Cumulus Media Completes Acquisition of WestwoodOne, Inc.

cumulus-logo-222featuredCumulus Media Inc. has completed the previously announced acquisition of WestwoodOne, Inc., formerly known as Dial Global, Inc., for $260 million in cash, consisting of approximately $45 million attributable to the equity of WWO and the retirement of $215 million of debt of WWO. Cumulus used cash on hand, including approximately $238 million in cash proceeds from the Company’s previously completed sale of 53 radio stations in 12 small and mid-sized markets in November 2013 to Townsquare Media, LLC.
The acquisition of WestwoodOne will add sports, news, talk, music and programming services content, allowing Cumulus to provide a wider variety of options to approximately 10,000 U.S. radio stations, other media platforms and international platforms. Newly acquired content includes NFL, NCAA, NASCAR, Olympics, AP Radio News, NBC News, the GRAMMY Awards and other programming.

Aristo Int'l Report: News From The U.K.

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View the report above.


The AristoMedia Group has released the December 2013 issue of its Aristo International Report. Highlights include:

  • The Country to Country Festival will be held at the 02 in London on March 15 and 16, 2014. The festival will feature Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and other performers.
  • Henry Smith took home Entertainer of the Year honors at the recent 2013 British Country Music Awards in London.
  • Country singer Gene Watson recently completed a whirlwind tour of the UK and Ireland.
  • The Tennessean Tourism Authority has named Irish living legend, Roly Daniels, as an Honorary Country Music Ambassador to Tennessee.
  • CMA Week was held in Nashville in November, and was well attended by executives from the UK.

AristoMedia has been issuing this quarterly review of global activities since 2008. Please click to view the newsletter online at aristomedia.com.

Martina McBride Launches Label, Will Release 'Everlasting' in March

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Martina McBride in the studio with producer Don Was.


Martina McBride is set to release her new album, Everlasting, out March 4, 2014, on her own label through Kobalt Label Services. MusicRow has confirmed that the singer is no longer a Republic Nashville artist; she joined Republic Nashville in 2010.
The project, produced by Don Was, finds the singer covering songs from an array of musical genres, and includes her renditions of the songs “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” (Aretha Franklin), “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) and the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
The project was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios. Everlasting also features a collaboration with Gavin DeGraw on “Bring It On Home To Me,” originally performed by Sam Cooke.  A full track listing for Everlasting will be released in the coming weeks.
McBride recently wrapped her Joy of Christmas Tour with a performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The singer will hit the road in 2014 to join reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait on his last tour.

Through The Lens (12/12/13)

2013-12-12 WCPM MusiCares Donation
Warner/Chappell Music donated funds to MusiCares on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 at The Recording Academy and MusiCares office in Nashville. The company made the donation as part of its Holiday program, on behalf of its North American Client-Partners. The donation will support MusiCares range of services and programs to ensure that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical or personal crisis.

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Pictured are (L-R): Rodney Clawson, Ryan Tini, Blair Daly, Hope Town Harbor Lodge’s Allen Davis, Chris DeStefano, GAC’s Mary Carlisle Callahan, Combustion’s Chris Van Belkom, Danielle Tredway, BMI’s Mary Loving, Kree Harrison, Jessica Farren, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Native Run’s Bryan Dawley, Warner Chapel’s Kate Craig, Jon Pardi, Native Run’s Rachel Beauregard, Dallas Davidson, Hope Town Harbor Lodge’s Steve Johnson, Combustion Music’s Kenley Flynn, Nicolle Galyon, and BMI’s Bradley Collins.

Combustion Music, BMI, and the Hope Town Harbour Lodge partnered last weekend for the inaugural Hope Town Music Festival in the Bahamas. In an effort to raise money for Every Child Counts and the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, the festival featured performances by Rodney Clawson, Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley, Kree Harrison, Native Run, Nicolle Galyon, Jon Pardi, Chris Farren, Blair Daly, Chris DeStefano, and Johnny and Joe.

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Pictured (L-R): Austin Webb with Charli McKenzie of Appleton, WI’s WNCY

Austin Webb sang the national anthem before the Green Bay Packers took on the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, Dec. 8, at Lambeau Field. The appearance was Webb’s first NFL national anthem performance.

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Pictured (L-R): Suzanne Alexander and Bill Anderson

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson visited with Suzanne Alexander during a segment of “The Great American Playlist,” which will air on Friday, Dec. 13 at Noon ET on GAC.  In addition, viewers will also be able to see the debut of Anderson’s new video “Old Army Hat” from his current Red River Entertainment/Sony Red CD LIFE.

