Justin Moore Radio Launches

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Justin Moore and Slacker, Inc. have launched Justin Moore Radio, a radio station featuring songs by Moore and those that have inspired his traditional country and Southern rock sound.
Justin Moore Radio also includes Moore’s comments and introductions and is available for free on the web, iPad, smartphones, and other home entertainment devices.
Slacker’s Artist Showcase is a special category that includes artist stations unique to Slacker Radio, featuring a wide range of artists and genres.

In addition to Justin Moore hits, the station provides listeners with his handpicked favorites from artists such as Brooks & Dunn, Dwight Yoakam, Bad Company, Jamey Johnson and many others.
Get the free Slacker mobile application at Slacker.com or access his station directly at www.Slacker.com/JustinMoore.
 

Clear Channel Announces iHeartRadio Music Festival

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Clear Channel is going all in for the iHeartRadio Music Festival set for September 23-24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The two day, multi-format event claims to be “the biggest live music event in radio history.”
Performers named in the announcement include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Mayer, Jane’s Addiction, Kelly Clarkson, Sting, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, and Sublime with Rome. More guests and performers will be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, July 16 at 1 pm ET and fans can gain access to the ticket pre-sale right now by “liking” iHeartRadio’s Facebook page.
The iHeartRadio Music Festival will be streamed live on the iHeartRadio platform, including web and mobile apps. The concert also coincides with a new, updated version of iHeartRadio, which promises a custom radio feature similar to Pandora in addition to its numerous existing radio streams.

Weekly Chart Report (7/8/11)

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Tim McGraw pauses for a picture backstage with WCJW PD/MD Lee Richey following his performance in Darien Lake, NY.


SPIN ZONE
The top of the CountryBreakout Chart gets a changeup, as Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” shimmies up to the No. 1 position after a two week run by Dierks Bentley. Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” is just a short distance behind at No. 2, and packs on an additional 215 spins for this chart. Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett’s “Knee Deep” closes up the gap from No. 6-3, followed by Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” and Eric Church’s “Homeboy.”
If he’s not careful, Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer” may hit No. 1 before summer’s even halfway over. The Aussie star’s latest has consistently piled on over 400 new spins since charting two weeks ago, and rapidly moved up to No. 24 as a result. Also in the “moving super fast” category is George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time,” which is already up to No. 16 after 5 weeks. Similarly Ronnie Dunn’s “Cost of Livin’” has jumped to No. 27 in four weeks thanks to a few 300-plus spin gains. A few spots back is Rascal Flatts’ “Easy” featuring Natasha Bedingfield, which is already up to No. 38 in its second week charting.
A quick look at the Most Added column below reveals that we’ve got new music from Taylor Swift on the way. “Sparks Fly” was reported by 18 stations, the week’s second most added, and is poised for a big debut on next week’s chart. Also on the verge of making chart debuts are new ones from indie darlings Katie Armiger (“I Do But Do I”), Craig Morgan (“This Ole Boy”) and Eric Lee Beddingfield (“Great Depression”).
Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KVOM, KXKZ, KYEZ, KYYK, WBKR, WEIO, WHWK, WKWS, WTCR




Upcoming Singles
July 11
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville
Christian Kane/Let Me Go/Bigger Picture
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River
Ashton Shepherd/Where Country Grows/MCA
Billy Ray Cyrus/Runway Lights/Buena Vista/CO5
Jason Cassidy/Honky Tonk Heaven/A-Blake/Quarterback
July 12
Royal Wade Kimes/500 Miles Away From Home/Wonderment
July 18
LeAnn Rimes/Give/Curb
Craig Morgan/This Ole Boy/Black River
Kristin Chenoweth/I Want Somebody/Sony/CO5
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine
Darren Warren/Cowboy Up and Party Down/NuCorp/Nine North
•  •  •  •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
D.J. Miller/Between Sundays/Evergreen/Nine North/Spinville — 73
Susan Hickman/Just Missed This Train/4 L Clover Entertainment — 75
Sawyer Brown/Smokin’ Hot Wife — 76
JB & The Moonshine Band/Whiskey Days/Average Joe’s — 77
Darren Warren/Cowboy Up and Party Down/NuCorp — 78
Deborah Allen/Anything Other Than Love/Delta Rock — 79
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 552
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 369
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 349
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog — Universal — 342
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 313
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 19
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 18
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 16
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 15
Shania Twain/Today Is Your Day/Mercury — 15
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 13
JT Hodges/Hunt You Down/Show Dog-Universal — 11
Eric Lee Beddingfield/Great Depression/Rebel Dawg Music — 11
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Sea Gayle/Arista — 11
Craig Morgan/This Ole Boy/Black River Entertainment — 10
Kellie Pickler/Tough/BNA — 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Taylor Swift/Sparks Fly/Big Machine — 221
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River — 220
Craig Morgan/This Ole Boy/Black River Entertainment — 218
Susan Cattaneo/Girls Night Out/Jersey Girl Music — 218
Eric Lee Beddingfield/Great Depression/Rebel Dawg Music — 207

