The 2015 NAB/RAB Radio Show: Contagious Energy Abounding

The theme of the 2015 Radio Show may have been “Movin’ Up,” but a better moniker might have been “Heads Up!”

With Nielsen’s prominently positioned banner at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis proclaiming “93% listen to radio every day,” it was more than apparent that broadcasters are not only feeling optimistic about the future, but positive about the present.

Total attendance was up from 2,079 in 2014 to 2,170 this year. But those 100 new names don’t tell the real story: It’s about the faces: of youth. There is a new generation of future leaders that are jazzed—not so much about streaming or Pandora or tomorrow’s latest tech gizmo as much as they are—about AM/FM Radio.

The Opening Reception Tuesday was a case in point. In the mix were industry veterans, young guns, students, budding talent and all in between. With Steven Tyler’s backup band Loving Mary providing the tunes, attendees created their own rhythm—and it sure felt like a celebration of good things to come for radio.

Alongside name brands like John David, Erica Farber, George Beasley, Jeff Smulyan and Pierre Bouvard were 22-year-old syndicated on-air host Zach Sang; Tommy Page, who exited Pandora to head Cumulus’ Brand Partnerships; and any number of the 135 college students awarded registration scholarships to participate in the Radio Show.

The packed sessions only fueled the fire. Advertisers and their agencies joined the discussion, FCC officials were integrally involved, and we all talked about programmatic, connected cars, audience engagement, programming & sales strategies, and so much more.

As a trade journalist who has covered the Radio Show since 1988, I will say this was one of the most exhilarating and profound broadcasting conventions I can recall. Radio’s collective tail is no longer tucked. We’re fanning our feathers proudly. And that makes the future sound mighty bright.

Originally appeared in Inside Radio.

New Gig! Contributing To Industry's Leading Trade Pub 'Inside Radio'

Here's the skinny, as reported by Inside Radio. This is good. This is real real good.

Song Of The Week: 'Say Something' From A Great Big World

It's not often that I hear a song on the radio that actually makes the world come to a complete halt for 4 minutes. Today I was listening to Fresh 102.7 New York and the station played a tune that was so haltingly beautiful, so affecting, so simple and universal, that I ran for my iPhone to track it with Songza.

New U.S. duo A Great Big World previously released a song that found its way onto TV's "Glee," from their launch album "Is There Anybody Out There?"—but when Christina Aguilera heard and fell in love with the song, it was re-recorded with her adding background vocals and found critical mass.

The piano-driven ballad oozes heartache over a breakup, as Lover 1 implores Lover 2 to say something... anything... that might save the relationship.

Indie release "Say Something" was first heard on "So You Think You Can Dance," as a dance number between competitors on the "reality" show. When Xtina performed with A Great Big World on "The Voice," it hit No. 1 on iTunes and Billboard's Digital Chart, and ultimately, the top 10 in Canada and top 20 in the U.S.

Wowsah, it's not often that I hear much on radio anymore that fuels me to head to YouTube and explore a new song. This one... is so special. *

'Time Zone' Launches MONDAY On FMG Radio/Boomer Living-Plus!

Monday, 6/3, my new online radio show “Time Zone,” launches! Weekdays @ noon EDT and 9a Pacific & 7:30 EDT/4:40p Pacific.

Tune in to FMG Radio and click “Listen Live”!! Monday’s show: Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train” & Tuesday ONJ’s “Magic.” Sponsored by FMG and Boomer Living-Plus.

Coming June 3: Chuck Taylor's 'TIme Zone" On FMG Radio Network

P.S. I miss The Smoking Nun... Hopefully we'll be relaunching this summer!

CBS Radio Strips Music From NYC's FM Dial To Simulcast (Ugh) Sports

While covering radio for eight months earlier this year for Radio-Info.com (since sold and shuttered), a disconcerting trend was taking root nationwide: Many of the nation's mega-broadcast owners were shifting their AM talk programming to the FM dial. Every time this occurred in any market, I'd scowl, because it obviously meant that radio was tossing away a music station in its place.

As someone that has covered (and loved) radio for more than 25 years, I can't see this as anything but self-sabotage on the part of Clear Channel, CBS and the rest of the big boys. As the airwaves become increasingly irrelevant to new generations—thanks to such previous missteps as loading 16 minutes of commercials in an hour and replacing local talent with nationally syndicated personalities—the last thing companies should be doing is supplanting music with talk.

Today it was announced that CBS Radio is purchasing New York's 101.9 FM from Merlin Media for a reported $75 million. Their plan is to strip off alternative rock to simulcast Sports Radio WFAN-AM. What a fucking waste.

Mind you, it was only three months ago that 101.9 returned to rock, after a dismally failed experiment to air FM news on the frequency. The station was a no-go from the start—because it couldn't compete with New York's well-entrenched all-news WINS... at 1010 on the AM dial.

