CRS Confirms Topics, Panelists For Programmers Boot Camp Series
The topics and panelists for three Programmers Boot Camp discussions at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) have been finalized.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part l: Imaging Secrets Revealed” will feature four of the top imaging copywriters in the business. Rich Witt (Vanilla Gorilla), Cowboy Kyle (WUSY Chattanooga), Jason Garte (The Mix Group) and Jeff Berlin (Greater Media Boston) will discuss how to effectively image a radio station on a budget. Bob Richards (Emmis Communications) will lead the Q&A discussion. Additionally, the panelists will examine how to write better copy, the best ways to get local listener testimonials to make your imaging shine, and how to effectively communicate with your voice talent to get the best read. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part ll: Get Prepped” will feature Big D and Bubba (Silverfish Media), Jeff Andrews (Sheet Happens) and Steve Harmon (Bit Board and iHeartMedia’s Paul and Young Ron), and will be led by RJ Curtis (All Access). The session will provide insight on how to give staff the tools they need to gather relevant content to produce a great on-air product and how to engage an audience on a budget. Panelists will also provide lists of useful websites where “free” content can be gathered and companies who specialize in prep services. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part lll: Mastering the Music” will offer industry professionals with years of experience in competitive market battles: Lance Houston (PD of the Bull in Boston), Bill Jones (Bill Jones Media Consulting), and B-Dub (KUPL/Alpha). The session will be led by Beverlee Brannigan (The E.W. Scripps Company) and will explain how to effectively schedule music coding and set up rules to free up time in a busy day. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m.
Boot camp panels will take in Cumberland Rooms #1 and #2, located on Level 3 in Omni Nashville.
iHeartRadio Surpasses 80 Million Registered Users
iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital music and live streaming radio service, has officially surpassed 80 million registered users. That figure does not account for the millions of listeners who tune in to iHeartRadio’s live radio stations, an action that does not require registration.
iHeartRadio has also been downloaded more than 850 million times, has 80 million social media followers and is now available on more than 80 unique device platforms spanning in-home entertainment, wearables, gaming, mobile and auto.
Launched in 2011, iHeartRadio is a free service that offers listeners instant access to thousands of live radio stations from across the country, custom stations from a catalog of more than 24 million songs and 830,000 artists, on-demand podcasts, and “My Favorites Radio,” which combines all of a listener’s favorite artists and thumbed-up songs in one station just for them.
“In just five years, we’ve seen continued powerful growth in our registered user base—a testament to the power of radio and listening,” said Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio. “Our listeners have many new ways to enjoy our stations and programming, and we want to continue to deepen their listening experience and ensure we’re available everywhere they expect us to be.”
Dierks Bentley Announces New Radio Single, Tour Cities
Dierks Bentley
Following the announcement of his eighth studio album, BLACK, Dierks Bentley has introduced the project’s lead single, “Somewhere On A Beach,” as well as the cities slated as part of the U.S. leg of his 2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour.
The trek will launch May 12 in Holmdel, New Jersey, at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Along for the ride are Randy Houser and Cam. Tickets can be purchased beginning Jan. 29 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at megaticket.com. In addition to 34 cities in the U.S. and three in Canada, Bentley’s Somewhere On A Beach Tour will visit the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“This album is about ALL phases of a relationship, including the breakups,” said Bentley. ”’Beach’ is a pretty blunt take on that wild rebound we’ve all had or maybe imagined having. The carefree attitude is exactly the spirit we wanted to bring out on the road this year. I’ve toured with Randy before, and he’s just a great dude−on stage and backstage. And I’ve gotten to know Cam a little over the last year, and she’s fun as hell too and so talented. It’s going to be a big summer for sure.”
2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour Cities:
Dublin, Ireland
London, UK
Manchester, UK
Glasgow, UK
Holmdel, New Jersey
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cleveland, Ohio
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Bangor, Maine
Hartford, Connecticut
Boston, Massachusetts
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Cadott, Wisconsin
Walker, Minnesota
Columbus, Ohio
Manhattan, Kansas
North Platte, Nebraska
Fort Loramie, Ohio
Charlotte, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Tampa, Florida
Raleigh, North Carolina
Bristow, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cameras, Alberta, Canada
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Oro-Mendonte, Ontario, Canada
Syracuse, New York
Saint Louis, Missouri
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Mountain View, California
Irvine, California
San Diego, California
Eugene, Oregon
Boise, Idaho
Salt Lake City, Utah
(Openers vary on festival dates)
Chris Janson Celebrates No. 1 Single, “Buy Me A Boat”
Back Row, (L-R): Eric Gallimore (Red Vinyl), David Preston (BMI), John Esposito (Warner Music Nashville), Marc Driskill (Sea Gayle), Mike Sistad (ASCAP). Front Row (L-R): Brent Anderson (producer), Chris Janson, and Chris Dubois. Photo: Getty Images for BMI.