James Wesley and Randy Montana are opening Taylor Swift’s massive Speak Now Tour, and recently visited with WKLB when the show rolled through Boston. (L-R): Wesley, WKLB's Ginny Rogers, Montana


Toolpusher Records' Jason Sturgeon and his Jack Russell terrier Max stopped at WUSY/Chattanooga to visit with Dex & Mo. Sturgeon’s new single "The Cover" goes for adds July 11, and his 2011 Rollin' On Tour is hitting cities all over. (L-R): WUSY's Brian Stewart, Sturgeon, WUSY's Mo Paige and Bill Pointdexter, Toolpusher Records Project Manager Dennis Kurtz. Front and center is Max, Sturgeon's Jack Russell Terrier.


David St. Romain stopped by WBBN in Laurel, MS and visted with B95's afternoon on-air personality Dan Preston and PD Andy Webb. (L-R): Preston, St. Romain and Webb.

Flying Island Names Radio Promotion Team

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Nashville-based Flying Island Entertainment has finalized its radio promotion staff with the addition of Shelia Shipley Biddy, Brian Fee, Jill Tomalty, and Bonita Allen to the team. The group’s first project will be FUNL Music artist Amber Hayes.
Industry veteran Shelia Shipley Biddy will be handling promotion duties in the Northeast and Southeast regions, and brings a wealth of experience from both labels and management to the table. Her career includes time with MCA, Decca (where she became the first female to lead a Nashville label), Vivaton and Stringtown. Most recently she served as manager and project consultant with Hallmark Direction Company.
Brian Fee will take on the West Coast/Southwest regions. He previously held positions with Lofton Creek, Quarterback, and the Bobby Roberts Agency. Jill Tomalty will focus on the Midwest/South Central region, her experience includes time with Curb Records and Word Entertainment. Bonita Allen will serve as Promotion Coordinator and most recently worked with WSM-AM and Westwood One. Nancy Tunick will serve as Flying Island’s label and promotion consultant, while also continuing her role as GrassRoots Promotion’s Managing Partner.
Flying Island has also landed a national promotion agreement with FUNL Music, home to Amber Hayes and Ty Herndon. Hayes’ current single “Wait” has climbed inside the Top 40 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
“We could not be more excited at Flying Island about the announcement of our new radio team and our agreement with FUNL Music,” says Flying Island co-founder Nancy Eckert. “Our team is smart, enthusiastic and aggressive, and that’s exactly the type of personalities that we were looking for to help talented up-and-coming artists like Amber Hayes get the attention they deserve at Country radio.”
Reach Biddy at [email protected], Fee at [email protected], Tomalty at [email protected], and Allen at [email protected].

Krinik Returns to Capitol/EMI Nashville

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Promotion and radio veteran Mike Krinik will re-join the Capitol/EMI Records Nashville family as Regional Director of Northeast Promotion for EMI Records Nashville. He will be based out of Nashville, where he will report directly to EMI VP Promotion Angela Lange and represent the label’s roster of Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Troy Olsen and Eric Paslay.
Krinik was most recently Program Director for Entercom’s KBWF/San Francisco, and prior to that held the position of Regional Director of West Coast Promotion for Capitol Nashville 2005-2009. He also served as PD for Entercom’s WGGY’s Scranton, PA.
“It’s always special when you’re able to bring back a member of the family,” says Capitol/EMI SVP Promotion Steve Hodges. “Mike is a seasoned vet, a true promotion/marketing professional, and I am thrilled to bring him back to where he belongs, in our building!”
Krinik’s first day on the job is July 11. Reach him at [email protected] or 615-269-2083.