Industry Ink (12/12/13)

cumulusrdioCumulus Media and Rdio have launched a promotional campaign, which includes spots on Cumulus radio stations, and product pages at Rdio featuring music played by Cumulus stations. Cumulus stations will air spots across 70 stations, including its 60 Country stations, and expand to all stations in 2014. Meanwhile, Rdio will provide programming featuring Cumulus radio personalities.

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gannett1Newspaper chain Gannett Company will expand advertising and circulation revenue by inserting parts of flagship newspaper, USA Today, into local newspapers, according to the New York Times.
Beginning in January, Gannett will add 12 to 14 pages of USA Today daily content to 35 newspapers in its largest markets, including The Journal News in White Plains, N.Y., The Tennessean in Nashville and The Cincinnati Enquirer. As a result, readers, along with their local news, will receive a broader mix of news from the USA Today content.

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Nashville111Gulch Crossing, a new eight-story class A office building to be built in the Gulch, has been issued a foundation permit, according to bizjournals.com. Located at 1033 Demonbreun St., the building will house 205,000-square-feet of office space and is expected to be ready in mid-2015. Gulch Crossing will include 3,000 square feet of retail space on Demonbreun Street, along with 16,000 square feet of retail space on 11th Ave. S. Tenants already announced for the building include The Bank of Nashville, real estate brokerage Cassidy Turley, and design firm Earl Swensson & Associates.

Ray Price Enters Hospice Care

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Ray Price


Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price, 87, plans to return to his home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, for home hospice care, after leaving East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas, according to KLTV.
Price has been battling pancreatic cancer since 2011; despite treatment, the cancer has spread to the singer’s liver, intestines and lungs. His wife of 45 years, Janie, says they have decided not to pursue further aggressive treatment.
“Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings and making decisions,” said Janie. “With God’s blessing he has not had extreme pain. But it’s with great sadness that I announce to you today that my beloved husband has entered the final stages of his cancer that he has battled for 25 months. Anyone who knows Ray is aware that he has strong convictions and great faith in God. It’s his decision to leave the hospital and return home to spend his final days on his beloved ranch surrounded by the comfort of his home, family and friends.”
Price offered a final message for his fans. “I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven’t let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day.”

'American Idol' Gears Up for 13th Season In January

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Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick, Jr.


American Idol addicts rejoice — your favorite singing competition returns for a 13th season Jan. 15, with Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez returning to their judges chairs. Joining them on this go-round of the long-running show is Harry Connick Jr., who first appeared last season as a mentor for runner-up Kree Harrison.
Producers mixed up the seats a bit after last season’s drama between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey in hopes of scoring some better ratings again. And according to eonline.com, Urban, Lopez and Connick Jr. are getting along swimmingly. “I really like them,” Connick said of Lopez and Urban. “We’ll finish shooting and we’ll go have lunch and we all sit at the same table, talking about Jen’s kids, my kids and Keith’s kids.”
The three are also reportedly contemplating doing a number or two together as well this season.”It’s kind of been hinted at,” Connick said. “I’m game for anything. I would totally dig it. You’re talking about three completely different singers. It would be great.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Y3oALZGOc&list=PL8x9Zx_hMDsZvIvKVcvyPDyPBz_Fqdg6u

Primetime 'Nashville': "Tomorrow Never Comes"

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Rayna Jaymes and Luke Wheeler. Photo: ABC


