Started in 2011 as a way to connect Athens musicians with legal advice and resources both locally and outside the Loop, the Protect Athens Music conference returns to the 40 Watt Wednesday for an eighth edition. A collaboration between the University of Georgia’s School of Law and Music Business Program, the always-enlightening event features industry insiders discussing various music-business-related topics, including promotion, recording, touring, ticketing and more. 

This year’s conference begins with a networking hour at 4 p.m. featuring music from The Broken String Band, followed by a keynote address from former Flagpole music editor and Davis Entertainment Law founder Michelle Davis. A panel discussion, “Amateur to Entrepreneur: How to Be a Musician and a Professional,” closes out the event.