Ford SYNC has been challenged by Airbiquity, a global leader in wireless connected services for your in-car listening. Although not easily accessible unless you own one of 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars in North America, starting with the 2008 model year, SYNC, up until now, has had the edge ('Derek Jeter's got an Edge') in in-car wireless technology. Airbiquity, which has worked with Ford in the past, is now taking on the auto company. Airbiquity has a new toy it showed off at Telematics Detroit, a conference on in-vehicle connected systems - Slacker, the Internet radio service which can be hosted on a smartphone connected to the car through Bluetooth. The interface shows driver and passenger station lists, album art, and the currently playing track. Buttons let the driver skip, pause and choose favorite songs. Airbiquity points out that its architecture lets automakers or equipment suppliers dictate which apps can be integrated and how. The company says the intent is for automakers to deploy safe, nondistracting interfaces that still allow users core functionality for their apps...
Ford SYNC was developed by Ford and Microsoft. Displayed for the first time in 2007, SYNC allows iPod, Zune and most other USB mass storage devices and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to be operated by voice commands. SYNC can even receive text messages and read them aloud using a digitized female voice named "Samantha." I would assume her last name is SYNC. Wait, didn't she have a hit called 'Emotion' ? SYNC can interpret a hundred of so shorthand messages and will read swear words - does the FCC know about this???
Airbiquity is not a newcomer to the wireless world and their new relationship with Slacker which can deliver custom music stations and over 120 programmed stations wirelessly using Bluetooth technology makes them a formidable opponent for SYNC...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1935] The birth of AA: Alcoholic Anonymous is founded by William G. Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith…
2.1944] Knucksie sighting: Cincinnati pitcher Joe Nuxhall becomes the youngest major leaguer at 15 and change…
3.1967] On the seven day they rested: The Six-Day War ends as Israel and Syria agree to observe a U.N. mediated cease-fire...
4.1978] Affirmed and confirmed: Affirmed with jockey phenom Steve Cauthen wraps up the Triple Crown with a win over Alydar in the Belmont Stakes. Affirmed is still our last Triple Crown champ…
5.1984] Celtic Pride: The Boston Celtics do it again by beating the Los Angeles Lakers to take NBA title #15...
6.1985] Acquitted: Socialite Claus von Bulow is acquitted by a jury in Providence (RI) in his second trial on charges of attempted murder of his heiress wife Martha “Sunny” von Bulow…
7.1991] Storming down ticker tape: Desert Storm troops get a hero’s welcome home with a ticker tape parade down the “canyon of the hero’s” on Broadway…
8.1991] Motown funeral: Michael Jackson pays for the funeral while Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin sing at the burial of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin…
9.2002] ‘Happy Trails’: Organized crime figure John Gotti dies in prison at 61 from throat cancer…2004] The great Ray Charles passes away from liver disease at home in Beverly Hills. Ray was 73…
10.2007] Series whacked: The final episode of "The Sopranos" airs on HBO...
Music Memories:
•1966] Gold Standard: "Monday, Monday" - Mamas and Papas goes gold...
•1966] Debuted on this date: Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco...
•1967] Released on this date: "I Was Made To Love Her" - Stevie Wonder...1978] "Life's Been Good" - Joe Walsh...
•1972] Elvis is in the building: Elvis Presley makes his first performance in New York, one of the biggest events I've ever witnessed. I also attended the press conference...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Tara Lipinski (28), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (39), Elizabeth Hurley (45), Wayward politician John Edwards (57), Jeff Greenfield (67), Shirley Owens (Shirelles) (69), F. Lee Bailey (77) and Prince Philip (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Father's Day, 11 days until summer and 24 days until July 4th...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hey Steve - Where's The Radio???
Steve Jobs doesn't strike me as an oversight guy, so did he leave out a radio chip in his new iPhone by design? With all the bells and whistles he included in his smartphone, why would he leave out a radio? It can't be that iPhone users don't stream radio because they do. Nielsen tells us that iPhone users stream online music or mobile radio as a monthly data feature over 40% of the time. They listen to radio more than they download ringtones, watch video or mobile TV, download wallpaper or screen savers, download full music tracks, use video messaging or play online games. So why wouldn't you include a radio app in your new iPhone, Steve Jobs? Will Jobs now abdicate streaming online music and/or mobile radio to Android???
Nielsen now has Android barely taking the lead over iPhone in streaming, both have more than 40% data feature usage over the last 30 days. All smart phones are just short of 30% usage. If Apple doesn't reconsider adding a radio app in its new iPhone, Android's lead will widen. At the top of the list of data feature usage is text messaging. Is it time to rename the device from smartphone to smartdevice? It gets my vote...
Taking the leap from a simple mobile phone to a more sophisticated device has become commonplace. As of Q1 '10, Nielsen data shows that 23% of mobile consumers now have a smartphone, up from just 16% in Q2 '09. Looking at the last 4 quarters can give you vertigo: 16%, 18%, 21%, 23%. Looking at the demos, Android and iPhone users both skew male with Adroid users tending to be slightly younger with the majority being under 34 while iPhone users have a minority of under 34 users...
While it's a two-horse race between iPhone and Android, look for Android to circle the field should iPhone be setting a trend by not including a radio app as they've done with their new device...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1934] Debuted on this date: Donald Duck makes his debut in the “Silly Symphonies” cartoon "The Wise Little Hen"…1963] "Cleopatra" starring Liz Taylor opens in Manhattan…
2.1946] Teddy Tape Measure: Ted Williams hits the longest home run ever at Fenway. The ball lands 502 feet away in the bleachers. To this day, there’s a red seat to commemorate the spot in row 37, section 42..
3.1948] TV debut: Boston gets a new TV station, WBZ-TV (channel 4) which starts broadcasting. WPIX (11) New York is celebrating their 62nd anniversary next weekend…
4.1973] Triple Crown Champ: The greatest horse of our generation and perhaps all-time, Secretariat, wins the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, the largest victory ever and in the fastest time ever in Stakes history...
5.1977] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E": George Harrison and Patti Boyd Harrison call it quits. They married in 1966…
6.1980] En fuego: Richard Pryor suffers near-fatal burns at his home when a mixture of “free-base” cocaine explodes…
7.1985] Kidnapped: American educator Thomas Sutherland is kidnapped in Lebanon...
8.1992] A walk on the wild side: Ben Vereen is nearly killed when struck by a car driven by record producer David Foster. This was an accident and Foster is not charged…
9.2004] FCC slaps Clear Channel: The FCC agrees to a record $1.75 million settlement with Clear Channel to resolve indecency complaints against Howard Stern and other radio personalities...
10.2008] The Kid becomes a man: Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds becomes the sixth player in baseball history to hit 600 home runs. Griffey recently announced his retirement from baseball...
Music Memories:
•1958] #1 on this date: "Johnny Mathis' Greatest Hits" LP. It will stay in the top 100 for 10 years...1958] "Purple People Eater" - Sheb Wooley...1990] "Hold On" - Wilson Phillips (Carnie and Wendy Wilson's trio). The daughters of Brian Wilson are #1, 25 years to the date that "Help Me Rhonda" topped the charts for Brian's Beach Boys...
Commentary:
On Tuesday, June 15th, the New York AES Section presents 'The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording' presented by Tom Fine and hosted by Robert (Auldworks) Auld. The session will start at 6:30pm and end at 9pm at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan. The event is open to the public...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Natalie Portman (29), Tedy Bruschi (37), Johnny Depp (47), Michael J. Fox (49), Dick Vitale (71) and Jackie Mason (74)...
Timeline Countdown: 11 days until Father's Day, 12 days until summer and 25 days until July 4th...
Nielsen now has Android barely taking the lead over iPhone in streaming, both have more than 40% data feature usage over the last 30 days. All smart phones are just short of 30% usage. If Apple doesn't reconsider adding a radio app in its new iPhone, Android's lead will widen. At the top of the list of data feature usage is text messaging. Is it time to rename the device from smartphone to smartdevice? It gets my vote...
Taking the leap from a simple mobile phone to a more sophisticated device has become commonplace. As of Q1 '10, Nielsen data shows that 23% of mobile consumers now have a smartphone, up from just 16% in Q2 '09. Looking at the last 4 quarters can give you vertigo: 16%, 18%, 21%, 23%. Looking at the demos, Android and iPhone users both skew male with Adroid users tending to be slightly younger with the majority being under 34 while iPhone users have a minority of under 34 users...
While it's a two-horse race between iPhone and Android, look for Android to circle the field should iPhone be setting a trend by not including a radio app as they've done with their new device...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1934] Debuted on this date: Donald Duck makes his debut in the “Silly Symphonies” cartoon "The Wise Little Hen"…1963] "Cleopatra" starring Liz Taylor opens in Manhattan…
2.1946] Teddy Tape Measure: Ted Williams hits the longest home run ever at Fenway. The ball lands 502 feet away in the bleachers. To this day, there’s a red seat to commemorate the spot in row 37, section 42..
3.1948] TV debut: Boston gets a new TV station, WBZ-TV (channel 4) which starts broadcasting. WPIX (11) New York is celebrating their 62nd anniversary next weekend…
4.1973] Triple Crown Champ: The greatest horse of our generation and perhaps all-time, Secretariat, wins the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, the largest victory ever and in the fastest time ever in Stakes history...
5.1977] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E": George Harrison and Patti Boyd Harrison call it quits. They married in 1966…
6.1980] En fuego: Richard Pryor suffers near-fatal burns at his home when a mixture of “free-base” cocaine explodes…
7.1985] Kidnapped: American educator Thomas Sutherland is kidnapped in Lebanon...
8.1992] A walk on the wild side: Ben Vereen is nearly killed when struck by a car driven by record producer David Foster. This was an accident and Foster is not charged…
9.2004] FCC slaps Clear Channel: The FCC agrees to a record $1.75 million settlement with Clear Channel to resolve indecency complaints against Howard Stern and other radio personalities...
10.2008] The Kid becomes a man: Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds becomes the sixth player in baseball history to hit 600 home runs. Griffey recently announced his retirement from baseball...
Music Memories:
•1958] #1 on this date: "Johnny Mathis' Greatest Hits" LP. It will stay in the top 100 for 10 years...1958] "Purple People Eater" - Sheb Wooley...1990] "Hold On" - Wilson Phillips (Carnie and Wendy Wilson's trio). The daughters of Brian Wilson are #1, 25 years to the date that "Help Me Rhonda" topped the charts for Brian's Beach Boys...
Commentary:
On Tuesday, June 15th, the New York AES Section presents 'The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording' presented by Tom Fine and hosted by Robert (Auldworks) Auld. The session will start at 6:30pm and end at 9pm at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan. The event is open to the public...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Natalie Portman (29), Tedy Bruschi (37), Johnny Depp (47), Michael J. Fox (49), Dick Vitale (71) and Jackie Mason (74)...
Timeline Countdown: 11 days until Father's Day, 12 days until summer and 25 days until July 4th...
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Local Business Is The Key To Radio Web Revenue...
Gordon Borrell of Borrell Associates says the people who are making money now are not those who try to squeeze a few extra dollars out of conventional radio advertisers. That's what he told last week's Radio Ink Convergence Conference. Borrell advises radio to "Follow the trend line on where advertisers are beginning to shift their ad dollars". He also said "Those dollars are easy to get." I doubt that many sales people in radio would agree with that statement but Borrell's premise is a sound one: "There's tremendous power we have in radio to drive traffic" but radio must act "a little more aggressively." There has been local growth for radio websites. Local business was up 5% last year and is at 15% this year on its way to about $265 million...
Borrell calls that $265 million "a minuscule part of local web advertising". He believes that 30% of local web advertising is "an achievable share" for radio sites, but it will take an investment to do it. He also believes that radio should hire online-only sellers. "To generate a million in revenue overall, a station will need four dedicated online sellers." While this is not feasible for most smaller radio stations, it may become a necessity for everyone...
Sales managers are always looking for young, aggressive door-bangers with or without radio experience. They should now be thinking of putting those young turks solely on new website business. Let your pros get the rest of the local business...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1948] “Mr. Television": Milton Berle debuts as the host of “Texaco Star Theater” for an 8-year run in its original version...
2.1966] Wedding Bells: The 47-year old NFL and 6-year old AFL agree to merge in 1970... For those that thought they agreed to merge after the Jets won the Super Bowl - WRONG!!!
3.1968] Busted: Authorities announce the capture in London of James Earl Ray, the suspected assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr...
4.1969] Mickey Mantle Day: The New York Yankees retire Mickey Mantle's uniform number (7) during 'Mickey Mantle Day' at Yankee Stadium...
5.1982] Ronnie bashes communism: In the first speech by an American president to a joint session of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan predicts that Marxism-Leninism will wind up "on the ash heap of history."...
6.1986] Celtic Pride: The Boston Celtics win their 16th NBA title led by Larry Bird's 29 points, 11 boards and 12 assists against Houston in game 6. This was the last title won by the Celts until 2008 when they notched no. 17...
7.1987] Fawn testifies: Fawn Hall, secretary to national security aide Oliver L. North, testifies at the Iran-Contra hearings and admits to shredding some documents...
8.1995] Marine rescue: U.S. Marines rescue Capt. Scott O'Grady, whose F16-C fighter had been shot down by Bosnian Serbs on June 2...
9.1998] Moses is chosen: The National Rifle Association elects actor Charlton Heston its president...
10.2001] Landslide: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is elected to a second term in a landslide...
Music Memories:
•1942] Recorded on this date: "Silent Night" - Bing Crosby...
