Radio Archives - Page 75 of 220

CRS 2015 'New Faces of Country Music Show' Voting Now Open

November 17, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Voting for the CRS 2015 New Faces of Country Music Show® lineup is now open to all Country radio station employees. Voting will remain open through Nov. 26 at www.countryradioseminar.com. The five acts with the most votes will make up the lineup for the show.

This year’s performer nominees are: Frankie Ballard (Warner Bros./WAR), Danielle Bradbery (Republic/Big Machine), Chase Bryant (Red Bow), Dan+Shay (Warner Bros./WAR), Sam Hunt (MCA), Maddie & Tae (Dot), Scotty McCreery (19/Interscope/Mercury), Jon Pardi (Capitol), Parmalee (Stoney Creek), Eric Paslay (EMI), Chase Rice (Columbia), Cole Swindell (Warner Bros./WAR), and the Swon Brothers (Arista).

Any employee of a commercial, full-time Country formatted radio station may vote for the 2015 New Faces of Country Music Show performers.

Below are the New Faces of Country Music qualification criteria:

1. The qualification period is Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 during the year immediately preceding the New Faces of Country Music Show.
2. Nominees may not have appeared on a previous New Faces of Country Music Show. Solo performers that become a member of a group or duo, or a group or duo member that becomes a solo artist are considered eligible.
3. Nominees must have charted at least one Top 25 single on the the Mediabase Country Chart as published in Country Aircheck or at least one Top 25 single on the Billboard Country Chart during the qualification period.
4. Nominees may not have more than two albums on the Billboard Country Top 50 Country Album chart, nor more than two albums that peaked above No. 50 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (or corresponding Nielsen Soundscan-based chart) by the end of the qualification period.

The New Faces of Country Music Show will be held Feb. 27; dinner tickets for the show are already sold-out. Seating only admission to the show is available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the seating only areas is sold-out.

Country Radio Broadcasters To Honor Jeff Smulyan

November 13, 2014/by Troy_Stephenson

Jeff Smulyan

This February, the Country Radio Broadcasters will present Jeff Smulyan with the 2015 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award during the opening ceremonies of Country Radio Seminar 2015.
The Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors to recognize an individual in the Country Radio industry who has displayed a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity in service to their community. This award is named in honor of CRB Board member Tom Rivers, who died in 2004 at age 38 of bronchial asthma. Rivers, known for his work at WQYK, Tampa/St. Petersburg and WUSN, Chicago, was highly regarded for his public service.
CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne comments, “Jeff Smulyan epitomizes the definition of the Tom Rivers Humanitarian award. His commitment to broadcasting, service to community, and personal giving is recognized across our industry. It is our privilege to recognize his accomplishments in this arena.”
The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.

iHeartMedia and Bobby Bones Announce Production Partnership

November 13, 2014/by Troy_Stephenson

Bobby Bones

iHeartMedia, Inc. and radio personality Bobby Bones announced today (Thursday, Nov. 13) their partnership in the launch of development and production company, Right Side Blind Productions.
The Los Angeles-based company will develop scripted and unscripted programming for cable and network television with an emphasis on original, sophisticated and innovative concepts.
“Bobby Bones has emerged in just a year to become one of radio’s top personalities, and we look forward to working with him on this new venture that will recognize and develop his true potential as a creative partner,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “Bobby is a complete package: A unique and personal voice, a special relationship with his audience nationwide, and a clever, independent sensibility.”
Right Side Blind Productions will also work directly with brands to take advantage of iHeartMedia’s commitment to unprecedented measured media support across its multi-platform networks.
“iHeartMedia gets the big picture ¬ and has the kind of reach and promotional power to engage effectively across multiple platforms through their radio, digital, social, mobile and live event assets with unique content that grabs and holds viewers’ attention. ” said Bobby Bones.

