For the past 20 years, the Access Film Music Showcase has provided a stage for musicians to connect with filmmakers during film festival week.This year’s sessions will run Jan. 27-Feb. 2, at The Cabin, 427 Main St., said organizer and former Parkite “Chicago Mike” Beck.“We’ve scheduled live music performances from 5-9 p.m.,” he said. “To be able to offer that to artists is an exciting moment, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”The Cabin is open to ages 21 and older, and admission to the Access Film Music Showcase doesn’t require a press credential nor a cover charge, according to Beck.Beck, who is also a songwriter and guitarist, has scheduled a “Music, Movies & Money” workshop for musicians, composers, recording artists and songwriters who are interested in learning about the logistics and laws of getting their music into film and TV shows on Monday, Jan 26. For information, email [email protected].“Every filmmaker needs music, which is why we started Access Film Music in the first place,” he said. “This workshop will give details about legal issues, copyrights and royalties.”The workshop will feature a panel of experts in the field offering their expertise and advice to musicians interested in licensing their music to visual media, according to Beck.“We did our first one last year, and it was really great, and we were able to help the artists who attended,” he said. “Most people don’t have CDs anymore, so the three areas musicians can make money is through live performances, merchandise and licensing. There are more video and film being producers than ever before, so the opportunities are there. And we want to let people know about them.”Beck feels the workshop is more important than ever, due to the increase of music and the technological changes in the business.“You have AI coming in, and there are many filmmakers who turn to AI because it’s relatively inexpensive and gets the job done,” he said. “But there is nothing that can replace musicians making and composing live music.”AI can’t present a bonafide live performance, Beck said.“Yes, holograms are coming, but there’s nothing that can touch a real live, interactive performance where you can feel that connection,” he said. “As a performer there is nothing like connecting with the audience, and as an audience member, there is nothing that comes close to the feeling that energy musicians create while on stage.”Beck partnered with songwriter Burton Hurner and founded the Access Film Music Showcase in 2004.For 15 years, the event, which features rock, pop, Americana, country, blues and folk musicians, took the stage at Spur Bar & Grill, 352 Main St.After COVID-19 and the Spur deciding to go a different direction, Beck started up a partnership with The Cabin through programmer Junior Richard. “Junior used to come down to the Spur, and he always said to reach out if there was anything he could do,” Beck said. “So, we’re looking forward to going back to The Cabin this year.”Although the venue changed, Access Music Film Festival’s mission has remained the same for over the past two decades, according to Beck.“It means so much to celebrate our 20th anniversary,” he said. “This was supposed to be our 22nd, but we had to take a couple of years off during the pandemic. But it has opened so many doors for me in my own music career and what I’ve learned about the industry, and it has brought me into an area of the industry that I didn’t think too much about before.”The showcase is made possible by generous contributions from the following sponsors and supporters: The Cabin, American Songwriter Magazine, Tappi.Music, ÉCU European Independent Film Festival, Park Audio, WikiGigs.com, Hunnypot Unlimited, Pravda Music Publishing, GigPal.net, and Big Ugly Music LLC, according to Beck.In addition to Park City, Access Film Music hosts showcases and workshops in Rwanda, Paris, Estonia, Montreal and Illasi, Italy, and it will be starting one up at the Americas International Film Festival in Mexico City, this year, he said.“This has become a huge part of my life, and while it has been glorious, it’s been a challenge,” Beck said. “It’s so time consuming, and to maintain the contacts within the industry, which changes so frequently, while simultaneously being a touring artist, is insurmountable.”Although Beck has spread himself thin with those two careers, he is proud of what Access has accomplished.“We’ve created amazing opportunities with people in films, and it has allowed me to create a network of artists to connect with,” he said. “Many are in the United States, but there’s a swath of international artists as well.”One of those artists is Derek Vandershorst, whose song “The Bottle Ain’t Full No More” is in James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic, “Complete Unknown.”“Derek got the placement in the movie on his own, so we can’t claim any credit for making it happen,” Beck said. “But he did play a few showcases at The Cabin last year, and he is scheduled to perform at our showcase at the ÉCU European Independent Film Festival in Paris in May.”The 20th Access Film Music ShowcaseWhen: Jan. 26-Feb. 2 Where: The Cabin, 427 Main St. Web: accessfilmmusic.netThe post Access Film Music Showcase celebrates 20 years appeared first on Park Record.