Radio, Rights Orgs Temporarily Agree On 7%

accounting1The music publishing industry has been anxiously watching licensing negotiations between BMI, ASCAP and radio/TV interests. Rate contracts are in the process of being renewed and concerns on the music side of the table revolve around potential rate reductions due to falling radio/TV ad revenues.

Today it has been announced that the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) and the performing rights organizations have agreed to an interim 7% rate reduction for both ASCAP and BMI. Radio broadcasters will begin paying the lower rate Jan. 1, 2010. A court will determine the actual rate, and when determined, it will be retroactive to 1/1/10.

RMLC Chairman Ed Christian was quoted saying he’s disappointed the process has stalled, but looks forward to realizing “significant reductions” in licensing fees. Analysts suggest that obtaining a settlement in this issue may take many months, but also point that the 7% drop shows that the rights organizations are aware that radio revenues have been sharply dropping.

CRS Offers Special Rate For Unemployed

crs 2010 logoUnemployed members of the radio and music industries will be able to attend CRS 2010 for a special discounted rate of $99 when the conference is held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville.

The Unemployment Rate provides attendees access to educational events only, including more than 20 seminars, panels and exhibits. Notable agenda item highlights included in the discounted rate are the CMA Research Presentation, Dave Ramsey’s Keynote Address, Bob Rosner’s Workplace 911 panel and the current-events Hot Topic panel. Tickets to the Music City Jam™, New Faces of Country Music Show® and daily luncheons must be purchased separately.

CRB President Becky Brenner says of the discount, “First, it gives those without work a financial break so that they can still afford to attend CRS 2010, and second, it provides them with the tools and networking opportunities to help them in their job search.”

The Unemployment Rate is available through Jan. 31, 2010. Contact Kristen McCrary at 615-327-4487 or [email protected] for registration materials. Proof of unemployment will be subject to verification by CRB, Inc.

The Regular Rate of $599 is in effect through Jan. 31, 2010. For more information, a detailed schedule and descriptions of CRS 2010’s panels and confirmed panelists can be viewed at the Country Radio Broadcasters website: www.CRB.org.

Cracked House Foundation

The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

After 28 years, Gerry House’s radio team the House Foundation is splitting up. Blaming budget cuts at the Clear Channel owned station, ringleader House told The Tennessean that Dec. 23 will be the last day on the WSIX morning show for newsman Al Voecks and sportscaster Duncan Stewart. Remaining on-air will be Country Music DJ Hall of Fame inductee House, sidekick Mike Bohan, and producer Richard Falklen.

House told the newspaper that he fought the changes, explaining, “I’ve been to the point where I’ve quit and renegotiated and come back…These are tough times economically. I hate this, but we have to step forward.”

He also said the station is considering hiring a new person to do both news and sports for the show.

Big D And Bubba Re-up With Premiere

bubbaBig D and Bubba, hosts of one of the most widely syndicated Country morning radio shows in the U.S., have renewed their long-term contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Broadcasting Monday through Friday from 6 – 10 a.m. ET, The Big D and Bubba Show will continue to be heard on more than 50 radio stations across the country.

Premiere Radio Networks assumed distribution rights to the Nashville based show in October 2005. Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,000 radio affiliations and reaches over 190 million listeners weekly. It is home to Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Bob & Tom, Delilah, Steve Harvey, Blair Garner, John Boy and Billy and many more.

Musical Chairs: John Paul, RJ Jordan, The Boxcars

John Paul

John Paul

Dial Global has hired John Paul as Sr. Dir. of Country Programming. The former KUPL Portland PD will be based in Denver, and fills the vacancy left by Jim Murphy’s exit last week. Paul will oversee the “Mainstream Country,” “Classic Country,” and “True Country” formats by working with their PDs. He will also serve as day-to-day PD for the “Hot Country” format.

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RJ Jordan

RJ Jordan

RJ Jordan has joined Golden Music Nashville as Northeast Director of Marketing & Promotion, handling radio efforts for artists including Williams Riley and Benton Blount. Based out of Rochester, NY Jordan previously held similar  label positions at Stroudavarious Records, Country Thunder, and 903 Music. His 25 years in the business has also included time at several radio stations. He can be reached at (615) 335-0718 [email protected].

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The Boxcars

The Boxcars, made up of bluegrass musicians Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, John R. Bowman, Keith Garrett and Harold Nixon, have signed with Mike Drudge at Class Act Entertainment for booking. Drudge can be reached at 615-262-6886 or [email protected]. The band members have played with Alison Krauss & Union Station, J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Dan Tyminski Band and many others.

