(Weekend Edition)
Used to be that terrestrial radio's biggest fear was the wrath of the FCC. When the agency's iron fist rusted with each new administration, the fear disappeared. The biggest fear for radio went from the FCC to survival and the costs inherent in that struggle. Then the performance royalty tax reared its ugly head and radio wondered how much it would cost them to stay in business. That answer is apparently on the way in the form of a compromise. All the rumblings coming out of Washington, D.C. about secretive meetings on the royalty tax were true and now NAB radio board members are headed to the capital for a very public meeting today and a possible compromise on performance royalty fees...
The National Association of Broadcasters has been talking with representatives of the RIAA about performance royalties and now members of the NAB radio board will hear about those talks today. NAB EVP Dennis Wharton says the discussions are taking place at the request of key members of Congress, but maintains that the organization remains "unalterably opposed" to the version of the Performance Rights Act that has passed in both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Wharton adds that "The discussions have resulted in progress between the two sides, but there is no agreement. NAB will oppose any proposals that are not in the long-term best interests of our membership. Any agreement would have to be approved with the backing of the NAB Radio Board."...
While no specifics on what will be discussed have surfaced, you know there will be some ballpark numbers being tossed around. After one year of mostly posturing about radio's state of affairs, Gordon Smith, head of the NAB will have to prove his worth when he goes before the radio board today with details of a compromise...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1945] Dropping A bomb: The Enola Gay, an American B-29 bomber drops the 1st atomic bomb. The bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy" is dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people are killed (8/6)...
2.1965] No exceptions to the rule: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the "Voting Rights Act" giving every American the right to vote by law with no exceptions (8/6)...
3.1966] Achy Breaky Heart: Surgeon Michael DeBakey installs the first artificial heart. Unfortunately blood clotting leads to failure in the donor patient (8/8)...
4.1968] Nixon's the one/not: Richard M. Nixon and Spiro T. Agnew are chosen running mates at the Republican National Convention (8/8). Six years later in 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announces that he will resign the following day (8/8)...
5.1974] Going to Hall: Yogi Berra and Sandy Koufax enter Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (8/7)...1999] The Giants' Lawrence Taylor enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame (8/7). The newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be enshrined tomorrow. They include Grimm, Jackson, LeBeau, Little, Randle, Rice & Smith...
6.1990] Here comes the storm: "Desert Storm" begins as President George H. W. Bush orders U.S. troops and warplanes into Saudi Arabia to guard the oil-rich desert kingdom against a possible invasion by Iraq (8/7)...
7.1999] Joining the 3,000-hit club: Wade Boggs becomes the 1st major leaguer to hit a home run for his 3,000th hit while a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. On the same date, Tony Gwynn of San Diego picks up his 3,000th hit (8/7)...
8.2005] Anti-War Protest: Activist Cindy Sheehan, whose soldier-son Casey is killed in Iraq, begins a weeks-long protest outside President Bush's ranch in Texas (8/6)...
9.2005] "Happy Trails": ABC-TV Network anchorman Peter Jennings dies at 67 from lung cancer (8/7)...
10.2008] Pants down alert: Former Democratic presidential candidate and vice-presidential nominee John Edwards admits having an extramarital affair (8/8)...
Music Memories:
•1963] Released on this date: "Louie, Louie" - Kingsmen (8/8)...1965] "Help" LP - Beatles (8/6)...1965] "It Ain't Me Babe" - The Turtles (8/7)...1970] "Looking Out My Back Door" - Creedence Clearwater Revival (8/8)...
•1970] The newest member of Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie joins the group (8/7)...
•1987] #1 on this date: "With Or Without You" - U2 (8/8) (The Edge celebrates his 49th birthday on 8/8...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (8/6)
Soleil Moon Frye (34), Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell (38), M. Night Shyamalan (40), Mike Greenburg (of "Mike & Mike")(43), David "The Admiral" Robinson (45) and Abbey Lincoln (80)...(8/7) Charlize Theron (35), David Duchovny (50), Wayne "Newman" Knight (55), B.J. Thomas (68), Garrison Keillor (68), Don Larsen (81), Herb Reed (Platters) (82) and Stan Freberg (84)...(8/8) Roger Federer (29), Drew Lachey (34), Kool Moe Dee (48), The Edge (49), Deborah Norville (52), Keith Carradine (61), Connie Stevens (72), Dustin Hoffman (73), Mel Tillis (78), Esther Williams (89) and Dino DeLaurentiis (91)...
Timeline Countdown: 1 day before the Pro Football HOF induction (Grimm, Jackson, LeBeau, Little, Randle, Rice & Smith), 2 days until the NFL's first pre-season game, 31 days until Labor Day and 34 days until the NFL opener (Minnesota @ New Orleans)...