•1963] Released on this date: "Easier Said Than Done" - Essex...1968] "Jumpin' Jack Flash" - Rolling Stones...1968] "Lady Willpower" - Gary Puckett & Union Gap...
•1970] #1 on this date: "Long and Winding Road" - Beatles...1986] "On My Own" - Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald...
Commentary...
A tribute to Shadoe Stevens will be held next Tuesday, June 15th at the Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles. The tribute will feature 'Federated Group' commercials Best of and Shadoevision. One of the most berserk, outrageous and unforgettable TV comedies of the 1980's will be featured along with other wacky delights. Shadoe Stevens will be played by a mime playing Shadoe Stevens. For more information and a free translation of the ceremony, call 323-655-2510 or go to http://www/cinefamily.org/ . Sorry I can't make it Shadoe, but I'll be there in spirit. Break a leg or whatever you Hollywood people say...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Kanye West (33), Julianna Margulies (44), Bonnie Tyler (59), Boz Scaggs (66), Don (Robbie on "My Three Sons") Grady (66), Three Dog Night's Chuck Negron (68), Nancy Sinatra (70), Joan Rivers (77), Jerry Stiller (83) and Barbara Bush (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Father's Day, 13 days until summer and 26 days until July 4th...
Borrell calls that $265 million "a minuscule part of local web advertising". He believes that 30% of local web advertising is "an achievable share" for radio sites, but it will take an investment to do it. He also believes that radio should hire online-only sellers. "To generate a million in revenue overall, a station will need four dedicated online sellers." While this is not feasible for most smaller radio stations, it may become a necessity for everyone...
Sales managers are always looking for young, aggressive door-bangers with or without radio experience. They should now be thinking of putting those young turks solely on new website business. Let your pros get the rest of the local business...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1948] “Mr. Television": Milton Berle debuts as the host of “Texaco Star Theater” for an 8-year run in its original version...
2.1966] Wedding Bells: The 47-year old NFL and 6-year old AFL agree to merge in 1970... For those that thought they agreed to merge after the Jets won the Super Bowl - WRONG!!!
3.1968] Busted: Authorities announce the capture in London of James Earl Ray, the suspected assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr...
4.1969] Mickey Mantle Day: The New York Yankees retire Mickey Mantle's uniform number (7) during 'Mickey Mantle Day' at Yankee Stadium...
5.1982] Ronnie bashes communism: In the first speech by an American president to a joint session of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan predicts that Marxism-Leninism will wind up "on the ash heap of history."...
6.1986] Celtic Pride: The Boston Celtics win their 16th NBA title led by Larry Bird's 29 points, 11 boards and 12 assists against Houston in game 6. This was the last title won by the Celts until 2008 when they notched no. 17...
7.1987] Fawn testifies: Fawn Hall, secretary to national security aide Oliver L. North, testifies at the Iran-Contra hearings and admits to shredding some documents...
8.1995] Marine rescue: U.S. Marines rescue Capt. Scott O'Grady, whose F16-C fighter had been shot down by Bosnian Serbs on June 2...
9.1998] Moses is chosen: The National Rifle Association elects actor Charlton Heston its president...
10.2001] Landslide: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is elected to a second term in a landslide...
Music Memories:
•1942] Recorded on this date: "Silent Night" - Bing Crosby...
•1963] Released on this date: "Easier Said Than Done" - Essex...1968] "Jumpin' Jack Flash" - Rolling Stones...1968] "Lady Willpower" - Gary Puckett & Union Gap...
•1970] #1 on this date: "Long and Winding Road" - Beatles...1986] "On My Own" - Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald...
Commentary...
A tribute to Shadoe Stevens will be held next Tuesday, June 15th at the Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles. The tribute will feature 'Federated Group' commercials Best of and Shadoevision. One of the most berserk, outrageous and unforgettable TV comedies of the 1980's will be featured along with other wacky delights. Shadoe Stevens will be played by a mime playing Shadoe Stevens. For more information and a free translation of the ceremony, call 323-655-2510 or go to http://www/cinefamily.org/ . Sorry I can't make it Shadoe, but I'll be there in spirit. Break a leg or whatever you Hollywood people say...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Kanye West (33), Julianna Margulies (44), Bonnie Tyler (59), Boz Scaggs (66), Don (Robbie on "My Three Sons") Grady (66), Three Dog Night's Chuck Negron (68), Nancy Sinatra (70), Joan Rivers (77), Jerry Stiller (83) and Barbara Bush (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Father's Day, 13 days until summer and 26 days until July 4th...
Monday, June 7, 2010
A Surprising Radio Source For New Music...
Your last guess for a radio source exposing new music would be the correct one. Yes, NPR - that NPR has become a major player in breaking indie rock acts. This is the same NPR of "All Things Considered," "Car Talk" and other news/talk shows. In 2007, the NPR Music website was launched and music fans are now paying attention to it. The website has also drawn the attention of indie bands and the music industry. Radiohead and Tom Waits played exclusive concerts, Bruce Springsteen made his album "Working on a Dream" available for streaming before its release and Bob Dylan's "Tell Tale Signs" album went up on the site before its release in late 2008 and was streamed 300,000 times in under one week. Then there are the indie bands, Arcade Fire, Neko Case, LCD Soundsystem, Ratatat and Sleigh Bells gaining valuable exposure on NPR music's website...
The median age of people who listen to NPR's news and talk programs is 55 while the median age for visitors to NPR's music site is 40 according to Arbitron. Bob Boilen, senior producer and host of "All Songs Considered", NPR's first webcast music program and godfather-guiding spirit of NPR Music says "It's an educated audience with some spending money", which has opened the eyes of the music industry but NPR's nonprofit status must be maintained. Does that mean that music-industry "underwriters" aren't welcome? I'm not about to open that can of worms and neither is NPR...
NPR Music accounts for about 15% of visitor traffic for NPR.org. Today's website home page is as diverse as it can possibly be. There's a tribute to Janis Joplin, a plug for Bonnaroo 2010, a musicfest webcast coming up this week, Charlie Mingus, Sergio Mendes, Marian McPartland, classical, jazz, pop, hip-hop, and new bands you've never heard of too. The website also carries links to every NPR-affiliated station that streams music. Now that's promotion...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1955] Big bucks comes to TV: "The $64,000 Question" debuts on CBS-TV. The gravy train derails with the cheating scandals in 1958...
2.1966] Caught in a bad draft: The Mets pass up Reggie Jackson, drafting the immortal Steve Chilcott #1 in the college baseball draft...1982] Caught in a good draft: The Mets draft Dwight Gooden, Roger McDowell and Randy Myers...
3.1976] Debuted on this date: NBC Nightly News with co-anchors John Chancellor and David Brinkley. This was the first time there were co-hosts. This combination lasted 3 years...
4.1989] Time has come today: For one second, the time is: 01:23:45 6-7-89...
5.1993] What's your name?: As a birthday present for himself, Prince changes his name tohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Cgg42JPxw. I hope I got that right, spellcheck couldn't help...
6.2002] Guilty as charged: Kennedy cousin (nephew of Ethel) Michael Skakel is convicted in Norwalk (CT) of beating Greenwich neighbor Martha Moxley to death when both were teenagers in 1975. He's still in prison for the crime...
7.1998] Horrific crime: Forty-nine year old black man James Byrd Jr. is dragged to his death from the back of a pickup truck in Jasper (TX). In 1999, William King, a white man, is sentenced to death for this horrific murder...
8.2008] 'Happy Trails': Legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, best known as host of "Wide World of Sports", dies of natural causes at 86...
9.2008] Hillary is outted: Hillary Clinton suspends her presidential campaign and endorses Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president...
10.2008] Brown-out: Big Brown becomes the first Triple Crown favorite to place last in The Belmont Stakes. Big Brown previously won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Longshot (38-1) Da'Tara wins wire-to-wire...
Music Memories:
•1969] Released on this date: "Crystal Blue Persuasion" - Tommy James & Shondells...
•1969] "Hell-o, I'm Johnny Cash": "The Johnny Cash Show" debuts on ABC-TV for a 7-year run...
•1970] He's a pinball wizard: The Who's "Tommy" is performed in Lincoln Center...
•1972] Grease is the word: "Grease" moves to Broadway after playing off-Broadway for 4 months...
Commentary...
Dick Weiss, basketball columnist of the New York Daily News speaks for me and I'm sure a lot of people who believe that John Wooden was the best coach any sport ever produced. This is a piece he wrote on Saturday on The Wizard Of Westwood: John Wooden won 620 games and 10 national championships at UCLA, and was inducted in to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972 - the year the Bruins won the sixth of their record seven consecutive NCAA titles, and were in the midst of their record 88-game winning streak. Wooden coached UCLA from 1948-75, guiding the careers of Willie Naulls, Walt Hazzard, Gail Goodrich, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Sidney Wicks, Henry Bibby, Swen Nater, Bill Walton and Jamaal Wilkes, among hundreds of others. Here are some of the words Wooden lived by, from his Pyramid of Success: "Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day." "Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all." "The star of the team is the team. 'We' supercedes 'me." "Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable." John Wooden left this earth Friday at the age of 99. His record of achievements will live forever. Here's more of Dick Weiss' column...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anna Kournikova (29), Prince (52), Liam Neeson (58), Jenny Jones (64), Tom Jones (70) and boxing expert extraordinaire Bert Sugar (74)...
Timeline Countdown: 13 days until Father's Day, 14 days until summer and 27 days until July 4th...
The median age of people who listen to NPR's news and talk programs is 55 while the median age for visitors to NPR's music site is 40 according to Arbitron. Bob Boilen, senior producer and host of "All Songs Considered", NPR's first webcast music program and godfather-guiding spirit of NPR Music says "It's an educated audience with some spending money", which has opened the eyes of the music industry but NPR's nonprofit status must be maintained. Does that mean that music-industry "underwriters" aren't welcome? I'm not about to open that can of worms and neither is NPR...
NPR Music accounts for about 15% of visitor traffic for NPR.org. Today's website home page is as diverse as it can possibly be. There's a tribute to Janis Joplin, a plug for Bonnaroo 2010, a musicfest webcast coming up this week, Charlie Mingus, Sergio Mendes, Marian McPartland, classical, jazz, pop, hip-hop, and new bands you've never heard of too. The website also carries links to every NPR-affiliated station that streams music. Now that's promotion...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1955] Big bucks comes to TV: "The $64,000 Question" debuts on CBS-TV. The gravy train derails with the cheating scandals in 1958...
2.1966] Caught in a bad draft: The Mets pass up Reggie Jackson, drafting the immortal Steve Chilcott #1 in the college baseball draft...1982] Caught in a good draft: The Mets draft Dwight Gooden, Roger McDowell and Randy Myers...
3.1976] Debuted on this date: NBC Nightly News with co-anchors John Chancellor and David Brinkley. This was the first time there were co-hosts. This combination lasted 3 years...
4.1989] Time has come today: For one second, the time is: 01:23:45 6-7-89...
5.1993] What's your name?: As a birthday present for himself, Prince changes his name tohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Cgg42JPxw. I hope I got that right, spellcheck couldn't help...
6.2002] Guilty as charged: Kennedy cousin (nephew of Ethel) Michael Skakel is convicted in Norwalk (CT) of beating Greenwich neighbor Martha Moxley to death when both were teenagers in 1975. He's still in prison for the crime...
7.1998] Horrific crime: Forty-nine year old black man James Byrd Jr. is dragged to his death from the back of a pickup truck in Jasper (TX). In 1999, William King, a white man, is sentenced to death for this horrific murder...
8.2008] 'Happy Trails': Legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, best known as host of "Wide World of Sports", dies of natural causes at 86...
9.2008] Hillary is outted: Hillary Clinton suspends her presidential campaign and endorses Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president...
10.2008] Brown-out: Big Brown becomes the first Triple Crown favorite to place last in The Belmont Stakes. Big Brown previously won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Longshot (38-1) Da'Tara wins wire-to-wire...
Music Memories:
•1969] Released on this date: "Crystal Blue Persuasion" - Tommy James & Shondells...
•1969] "Hell-o, I'm Johnny Cash": "The Johnny Cash Show" debuts on ABC-TV for a 7-year run...
•1970] He's a pinball wizard: The Who's "Tommy" is performed in Lincoln Center...
•1972] Grease is the word: "Grease" moves to Broadway after playing off-Broadway for 4 months...
Commentary...
Dick Weiss, basketball columnist of the New York Daily News speaks for me and I'm sure a lot of people who believe that John Wooden was the best coach any sport ever produced. This is a piece he wrote on Saturday on The Wizard Of Westwood: John Wooden won 620 games and 10 national championships at UCLA, and was inducted in to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972 - the year the Bruins won the sixth of their record seven consecutive NCAA titles, and were in the midst of their record 88-game winning streak. Wooden coached UCLA from 1948-75, guiding the careers of Willie Naulls, Walt Hazzard, Gail Goodrich, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Sidney Wicks, Henry Bibby, Swen Nater, Bill Walton and Jamaal Wilkes, among hundreds of others. Here are some of the words Wooden lived by, from his Pyramid of Success: "Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day." "Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all." "The star of the team is the team. 'We' supercedes 'me." "Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable." John Wooden left this earth Friday at the age of 99. His record of achievements will live forever. Here's more of Dick Weiss' column...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anna Kournikova (29), Prince (52), Liam Neeson (58), Jenny Jones (64), Tom Jones (70) and boxing expert extraordinaire Bert Sugar (74)...
Timeline Countdown: 13 days until Father's Day, 14 days until summer and 27 days until July 4th...