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Contact update: Promo rep Debbie Gibson Palmer, Spinville Records and St. Regis International can be reached at the office at 818-705-6886 and by mail at 4530 Azalia Drive, Tarzana, CA 91356. The fax number is 818-705-5480.

CRS New Faces Line-Up Revealed

Randy Houser

Randy Houser

On Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 the popular New Faces of Country Music® show and dinner will officially close CRS 41. Set to perform are Gloriana (Emblem Records), Randy Houser (Universal South), Love and Theft (Lyric Street), Justin Moore (Valory Music Co.), and Chris Young (RCA).

Gloriana

Gloriana

Country Radio Seminar runs Feb. 24-26, 2010 at the Nashville Convention Center. The New Faces of Country Music Show (co-sponsored by the Country Music Association) is one of the most anticipated events of the annual Country Radio Seminar. Five emerging artists that have achieved significant success at Country radio during the qualification period are selected to perform at the event, held in the CMA Performance Hall. Each act plays a 20-minute set during the show, which officially closes CRS every year.

Love And Theft

Love And Theft

“The CRS New Faces show is a great way to stay ahead of the curve and see tomorrow’s stars today,” says CRB President Becky Brenner. “Artists like Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban were all New Faces performers at one time, and that’s only in the last decade!”

Justin Moore

Justin Moore

Country radio registrants who attended the previous year’s Country Radio Seminar select the New Faces of Country Music Show artists. The Nashville-based firm of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. validates the voting process.

Chris Young

Chris Young

The opportunity to register for Country Radio Seminar 2010 at the $549 Advance Rate expires this Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.

Wilson Rejoins Columbia Promo, Friedman Gets New Role

Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson

Jimmy Rector, Vice President, National Promotion, for Columbia Nashville today announces the return of Mike Wilson to the Sony Music Nashville family as Director, National Promotion, for Columbia Nashville. Most recently National Director of Promotion for Universal Records South, Wilson had previously worked in promotion for Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville imprint for more than 17 years. Based in Nashville, Wilson will report directly to Rector. Wilson will be on the job in January.

Concurrently, David Friedman segues from Director, National Promotion, to the newly created role of Director of Field Promotion, Columbia Nashville, where he will also assume responsibility for a regional territory. Friedman will officially begin his new role on December 15.

David Friedman

David Friedman

With the announcement, Rector commented, “I am excited about someone of Mike’s experience and pedigree joining our team. His experience, enthusiasm and love for music will be a great addition to Big Red. Mike, welcome home, we have missed you.”

On joining the Columbia Nashville team, Wilson remarked, “It’s very exciting to me to be going home! This is the place where I cut my teeth in promotion and enjoyed several years of success with the great artists and people there. I look forward to joining Joe Galante and being a part of this winning team.”

Citadel To File Chapter 11

citCitadel Broadcasting plans to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection before the end of the year, the Wall Street Journal reports. The radio broadcaster is in talks with lenders over the prearranged bankruptcy plan which has lenders exchanging Citadel’s $2 billion in debt for about 99.5 percent equity in the reorganized company, the Journal said. The creditors have until Tuesday to accept the deal.

It was reported that JP Morgan Chase & Co and General Electric Co’s GE Capital, which hold about 40 percent of the debt, are on board with the plan.

If the deal goes through, Citadel Chief Executive Farid Suleman would likely remain in his post, heading the company’s network of 165 FM stations, 58 AM stations, and the ABC Radio Networks.

Valentine Leaving Columbia Nashville

Alex Valentine

Alex Valentine

Alex Valentine, Director, Regional Promotion, Columbia Nashville is leaving the company effective December 14.

Jimmy Rector, Columbia’s VP, National Promotion has no plans to accept resumes for Valentine’s replacement.

Gator Michaels Exits Warner Bros.

Gator-Michaels-07After seven years with Warner Music, Sr. VP Promotion Gator Michaels exited the company today (12/1), the label has confirmed. Director of National Promotion Bob Reeves is acting in Michaels’ former role and reporting directly to new label President/CEO John Esposito, who took office in September.

Michaels is a radio vet who spent 10 years in the business, primarily in South Florida, before joining Warner. His experience also includes time as VP Promotion for DreamCatcher. He can be reached at 615-400-6957 or [email protected].