Season 2, Episode 10: “Tomorrow Never Comes”
The winter finale of Nashville left viewers with quite the cliffhanger. One character is killed off, but we don’t know exactly who dies.
In previews for Episode 11, we discover that Will Lexington, seemingly on top of the world, is actually filled with turmoil. In the preview for episode 11, we find Lexington stepping in front of an oncoming train. But Lexington is not the only possibility. During last night’s (Dec. 11) episode, Rayna Jaymes speaks with Teddy Conrad, while his new wife Peggy is nearby. As the surprisingly pleasant conversation ends and Teddy walks away, a stranger approaches and attempts a hit on Nashville’s Mayor Conrad. As Teddy attempts to wrestle the gun from him, the gun fires, hitting Peggy. The scene ends with Peggy lying, seemingly lifeless, on the ground. Previews of Season 2, Episode 11 seem to indicate that it is Peggy who is killed, but it is not certain.
Juliette Barnes is the face of Teddy Conrad’s new music festival, but the press is more concerned with allegations that she caused the breakup of Charles and Olivia Wentworth. During her headlining performance at the festival, someone holds up a large sign bearing the label “Homewrecker.” Humiliated, Juliette fumbles her performance, until guitarist Avery Barkley steps in to sing with her. He later meets to comfort and give his friend some advice on the situation. Juliette seems convinced that it is newcomer and opening act Layla who leaked the information to the the press, so she confronts the talent show winner. Layla has a catty way of denying that she leaked the information, which only further infuriates Juliette.
After Deacon finds out his name has been removed from the music festival’s list of performers, he teams with Gunnar Scott for their own performance. Gunnar gave his potential hit song to Edgehill Records for Will Lexington to record; in return, Edgehill’s CEO promised him a prime performance slot at the festival and the appearance of several music industry execs. That prime performance opportunity turns out to be a makeshift stage near the portable restrooms. Gunnar and Deacon decide they can do better and pull some strings to get their own performance off festival grounds.
Teddy attempts to shut down Deacon’s parking lot party, and is told there is nothing he can do, as the owner of the property gave Deacon permission. Parenting conflicts arise earlier in the episode, pre-hitman shooting, when Peggy refuses Maddie’s request to watch her father Deacon perform; the musically talented teen ignores Peggy and makes the same request of Rayna. The characters come together mid-episode at the parking lot performance to watch Deacon and Gunnar perform for a considerable crowd of admirers. After Deacon finally gets his moment in the spotlight as a solo act, another music industry exec later asks him about putting out a solo album.
Rayna’s not backing down on setting up her Highway 65 label. Edgehill’s CEO Jeff Fordham tries to persuade Rayna not to leave the label by presenting her with “research” that he has obtained. Rayna doesn’t believe his research and realizes that Jeff and Rayna’s semi-boyfriend Luke Wheeler seem very chummy. She discusses business options with sister Tandy, and later, Rayna mortgages her house and borrows funds from her sister to make the $20 million Edgehill requires to buy out her contract. Superstar Luke unsuccessfully tries to convince her not to break ties with Edgehill. As soon as he learns Rayna’s deal with Edgehill has cooled, he cools the superstar couple’s relationship. He says he’s sorry they won’t be promoting the new single together. It seems easygoing Luke was using Rayna for his own business means.
Scarlett O’Connor is still reeling from the news that Zoey and Gunnar are an item. Her disappointment doesn’t sit well with Avery, who thinks Scarlett still has feelings for Gunnar. “You are the only one who has ever been honest with me,” Scarlett tells Avery, explaining that she’s only disappointed that Zoey and Gunnar’s relationship began in secret.
Later in the episode, Juliette and Charles seemingly breakup for good. Charles says he hopes Juliette can find the person who makes her the best version of herself. After the conversation, Juliette thinks of friend Avery and decides to see if she can make the friendship blossom into something more. Unfortunately, her timing is off; she shows up at Avery’s door, only to see him with Scarlett.
In the promo for episode 11, Kelly Clarkson makes an appearance as herself, and we find out which character dies–Peggy or Will.
Watch the promo for Season 2, Episode 11. The episode airs Wednesday, Jan. 15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN1ehK0AwPs

Kristofferson To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award From Grammys

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Kris Kristofferson


Kris Kristofferson and the Beatles are among the artists selected to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Armando Manzanero, Clifton Chenier, the Isley Brothers, Kraftwerk, and Maud Powell will also receive Lifetime honors, while Rick Hall, Jim Marshall, and Ennio Morricone will receive Trustee Awards. Emile Berliner and Lexicon will also receive Technical Grammys at the special invitation-only ceremony, which will be held Jan. 25 during Grammy week.  A formal acknowledgement will be made during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Sunday, Jan. 26 which airs live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.
“It is a great privilege to recognize such an exceptional group of honorees and celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the recording industry,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “This astoundingly unique and gifted group have created some of the most distinguished and influential work in our musical history. Their legacies are timeless and legendary, and their creativity will continue to influence and inspire future generations.”

Swift, Panettiere Garner Golden Globe Nominations

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Hayden Panettiere


Taylor Swift and Hayden Panettiere were both named as nominees for the upcoming 71st annual Golden Globe Awards, slated for Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Panettiere earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture made for Television, for her role as superstar singer Juliette Barnes on ABC’s music-filled drama Nashville.
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Taylor Swift


Swift garnered a nomination in the Best Original Song category for “Sweeter Than Fiction,” which appeared in the movie One Chance.
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey will reprise their roles as hosts during the Golden Globe awards.
For a full list of nominees, visit goldenglobes.com.