Weekly Chart Report (7/01/11)

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Becky Brenner


RADIO NEWS
KMPS/Seattle PD Becky Brenner revealed via Facebook earlier today that she will exit her post with the station after more than 28 years. No details on her future plans have been announced.
SPIN ZONE
Kudos to the gang at Capitol Records. In addition to having the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 song for a second straight week with Dierks Bentley’s “Am I The Only One,” three other songs in the Top 5 are Capitol artists. Luke Bryan’s threatening to take No. 1 soon with “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” followed by Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” at No. 3 and Eric Church’s “Homeboy” (EMI Nashville) at No. 5. Capitol also has a hot new single from Keith Urban called “Long Hot Summer” that is the week’s biggest spin gain at No. 31.

NuCorp Entertainment flagship artist Darren Warren took time out of his stint performing at Cowboys Dance Hall in Dallas to visit 96.3 KSCS and chat up his debut single “Cowboy Up and Party Down.” (L-R): 96.3 KSCS PD Chris Huff and Warren.


Two superstar females have just launched hot new singles after spending some time away from the chart. Dolly Parton’s “Together You and I” is performing well at No. 55, and Shania Twain’s “Today Is Your Day” is just a few steps behind at No. 58. Dolly grazed the chart in late 2007 with “Better Get To Livin’” (from Backwoods Barbie), and Shania’s most recent chart effort was the 2004 Billy Currington duet “Party For Two.” Both artists’ singles added more than 100 new spins this week.
Biggest debut of the week goes to Rascal Flatts’ “Easy,” which is a duet with English pop star Natasha Bedingfield. The song picks up a substantial 274 spin gain and moves into charting territory at No. 59. Also crossing the chart debut threshold are Kellie Pickler’s “Tough” at No. 74 and Alison Krauss & Union Station’s “Paper Airplanes” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KBOE, KFTX, KMGO, KSED, KVAY, KVVP, WATZ, WHWK, WTCR



Upcoming Singles
July 5
Dirt Drifters/Always A Reason/Warner Bros./WMN
July 11
Sonia Leigh/My Name Is Money/Southern Ground/BPG
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville
Christian Kane/Let Me Go/Bigger Picture
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River
Ashton Shepherd/Where Country Grows/MCA
Billy Ray Cyrus/Runway Lights/Buena Vista/CO5
Jason Cassidy/Honky Tonk Heaven/A-Blake/Quarterback
July 12
Royal Wade Kimes/500 Miles Away From Home/Wonderment
•  •  •  •  •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 59
Kellie Pickler/Tough/BNA — 74
Alison Krauss & Union Station/Paper Airplanes/Rounder — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 602
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 412
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 396
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 305
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 296
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 36
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 24
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 21
J.T. Hodges/Hunt You Down/Show Dog-Universal — 11
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Arista — 10
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI/ACR — 9
Sawyer Brown/Smokin’ Hot Wife — 9
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Susan Hickman/Just Missed This Train/4 L Clover Entertainment — 230
D.J. Miller/Between Sundays/Evergreen/Nine North/Spinville — 200
Deborah Allen/Anything Other Than Love/Delta Rock — 192
Jody Booth/Golddigger/Vigilante Music — 192
Susan Cattaneo/Girls Night Out/Jersey Girl Music — 189

Davis Music Group’s Jacob Lyda recently joined Columbia Nashville’s Bradley Gaskin at the Slidebar in Fullerton, CA for a special Go Country 105 (KKGO) performance, with all proceeds from the night going to the station’s “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer” team. KKGO has set a goal of $85,000 for the September 17-18, 39-mile team walk in Santa Barbara. (L-R): Davis Music Group National Director of Radio Mktg. Glenn Noblit; Lyda; KKGO Sr. Acct. Exec. Michelle Abel; KKGO morning show host Ashley Paige; KKGO Sr. Acct. Exec. Monique Renea; Gaskin; Columbia Nashville West Coast regional Larry Santiago


Sunny Sweeney recently visited with WLHK “Hank FM”/Indianapolis before her opening performance on Brad Paisley’s H2O II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour. Sweeney’s upcoming album is due out August 23. (L-R) Hank FM’s Morning Show Host Dave O'Brien, Sweeney and PD Bob Richards.

Industry Ink Wednesday

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Eric Beggs


Rodeowave Adds To Promo Staff
Eric Beggs has joined Rodeowave Entertainment handling Southeast regional promotion. During his 20-plus years in the industry, Beggs has worked promotions for CBS Records, Liberty Records, and Capitol. Rodeowave is busy with “Let’s Get Together,” the current single from flagship artist Phil Vassar. Beggs reports to Bill Macky, VP of Radio Promotion, and can be reached at [email protected] or (603) 244-2022.
Fred Steiner Passes
Fred Steiner, noted TV music composer and father of former Nashville songwriter Wendy Waldman, has died at age 88. Steiner was active from the 1950s-90s, and wrote the themes for Perry Mason and Rocky and Bullwinkle, and also contributed scores for episodes of The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, and Dynasty.
Waldman’s Nashville songwriting successes include the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band classic “Fishing in the Dark,” as well as hits by Crystal Gayle (“Baby What About You”) and The Forester Sisters (“Letter Home”). More on Steiner here.