Friday, June 4, 2010
Internet & Mobile Growth Is Unstoppable...
(Weekend Edition)
While radio was trying to digest the encouraging news posted by the enemy - Internet and mobile radio, NPR CEO Vivian Schiller was making a bold and stunning prediction for the former. Among other things, Schiller expects all cars will have Internet radio in one form or another "pretty soon." Schiller adds that 40% of weekday listening is now in-car and once there is Internet in the car, people ideally will listen to the same stations in the car. I can't agree with that statement but Schiller is hoping, praying that the same station she refers to is NPR, no longer called National Public Radio as Ms. Schiller reminded everyone at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital (D8) Conference. Pulling no punches, Schiller then applied her blockbuster prediction. Schiller says Internet radio over the next 5-10 years will take the place of traditional broadcast radio. This bold statement comes from the CEO of a network that continues to grow. At latest count - 34 million listeners, averaging 6 hours a week...
Schiller is not alone in feeling the strength of Internet and mobile. According to the market research firm AccuStream, listening to online and mobile music services is expected to grow by 15% this year to 8.3 billion hours and is forecast to expand another 22% in 2011. The report notes that ad-supported listening hours are forecast to improve by 20% this year as "inventory sellout rates continue to rise, royalty rates slightly more favorable to smaller operators are reset and mobile platforms achieve greater scale." The report also notes that audio and video ad sales made up about 50% of total media spending against Internet radio in 2009, generating market value of $168 million to $190 million. Ad spending on mobile music services is expected to reach $6.7 million this year...
Like it or not - it's here. Here are your options. Either embrace mobile and the Internet, get involved in it or turn around - hit the road and don't let the door hit you on the way out...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1933] Fogging up the windows of the old Chevy: The first drive-in opens in Pennsauken (NJ). The lot covered 10 acres with enough room for 400 rockin' cars (6/6)...
2.1944] The dawning of D-Day: U.S. troops land in Normandy. The number one song that day was "I'll Get By" by Dick Haymes with the Harry James Orchestra. All major league games are cancelled (6/6). The next time all the games are cancelled is September 11, 2001...
3.1967] Guilty as charged: Mass murderer Richard Speck is sentenced to death in the electric chair for his murder rampage. The sentence is reduced to a life term. Speck dies of a heart attack in prison in 1991, one day short of his 50th birthday (6/5)...
4.1968] Another Kennedy is cut down: Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) is shot and mortally wounded after claiming victory in the California Democratic Primary. Gunman Sirhan B. Sirhan is immediately captured (6/5). Kennedy will die from his wounds on June 6…
5.1974] Cleveland Rocks: The Cleveland Indians hold "10-Cent Beer Night" but are forced to forfeit their game with Texas because of drunk, unruly fans carrying on. Not Cleveland’s finest hour (6/4)…
6.1978] TV steals radio news format name: "20/20" debuts on ABC-TV (and it's still on)(6/6)...
7.1981] The birth of AIDS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 5 men have come down with a rare form of pneumonia. These are the first reported cases of what will become AIDS (6/5)...
8.2002] Kidnapped: Fourteen-year old Elizabeth Smart is kidnapped from her parents' home in Salt Lake City (6/5)...
9.2003] Not such a good thing: Martha Stewart steps down as head of her media empire, hours after federal prosecutors charge her with obstruction of justice, conspiracy, securities fraud, lying to investigators and having a dirty cake pan (6/4)…
10.2004] 'Happy Trails': Ronald Wilson Reagan, our 40th president dies in Los Angeles after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. Reagan was 93 (6/5)...
Commentary:
With the death of Rue McClanahan yesterday following a stroke at 76, Betty White is the last remaining 'Golden Girl'. McClanahan won the Emmy Award in 1987 for starring as Blanche Deveraux. 'The Golden Girls' debuted in 1985, winning best comedy series at the Emmy Awards in 1986. The series became only the second TV show, after 'All in The Family' to have an entirely Emmy-winning cast (McClanahan, Estelle Getty, Betty While and Bea Arthur). 'Golden Girls' went off the air in May, 1992...
Music Memories:
•1955] #1 on this date: "Rock Around The Clock" - Bill Haley and The Comets (6/6)...1960] "Only The Lonely" - Roy Orbison (6/6)...1966] "Paint It Black" - Rolling Stones (on the same (6/6) date Stokely Carmichael launches the 'Black Power' movement)...1984] "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper (6/5)...
•1957] Released on this date: "Be-Bop-A-Lula" - Gene Vincent (6/5)...1957] "Suzie Q" - Dale Hawkins (6/5)...1984] "Born in the U.S.A" LP - Bruce Springsteen (6/4)...
•1971] Kiss-a-me goodnight Eddie: "The Ed Sullivan Show" is cancelled after 23 years on CBS-TV. The last musical act is Gladys Knight & the Pips (6/6)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/4) Angelina Jolie (35), Noah Wyle (39), Parker Stevenson (58), Gordon Waller (65), Michelle Phillips (66), Bruce Dern (74) and Dr. Ruth Westheimer (82)...(6/5) Mark Wahlberg (39), Kenny G (54), Suze Orman (59), Laurie Anderson (63), Robert Kraft (69) and Bill Moyers (76)...(6/6) Uncle Kracker aka Matthew Shafer(36), Paul Giamatti (43), Sandra Bernhard (55), Freddy Kreuger aka Robert England (61), Larry Lujack (70) and Gary U.S. Bonds (71)...
Timeline Countdown: 1 day until the Belmont Stakes, 16 days until Father's Day, 17 days until summer and 30 days until July 4th...
While radio was trying to digest the encouraging news posted by the enemy - Internet and mobile radio, NPR CEO Vivian Schiller was making a bold and stunning prediction for the former. Among other things, Schiller expects all cars will have Internet radio in one form or another "pretty soon." Schiller adds that 40% of weekday listening is now in-car and once there is Internet in the car, people ideally will listen to the same stations in the car. I can't agree with that statement but Schiller is hoping, praying that the same station she refers to is NPR, no longer called National Public Radio as Ms. Schiller reminded everyone at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital (D8) Conference. Pulling no punches, Schiller then applied her blockbuster prediction. Schiller says Internet radio over the next 5-10 years will take the place of traditional broadcast radio. This bold statement comes from the CEO of a network that continues to grow. At latest count - 34 million listeners, averaging 6 hours a week...
Schiller is not alone in feeling the strength of Internet and mobile. According to the market research firm AccuStream, listening to online and mobile music services is expected to grow by 15% this year to 8.3 billion hours and is forecast to expand another 22% in 2011. The report notes that ad-supported listening hours are forecast to improve by 20% this year as "inventory sellout rates continue to rise, royalty rates slightly more favorable to smaller operators are reset and mobile platforms achieve greater scale." The report also notes that audio and video ad sales made up about 50% of total media spending against Internet radio in 2009, generating market value of $168 million to $190 million. Ad spending on mobile music services is expected to reach $6.7 million this year...
Like it or not - it's here. Here are your options. Either embrace mobile and the Internet, get involved in it or turn around - hit the road and don't let the door hit you on the way out...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1933] Fogging up the windows of the old Chevy: The first drive-in opens in Pennsauken (NJ). The lot covered 10 acres with enough room for 400 rockin' cars (6/6)...
2.1944] The dawning of D-Day: U.S. troops land in Normandy. The number one song that day was "I'll Get By" by Dick Haymes with the Harry James Orchestra. All major league games are cancelled (6/6). The next time all the games are cancelled is September 11, 2001...
3.1967] Guilty as charged: Mass murderer Richard Speck is sentenced to death in the electric chair for his murder rampage. The sentence is reduced to a life term. Speck dies of a heart attack in prison in 1991, one day short of his 50th birthday (6/5)...
4.1968] Another Kennedy is cut down: Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) is shot and mortally wounded after claiming victory in the California Democratic Primary. Gunman Sirhan B. Sirhan is immediately captured (6/5). Kennedy will die from his wounds on June 6…
5.1974] Cleveland Rocks: The Cleveland Indians hold "10-Cent Beer Night" but are forced to forfeit their game with Texas because of drunk, unruly fans carrying on. Not Cleveland’s finest hour (6/4)…
6.1978] TV steals radio news format name: "20/20" debuts on ABC-TV (and it's still on)(6/6)...
7.1981] The birth of AIDS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 5 men have come down with a rare form of pneumonia. These are the first reported cases of what will become AIDS (6/5)...
8.2002] Kidnapped: Fourteen-year old Elizabeth Smart is kidnapped from her parents' home in Salt Lake City (6/5)...
9.2003] Not such a good thing: Martha Stewart steps down as head of her media empire, hours after federal prosecutors charge her with obstruction of justice, conspiracy, securities fraud, lying to investigators and having a dirty cake pan (6/4)…
10.2004] 'Happy Trails': Ronald Wilson Reagan, our 40th president dies in Los Angeles after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. Reagan was 93 (6/5)...
Commentary:
With the death of Rue McClanahan yesterday following a stroke at 76, Betty White is the last remaining 'Golden Girl'. McClanahan won the Emmy Award in 1987 for starring as Blanche Deveraux. 'The Golden Girls' debuted in 1985, winning best comedy series at the Emmy Awards in 1986. The series became only the second TV show, after 'All in The Family' to have an entirely Emmy-winning cast (McClanahan, Estelle Getty, Betty While and Bea Arthur). 'Golden Girls' went off the air in May, 1992...
Music Memories:
•1955] #1 on this date: "Rock Around The Clock" - Bill Haley and The Comets (6/6)...1960] "Only The Lonely" - Roy Orbison (6/6)...1966] "Paint It Black" - Rolling Stones (on the same (6/6) date Stokely Carmichael launches the 'Black Power' movement)...1984] "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper (6/5)...
•1957] Released on this date: "Be-Bop-A-Lula" - Gene Vincent (6/5)...1957] "Suzie Q" - Dale Hawkins (6/5)...1984] "Born in the U.S.A" LP - Bruce Springsteen (6/4)...
•1971] Kiss-a-me goodnight Eddie: "The Ed Sullivan Show" is cancelled after 23 years on CBS-TV. The last musical act is Gladys Knight & the Pips (6/6)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/4) Angelina Jolie (35), Noah Wyle (39), Parker Stevenson (58), Gordon Waller (65), Michelle Phillips (66), Bruce Dern (74) and Dr. Ruth Westheimer (82)...(6/5) Mark Wahlberg (39), Kenny G (54), Suze Orman (59), Laurie Anderson (63), Robert Kraft (69) and Bill Moyers (76)...(6/6) Uncle Kracker aka Matthew Shafer(36), Paul Giamatti (43), Sandra Bernhard (55), Freddy Kreuger aka Robert England (61), Larry Lujack (70) and Gary U.S. Bonds (71)...
Timeline Countdown: 1 day until the Belmont Stakes, 16 days until Father's Day, 17 days until summer and 30 days until July 4th...
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Anti-Hate Groups Ask FCC To Move On Their Petition...
According to an editorial in the Washington Examiner, the National Hispanic Media Coalition has asked the FCC to move on the coalition's official petition in 2009 that asked the agency to open an official investigation into the "extent and effects of hate speech in the media, including the likely link between hate speech and hate crimes and to explore non-regulatory ways to counteract its negative impacts." In addition to the NHMC, Common Cause, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute have signed off on the petition. The anti-hate coalition justified its 2009 petition by stating that "Hate speech against vulnerable groups is pervasive in our media and is not limited to a few isolated instances or any one media platform. Indeed, many large mainstream media corporations regularly air hate speech, and it is prolific on the Internet."...
The coalition is reiterating its call to the FCC one year later because "Over the past year, hate, extremism and misinformation have been on the rise." The coalition is using the latest Southern Poverty Law Center warning of a 54% increase "in the number of hate groups." According to the Washington Examiner, the SPLC is prone to issue similar warnings with some regularity inferring that they cannot be taken seriously...
Is this petition justified? Is there hatred in the media? In my opinion, the answers are no and yes. Is depicting whoever our president might be, Hitler, justified? Whether you agree with the 1st amendment or not, as long as it remains the law of the land, anything short of a criminal act is permitted. If you're waiting for a repeal of the amendment, you'll be waiting a long time - forever...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1621] Going Dutch: The Dutch West India Co. receives a charter for New Netherlands, which will be changed to New Amsterdam and then New York City…
2.1932] Back-to-back x4= Lou Gehrig becoming the second player to hit 4 home runs in one game. Gehrig did it against the Philadelphia A’s. The first player to do it? The immortal Bobby Lowe in 1894…
3.1965] Spacewalk: Astronaut Edward White becomes the first American to walk in space during the flight of Gemini 4…
5.1968] Was it the art?: Andy Warhol is shot and critically wounded in his New York City film studio by actress Valerie Solanas. Warhol will fully recover…
6.1981] Pope pops back: Pope John Paul II leaves a Rome hospital and returns to the Vatican three weeks after an attempt on his life...
7.1988] Mar-go: Margo Adams files a palimony suit against Wade Boggs after their 4-year relationship sours. The married Boggs and Adams will settle out of court. The affair didn’t interfere with Boggs hitting his normal .310 and he’ll finish at .380 to win his 5th batting title…
8.1989] China clamps down: Chinese army troops begin a sweep of Beijing to crush student-led pro-democracy demonstrations...
8.2001] Tony x12= The number of Tony Awards won by Mel Brooks for "The Producers."...
