born from The All-American Rejects’ viral house party tour, PlayHouse lets artists connect directly with fans and opens new doors for brand partnerships, experiential marketing, and original content, building a more direct, sustainable future for live music.

all speakers schedule

ALL SPEAKER SESSIONS AT REVERB
36 S. Robson St, Mesa, AZ

THURSDAY — OCTOBER 15

Time Venue Photo Speaker / Description Association
1–2 PM Reverb Jay Redlyne

Jay Redlyne

Jay Redline is the founder of Redlyne Management, bringing nearly two decades of experience in artist management, live performance, concert production, and artist development. Beginning his management career in 2008, Jay learned the business from the ground up, working with local and national acts, producing large concerts for talent buyers, and supporting national artists behind the scenes. His hands-on approach to A&R has helped artists shape their sound, develop new music, and enter premier recording studios, working with producers including Shooter Jennings, Jay Baumgardner, and Brian Howes. Jay has also crafted FM radio campaigns that helped independent artists earn Top 40 Billboard chart appearances. Today, he continues to manage and consult with emerging talent, including Christopher Shayne, helping artists hone their craft and build toward careers on the national stage.

Redlyne Management
2–3 PM Reverb Alex Gilbert

Alex Gilbert

Alex Gilbert is a veteran booking agent currently lending his talents to The Kirby Agency (TKO). Gilbert began his career in the music industry in 2008 and has held various positions, including music journalist, public relations professional, and booking agent.

TKO Booking
3–4 PM Reverb Zach Yoshioka

Zach Yoshioka

Zachary Yoshioka is an ASU alumnus and veteran artist manager. Zach is the CEO of Powerline Management and Co-CEO/Talent Buyer at K & Z Entertainment.

Powerline Management LLC is a full-service artist development and management company based in Tempe, Arizona. Its roster currently includes Escape the Fate, Butcher Babies, Lacey Sturm, and more.

Powerline Management

FRIDAY — OCTOBER 16

Time Venue Photo Speaker / Description Association
12–1 PM Reverb Brian Battjer

Brian Battjer

Brian Battjer is the co-founder of PlayHouse.band alongside Tyson Ritter, singer of The All-American Rejects.

PlayHouse helps artists pre-sell intimate shows, prove demand, and choose venues with money in hand. These include houses, barns, breweries, churches, coffeehouses, art galleries, skate shops, fairgrounds, and dozens of other spaces traditional venues cannot offer.

PlayHouse.band
1–2 PM Reverb Craig Zahn

Craig Zahn

Craig Zahn is a multifaceted entrepreneur, musician, and marketing expert with a passion for crafting guitars and fostering musical innovation.

With 25 years of experience in marketing and innovation, Craig combines his strategic expertise with a lifelong love of music. As a musician himself, he understands the connection between an artist and their instrument.

He founded Zaar Guitars to merge craftsmanship, visual design, and sonic performance, creating instruments that inspire musicians and encourage creative expression. Through Zaar Guitars, Craig seeks to push the boundaries of guitar design while celebrating the power of passion, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Zaar Guitars
2–3 PM Reverb Les Scott

Les Scott

Les Scott is a veteran of the music industry whose publishing company, Source Q Boutique, specializes in music placement in film and television and currently represents over 400 writers and artists. Source Q Boutique is marketed through alliances with Crucial Music Group, Expressive Artists LLC, Generation Music Inc., Words West LLC, and JC3 Media Music.

Notable placements include 9-1-1, Shameless, Chicago P.D., American Idol, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., House, Breaking Bad, Castle, American Gods, Californication, Weeds, Friday Night Lights, Dancing with the Stars, and the theme song for The CW's Life Unexpected.

Source Q Publishing / Sync
3–4 PM Reverb
TBA

TBA

Speaker to be announced.

 TBA
4–5 PM Reverb James Welch

James Welch

James Welch is a Roberto-Venn-trained luthier and repair specialist with more than 12 years of experience in the music industry.

His professional background includes Fender, Fano Guitars, Premier Builders Guild, and Guitar Center. He now owns and operates Arizona Jim Guitar Works in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Guitar Clinic
5–6 PM Reverb Jack Schwarz

Jack Schwarz

Jack Schwarz is a former Fender executive who has spent most of his life in the music industry. He is also a former owner of Fano Guitars and an industry consultant.

During his more than 30 years at Fender, Jack contributed to numerous projects. He developed and introduced modern guitar setup techniques that are now used by major guitar manufacturing facilities around the world.

Guitar Set Up