Leigh Nash





Leigh Nash Joins Vocal Studio
Leigh Nash has joined the team of vocal instructors at Nashville’s Brett Manning Studios. As lead singer of the group Sixpence None The Richer (“Kiss Me,” “There She Goes”), Nash recently completed a new album with the band and is touring. Visit BrettManningStudios.com or call (615) 866-1099.
100 Reasons to Celebrate
Doak Turner’s 3rd Sunday at 3:00 songwriter event will mark 100 months in a row on July 17. The event is held at 701 Brook Hollow Rd., 37205. Details at NashvilleMuse.com or call (615) 354-6400.
CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan recently added its 100th affiliate.
PLA Media Signing
Public relations and marketing firm PLA Media has added DeeAnn Dominy to the roster. The company’s other clients include Lynn Anderson, Chase Rice, Adam Fisher, and Richie McDonald.

Weekly Chart Report (6/24/11)

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Atlantic/WMN artist Brett Eldredge was recently in Maryland, where he visited with WXCY/Baltimore. He also sang the national anthem and threw the opening night first pitch at the sold-out Aberdeen Ironbirds minor league game. Former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. owns the Ironbirds team. (L-R): Ironbirds mascot, Eldredge.


SPIN ZONE
If the subject is CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 songs on this particular day, then the answer to Dierks Bentley’s question “Am I The Only One” is, simply, “yes.” In a short 14 weeks, Bentley’s latest has ascended to the upper reaches of the chart and now taken the top spot. His Capitol brethren Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum are holding down spots No. 3 and 5 with “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Just A Kiss,” respectively.
Keith Urban nails down another accolade for Capitol, as his new single, “Long Hot Summer” zooms on the chart at No. 59 for the week’s highest debut. Also making a first appearance is Shania Twain’s long-awaited “Today Is Your Day,” which enters at No. 70. Other debuts include J.T. Hodges’ “Hunt You Down” at No. 72, Shawna Russell’s “Get Right Or Get Left” at No. 73, and Brother Trouble’s “Summer’s Little Angel” at No. 76.
Urban’s new tune and George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” (No. 29) both have 400+ spin increases, and yet Toby Keith somehow trumps them both. Following a major first week debut in at No. 34 in the previous chart, it piles on an additional 511 spins and shoots upward to No. 24.
On the independent side, Lucy Angel’s “Serious” is on the move at No. 34 with over half the panel reporting. Newly independent Phil Vassar is rising quickly at No. 36 with “Let’s Get Together,” followed by Jason Michael Carroll’s “Numbers” at No. 37. Amber Hayes notches a few spots higher to No. 38 with “Wait,” and Lea Seawright’s “On The Backroads” jumps to No. 40.
Frozen Playlists: KDXY, KVAY, KXOX, WAAG, WCMS, WCOW, WHWK, WKWS, WTCM
RADIO NEWS
Mark Lindow has taken over PD duties at WCMS/Nags Head, NC following the exit of Tom Jeffries. Reach him at [email protected].



Upcoming Singles
June 27
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN
Marlee Scott/Beautiful Maybe/bigride/CO5
Ronnie Dunn/Cost of Livin’/Arista
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/ACR/EMI
Rascal Flatts feat. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine
Brian Robinson/Without God, Where Does That Leave America/Lamon
Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista
July 5
Dirt Drifters/Always A Reason/Warner Bros./WMN
July 11
Sonia Leigh/My Name Is Money/Southern Ground/BPG
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville
Christian Kane/Let Me Go/Bigger Picture
Katie Armiger/I Do But Do I/Cold River
• • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 59
Shania Twain/Today Is Your Day/Mercury — 70
J.T. Hodges/Hunt You Down/Show Dog-Universal — 72
Shawna Russell/Get Right or Get Left/Way Out West Records — 73
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 511
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 447
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 427
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 334
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 319
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 34
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 25
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 23
Shania Twain/Today Is Your Day/Mercury — 22
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 20
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 15
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 13
J.T. Hodges/Hunt You Down/Show Dog-Universal — 11
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Kellie Pickler/Tough/BNA — 243
Colt Ford/She Likes To Ride In Trucks/Average Joe’s — 230
Rascal Flatts f. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine — 221
Susan Hickman/Just Missed This Train/4 L Clover Entertainment — 220
Alison Krauss & Union Station/Paper Airplanes/Rounder — 209

While out on her Speak Now tour, Taylor Swift visited with staff members of WCJW/Warsaw, NY. (L-R): CJ morning show producer Jeff Bennett, Weeknight personality Kelli Carson, Swift, PD Lee Richey, News Director Steve Weber.