9.2003] En Englais por favor: The Cubs’ Sammy Sosa breaks a bat filled with cork and suddenly forgets how to speak English…
10.2008] Barack breaks the barrier: Barack Obama clinches the Democratic presidential nomination, making him the first black candidate to lead his party...
Music Memories:
•1964] Debuted on this date: The Rolling Stones on 'The Hollywood Palace"...1972] The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" tour...
•1967] Released on this date: "Light My Fire" - The Doors...1972] "Take It Easy" - The Eagles...
•1968] #1 on this date: "Respect" - Aretha Franklin...
Commentary:
On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 the New York AES Section presents 'The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording', hosted by Robert Auld (Auldworks) and presented by Tom Fine. The meeting will start at 6:30pm and end at 9pm at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan. This is a public event open to all...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anderson Cooper (43), Dan Hill (56), Deniece Williams (60), Suzi Quatro (60), Eddie Holman (64), Ian Hunter (71), Chuck Barris (81) and Tony Curtis (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the Belmont Stakes, 17 days until Father's Day, 18 days until summer and 31 days until July 4th...
The coalition is reiterating its call to the FCC one year later because "Over the past year, hate, extremism and misinformation have been on the rise." The coalition is using the latest Southern Poverty Law Center warning of a 54% increase "in the number of hate groups." According to the Washington Examiner, the SPLC is prone to issue similar warnings with some regularity inferring that they cannot be taken seriously...
Is this petition justified? Is there hatred in the media? In my opinion, the answers are no and yes. Is depicting whoever our president might be, Hitler, justified? Whether you agree with the 1st amendment or not, as long as it remains the law of the land, anything short of a criminal act is permitted. If you're waiting for a repeal of the amendment, you'll be waiting a long time - forever...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1621] Going Dutch: The Dutch West India Co. receives a charter for New Netherlands, which will be changed to New Amsterdam and then New York City…
2.1932] Back-to-back x4= Lou Gehrig becoming the second player to hit 4 home runs in one game. Gehrig did it against the Philadelphia A’s. The first player to do it? The immortal Bobby Lowe in 1894…
3.1965] Spacewalk: Astronaut Edward White becomes the first American to walk in space during the flight of Gemini 4…
5.1968] Was it the art?: Andy Warhol is shot and critically wounded in his New York City film studio by actress Valerie Solanas. Warhol will fully recover…
6.1981] Pope pops back: Pope John Paul II leaves a Rome hospital and returns to the Vatican three weeks after an attempt on his life...
7.1988] Mar-go: Margo Adams files a palimony suit against Wade Boggs after their 4-year relationship sours. The married Boggs and Adams will settle out of court. The affair didn’t interfere with Boggs hitting his normal .310 and he’ll finish at .380 to win his 5th batting title…
8.1989] China clamps down: Chinese army troops begin a sweep of Beijing to crush student-led pro-democracy demonstrations...
8.2001] Tony x12= The number of Tony Awards won by Mel Brooks for "The Producers."...
9.2003] En Englais por favor: The Cubs’ Sammy Sosa breaks a bat filled with cork and suddenly forgets how to speak English…
10.2008] Barack breaks the barrier: Barack Obama clinches the Democratic presidential nomination, making him the first black candidate to lead his party...
Music Memories:
•1964] Debuted on this date: The Rolling Stones on 'The Hollywood Palace"...1972] The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" tour...
•1967] Released on this date: "Light My Fire" - The Doors...1972] "Take It Easy" - The Eagles...
•1968] #1 on this date: "Respect" - Aretha Franklin...
Commentary:
On Tuesday, June 15, 2010 the New York AES Section presents 'The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording', hosted by Robert Auld (Auldworks) and presented by Tom Fine. The meeting will start at 6:30pm and end at 9pm at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan. This is a public event open to all...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anderson Cooper (43), Dan Hill (56), Deniece Williams (60), Suzi Quatro (60), Eddie Holman (64), Ian Hunter (71), Chuck Barris (81) and Tony Curtis (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the Belmont Stakes, 17 days until Father's Day, 18 days until summer and 31 days until July 4th...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
FCC Shoots Down AM Power Boost...
AM Radio can still be successful with news, talk or special programming but it continues to play second fiddle to FM - no need to include the newer media competition in this conversation - that's for another time, another review of where AM really ranks. The FCC just put another nail in AM's coffin by denying a petition that would have given AM a ten-fold daytime power boost. The petition was brought by broadcast engineer Richard Arsenault who asked for the increase over a five-year period. The FCC says the proposal is not in the public interest because it would increase the potential for interference between AM stations and would undermine the agency's efforts to improve the AM service. Those improvements apparently don't include a power increase...
I don't necessarily disagree with the FCC's decision but I do think it's time for the agency to lift some of those silly limitations protecting the frequency of AM stations thousands of miles apart. Does a station with the power of WLS or WABC really need frequency protection in markets they can't squeeze on their coverage map? I can see protecting smaller markets. I can't see protecting clear-channel AM monster signals...
Since 1941, clear-channel stations, required to maintain at least 10,000 watts of power to retain their status, enjoy the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave signals. Where only one station is assigned to a clear-channel, it must operate with a nominal power of 50,000. There are currently 87 clear-channel stations in the United Stations and the bordering countries of Canada and Mexico. It's time for the FCC to review the protections granted clear-channel stations. They no longer make sense, if they ever did to begin with...
With yesterday's decision by the FCC, the only hope a smaller market AM station has is to stream its signal. That's the only way they'll increase the size of their audience...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1851] Who has more fun than Maine?: Ans: Everyone. Maine becomes the first state to enact a law prohibiting alcohol…
2.1886] White House wedding bells: President Grover Cleveland becomes the first president to marry at the White House. His bride is Frances Folsom…
3.1896] Patent no longer pending: Guglielmo Marconi's radio is patented…
4.1897] Keeps on ticking: Responding to rumors of his death, 61-year old Mark Twain is quoted in the New York Journal as saying, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”…
5.1928] What is that stuff?: Kraft creates the spam of the cheese world: Velveeta…
6.1935] Bye-bye Bambino: 40-year old Babe Ruth, batting just .181 is released by the Boston Braves. Ruth retires with a .342 lifetime batting average and 714 home runs. His pitching record is a phenomenal 94-46. He also had a run of 29.2 scoreless innings in world series play, a record that stood for 43 years…
7.1941] A disease of his own: Lou Gehrig dies in New York of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which will be renamed “Lou Gehrig Disease“. His death falls on the 16th anniversary of his replacement of Wally Pipp as Yankees first baseman…
8.1997] Guilty as charged: Timothy McVeigh is convicted of murder and conspiracy in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that took 168 lives…
9.2003] Deregulation: Federal regulators vote to allow companies to buy more television/radio stations and newspaper combinations in the same city...
10.2008] Rock & Roll death: Legendary R&R performer who became a song title, known for his own signature beat, Bo Diddley, dies at 79 from heart failure...
Music Memories:
•1958] Cooling the King: Alan Freed joins WABC Radio and I remember sending the memo from the mail room that announced his hiring. It was made clear that Freed would not be referred to as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll". ABC was running scared over the impending payola hearings. Freed also had a weekly TV show at channel 7 and I used to watch rehearsal's from Mike Wallace's inner balcony overlooking the studio. Here's a clip of Scott Muni & Norm N. Nite inducting Freed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...
•1964] Rock & Roll debut: The Rolling Stones make their U.S. debut at the Manning Bowl in Lynn (MA)...
•1972] Reunited and it feels so good: Dion & the Belmonts reunite for the 1st time in 13 years, at Madison Square Garden. This is one of the songs they sang...
•1975]#1 on this date: "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" - John Denver... 1985] "Everybody Wants to rule the World" - Tears for Fears...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Freddy Adu (21), Dana Carvey (55), Dennis Haysbert (56), Jerry ("The Beave") Mathers (62), Marvin Hamlisch (66), Stacy Keach (69), Charlie Watts (69) and Sally Kellerman (73)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the Belmont Stakes, 18 days until Father's Day and 19 days until summer...
I don't necessarily disagree with the FCC's decision but I do think it's time for the agency to lift some of those silly limitations protecting the frequency of AM stations thousands of miles apart. Does a station with the power of WLS or WABC really need frequency protection in markets they can't squeeze on their coverage map? I can see protecting smaller markets. I can't see protecting clear-channel AM monster signals...
Since 1941, clear-channel stations, required to maintain at least 10,000 watts of power to retain their status, enjoy the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave signals. Where only one station is assigned to a clear-channel, it must operate with a nominal power of 50,000. There are currently 87 clear-channel stations in the United Stations and the bordering countries of Canada and Mexico. It's time for the FCC to review the protections granted clear-channel stations. They no longer make sense, if they ever did to begin with...
With yesterday's decision by the FCC, the only hope a smaller market AM station has is to stream its signal. That's the only way they'll increase the size of their audience...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1851] Who has more fun than Maine?: Ans: Everyone. Maine becomes the first state to enact a law prohibiting alcohol…
2.1886] White House wedding bells: President Grover Cleveland becomes the first president to marry at the White House. His bride is Frances Folsom…
3.1896] Patent no longer pending: Guglielmo Marconi's radio is patented…
4.1897] Keeps on ticking: Responding to rumors of his death, 61-year old Mark Twain is quoted in the New York Journal as saying, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”…
5.1928] What is that stuff?: Kraft creates the spam of the cheese world: Velveeta…
6.1935] Bye-bye Bambino: 40-year old Babe Ruth, batting just .181 is released by the Boston Braves. Ruth retires with a .342 lifetime batting average and 714 home runs. His pitching record is a phenomenal 94-46. He also had a run of 29.2 scoreless innings in world series play, a record that stood for 43 years…
7.1941] A disease of his own: Lou Gehrig dies in New York of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which will be renamed “Lou Gehrig Disease“. His death falls on the 16th anniversary of his replacement of Wally Pipp as Yankees first baseman…
8.1997] Guilty as charged: Timothy McVeigh is convicted of murder and conspiracy in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that took 168 lives…
9.2003] Deregulation: Federal regulators vote to allow companies to buy more television/radio stations and newspaper combinations in the same city...
10.2008] Rock & Roll death: Legendary R&R performer who became a song title, known for his own signature beat, Bo Diddley, dies at 79 from heart failure...
Music Memories:
•1958] Cooling the King: Alan Freed joins WABC Radio and I remember sending the memo from the mail room that announced his hiring. It was made clear that Freed would not be referred to as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll". ABC was running scared over the impending payola hearings. Freed also had a weekly TV show at channel 7 and I used to watch rehearsal's from Mike Wallace's inner balcony overlooking the studio. Here's a clip of Scott Muni & Norm N. Nite inducting Freed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...
•1964] Rock & Roll debut: The Rolling Stones make their U.S. debut at the Manning Bowl in Lynn (MA)...
•1972] Reunited and it feels so good: Dion & the Belmonts reunite for the 1st time in 13 years, at Madison Square Garden. This is one of the songs they sang...
•1975]#1 on this date: "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" - John Denver... 1985] "Everybody Wants to rule the World" - Tears for Fears...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Freddy Adu (21), Dana Carvey (55), Dennis Haysbert (56), Jerry ("The Beave") Mathers (62), Marvin Hamlisch (66), Stacy Keach (69), Charlie Watts (69) and Sally Kellerman (73)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the Belmont Stakes, 18 days until Father's Day and 19 days until summer...
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Radio Spreads On Smartphones - Are Cell Phones Next?
With Sirius XM Radio announcing its launching of a free Android app for its subscribers and Clear Channel offering premium ad-free content on its newest edition of iheartradio mobile streaming, will we now see some headway made in the drive to get radio on cell phones? According to Inside Radio, "Radio industry leaders are lobbying for FM receivers to be installed on cell phones and they're making progress but key hurdles remain." Cost for the service is one of those hurdles. Availability of FM-capable units and services is already widely available through Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile. The radio industry is working on getting Apple to come aboard. And there are plenty of cell phone units containing FM-capable chips. Nokia has sold more than 700 million devices with built-in FM radio receivers worldwide...
Both the National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau are leading the lobbying efforts to get FM receivers included in cell phones and their efforts have been more effective with lawmakers and regulators than with the mobile industry. If you'd like to offer your thoughts on this initiative, visit www.radioheardhere.com/fmchip ...
The Smartphone explosion may be reaching record-setting proportions with over 45.5 million consumers in the U.S. but there are 49.3 billion reasons for getting FM radio capability in cell phones. That's the number of cell phones in the United States...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1813] Making a motto: The Navy gets its motto when mortally wounded Chesapeake commander Capt. James Lawrence says "Don't give up the ship" during a losing battle with a British frigate...
2.1925] They call it the streak: Lou Gehrig pinch-hits for Yankees shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger and singles in the first of his record 2,130 consecutive games played... The next day he replaces Wally Pipp, who sits because of a headache and Gehrig’s record will stand until 1995…
3.1958] Vive le France: Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France...
4.1961] Both sides now: New York, California and Illinois radio stations debut FM multiplex stereo. One year later the FCC makes FM standard…
5.1968] ‘Happy Trails’: Helen Keller, who earned a college degree despite being blind and deaf most of her life, dies in her sleep in Westport (CT) at the age of 87…1991] David Ruffin, lead singer of the Temptations dies from a cocaine overdose in Philadelphia at 50…1997] Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X is critically burned in a fire set by her 12-year old grandson in her Yonkers apartment. Shabazz will die from her burns on June 23 at 61…
6.1980] This is CNN: Ted Turner starts the Cable News Network (CNN)…
7.1994] Reg-gie, Reg-gie, Reg-gie: Reggie Miller puts on one of the greatest scoring displays in NBA history when he scores 25 of his 39 points in the 4th quarter to help Indiana beat the Knicks in game 5 of their East Conference Playoffs. The Knicks will come back to win the series in seven games…
8.2001] Suicide bomber: 21 are killed in a Tel Aviv nightclub when a suicide bomber blows himself up...
