The Music Biz 2016 convention took place in Nashville from May 16-18. It is organised by the Music Business Association which regroups digital and physical distributors of music and that promotes music commerce. Here's a sample of what was said. 

"Nashville you have been so good to us. We are blessed to work with so many great songwriters." Karen Fairchild from the band Little Big Town, after receiving the Music Biz Artist of the Year Award. 

"We are lucky to have the creative class in Nashville." Nashville Mayor Megan Barry who seemed more excited at the prospect of turning Nashville into a hub for start-ups.

"It is difficult now for songwriters to make a living in the city of songwriters." Nashville-based lawyer Lynn Morrow who did not get the memo from the mayor.  

"Songwriters? It's about work ethics: Do they want to work harder than me?" Boutique music publisher Ree Buchanan who is a hard working woman.

"A lot of people want to have babies, write songs and write songs, but very few people want to raise babies." John Pisciotta, founder/managing partner of MusicSynk/LoudLab Ventures, who likes raising babies. 

"More money flowing in the music eco-system, whichever pocket it goes to, is a good thing." Nashville-based lawyer Steve Bogard, who is not peaky about where the dollars go.

"Data is key to all. We don't know what we don't know, and what we don't know we can't pay." Scott Jungmichel from rights society SESAC, who does a Rumsfeld.

"It is really a digital world and we are still working in a vinyl industry. If we do not do something about it we will not have an industry anymore. The ecosystem needs to be updated for the digital world." Jeff King, COO of Canadian performance rights society SOCAN, who does not seem to like vinyl. 

"All I ever wanted was a backstage, all-access pass." John Esposito, the recently promoted Chairman/CEO of Warner Music

Nashville, upon receiving the Music Biz Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement, and who obviously has earned his all-access pass.  

"You're lucky, I lost my voice. Thank you!" Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen delivering the shortest acceptance message upon receiving. He's usually more talkative with his guitar.