Katie Armiger visited with WOKQ/Dover, NH, where she performed her new single, “I Do But Do I” for the staff. (L-R): Cold River regional rep Mary Lynne O’Neal, WOKQ PD Mark Jennings, Armiger.


Josh Turner spent Father’s Day headlining an all UMG day of performances at WBCT’s Birthday Bash in Grand Rapids, MI. (L-R): WBCT’s Dave Taft, Turner, WBCT’s Doug Montgomery.

 

Tenacity Records Promo Team Revealed

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Tenacity Records’ Bill Gentry performed almost a dozen shows at Wild Bill's/Nashville during CMA Music Fest. The Atlanta-based club took over the historic Acme Building in downtown Nashville and offered indie artists a place to showcase. (L-R): Haley, Gentry, Kraski, Gary Greenberg


Tenacity Records has launched in Nashville with Tenacity Management chief Mike Kraski as President. Promotion vets David Haley and Gary Greenburg have been named as the new label’s Sr. VP Promotion and Director, respectively.
The Tenacity Records team will be working Bill Gentry’s upcoming single “This Letter,” which will be released shortly. Gentry’s debut CD Baptized In Temptation, produced by Chad Carlson, will be available later in 2011.
The announcement reunites Kraski with Haley and Greenberg, who all previously worked together at Equity Records. Additional promotion staff members will be added soon.
“I view David and Gary as the ‘Promotion Department Dream Team,’” says Kraski. “I have worked with each of them for many years, and the respect I have for them, their integrity and work ethic is immense. And to be able to put them together to work on behalf of such a talented performer as Bill Gentry is truly the icing on the indie label cake.”
Haley’s new email is [email protected] and Greenberg’s is [email protected].

WRVU Saga Continues

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The controversial sale and flip of Vanderbilt University’s WRVU – 91.1 is the subject of this week’s cover story in the Nashville Scene.
For those not in the know, on June 7 WRVU officially stopped broadcasting the eclectic stew of rock, blues, bluegrass, funk, hip-hop, electro and everything else that had made it such a staple for music lovers city-wide. Long owned and maintained by the university’s Vanderbilt Student Communications (VSC), WRVU was sold for $3.35 million to Nashville Public Radio, the parent company of Nashville’s WPLN 90.3. A press release printed on the Scene’s website states that the reasoning behind the sale was to create an endowment for “ensuring VSC’s ability to service the information and cultural needs of the Vanderbilt student population.”
The station’s new call letters are WFCL and it is currently broadcasting an all classical format.
None of this happened overnight. For months a group of VU alumni, students, and passionate supporters called WRVU Friends & Family campaigned with social media, email and fundraising for WRVU to remain on air. According to an article on the Scene’s website, this battle isn’t completely over just yet. The Nashville Public Radio board of directors held a public meeting this morning (6/21) and numerous protestors showed up to support the preservation of WRVU. Nothing appears to have changed after the meeting, but Nashville Public Radio board members at least seem to be open to communication.
Following the sale, WRVU will begin broadcasting on WPLN’s HD3 in fall 2011 as well as online streaming. Naturally, there are passionate arguments both optimistic about and vehemently opposed to the change.
The optimistic view says that listening habits for WRVU’s target demographic have shifted more to online outlets, and the terrestrial FM signal is a leftover of an industry struggling to stay alive. Additionally, VU students will have internship opportunities with the new station group.
But there’s also a compelling argument to be made for keeping the station on terrestrial airwaves. WRVU’s wildly diverse programming stood in stark contrast to a heavily consulted, tight playlisted radio climate. Volunteer DJs–some students, mostly outsiders–played their favorite tunes, from classic hits to spectacularly obscure, and anyone with a radio in Metro Davidson County could hear it.
A couple of questions remain in the wake of WRVU’s disappearance from the airwaves. Firstly, will the adoption of HD Radio and its related hardware take off in the coming months/years, or is it already done? And secondly, which radio outlet will step up to fill WRVU’s shoes in Nashville?