9.2007] Pass on Chinese toothpaste: The FDA warns consumers to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it might contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze. Not only that, but right after using the toothpaste, it makes you feel like brushing your teeth again...
10.2007] Dr. Death walks: Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian walks out of a Michigan prison, where he'd spent eight years for ending the life of a man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease...
Commentary:
In the aftermath of the unexpected death of Gary Coleman, his estranged parents, Sue and Willie Coleman want to know more about the manner of their son's death. "We're not angry. We're just concerned. Did our son fall down the stairs? Did he fall in the bathtub? We need to have some closure on our son's life." Coleman died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage in a fall at his home at the age of 42...Dennis Hopper's death has reverberated in a rash of Tweets from Hollywood friends of the legendary actor and director, as well as prepared statements from Hopper's co-stars, including Peter Fonda ('Easy Rider'), Isabella Rossellini ('Blue Velvet'), Gene Hackman ('Hoosiers'). Hopper died Saturday from complications of prostate cancer. The renegade Hollywood figure was 74...
Music Memories:
•1964] Hello Dolly: Dolly Parton moves to Nashville, one day after her high school graduation...
•1964] JFK stoned: The Rolling Stones arrive at JFK for their 1st U.S. tour...
•1967] Released on this date: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" LP - The Beatles...
•1971] Tupelo money: A two-room shack in Tupelo (MS) opens as a tourist attraction. It was the house Elvis Presley was born in...
•1975] Rock & Roll replacement: On his 28th birthday, Ron Wood replaces Mick Taylor as Rolling Stone guitarist...
•1985] Just a Gigolo: David Lee Roth crosses over from AOR to Pop with his hit "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody"...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Alanis Morissette (36), Heidi Klum (37), Lisa Hartman Black (54), Ronnie (Brooks & Dunn) Dunn (57), David Berkowitz (aka Son of Sam) (57), Ron Wood (63), Morgan Freeman (73), Pat Boone (76) and Andy Griffith (84)...
Timeline Countdown: 4 days until the Belmont Stakes, 19 days until Father's
Day and 20 days until summer...
Both the National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau are leading the lobbying efforts to get FM receivers included in cell phones and their efforts have been more effective with lawmakers and regulators than with the mobile industry. If you'd like to offer your thoughts on this initiative, visit www.radioheardhere.com/fmchip ...
The Smartphone explosion may be reaching record-setting proportions with over 45.5 million consumers in the U.S. but there are 49.3 billion reasons for getting FM radio capability in cell phones. That's the number of cell phones in the United States...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1813] Making a motto: The Navy gets its motto when mortally wounded Chesapeake commander Capt. James Lawrence says "Don't give up the ship" during a losing battle with a British frigate...
2.1925] They call it the streak: Lou Gehrig pinch-hits for Yankees shortstop Pee Wee Wanninger and singles in the first of his record 2,130 consecutive games played... The next day he replaces Wally Pipp, who sits because of a headache and Gehrig’s record will stand until 1995…
3.1958] Vive le France: Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France...
4.1961] Both sides now: New York, California and Illinois radio stations debut FM multiplex stereo. One year later the FCC makes FM standard…
5.1968] ‘Happy Trails’: Helen Keller, who earned a college degree despite being blind and deaf most of her life, dies in her sleep in Westport (CT) at the age of 87…1991] David Ruffin, lead singer of the Temptations dies from a cocaine overdose in Philadelphia at 50…1997] Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X is critically burned in a fire set by her 12-year old grandson in her Yonkers apartment. Shabazz will die from her burns on June 23 at 61…
6.1980] This is CNN: Ted Turner starts the Cable News Network (CNN)…
7.1994] Reg-gie, Reg-gie, Reg-gie: Reggie Miller puts on one of the greatest scoring displays in NBA history when he scores 25 of his 39 points in the 4th quarter to help Indiana beat the Knicks in game 5 of their East Conference Playoffs. The Knicks will come back to win the series in seven games…
8.2001] Suicide bomber: 21 are killed in a Tel Aviv nightclub when a suicide bomber blows himself up...
9.2007] Pass on Chinese toothpaste: The FDA warns consumers to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it might contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze. Not only that, but right after using the toothpaste, it makes you feel like brushing your teeth again...
10.2007] Dr. Death walks: Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian walks out of a Michigan prison, where he'd spent eight years for ending the life of a man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease...
Commentary:
In the aftermath of the unexpected death of Gary Coleman, his estranged parents, Sue and Willie Coleman want to know more about the manner of their son's death. "We're not angry. We're just concerned. Did our son fall down the stairs? Did he fall in the bathtub? We need to have some closure on our son's life." Coleman died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage in a fall at his home at the age of 42...Dennis Hopper's death has reverberated in a rash of Tweets from Hollywood friends of the legendary actor and director, as well as prepared statements from Hopper's co-stars, including Peter Fonda ('Easy Rider'), Isabella Rossellini ('Blue Velvet'), Gene Hackman ('Hoosiers'). Hopper died Saturday from complications of prostate cancer. The renegade Hollywood figure was 74...
Music Memories:
•1964] Hello Dolly: Dolly Parton moves to Nashville, one day after her high school graduation...
•1964] JFK stoned: The Rolling Stones arrive at JFK for their 1st U.S. tour...
•1967] Released on this date: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" LP - The Beatles...
•1971] Tupelo money: A two-room shack in Tupelo (MS) opens as a tourist attraction. It was the house Elvis Presley was born in...
•1975] Rock & Roll replacement: On his 28th birthday, Ron Wood replaces Mick Taylor as Rolling Stone guitarist...
•1985] Just a Gigolo: David Lee Roth crosses over from AOR to Pop with his hit "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody"...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Alanis Morissette (36), Heidi Klum (37), Lisa Hartman Black (54), Ronnie (Brooks & Dunn) Dunn (57), David Berkowitz (aka Son of Sam) (57), Ron Wood (63), Morgan Freeman (73), Pat Boone (76) and Andy Griffith (84)...
Timeline Countdown: 4 days until the Belmont Stakes, 19 days until Father's
Day and 20 days until summer...
Friday, May 28, 2010
FCC Must Right The Wrong Of 1996...
(Memorial Day Weekend Edition)
They may have broadband on their minds but the FCC must right the wrong of 1996 in order to keep radio from sliding back into a third-world media source. Since Congress established the radio rule in 1996 and the FCC set up the TV/radio rule three years later, empires have been built to crumble and fall. The rules relaxed previous ownership limits far too much. The seven FM, seven AM and seven TV stations rule (7-7-7) allowed Clear Channel, Citadel and other corporations to dominate radio with ownership of thousands of stations. In 1996, there were 10,257 commercial radio stations with 5,133 owners, according to the FCC. Today there are less commercial stations and 39% fewer owners: 11,202 (total includes public radio & LPFM) and 3,143 respectively. And how has deregulation affected revenue???
Advertising revenue for radio has fallen by almost 11% between 2006 and 2008. Between 2008 and 2009, revenue fell about 22%. During the same timeline, advertising's new darling, the Internet, grew 25% (between 2006 and 2008), before taking a nap and dropping 5% (between 2008 and 2009)...
The FCC is now looking for answers. They'd like to know if we still need radio ownership limits. My belief is that whatever the FCC rules on the future of radio ownership and consolidation they better have a more effective litmus test for potential buyers then they had from 1996 on or else people will remember the good old days when we had over 11,000 (total includes public radio & LPFM) radio stations and 39% fewer owners...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1907] Taxiiiiiiii: The first taxis in the U.S. arrive in New York City followed by an increase in traffic accidents and fights (5/31)...
2.1953] Because it was there: Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest (5/29)…
3.1957] Westward ho: The National League approves the move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants to Los Angeles and San Francisco (5/28). The Mets will come along in 1962 when the National League returns to New York…
4.1970] The people's choice: Baseball's All-Star Game voting returns to the fans so they can vote .220 hitters into the game (5/30). You've gotta have a criteria for voting, people...
5.1973] Gotcha: Columbia Records President Clive Davis is fired for allegedly misappropriating company funds. Clive continues to thrive in his late 70s (5/29) after making a remarkable comeback…
6.1982] They call it the streak: 21-year old Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. begins his consecutive game streak (5/30). He will eventually move to shortstop but his streak will last more than 13 years and 3 months and break Lou Gehrig's previous consecutive game streak record...
7.1989] Bumper cars at the Indy: Emerson Fittipaldi and Al Unser Jr. play bumper cars at the Indy 500 with Unser helping Fittipaldi to win the race - not what Unser had in mind (5/28)…
8.1998] ‘Happy Trails’: Former Arizona Senator and Republican presidential candidate Barry "Mr. Conservative" Goldwater dies at 89 from complications of a stroke (5/29)…
9.1998] Another SNL tragedy: Comic Phil Hartman, 49, of “Saturday Night Live” and “Newsradio” is shot to death at his home in California by his wife Brynn who then takes her own life (5/28)…
10.2005] Vanishing teen: American teen Natalee Holloway is last seen leaving a bar with three young men while vacationing in Aruba before disappearing (5/30). Her body has never been found...
Music Memories:
•1942] Recorded on this date: "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby (5/29)...1968] The Beatles begin recording their White Album (5/30)...1969] "Honky Tonk Women" - Rolling Stones (5/31)...1969] "Give Peace A Chance" - John Lennon and Yoko Ono (recorded 5/31 at one of their bed-ins)...
•1957] #1 on this date: "Love Letters in the Sand" - Pat Boone (my favorite P.B. hit)(5/31)...1963] "It's My Party" - Lesley Gore (5/30)...1964] "Love Me Do" - The Beatles (5/30)...1971] "Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones (5/29)...1972] "I'll Take You There" - Staple Singers (5/31)...1973] "My Love" - Paul McCartney & Wings (5/30)...
•1969] Released on this date: "My Cherie Amour" - Stevie Wonder (5/31)...1975] "One of these Nights" - Eagles (5/31)...1982] "Combat Rock" LP - Clash (5/31)...1982] "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor (5/31)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/28) Elizabeth Hasselbeck of 'The View' (33), John Fogerty (65), Billy Vera (66), Gladys Knight (66), Rudolph Giuliani (66), NBA logo silhouette Jerry West (72) and Carroll Baker (79)...(5/29) Melissa Etheridge (49), Annette Bening (52), LaToya Jackson (54), Rebbie Jackson (60), correspondent Bob Simon (69), Al Unser, Sr. (71), former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent (72)...(5/30) Manny Ramirez (38), Wynonna Judd (46), Ted ('Ace' on 'Love Boat') McGinley (52), Pro Football Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers (67), Michael J. Pollard (71), Keir ("2001") Dullea (74) and Clint "Cheyenne" Walker (83)...(5/31) Colin Farrell (34), Robert Dean Phillips (43 - Happy Birthday Rob), Brooke Shields (45), DMC aka Darryl McDaniel (46), Joe Namath (67), Sharon Gless (67), Peter Yarrow (72) and Clint Eastwood (80)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until Memorial Day, 8 days until the Belmont Stakes, 23 days until Father's Day and 24 days until summer...
They may have broadband on their minds but the FCC must right the wrong of 1996 in order to keep radio from sliding back into a third-world media source. Since Congress established the radio rule in 1996 and the FCC set up the TV/radio rule three years later, empires have been built to crumble and fall. The rules relaxed previous ownership limits far too much. The seven FM, seven AM and seven TV stations rule (7-7-7) allowed Clear Channel, Citadel and other corporations to dominate radio with ownership of thousands of stations. In 1996, there were 10,257 commercial radio stations with 5,133 owners, according to the FCC. Today there are less commercial stations and 39% fewer owners: 11,202 (total includes public radio & LPFM) and 3,143 respectively. And how has deregulation affected revenue???
Advertising revenue for radio has fallen by almost 11% between 2006 and 2008. Between 2008 and 2009, revenue fell about 22%. During the same timeline, advertising's new darling, the Internet, grew 25% (between 2006 and 2008), before taking a nap and dropping 5% (between 2008 and 2009)...
The FCC is now looking for answers. They'd like to know if we still need radio ownership limits. My belief is that whatever the FCC rules on the future of radio ownership and consolidation they better have a more effective litmus test for potential buyers then they had from 1996 on or else people will remember the good old days when we had over 11,000 (total includes public radio & LPFM) radio stations and 39% fewer owners...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1907] Taxiiiiiiii: The first taxis in the U.S. arrive in New York City followed by an increase in traffic accidents and fights (5/31)...
2.1953] Because it was there: Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest (5/29)…
3.1957] Westward ho: The National League approves the move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants to Los Angeles and San Francisco (5/28). The Mets will come along in 1962 when the National League returns to New York…
4.1970] The people's choice: Baseball's All-Star Game voting returns to the fans so they can vote .220 hitters into the game (5/30). You've gotta have a criteria for voting, people...
5.1973] Gotcha: Columbia Records President Clive Davis is fired for allegedly misappropriating company funds. Clive continues to thrive in his late 70s (5/29) after making a remarkable comeback…
6.1982] They call it the streak: 21-year old Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. begins his consecutive game streak (5/30). He will eventually move to shortstop but his streak will last more than 13 years and 3 months and break Lou Gehrig's previous consecutive game streak record...