My teenage nephew explained to me a few years ago that the only thing he uses his car radio for is the plug-in for his iPod/iPhone. In fact, he had never listened to FM radio. Now... just wait until online "radio" is available in vehicles. Talk about the grand finale. How heartbreaking it is to see terrestrial radio continue to lodge its collective head up it arse. What an absolute pity. *

Reality Star Khloe Kardashian Adds To The 'Mix' On Dallas Radio

Good morning, cool cats. Thought I'd share a story I wrote for my journo gig at Radio-Info.com. I've streamlined it for the Nun; you can see the original version here.

When Jay Michaels landed the Program Director post five months ago at Clear Channel’s KDMX (Mix 102.9) Dallas, his mandate was to make the longtime Hot AC more than a female-friendly background companion. In a word, he aimed to make the station a lifestyle.

Mix is already trending up in the radio ratings, and now Michaels has put his money where the mic is. Starting January 30, Khloe Kardashian—yes, of reality show renown—joined Mix’s weekday line-up with “The Mixup with Khloe Kardashian Odom.” The show, which airs 12-1 p.m., includes celebrity call-ins, listener interaction and plenty of dish.

Kardashian and husband Lamar Odom became residents of Dallas last month when the NBA player was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks. It took Michaels about a minute to begin calculating a plan: “As soon as I heard Lamar and Khloe were moving to Dallas, I started thinking about what she could do for Mix,” he says. “We’re trying to brand the station as a destination for pop culture. It was a crazy idea, but I started digging around to find people I knew that knew her people.”

Michaels connected with Ryan Seacrest—heard via syndication in afternoon drive at Mix (as well as producer of the Kardashians franchise on E!)—which led to Khloe’s mom, Kris Jenner, and then to Khloe. “It was a long, crazy process,” he muses, but everyone involved was just tremendous.”

Following the show’s launch January 30, the PD is all the more certain that his new talent was destined for radio. “If Khloe were just a reality star with no personality and nothing to say—and we did this just for the publicity—it certainly wouldn’t work,” he says. “The fact is, she has all the elements you look for in on-air talent. She’s open and honest, educated, quick-witted and a natural at interviews. What she does in bare banter is brilliant. I can’t tell you how good she is.”

Each hour-long show comprises a celebrity or music guest phoner, along with Kardashian’s take on current pop culture, and call-in interaction with station listeners between the songs. On her first show, Khloe had mom Jenner alongside in the studio, and an interview with Kyle Richards, one of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Michaels says, “They’ve known each other for years, and they talked about being at each other’s house playing dress-up together. It’s great radio and different from gossip. Money can’t buy the conversation that went down between them.

“She’s funny and witty and very comfortable with whoever calls in. Nothing is off limits because she’s so open and honest,” Michaels adds.

Before “The Mixup with Khloe Kardashian Odom” even launched, reaction has been over the top. In addition to mountains of global consumer press, Michael says, “My email box is full with questions from people all over the world. Dallas-Fort Worth fans have given them the warmest welcome. People are chanting her name at Mavericks’ games. This is a kind and friendly city, and the response has been very welcoming.”

So, of course, the question that begs to be asked: Might Khloe, who has also been heard on other Clear Channel stations in the past, be primed for syndication? “We’re doing our best here and taking it one day at a time,” Michaels offers. “But I don’t believe there’s another female like this that’s syndicated in radio. We do have something unique. I think she will blow people away. It makes it a joy to come in every day and work your ass off.” *

Happiness Is: Realizing That 'Oldies' Radio Now Means The '80s

Every morn when I shower, my Hello Kitty radio in the bathroom (gimme a break, I found it in my building's trashroom, and it works!) is tuned to all-news 1010 WINS-AM, which gives me weather/headlines "in 22 minutes."

But somehow, no matter when I seem to click on, I've timed entry to :15 and :45 minutes after the hour... just when the endless, boring sports report comes on. With the New York Giants entering the Super Bowl in a week, it's all the more relentless.

Enough, already... I finally decided to change the dial Saturday morning, and landed on a station playing '80s Foreigner, followed by Olivia Newton-John. Stop right there... Five minutes later, I was admittedly horrified to discover that the outlet was "Oldies" WCBS-FM (101.1), which I always knew as the station that pounded Motown and dusty '70s hits.

Oops... Obviously the outlet is moving forward with its demographic... and I am now among its intended audience of 34-49. Wise thinking on the part of CBS Radio to recognize that its listeners are a constantly moving target. I'm well aware that top 40 typically makes my ears bleed (read: Black Eyed Peas) and NYC AC remains too sleepy and way too narrow for my tastes.

So it appears I've found a new favorite FM on the dial... and to add to the coup, WCBS offers online streaming specifically for the '60s, '70s and '80s. While writing this post, I've heard Duran Duran, Madonna, a-ha, Joan Jett and Bonnie Tyler. Nirvana, indeed.

Now if only the radio industry could convince anyone under 20 that the console built into their vehicle's dashboard offers free entertainment 24/7... Sadly, a decade ago, the biz replaced music with as much as 16 minutes of commercials an hour (thanks, Clear Channel) and replaced local DJs with syndicated programming, just as internet "radio" gained traction, eradicating new generations from bothering with radio. Perhaps there's no turning back... but for old-timers like me, radio is born again. *