Shane Allen Named Head of Promotion for Capitol Nashville; Hodges To Exit

November 13, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Shane Allen

Universal Music Group Nashville announced today that Shane Allen, Vice President of Promotion, has been promoted to Head of Promotion for Capitol Records Nashville effective January 1, 2015. Allen will succeed Steve Hodges, Senior Vice President of Capitol Records Nashville Promotion, who has decided to leave Capitol at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity.
Allen joined Capitol in 2007 as Vice President, Promotion. In 2012, following the combination of Capitol Records Nashville and Universal Music Group Nashville, Allen stepped into the role of Vice President of Promotion for all four labels under the Universal Music Group Nashville umbrella including Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Records Nashville and Mercury Records Nashville.
In making the announcement, Royce Risser, Senior Vice President of Promotion for UMG Nashville said, “There is no one more suited and ready to take the reins of the Capitol Nashville roster than Shane. Over the years I’ve watched him grow into one of the best promotion executives in the business. Shane has been a critical component in all our labels’ success at radio, which makes him the perfect person to take the helm of Capitol Nashville. His leadership style, his ability to form solid relationships, and most importantly, his passion and commitment to the Capitol Nashville roster will position Shane for continued success in his new role.”

Steve Hodges

Risser added, “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Steve and I’m grateful for his years of contribution and work on behalf of the artists at Capitol Records Nashville. He will be missed but will remain a close friend and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Allen said, “Anyone who knows me is well aware of my passion for the Capitol Records Nashville roster and promotion staff. This move is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build upon the incredible culture and promotional success the label has enjoyed under my good friend Steve Hodges. I can’t thank him enough for his selfless leadership over the past six years. I’m also extremely grateful to Mike Dungan and Royce Risser for trusting me with such a huge responsibility.”
Allen got his start in the industry at San Diego’s KSON radio station. He has held positions within the promotion departments at Universal South, MCA Records Nashville and Mercury Records Nashville. He also worked at Red Light Management prior to joining Capitol Records Nashville.
Universal Music Group Nashville is home to artists including Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Shania Twain and Keith Urban, among others.

Scott Borchetta, Daniel Ek Weigh In On Spotify Debate

November 11, 2014/by Sarah Skates

spotify Spotify has been a hot topic following the removal of Taylor Swift’s music from the streaming service. More recently, Jason Aldean followed suit and pulled his latest album, Old Boots, New Dirt, from the service.

Today (Nov. 11), Spotify CEO Daniel Ek responded with a blog post. Here is an excerpt:

Piracy doesn’t pay artists a penny – nothing, zilch, zero. Spotify has paid more than two billion dollars to labels, publishers and collecting societies for distribution to songwriters and recording artists.

Myth number one: free music for fans means artists don’t get paid…on Spotify, free music is supported by ads, and we pay for every play. Our free service drives our paid service. Today we have more than 50 million active users of whom 12.5 million are subscribers each paying $120 per year. But here’s the key fact: more than 80% of our subscribers started as free users.

Myth number two: Spotify pays, but it pays so little per play nobody could ever earn a living from it….If a song has been listened to 500 thousand times on Spotify, that’s the same as it having been played one time on a U.S. radio station with a moderate sized audience of 500 thousand people. Which would pay the recording artist precisely … nothing at all. But the equivalent of that one play and it’s 500 thousand listens on Spotify would pay out between three and four thousand dollars.

Ek is correct that recording artists are not paid by radio, unless they or their labels have entered into other revenue sharing agreements with radio corporations, such as the ones pioneered by Big Machine Label Group Pres. and CEO Scott Borchetta. It is worth noting that songwriters are paid for plays on terrestrial radio.

Borchetta visited the national radio program Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx and discussed pulling Swift’s music from Spotify. The full interview is available here. An excerpt is below:

If this fan went and purchased the record, CD, iTunes, wherever, and then their friends go, ‘why did you pay for it? It’s free on Spotify,’ we’re being completely disrespectful to that super fan who wants to invest, who believes in their favorite artist…

So, what we had done in the past with her records, is after that initial period, we put them up for streaming services. And for this album coming in to everything that’s going on in the business and how dramatic the streaming moment is and how it’s affecting sales, we determined that her fan base is so in on her, let’s pull everything off of Spotify, and any other service that doesn’t offer a premium service. Now if you are a premium subscriber to Beats or Rdio or any of the other services that don’t offer just a free-only, then you will find her catalogue. So the problem we have with Spotify is, they don’t allow you to do anything with your music. They take it, and they say we’re going to put it everywhere we want to put it, and we really don’t care about what you want to do. Give us everything that you have and we’re going to do what we want with it. And that doesn’t work for us.
Well, they have a very good player. It’s a good service. And they’re gonna just have to change their ways on how they do business. If you’re going to do an ad-supported free service, why would anybody pay for the premium service? The premium service that you pay for, which they do have a premium service, has to mean something. So, what we’re saying is it can’t be endless free. Give people a 30-day trial, and then make them convert. Music has never been free. It’s always cost something and it’s time to make a stand and this is the time to do it.