7.1989] Bumper cars at the Indy: Emerson Fittipaldi and Al Unser Jr. play bumper cars at the Indy 500 with Unser helping Fittipaldi to win the race - not what Unser had in mind (5/28)…
8.1998] ‘Happy Trails’: Former Arizona Senator and Republican presidential candidate Barry "Mr. Conservative" Goldwater dies at 89 from complications of a stroke (5/29)…
9.1998] Another SNL tragedy: Comic Phil Hartman, 49, of “Saturday Night Live” and “Newsradio” is shot to death at his home in California by his wife Brynn who then takes her own life (5/28)…
10.2005] Vanishing teen: American teen Natalee Holloway is last seen leaving a bar with three young men while vacationing in Aruba before disappearing (5/30). Her body has never been found...
Music Memories:
•1942] Recorded on this date: "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby (5/29)...1968] The Beatles begin recording their White Album (5/30)...1969] "Honky Tonk Women" - Rolling Stones (5/31)...1969] "Give Peace A Chance" - John Lennon and Yoko Ono (recorded 5/31 at one of their bed-ins)...
•1957] #1 on this date: "Love Letters in the Sand" - Pat Boone (my favorite P.B. hit)(5/31)...1963] "It's My Party" - Lesley Gore (5/30)...1964] "Love Me Do" - The Beatles (5/30)...1971] "Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones (5/29)...1972] "I'll Take You There" - Staple Singers (5/31)...1973] "My Love" - Paul McCartney & Wings (5/30)...
•1969] Released on this date: "My Cherie Amour" - Stevie Wonder (5/31)...1975] "One of these Nights" - Eagles (5/31)...1982] "Combat Rock" LP - Clash (5/31)...1982] "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor (5/31)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/28) Elizabeth Hasselbeck of 'The View' (33), John Fogerty (65), Billy Vera (66), Gladys Knight (66), Rudolph Giuliani (66), NBA logo silhouette Jerry West (72) and Carroll Baker (79)...(5/29) Melissa Etheridge (49), Annette Bening (52), LaToya Jackson (54), Rebbie Jackson (60), correspondent Bob Simon (69), Al Unser, Sr. (71), former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent (72)...(5/30) Manny Ramirez (38), Wynonna Judd (46), Ted ('Ace' on 'Love Boat') McGinley (52), Pro Football Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers (67), Michael J. Pollard (71), Keir ("2001") Dullea (74) and Clint "Cheyenne" Walker (83)...(5/31) Colin Farrell (34), Robert Dean Phillips (43 - Happy Birthday Rob), Brooke Shields (45), DMC aka Darryl McDaniel (46), Joe Namath (67), Sharon Gless (67), Peter Yarrow (72) and Clint Eastwood (80)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until Memorial Day, 8 days until the Belmont Stakes, 23 days until Father's Day and 24 days until summer...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Radio's Ad Spending Slump Is Over...
Radio can thank an upswing in ad spending by auto, retail, financial and political for ending its long sales slump. Kantar Media reports that radio sales are up 7.4% to $1.72 billion. Local sales are up 4.6% to $1.11 billion, national spot catapulted 19% to $396.8 million and network radio improved by 3% over Q1 2009, taking in $215.7 million. While Q1 was up 10.5% for television media, national syndication was down 13.2%, there was no love for magazines (-3.2%) except for Sunday editions, newspaper spending was off 3.7%, outdoor dipped -0.4% and Internet (display ads only) was up 5%. And who were the big spenders???
Proctor & Gamble increased its Q1 ad spending 17.7%, AT&T in a battle with Verizon upped their spending for the quarter by 26.7% while Verizon scaled back it's spending by 9.1%. Other big spenders included General Motors (+28.5%), telecom (+10.6%), Pfizer (+46.2%) and financial services (+10.1%). Kantar reports that while some media sectors enjoyed a greater lift than others, Q1 spending hikes "were broadly distributed across advertisers and categories, and that's an encouraging signal for the market going forward." ...
This uptick in ad spending marks the first quarterly increase since Q1 of 2008 and the most significant gain since the first three months of 2006. The big dark cloud that's been hovering over radio for what seems like forever, is starting to lift...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1668] New England justice: Three colonists are expelled from Massachusetts for being Baptists. Lighten up people!!!
2.1932] Debuted on this date: Massachusetts Governor Joseph Ely signs a bill making Sunday baseball possible at Fenway Park…1937] The Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County opens to “pedestrians only". On May 28th it opens to traffic…
3.1941] Sink The Bismarck: The British naval and air forces do! 2,300 are killed on the German battleship…
4.1957] Top 40 eh?: CHUM (AM) becomes Canada's first top 40 station...
5.1960] Catch this!: The Baltimore Orioles debut a giant catcher’s mitt, the size of Rhode Island, to help Clint Courtney catch Hoyt Wilhelm's knuckleball…
6.1968] Papa Bear hangs up his paws: George Halas retires after 48 years as coach of the Chicago Bears…
7.1969] Disney discovers Florida: Construction of Walt Disney World begins in Orlando. The theme park will open in 1971...
8.1995] Superman upended: Christopher Reeve is paralyzed when thrown from his horse during a jumping competition in Charlottesville (VA)…
9.1997] The Supes Rule: The Supreme Court rules that Paula Jones can pursue her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton while he is in office. It will eventually cost Clinton $850,000 to settle the case...
10.1998] Guilty as charged: The government’s star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case, Michael Fortier is sentenced to 12 years in prison for not apologizing for not warning anyone about the deadly plot...
Music Memories:
•1957] Released on this date: "That'll Be The Day" - Buddy Holly & The Crickets ...1962] "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" LP...
Commentary:
Art Linkletter started his career in radio in the 40's but will mostly be remembered for hosting such highly rated television shows as House Party, Kids Say The Darndest Things and People Are Funny. There was no one better at interviewing kids, which led to a successful series of books quoting children. In his autobiography, Confessions of a Happy Man (1960) he revealed that he had had no contact with his natural parents or his sister or two brothers since being abandoned in Canada when just a few weeks old. Linkletter was adopted by Mary and Fulton John Linkletter and later moved to the United States. Linkletter died yesterday two months before his 98th birthday. No cause of death was given...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Jamie Oliver (35), Jack ('30 Rock') McBrayer (37), Todd Bridges (45), Peri Gilpin (49), Bruce Weitz (67), Cilla Black (67), Louis Gossett Jr. (74), Lee Meriwether (75), Ramsey Lewis (75), Sumner Redstone (87) and Henry Kissinger (87)...
Timeline Countdown: 4 days until Memorial Day, 9 days until the Belmont Stakes, 24 days until Fathers' Day and 25 days until summer...
Proctor & Gamble increased its Q1 ad spending 17.7%, AT&T in a battle with Verizon upped their spending for the quarter by 26.7% while Verizon scaled back it's spending by 9.1%. Other big spenders included General Motors (+28.5%), telecom (+10.6%), Pfizer (+46.2%) and financial services (+10.1%). Kantar reports that while some media sectors enjoyed a greater lift than others, Q1 spending hikes "were broadly distributed across advertisers and categories, and that's an encouraging signal for the market going forward." ...
This uptick in ad spending marks the first quarterly increase since Q1 of 2008 and the most significant gain since the first three months of 2006. The big dark cloud that's been hovering over radio for what seems like forever, is starting to lift...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1668] New England justice: Three colonists are expelled from Massachusetts for being Baptists. Lighten up people!!!
2.1932] Debuted on this date: Massachusetts Governor Joseph Ely signs a bill making Sunday baseball possible at Fenway Park…1937] The Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County opens to “pedestrians only". On May 28th it opens to traffic…
3.1941] Sink The Bismarck: The British naval and air forces do! 2,300 are killed on the German battleship…
4.1957] Top 40 eh?: CHUM (AM) becomes Canada's first top 40 station...
5.1960] Catch this!: The Baltimore Orioles debut a giant catcher’s mitt, the size of Rhode Island, to help Clint Courtney catch Hoyt Wilhelm's knuckleball…
6.1968] Papa Bear hangs up his paws: George Halas retires after 48 years as coach of the Chicago Bears…
7.1969] Disney discovers Florida: Construction of Walt Disney World begins in Orlando. The theme park will open in 1971...
8.1995] Superman upended: Christopher Reeve is paralyzed when thrown from his horse during a jumping competition in Charlottesville (VA)…
9.1997] The Supes Rule: The Supreme Court rules that Paula Jones can pursue her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton while he is in office. It will eventually cost Clinton $850,000 to settle the case...
10.1998] Guilty as charged: The government’s star witness in the Oklahoma City bombing case, Michael Fortier is sentenced to 12 years in prison for not apologizing for not warning anyone about the deadly plot...
Music Memories:
•1957] Released on this date: "That'll Be The Day" - Buddy Holly & The Crickets ...1962] "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" LP...
Commentary:
Art Linkletter started his career in radio in the 40's but will mostly be remembered for hosting such highly rated television shows as House Party, Kids Say The Darndest Things and People Are Funny. There was no one better at interviewing kids, which led to a successful series of books quoting children. In his autobiography, Confessions of a Happy Man (1960) he revealed that he had had no contact with his natural parents or his sister or two brothers since being abandoned in Canada when just a few weeks old. Linkletter was adopted by Mary and Fulton John Linkletter and later moved to the United States. Linkletter died yesterday two months before his 98th birthday. No cause of death was given...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Jamie Oliver (35), Jack ('30 Rock') McBrayer (37), Todd Bridges (45), Peri Gilpin (49), Bruce Weitz (67), Cilla Black (67), Louis Gossett Jr. (74), Lee Meriwether (75), Ramsey Lewis (75), Sumner Redstone (87) and Henry Kissinger (87)...
Timeline Countdown: 4 days until Memorial Day, 9 days until the Belmont Stakes, 24 days until Fathers' Day and 25 days until summer...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Renaissance Man Smulyan Goes Private...
When asked why he's taking his company, Emmis Communications private, here's how Founder, Chairman/CEO Jeff Smulyan responded: "Because I would rather be private than public if it's humanly possible. It's hard to be a public broadcasting entity these days. Wall Street doesn't love us. They don't love radio, they certainly don't love newspapers and magazines." Smulyan got his wish with the announcement that Emmis has signed a definitive merger agreement under which his new company JS Acquisitions, will take the company private. Smulyan who expanded Emmis Communications into the broadcast TV business in 1998 only to disband it all just a few years later, recently predicted that radio is about to experience a renaissance...
Smulyan explained his renaissance prediction by saying that "People are going to realize that the terrestrial distribution mechanism is an incredibly efficient distribution system. The thing we have in radio that we don't have in TV is, we have that one-to-everyone link that's efficient. There's no filters, there's no third party, there's no satellite, there's no cable." One of Smulyan's goals is to get FM receivers in all mobile devices, "It's pretty much becoming ubiquitous around the world. There have probably been a billion cell phones sold around the world with radios in them. We're making great progress here, having gotten great interest from the FCC and Congress about the issue." ...
Smulyan's attempt to take Emmis private won't go unchallenged. When making his plans known in April, at least half a dozen law firms were planning to investigate the impact on shareholders, and two suits have been filed, claiming the share price (the cash tender is $2.40 a share for common stock and an exchange offer of notes due 2017 for preferred stock) is too low. Shares at closing yesterday were $2.14 per share...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1868] Acquittal: President Andrew Johnson is acquitted (by 1 vote) of all charges in his impeachment trial...
2.1896] How now Dow Jones?: The Dow is published for the 1st time with the average price of the 11 initial stocks at $40.94, a bloody fortune in 1896...
3.1959] Wake me up before you throw-throw: The word "Frisbee" becomes a registered trademark of Wham-O...
4.1959] No one's perfect: Harvey Haddix of the Pirates pitches 12 perfect innings but loses in the 13th on the 1st hit he gives up - a Joe Adcock home run...
5.1972] Can you pass the SALT?: SALT 1 is signed by the U.S. and USSR putting a freeze on the testing and deployment of land and sub based ICBMs and ballistic missiles for 5 years...
6.1977] Who needs Spiderman: George H. Willig is arrested after he scales the South Tower of the WTC in 3 1/2 hours (or about the time it takes to get crosstown)... 7.1978] You can bet on it: The first legal casino in the eastern U.S. opens in Atlantic City...
8.1994] And somewhere Elvis is kvelling: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley secretly wed in the Dominican Republic. They divorce 19 months later. I wish they would've kept it a secret from us...
9.1998] Now you tell us: The Supreme Court rules that Ellis Island, historic gateway for millions of immigrants, is mainly in New Jersey, not New York...
10.2004] Guilty as charged: Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing. He receives 161 consecutive life sentences. Not enough for that crime...
Music Memories:
•1959] #1 on this date: "The Battle of New Orleans" - Johnny Horton...1970] "Everything is Beautiful" - Ray Stevens...1980] "Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc...
•1965] On Shindig!: The Rolling Stones, Jackie DeShannon, Sonny & Cher and Jimmy Rodgers...
•1973] Released on this date: "Smoke On The Water" - Deep Purple...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Lenny Kravitz (46), Bobcat Goldthwait (48), 'Miami Vice's' Philip Michael Thomas (61), Hank Williams Jr. (61), Stevie Nicks (62), Levon Helm (70), Brent Musburger (71) and James Arness (87)...
Timeline Countdown: 5 days until Memorial Day, 10 days until the Belmont Stakes, 25 days until Father's Day & 26 days until summer...
