Workshop: Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)

Cleveland Rocks: PPF’s Professional Development Workshops are held on the third Monday of the month from 7-9pm at the Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd.). Each workshop will focus on a different music-related topic with discussions from 7-8pm, followed by a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase from 8-9pm featuring 4 different artists, 2 songs each.

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)

Mon, June 16, 2025 • 7-9pm

Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Performing Rights Organizations are responsible for collecting income on behalf of songwriters and music publishers when a song is publicly broadcast or performed.

Free Event! RSVP here

Presenter: David Kennedy

Stay for The 2×4 Songwriter Showcase immediately following the workshop.

2×4 Artists include:

• Kari Ann Rutushin
• Beezy Douglas
• Joe Brown
• Caramel

The Cleveland Rocks Shop is an intimate venue with LIMITED capacity. Please arrive early to grab a seat!

This event is made possible with support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

2×4 Songwriter Showcase Artist Bios:

Kari Ann Rutushin is a Northeast Ohio-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for her wide-ranging style that blends jazz, folk, R&B, Americana, and early country. A versatile performer, she plays ukulele, piano, washboard, and flute, bringing a unique sound to every stage.

She performs with several bands including Swap Meet, Bent String, Larry Elefante, and The Spyder Stompers, each showcasing different facets of her musical identity. Whether solo or in a group, Kari Ann’s performances are heartfelt, engaging, and rooted in a deep love for diverse musical traditions. Kari has also been a teaching and performance artist for the Cleveland based nonprofit, ROOTs of American Music for several years.

Beezy Douglas
Brian “Beezy” Douglas is a Cleveland Heights-based singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music blends elements of folk, rock, country, blues, and soul. After starting his musical journey at New York City open mics in 2010, Beezy has spent the past 15 years honing his craft through performances, collaborations, and songwriting. His lyrics explore the harsh realities of daily life, the ups and downs of relationships, and the ongoing struggle to maintain dignity and integrity in a world often stacked against us. His background in storytelling, activism, and journalism continues to shape the deeply personal and socially conscious themes woven throughout his live performances. Beezy also hosts Showcase Chaos! — a monthly open stage at Wizbang Theatre every 3rd Thursday. The next Showcase Chaos will be on June 19th, themed Freedom. Learn more at https://bzdug.com.

Joe Brown

Joe Brown is a songwriter, performer, and music industry professional based in Cleveland, Ohio. A recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a degree in Music Industry, Joe’s approach to music blends tape-era sounds with a modern DIY ethic. He leads the Joe Brown Band and also performs solo and in an acoustic duo under the name ‘Squares.’ Joe recently completed an artist residency at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where he refined his voice as both an artist and as a storyteller.

Caramel

Caramel lives and breathes music. At 22 years old, he writes, performs, and produces all of his work. He began his musical journey when he studied classical piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 10 years, and transitioned into songwriting in his freshman year of high school. Caramel’s music ranges from R&B, pop, electronic, and alternative music. On top of his musical talents, he is also the founder and executive director of Living In Color, the only multidisciplinary performance art production of its kind, which highlights black life in the US through poetry, music, dance, and film. Through the 8-month event planning process, he led the writing, choreography, cinematography, and music composition. His theme “Traveler”, exudes his persona of a wandering traveler. He believes we are all travelers, and he writes his music to find his way. His upcoming song “Greener”, released on May 2nd explores heartbreak and self-discovery.