Meanwhile, Nashville techie Jay Frank has posted a new blog called “Understanding Spotify.”

Read more about legislation which seeks a higher royalty for digital music services in MusicRow’s Publisher Issue, which includes an interview with NSAI’s Bart Herbison.

UMPG Hires Performing Rights Special Advisor

November 10, 2014/by Sarah Skates

Richard Conlon

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has tapped Richard Conlon to serve as Special Advisor on Performing Rights. Conlon is well versed in the field, having spent more than 20 years with BMI, most recently as Sr. Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Communications & New Media. Conlon will counsel UMPG on matters related to advocating, protecting and maximizing the value of performing rights.
He previously spearheaded BMI’s digital new media licensing divisions and directed global communications efforts. During his tenure with the performing rights organization, he launched both the corporate strategy and digital business units, licensing the rights to more than 8.5 million musical works and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Conlon also managed negotiations with digital properties ranging from YouTube to Spotify and Pandora. Under his management, licensed properties grew to more than 10,000 sites and digital income consistently drove corporate revenue growth.
In the new role, he will report to Michael J. Sammis, UMPG EVP Operations and CFO, and David Kokakis, SVP/Head of Business & Legal Affairs and Business Development. Sammis said, “It is, indeed, an interesting time in the evolution of the performing rights business and Richard’s expertise in developing systems and strategy will be extremely valuable towards maximizing the value of performing rights for UMPG and its songwriters.”

Cumulus' NASH Country Brand Partners with Music Choice

November 10, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Beginning Nov. 24, Cumulus’ NASH Country Music and lifestyle brand will launch a partnership with video-on-demand provider Music Choice.
The partnership will feature a dedicated NASH television category of video-on-demand programming, which includes original content extending from NASH’s radio segments including “America’s Morning Show with Blair Garner,” “NASH Nights Live,” and new programming such as “NASH Grits & Hits” cooking show and “NASH Lash” style segment. Music Choice’s “Today’s Country” and “Country Hits” will include NASH and NASH Icon programming daily from 6-9 p.m. ET. Additionally, the “Today’s Country” video channel on Music Choice will be co-branded as “Today’s Country: NASH TV” and will feature programming from the NASH campus as well as Music Choice videos.
Cumulus will also promote Music Choice programming on radio stations nationwide. Cumulus is building out a dedicated Music Choice section of the NASH campus.
Dave Del Beccaro, President and CEO of Music Choice stated: “Country has always been one of the most popular formats for us at Music Choice. We are thrilled to be getting content from NASH that complements our robust video and music library and entrenches us deeper in the Country music lifestyle.”
“Our partnership with Music Choice to distribute NASH content to 57 million homes across America is yet another important platform in establishing NASH as the definitive lifestyle and entertainment brand for fans of country music,” said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus.
Cumulus and Music Choice will co-sponsor several marketing events each year, and Music Choice will also provide promotional support on its properties for the first-ever American Country Countdown Awards, airing live Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 on FOX.

BMLG Promotes George Briner

November 3, 2014/by Sarah Skates

George Briner

The Big Machine Label Group has promoted George Briner to Sr. VP, Promotion for The Valory Music Co. The imprint under his leadership is home to Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, RaeLynn, The Mavericks, Levi Hummon and Thomas Rhett, who will vie for CMA New Artist of the Year at Wednesday night’s (Nov. 5) ceremony. Briner previously held the title of VP, Promotion.
The Valory Music Co., which is celebrating its seventh anniversary, has a promotion team made up of Shari Roth, Amy Staley, Brad Howell, Ashley Sidoti and Ellen Mundy.
“I tasked George with a complete rebuilding and re-engineering of The Valory Music Company promotion department two years ago and he has rebuilt the team into an absolute power house!” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Valory will have its best year ever and that is in big part to George. He is a relentless promotion executive who is still as passionate as ever about his artists and their music and the results attached to those artists and music. GB—it’s a long way from Billy Hill! Congrats pal—so proud of you and all you’ve done and continue to do. This promotion is so well deserved.”
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of The Valory Music Company since delivering our first single to country radio seven years ago,” commented Briner. “Being named Senior Vice President Promotion for Valory is an honor that I embrace. In this business, you are only as good as the music you represent, the team that you have around you and the passion that burns inside you. I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the best in the business. Thank you to Scott Borchetta for giving me the opportunity and to everyone within the BMLG family who has supported me.”
Briner can be reached at (615) 324-7782 or george.briner@valorymail.com.