Music industry revelers gathered yesterday (Jan. 12) at BMI’s Nashville office to celebrate songwriter and Warner Music Nashville artist Chris Janson‘s No. 1 single, “Buy Me A Boat.” The track was written by Janson and Chris DuBois, and produced by Janson, DuBois and Brent Anderson.
Among those celebrating were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, BMI’s David Preston, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, CRB’s Holly Lane, CMA’s Brandi Simms, Sea Gayle Music Publishing’s Marc Driskill, and Red Vinyl Music’s Eric Gallimore. Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation on behalf of the songwriters to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. According to Driskill, “Boat” marked Sea Gayle’s 40th No. 1 song.
DuBois gave thanks to radio personality Bobby Bones for taking a chance and playing “Buy Me A Boat.” “If he hadn’t decided to play that one morning on his show, I don’t know if we would be here right now,” remarked DuBois.
Janson used the party as an opportunity to thank a large portion of the people involved in his career by name, including his constant supporter, wife Kelly. “She’s got some of the best ears [for good songs] in this industry,” said Janson, who also invited her onstage to celebrate with him during the party. “I wouldn’t stand up here without her.”
Janson will join Blake Shelton on tour this winter, and will be featured during CRS’ New Faces of Country Music Show at Nashville’s Omni Hotel on Feb. 10.
“I finally feel like we are winning, and thank you Nashville for letting it happen,” Janson concluded.
Pictured (L-R): TK Kimbrell (TKO Management), Chris Janson, and Kelly Janson. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI.
Chris Janson appears on stage at the number one party for “Buy Me A Boat” at BMI. Photo: Getty Images for BMI
Songwriters Lineup Revealed For “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” At CRS
Numerous top-shelf songwriters will take the stage next month as part of the fifth consecutive “Bob Kingsley‘s Acoustic Alley” at Country Radio Seminar 2016.
On Feb. 9, songwriters including Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson, Ross Copperman, Andrew Dorff, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Heather Morgan, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, and Jimmy Yeary will offer their renditions of the songs they have penned for artists like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt.
The event is co-sponsored by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and SunTrust Bank, with additional support from ASCAP Nashville, who will provide attendees with a complimentary first drink of the evening.
This year’s Acoustic Alley will be held on Feb. 9 from 7 p.m. until midnight near Legends Ballroom (level 2) at The Omni in Nashville. A cash bar will be provided. A CRS badge will be required for admittance.
Kingsley states, “For the past five years, putting on Acoustic Alley has been a wonderful experience. These wonderful performing songwriters have provided us all with greater insight into the music we hear on the radio. And as informative, educational and inspiring as each of these evenings has been, I think this year is going to top them all.”
CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne adds, “We are beyond thrilled to announce this high-caliber lineup. Having the opportunity to witness this level of talent in our new, beautiful and intimate setting will add to making this year most memorable.”
UMG Enters Virtual Reality Partnership With iHeartMedia
Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with iHeartMedia in a deal focused around virtual reality (VR) that will enable the companies to connect artists, music fans and brands and sponsors in a series of immersive entertainment experiences.
The companies will leverage their strengths, including UMG’s roster of star artists and extensive music library, as well as iHeartMedia’s approximately 245 million monthly broadcast listeners, to develop entertainment experiences that make immersive VR performances and experiences accessible to U.S. audiences for the first time at scale.
In addition, UMG and iHeartMedia will invite brands to partner with them to develop, produce and distribute these experiences, using integrated approaches to connect their brands and products to both artists and consumers.
Through this initiative, one VR experience by a UMG artist will be added to each major marquee iHeartMedia event in 2016, including the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Country Festival, the iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party, the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, with this first-ever VR music series launching at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 3, 2016 which will broadcast live on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on TBS, TNT and truTV. The companies will collaborate on full shows from four individual artists, shot and distributed in VR, at the iHeartRadio VR Concert Series held at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles.
“At UMG, we are focused on harnessing cutting-edge technology to pioneer new creative and commercial opportunities for artists, labels and fans,” said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group. “By combining iHeartMedia’s music events and hundreds of millions of listeners with the ability of our artists to forge powerfully emotional connections with their fans, we are ideally positioned to use VR technology to create authentic experiences that benefit our artists, consumers and marketing partners.”
“Our greatest strength at iHeartMedia is that we curate for our listeners – in this case, working with UMG to create a completely new entertainment experience using state-of-the-art VR technology,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “And now, as advertisers seek to tie their brands and products to music and artists in innovative ways, we can use our industry-leading reach and best-of-breed music events to unlock the combined power of music and VR as a revolutionary marketing tool. We’re excited to work with UMG in a partnership unlike any in the music and entertainment industry.”