Smulyan explained his renaissance prediction by saying that "People are going to realize that the terrestrial distribution mechanism is an incredibly efficient distribution system. The thing we have in radio that we don't have in TV is, we have that one-to-everyone link that's efficient. There's no filters, there's no third party, there's no satellite, there's no cable." One of Smulyan's goals is to get FM receivers in all mobile devices, "It's pretty much becoming ubiquitous around the world. There have probably been a billion cell phones sold around the world with radios in them. We're making great progress here, having gotten great interest from the FCC and Congress about the issue." ...
Smulyan's attempt to take Emmis private won't go unchallenged. When making his plans known in April, at least half a dozen law firms were planning to investigate the impact on shareholders, and two suits have been filed, claiming the share price (the cash tender is $2.40 a share for common stock and an exchange offer of notes due 2017 for preferred stock) is too low. Shares at closing yesterday were $2.14 per share...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1868] Acquittal: President Andrew Johnson is acquitted (by 1 vote) of all charges in his impeachment trial...
2.1896] How now Dow Jones?: The Dow is published for the 1st time with the average price of the 11 initial stocks at $40.94, a bloody fortune in 1896...
3.1959] Wake me up before you throw-throw: The word "Frisbee" becomes a registered trademark of Wham-O...
4.1959] No one's perfect: Harvey Haddix of the Pirates pitches 12 perfect innings but loses in the 13th on the 1st hit he gives up - a Joe Adcock home run...
5.1972] Can you pass the SALT?: SALT 1 is signed by the U.S. and USSR putting a freeze on the testing and deployment of land and sub based ICBMs and ballistic missiles for 5 years...
6.1977] Who needs Spiderman: George H. Willig is arrested after he scales the South Tower of the WTC in 3 1/2 hours (or about the time it takes to get crosstown)... 7.1978] You can bet on it: The first legal casino in the eastern U.S. opens in Atlantic City...
8.1994] And somewhere Elvis is kvelling: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley secretly wed in the Dominican Republic. They divorce 19 months later. I wish they would've kept it a secret from us...
9.1998] Now you tell us: The Supreme Court rules that Ellis Island, historic gateway for millions of immigrants, is mainly in New Jersey, not New York...
10.2004] Guilty as charged: Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing. He receives 161 consecutive life sentences. Not enough for that crime...
Music Memories:
•1959] #1 on this date: "The Battle of New Orleans" - Johnny Horton...1970] "Everything is Beautiful" - Ray Stevens...1980] "Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc...
•1965] On Shindig!: The Rolling Stones, Jackie DeShannon, Sonny & Cher and Jimmy Rodgers...
•1973] Released on this date: "Smoke On The Water" - Deep Purple...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Lenny Kravitz (46), Bobcat Goldthwait (48), 'Miami Vice's' Philip Michael Thomas (61), Hank Williams Jr. (61), Stevie Nicks (62), Levon Helm (70), Brent Musburger (71) and James Arness (87)...
Timeline Countdown: 5 days until Memorial Day, 10 days until the Belmont Stakes, 25 days until Father's Day & 26 days until summer...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Old Media Should Be Paying Attention To New Media...
A new Pew Research study shows that while new media still relies on old media for information, mainstream news outlets didn't "follow new media's agenda." Mainstream would do well to do so. Pew found only one story, the controversy related to emails from climate change researchers, that was a major story first on the blogs before it later gained more attention from traditional media. Pew Center's deputy director, Amy Mitchell believes that "As social media sites and tools continue to evolve, so too will the interplay among new and traditional outlets and citizen's relationship to the news." The study found that blogs in particular still rely on traditional news sources such as newspapers and broadcast news outlets for their information. More than 99% of the stories linked to on blogs came from traditional news sources, with 80% of those links coming from the BBC, CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Only 50% of Twitter Tweets were linked to "legacy" sources...
The Pew study found the three types of new media differed in their news agendas, with blogs - evenly split among conservatives and liberals, "gravitating toward stories that elicited emotion, concerned individual or group rights or triggered ideological passion." Twitter posts tended to focus on passing on important information, while YouTube users engaging not through comments but through selection and sharing" of videos, according to the center. The study covered the news linked to millions of blogs and social media pages tracked by Icerocket and Technorati for one year starting in January 19, 2009 and ending on January 15, 2010, and also studied YouTube's news channel videos during the same period. It examined news stories linked to in Tweets and monitored from June 15, 2009 through January 15, 2010...
While the results of this Pew study are valuable, it doesn't take an elaborate research project to find the pulse of social websites. It's pure emotion. People are more candid on social nets then they are face-to-face. Bloggers, for the most part - have an agenda while social network users are consumed with passing on their own personal information, whether you care to share it or not. This includes ego-driven celebrities, too. Quotes from sports stars made on social networks often appear in newspapers and magazines. As the line between traditional media news and new media news becomes thinner, instead of just plugging their social network links, radio and TV should also be reading public blogs and checking the social links for stories...
10 Timeline Memories...
1.1925] Guilty as charged: John T. Scopes is indicted in Tennessee for teaching 'Darwin's theory of evolution'...
2.1935] Bye bye Bab(e)y: Babe Ruth hits his 714th and final home run as a member of the Boston Braves. The blast reportedly traveled more than 600 feet...
3.1951] Say Hey: Future Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays debuts with the New York Giants...
4.1961] To the moon Alice: President John F. Kennedy asks America to work toward putting a man on the moon...
5.1969] Everybody's Talking: "Midnight Cowboy" premieres in New York City. Ron Lundy's voice is heard in this clip...
6.1978] Eclipse of the moon: Keith Moon plays with The Who for the last time. In September he will OD at 32...
7.1979] Tragedy at O'Hare: An American Airlines DC-10 crashes on takeoff from O'Hare International in Chicago killing all 271 on board and 2 on the ground...
8.1986] Put your hand in the hand: An estimated 7 million people form a line for "Hands Across America" to raise money for the nation's hungry and homeless...
9.1992] He's baaack: Jay Leno debuts as the new host of NBC-TV's "Tonight Show", succeeding Johnny Carson...
10.2006] Gotcha: Former Enron Corp. chiefs Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling are convicted of conspiracy and fraud for the company's downfall. Skilling is sentenced to 24 years in prison; Lay died before he could be sentenced...
Music Memories:
•1962] Released on this date: "Twist and Shout" - Isley Brothers...1968] "Jumping Jack Flash" - Rolling Stones...
•1969] Recorded on this date: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -Hollies...
•1975] #1 on this date: "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" - Freddy Fender...1983] "Flashdance...What a Feeling" - Irene Cara...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anne Heche (41), Mike Myers (47), Karen Valentine (63), Leslie Uggams (67), Jessi Colter (67), Tom T. Hall (74), Cookie Gilchrist (75), K.C. Jones (78) and Hal David (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Memorial Day, 11 days until the Belmont Stakes, 26 days until Father's Day & 27 days until summer...
The Pew study found the three types of new media differed in their news agendas, with blogs - evenly split among conservatives and liberals, "gravitating toward stories that elicited emotion, concerned individual or group rights or triggered ideological passion." Twitter posts tended to focus on passing on important information, while YouTube users engaging not through comments but through selection and sharing" of videos, according to the center. The study covered the news linked to millions of blogs and social media pages tracked by Icerocket and Technorati for one year starting in January 19, 2009 and ending on January 15, 2010, and also studied YouTube's news channel videos during the same period. It examined news stories linked to in Tweets and monitored from June 15, 2009 through January 15, 2010...
While the results of this Pew study are valuable, it doesn't take an elaborate research project to find the pulse of social websites. It's pure emotion. People are more candid on social nets then they are face-to-face. Bloggers, for the most part - have an agenda while social network users are consumed with passing on their own personal information, whether you care to share it or not. This includes ego-driven celebrities, too. Quotes from sports stars made on social networks often appear in newspapers and magazines. As the line between traditional media news and new media news becomes thinner, instead of just plugging their social network links, radio and TV should also be reading public blogs and checking the social links for stories...
10 Timeline Memories...
1.1925] Guilty as charged: John T. Scopes is indicted in Tennessee for teaching 'Darwin's theory of evolution'...
2.1935] Bye bye Bab(e)y: Babe Ruth hits his 714th and final home run as a member of the Boston Braves. The blast reportedly traveled more than 600 feet...
3.1951] Say Hey: Future Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays debuts with the New York Giants...
4.1961] To the moon Alice: President John F. Kennedy asks America to work toward putting a man on the moon...
5.1969] Everybody's Talking: "Midnight Cowboy" premieres in New York City. Ron Lundy's voice is heard in this clip...
6.1978] Eclipse of the moon: Keith Moon plays with The Who for the last time. In September he will OD at 32...
7.1979] Tragedy at O'Hare: An American Airlines DC-10 crashes on takeoff from O'Hare International in Chicago killing all 271 on board and 2 on the ground...
8.1986] Put your hand in the hand: An estimated 7 million people form a line for "Hands Across America" to raise money for the nation's hungry and homeless...
9.1992] He's baaack: Jay Leno debuts as the new host of NBC-TV's "Tonight Show", succeeding Johnny Carson...
10.2006] Gotcha: Former Enron Corp. chiefs Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling are convicted of conspiracy and fraud for the company's downfall. Skilling is sentenced to 24 years in prison; Lay died before he could be sentenced...
Music Memories:
•1962] Released on this date: "Twist and Shout" - Isley Brothers...1968] "Jumping Jack Flash" - Rolling Stones...
•1969] Recorded on this date: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -Hollies...
•1975] #1 on this date: "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" - Freddy Fender...1983] "Flashdance...What a Feeling" - Irene Cara...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anne Heche (41), Mike Myers (47), Karen Valentine (63), Leslie Uggams (67), Jessi Colter (67), Tom T. Hall (74), Cookie Gilchrist (75), K.C. Jones (78) and Hal David (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Memorial Day, 11 days until the Belmont Stakes, 26 days until Father's Day & 27 days until summer...
Monday, May 24, 2010
Unpaid Performance Royalty Millions Pile Up...
The recent announcement by Digital Music News that $200 million in unpaid performance royalty money is piling up has been confirmed by SoundExhange. Besides being an embarrassment for SoundExchange, what does it say about properly dispersing performance royalties? SoundExchange is designated by the Librarian of Congress as the sole organization authorized to collect royalties paid by services required to 'pay for play' music by performers. SoundExhange is also designated by the U.S. Copyright Office to distribute collected royalties to copyright owners and performers entitled to those royalties. So why is there $200 million collecting dust and possibly interest in the coffers of SoundExhange???
Most of the $200 million "highlights the problems this organization is facing locating performing artists" according to Digital Music News. The problem, SoundExhange says, is in part caused by the booming popularity of online radio. "The whole industry is increasing year-over-year", says SoundExchange executive Laura Williams. "We're just part of, or more accurately a reflection of, that explosion." SoundExhange was questioned why services like Pandora have to pay "such heavy royalties if the money ends up in a holding tank, with large amounts undistributed?" Pandora reportedly spent $30 million of their $50 million revenues in 2009 on royalties. Pandora founder Tim Westergren defended SoundExchange saying that "As a musician myself, that musicians need to step up here. I don't think SoundExchange is trying to hold on to money. It's just remarkably hard to get musicians to take the initiative." ...
At least one attorney reviewing the situation noted that "any non-profit (which SoundExchange is) carrying more than $200 million on its books has a serious problem." Here are the questions I have for SoundExchange: 1) If the $200 million is gaining interest is the amount of interest deducted from future payments?, 2) What happens to unpaid royalties that for one reason or another cannot be disbursed?, 3) Can you devise a better system of making royalty disbursements? (If not) 4) why should you continue be authorized by Congress to collect performance royalties???
10 Timeline Memories...
1.1844] Debuted on this date: Samuel Morse transmits the message: "What hath God wrought?" from Washington to Baltimore as he opens America's 1st telegraph line. His assistant, Alfred Vail who receives the message says: "Huh?"...
2.1883] Happy 127th: The Brooklyn Bridge opens to the public...
3.1935] Let there be light: Cincinnati and Philadelphia play the 1st major league night game with the Reds on top 2-1. FDR pushes a button in Washington to turn the lights on...
4.1958] Wedding Bells: UPI is formed by a merger of United Press and the International News Service...
5.1974] The curtain comes down: The last "Dean Martin Show" airs on NBC-TV after a run of 9 years. This is a clip containing bloopers of one of Dino's shows...
6.1974] "Happy Trails": Jazz great Duke Ellington passes away from pneumonia and lung cancer. Sir Duke was 75...
7.1987] Like father, like son: Al Unser, Sr. wins his 4th Indy 500 at the age of 47. Four years later, same date in 1991, Al Unser, Jr. wins it, making junior the first, second-generation winner...
8.1988] Recordbreakingtalk: John Moschittasetsarecordforfasttalkingwith586wordsperminute...
9.1994] Guilty as charged: Four men are convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in 1993. Each receives a sentence of 240 years in prison and a free ticket to burn in hell...
10.2000] Slaughter House: Five are killed, two wounded when 2 gunmen enter a Wendy's in Flushing. The gunmen tie up the victims in the basement and shoot them. This was one of the most heinous crimes in New York City history...
Music Memories:
•1969] Lip syncing on 'American Bandstand': The Guess Who do "These Eyes" and "Laughing"...
•1974] On "Midnight Special": Richard Pryor hosts musical guests Olivia Newton-John and Boz Scaggs...