2015 CRS Schedule Previewed Ahead of Rate Bump

October 20, 2014/by Eric T. Parker

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed an early version of its agenda (below) for Country Radio Seminar 2015 in advance of the early bird registration rate deadline, which expires Oct. 31, bumping registration by $100, to $499.
The preliminary agenda runs from Feb. 25-27, 2015, beginning on Wednesday – unlike previous years – at the Nashville Convention Center, featuring performances, educational seminars, networking opportunities and panels covering all areas of the radio and records industry. The displaced Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards ceremony, which previously coincided with CRS, will now take place June 24 during the 2015 CRB annual summer board and agenda committee meetings.
“The Agenda Committee wanted to create for 2015 not only something for everyone, but a lot for everyone,” said CRS Agenda Committee chairman Jeff Green. “We’re excited about showcasing more than 20 first-time presenters, panelists and participants – new faces to go with the New Faces! Experts in technology, social, imaging, talent and programming are all part of the focus on practical, professional productivity that will provide information to take home and put to work immediately. We’re working hard to make next year’s CRS the best program ever.”
Nov. 1 also marks the last day in which stations can sign up to receive digital liners.
Registration is available at countryradioseminar.com or by calling the CRS offices at 615-327-4487.
Subject To Change, CRS 2015 Agenda-At-A-Glance:
Wednesday, February 25
8:30 – 7:00 P.M.         Registration Opens
3:00 – 3:30 P.M.         Opening Ceremonies Sponsored by ALS Therapy Development Institute
3:30 – 4:00 P.M.         Artists Humanitarian Award Presentation
4:00 – 5:00 P.M.         Keynote Speaker-Todd Wagner Sponsored by Fisher House Foundation
5:30 – 7:00 P.M.         Welcome Reception
7:00- 9:30 P.M. Grand Ole Opry
9:45 P.M. CRS After Hours
Thursday, February 26
8:00 – 9:00 A.M.         Programming Mentoring Breakfast
9:00 – 9:50 A.M.         Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     How To Use Real Time Research to Think Like Your Target
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     State of the Music: When a Style Becomes a Movement
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     The Connected Car Info Panel
11:00 – 11:50 A.M.     CRS Research Presentation
12:00 – 1:50 P.M. Performance Luncheon Sponsored by Capitol Records
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         Artist Profile Panel
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         CRS Recap
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         How to Move People in Order to Move the Needle
3:00 – 3:50 P.M.         Get Your Unfair Share of the Digital Pie: Secrets of Top AEs in Digital Sales
3:00 – 3:50 P.M.         Want a Winning Team? Get a Killer Coach
3:00 – 3:50 P.M. From Zero to Hero: Successful Promotions with No Budget
4:00 – 5:00 P.M.         Gensetters: 18-34 Listening Trends and How They Will Shape Our Future
7:00 – 11:00 P.M.       CRS After Hours
Friday, February 27
8:00 – 9:00 A.M.         Managers Breakfast
9:00 – 9:50 A.M.         Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     Social Media Bootcamp: Track 1 – How To Speak in Your Brand’s Voice and Get Content Shared
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     How to Create a Win – Win for Radio Music Events
10:00 – 10:50 A.M.     Imaging from Both Sides of the Mic
11:00 – 11:50 A.M.     Social Media Bootcamp: Track 2 – Finding & Engaging Your Consumers in Real-Time
11:00 – 11:50 A.M.     Behind the Numbers: The Insider’s Guide to Nielsen Data
11:00 – 11:50 A.M.     Unlocking the Secrets to Successful Music Scheduling
Noon – 1:50 P.M. Performance Luncheon Sponsored by Black River Entertainment
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         #CRSTrendingNow
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         C’mon, Get Apply! The Latest in App Technology for Radio
2:00 – 2:50 P.M.         The Stars Come Out in the Morning
3:00 – 4:00 P.M.         Artist Superstar Interview
5:30 – 6:15 P.M.         New Faces Cocktail Reception
6:30 – 10:00 P.M. New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance
After Hours