Irby Mandrell, Brenda Lee To Receive IEBA Honors

Manager Irby Mandrell and legendary singer Brenda Lee will be honored at the 31st annual International Entertainment Buyers Association's (IEBA) conference October 7-10 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown.

Mandrell, who propelled the careers of daughters Barbara, Louise and Irlene to great success, will be honored with the Pioneer Awards; Lee will receive IEBA's Lifetime Achievement.

In addition to the Awards Banquet, the conference will present the following panel sessions:

"Impact of Media On Buying Talent" moderated by Lon Helton, Radio & Records; "e-Businessentertainment.com" – moderated by Ed Bazel, That's Entertainment International, which includes CelebrityAccess' own Marc Gentilella; "Secondary Buildings – Surviving the Market" moderated by Mark Smardak, Outback Concerts of TN; and "Trends of Buying Talent" moderated by Scott Cullather, William Gerald Productions.

Among confirmed panelists are Bobby Cudd, Monterey Peninsula Artists; John Huie, Creative Artists Agency; Joey Lee, Buddy Lee Attractions; Brian O'Connell, Clear Channel Entertainment; Charlie Brusco, TBA Entertainment Atlanta; Keith Miller, William Morris Agency; Scott Cullather, William Gerald Productions; Judy Thee, AVW; Jaclyn Ferraro, Sam's Town Hotel; Ed Morrell, Four Star Entertainment; and John Platillero, EventBooking.com.

Participating conference sponsors include Academy of Country Music, Agency for the Performing Arts, Allegan County Fair, Barber & Associates; Bobby Baker Enterprises, Buddy Lee Attractions, CelebrityAccess, Congo Square, Country Music Association, Creative Artists Agency, Eagle Enterprises, Eastern States Exposition, EventBooking.com, Florida Strawberry Festival, The Forum Civic Center, LogiCom Project Management, MPI Talent Agency, Media Promotion Enterprises, Ohio State Fair, The Bobby Roberts Company, Rodeo Houston, Sheraton Nashville Downtown, Third Coast Talent, and William Morris Agency.