•1964] #1 on this date: "Love Me Do" - The Beatles...1969] "Get Back" - The Beatles... 1975] "Shining Star" - Earth, Wind & Fire...1984] "Let's Hear It For The Boy" - Deniece Williams...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Rich Appel (53), Roseanne Cash (55), Priscilla Presley (65), Patti LaBelle aka Patricia Holt (66), Gary ('Radar' of *M*A*S*H) Burghoff (67), Bob Dylan (69) and Tommy Chong (72)...
Timeline Countdown: 7 days until Memorial Day, 12 days until the Belmont Stakes, 27 days until Father's Day and 28 days until summer...
Most of the $200 million "highlights the problems this organization is facing locating performing artists" according to Digital Music News. The problem, SoundExhange says, is in part caused by the booming popularity of online radio. "The whole industry is increasing year-over-year", says SoundExchange executive Laura Williams. "We're just part of, or more accurately a reflection of, that explosion." SoundExhange was questioned why services like Pandora have to pay "such heavy royalties if the money ends up in a holding tank, with large amounts undistributed?" Pandora reportedly spent $30 million of their $50 million revenues in 2009 on royalties. Pandora founder Tim Westergren defended SoundExchange saying that "As a musician myself, that musicians need to step up here. I don't think SoundExchange is trying to hold on to money. It's just remarkably hard to get musicians to take the initiative." ...
At least one attorney reviewing the situation noted that "any non-profit (which SoundExchange is) carrying more than $200 million on its books has a serious problem." Here are the questions I have for SoundExchange: 1) If the $200 million is gaining interest is the amount of interest deducted from future payments?, 2) What happens to unpaid royalties that for one reason or another cannot be disbursed?, 3) Can you devise a better system of making royalty disbursements? (If not) 4) why should you continue be authorized by Congress to collect performance royalties???
10 Timeline Memories...
1.1844] Debuted on this date: Samuel Morse transmits the message: "What hath God wrought?" from Washington to Baltimore as he opens America's 1st telegraph line. His assistant, Alfred Vail who receives the message says: "Huh?"...
2.1883] Happy 127th: The Brooklyn Bridge opens to the public...
3.1935] Let there be light: Cincinnati and Philadelphia play the 1st major league night game with the Reds on top 2-1. FDR pushes a button in Washington to turn the lights on...
4.1958] Wedding Bells: UPI is formed by a merger of United Press and the International News Service...
5.1974] The curtain comes down: The last "Dean Martin Show" airs on NBC-TV after a run of 9 years. This is a clip containing bloopers of one of Dino's shows...
6.1974] "Happy Trails": Jazz great Duke Ellington passes away from pneumonia and lung cancer. Sir Duke was 75...
7.1987] Like father, like son: Al Unser, Sr. wins his 4th Indy 500 at the age of 47. Four years later, same date in 1991, Al Unser, Jr. wins it, making junior the first, second-generation winner...
8.1988] Recordbreakingtalk: John Moschittasetsarecordforfasttalkingwith586wordsperminute...
9.1994] Guilty as charged: Four men are convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in 1993. Each receives a sentence of 240 years in prison and a free ticket to burn in hell...
10.2000] Slaughter House: Five are killed, two wounded when 2 gunmen enter a Wendy's in Flushing. The gunmen tie up the victims in the basement and shoot them. This was one of the most heinous crimes in New York City history...
Music Memories:
•1969] Lip syncing on 'American Bandstand': The Guess Who do "These Eyes" and "Laughing"...
•1974] On "Midnight Special": Richard Pryor hosts musical guests Olivia Newton-John and Boz Scaggs...
•1964] #1 on this date: "Love Me Do" - The Beatles...1969] "Get Back" - The Beatles... 1975] "Shining Star" - Earth, Wind & Fire...1984] "Let's Hear It For The Boy" - Deniece Williams...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Rich Appel (53), Roseanne Cash (55), Priscilla Presley (65), Patti LaBelle aka Patricia Holt (66), Gary ('Radar' of *M*A*S*H) Burghoff (67), Bob Dylan (69) and Tommy Chong (72)...
Timeline Countdown: 7 days until Memorial Day, 12 days until the Belmont Stakes, 27 days until Father's Day and 28 days until summer...
Friday, May 21, 2010
NPR Leads Radio In New Media Growth...
(Weekend Edition)...
They may be National Public Radio, depend on grants and public donations to survive but no website is as thoroughly complete as NPR's. They'll find any NPR station you're looking for, offer newsletters, podcasts, mobile, RSS feeds, widgets and more and then tell you what and how to get it. It's not the flashiest but is the most complete website you'll find. Not only do they have the most functional website in radio, they also lead the medium in new media growth. Five years ago, NPR entered the digital age with podcasts. According to the head of NPR Digital Media, Robert Spier, the lessons NPR learned provided the jumping off point for later content dissemination and engagement via the mobile web and mobile application. "We started podcasting at the right moment - we couldn't have timed it better"...
NPR didn't stop there. They built off the success of podcasting, moved into mobile technology to reach out to their current audience while attracting new listeners. They launched NPR Mobile in the summer of 2007 in an experimental partnership with ten member stations. NPR has since diversified its mobile strategy with apps. The NPR iPhone app had 1 million downloads in its first month. All the apps are free to users. Digital media like NPR's core operations are funded through underwriters and donations. Some of the local stations choose to charge but the nation-wide service is free...
It's ironic that Radio Advertising Bureau President Jeff Haley just told the BIA/Kelsey Digital Strategies for Broadcasting conference "Explode your brand, explode your content into as many places as possible. To me, this is a very exciting time in radio. We are coming back from the abyss." You mean like NPR has already done Jeff???
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1927] Touchdown: Charles A. Lindbergh lands his “Spirit of St. Louis” near Paris completing the first solo flight across the Atlantic (5/21)…
2.1934] They're young, they're in love and they kill people: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are shot and killed in an ambush set up by former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (5/23)...
3.1960] Musical call letters: WRCA changes call letters back to WNBC (5/23). To whoever was responsible: Thank you. On October 7, 1988, WNBC signs off forever...
4.1968] Buried at sea: The nuclear powered submarine USS Scorpion with 99 men aboard is heard from for the last time. The remains of the sub are later found on the ocean floor 400 miles southwest of the Azores (5/21)…
5.1977] Rounding second and heading for third: Seattle Slew wins The Preakness Stakes and will become the first of two consecutive Triple Crown winners (Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner, wins in 1978) when he wins the Belmont Stakes in June (5/21)...
6.1979] Guilty as charged: Former San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. Believe it or not, White uses the “Twinkie” defense, claiming that junk food fueled his rampage (5/21)…
7.1980] Wedding Bells: Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue swap "I Do's" (5/22). They're still happily married...
8.1990] Just a dream, just a dream: Bob Newhart closes out his “Newhart” series by waking up Emily (his TV wife played by Suzanne Pleshette) and realizing that his new series about his life as an innkeeper was a dream. It’s the final first-run episode of the series that ran 8 seasons (5/21)…
9.1992] One more for the road: Johnny Carson hosts his final "Tonight Show" with Bette Midler singing to him (5/22). Johnny started hosting the show on October 2, 1962...
10.2002] Once was lost, now is found: The remains of Chandra Levy are found in a Washington (DC) park (5/22). California Congressman Gary Condit is questioned because of his personal relationship with the intern but is never charged with the crime...
Music Memories:
•1955] Recorded on this date: Chess Records new artist Chuck Berry records his 1st single, "Ida Red". During the session Leonard Chess changes the title to "Maybelline" (5/21)...
•1961] #1 on this date: "Mother-In-Law" - Ernie K-Doe (5/22)...1966] "When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge (although Michael Bolton tops the charts in 1991 with his version, Percy's is still the best (5/22)...1972] "Oh Girl" - Chi-Lites (Paul Young would cover this song years later with a very good version but there's nothing like the original one (5/22)...
•1966] Released on this date: "Paperback Writer/Rain" - Beatles (5/23)...1971] "Ram" LP - Paul McCartney (5/21)...
•2002] Celebrate good times, c'mon: American Bandstand celebrates its 50th anniversary (5/23)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/21) Lisa (Cuddy on "House") Edelstein (44), Mr. T, a.k.a. Lawrence Tero Tureaud (58), Al Franken (59), Leo Sayer (62), Marcie Blane (66), Ronnie Isley (69) the lead singer of the Isley Brothers & Ara Parseghian (87)...(5/22) Naomi Campbell (40), Mike Breen (49), Bernie Taupin (60), Bernard Shaw (70), Richard Benjamin (72), Peter Nero (76), Charles Aznavour (86) and Judith Crist (88)...(5/23) Jewel (Kilcher) (36), Drew Carey (52), Mitch Albom (52), Buck Showalter (54), Marvelous Marvin Hagler (58), General aka Norman Johnson (67), Joan Collins (77), Barbara Barrie (79) and Betty Garrett (91)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Memorial Day, 15 days until the Belmont Stakes, 30 days until Father's Day & 31 days until summer...
They may be National Public Radio, depend on grants and public donations to survive but no website is as thoroughly complete as NPR's. They'll find any NPR station you're looking for, offer newsletters, podcasts, mobile, RSS feeds, widgets and more and then tell you what and how to get it. It's not the flashiest but is the most complete website you'll find. Not only do they have the most functional website in radio, they also lead the medium in new media growth. Five years ago, NPR entered the digital age with podcasts. According to the head of NPR Digital Media, Robert Spier, the lessons NPR learned provided the jumping off point for later content dissemination and engagement via the mobile web and mobile application. "We started podcasting at the right moment - we couldn't have timed it better"...
NPR didn't stop there. They built off the success of podcasting, moved into mobile technology to reach out to their current audience while attracting new listeners. They launched NPR Mobile in the summer of 2007 in an experimental partnership with ten member stations. NPR has since diversified its mobile strategy with apps. The NPR iPhone app had 1 million downloads in its first month. All the apps are free to users. Digital media like NPR's core operations are funded through underwriters and donations. Some of the local stations choose to charge but the nation-wide service is free...
It's ironic that Radio Advertising Bureau President Jeff Haley just told the BIA/Kelsey Digital Strategies for Broadcasting conference "Explode your brand, explode your content into as many places as possible. To me, this is a very exciting time in radio. We are coming back from the abyss." You mean like NPR has already done Jeff???
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1927] Touchdown: Charles A. Lindbergh lands his “Spirit of St. Louis” near Paris completing the first solo flight across the Atlantic (5/21)…
2.1934] They're young, they're in love and they kill people: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are shot and killed in an ambush set up by former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (5/23)...
3.1960] Musical call letters: WRCA changes call letters back to WNBC (5/23). To whoever was responsible: Thank you. On October 7, 1988, WNBC signs off forever...
4.1968] Buried at sea: The nuclear powered submarine USS Scorpion with 99 men aboard is heard from for the last time. The remains of the sub are later found on the ocean floor 400 miles southwest of the Azores (5/21)…
5.1977] Rounding second and heading for third: Seattle Slew wins The Preakness Stakes and will become the first of two consecutive Triple Crown winners (Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner, wins in 1978) when he wins the Belmont Stakes in June (5/21)...
6.1979] Guilty as charged: Former San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. Believe it or not, White uses the “Twinkie” defense, claiming that junk food fueled his rampage (5/21)…
7.1980] Wedding Bells: Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue swap "I Do's" (5/22). They're still happily married...
8.1990] Just a dream, just a dream: Bob Newhart closes out his “Newhart” series by waking up Emily (his TV wife played by Suzanne Pleshette) and realizing that his new series about his life as an innkeeper was a dream. It’s the final first-run episode of the series that ran 8 seasons (5/21)…
9.1992] One more for the road: Johnny Carson hosts his final "Tonight Show" with Bette Midler singing to him (5/22). Johnny started hosting the show on October 2, 1962...
10.2002] Once was lost, now is found: The remains of Chandra Levy are found in a Washington (DC) park (5/22). California Congressman Gary Condit is questioned because of his personal relationship with the intern but is never charged with the crime...
Music Memories:
•1955] Recorded on this date: Chess Records new artist Chuck Berry records his 1st single, "Ida Red". During the session Leonard Chess changes the title to "Maybelline" (5/21)...
•1961] #1 on this date: "Mother-In-Law" - Ernie K-Doe (5/22)...1966] "When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge (although Michael Bolton tops the charts in 1991 with his version, Percy's is still the best (5/22)...1972] "Oh Girl" - Chi-Lites (Paul Young would cover this song years later with a very good version but there's nothing like the original one (5/22)...
•1966] Released on this date: "Paperback Writer/Rain" - Beatles (5/23)...1971] "Ram" LP - Paul McCartney (5/21)...
•2002] Celebrate good times, c'mon: American Bandstand celebrates its 50th anniversary (5/23)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/21) Lisa (Cuddy on "House") Edelstein (44), Mr. T, a.k.a. Lawrence Tero Tureaud (58), Al Franken (59), Leo Sayer (62), Marcie Blane (66), Ronnie Isley (69) the lead singer of the Isley Brothers & Ara Parseghian (87)...(5/22) Naomi Campbell (40), Mike Breen (49), Bernie Taupin (60), Bernard Shaw (70), Richard Benjamin (72), Peter Nero (76), Charles Aznavour (86) and Judith Crist (88)...(5/23) Jewel (Kilcher) (36), Drew Carey (52), Mitch Albom (52), Buck Showalter (54), Marvelous Marvin Hagler (58), General aka Norman Johnson (67), Joan Collins (77), Barbara Barrie (79) and Betty Garrett (91)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Memorial Day, 15 days until the Belmont Stakes, 30 days until Father's Day & 31 days until summer...
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