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| Back To Where He Once Belonged
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Paul McCartney has come home to Capitol Records, signing a worldwide recording agreement that encompasses his entire body of post-Beatles work, from his 1970 McCartney album, through his decade with Wings, to his other solo and collaborative works. "This is genuinely exciting for me," said McCartney, whose stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (both solo and with The Beatles) are enshrined in the sidewalk outside the Capitol Tower in Hollywood. "Not only was Capitol my first U.S. record label, but the first record I ever bought was Gene Vincent's 'Be-Bop-A-Lula' on the Capitol label."
The deal was announced by Steve Barnett, Capitol Music Group Chairman & CEO, who commented, "Paul McCartney's association with Capitol has long defined so much of our historic legacy, and all of us here are extremely proud and honored that he has chosen to come back home. Paul's indelible contributions to our culture are second to none, and his constant evolution as an artist and performer continues to inspire and enrich the lives of countless millions of people. We are overjoyed that Paul will be creating new music for years to come, and that Capitol will be helping to present it to the world."
Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, said, "It would be simply impossible to overstate what an honor it is to welcome Paul back to Capitol. It's a homecoming of one of the greatest musical artists of all time to the label that first helped bring his incredible music to the world. Paul's astonishing career has shown no limits -- in creativity, in commercial longevity, and in its impact on people and cultures in every corner of the globe. We are thrilled at both Capitol and UMG to be able to contribute to the next chapter in Paul's extraordinary career."
Michele Anthony, UMG's EVP of U.S. Recorded Music, added, "Paul's vital and legendary body of work as a solo artist remains essential, relevant and so highly in demand. We're beyond thrilled at the opportunity to put the global resources of Universal Music behind Paul's forthcoming work, as well as introducing his previous iconic albums to new generations of fans around the world." McCartney is currently working on a new studio album, while his catalogue will migrate to Capitol/UMe from Concord.
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| MSG Buys 12% Of Townsquare
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The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) has acquired about a 12 percent common equity stake in Townsquare Media, Inc. How'd that deal go down, you ask? MSG purchased approximately 3.2 million shares of GE Capital's Class C Common Stock in a private transaction, which represents an approximately 12% common equity interest in Townsquare, the country's third-largest radio owner with 310 stations in 66 markets and assorted digital media assets. The company's live offerings also include approximately 550 events in the U.S. and Canada that attract nearly 18 million attendees each year, thanks to its ownership of North American Midway Entertainment. "We are thrilled that MSG has elected to become a shareholder of our Company, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future," said a clearly thrilled Steven Price, Townsquare Chairman and CEO. "MSG is a leading provider of live entertainment with world-class venues and there is no doubt that we will benefit from having their support."
David O'Connor, President & CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, commented, "Using its diversified portfolio of radio stations, digital assets and live events, Townsquare creates compelling content that brings people together and builds communities. We understand and share their belief in the value of exceptional, live experiences, and look forward to working together through this new partnership -- which is another opportunity that our partner, Irving Azoff, brought to our attention -- to drive additional value and growth for both businesses." Azoff, Chairman & CEO of Azoff MSG Entertainment remarked, "I have had the opportunity to work with Steven and the Townsquare team closely this past year. These guys really excel and are a perfect complement to what we are building at Azoff MSG Entertainment. When this opportunity presented itself, my partners at MSG enthusiastically invested. I look forward to deepening our relationship and working on both existing and new projects with Townsquare and MSG."
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• Taylor Swift is generously donating $1 million to aid in Louisiana flood relief after torrential rains caused massive flooding in the state and killed at least 11 people. As Swift told The Associated Press, "We began The 1989 World Tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home. The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking."
The flooding is some of the worst in Louisiana history, with some 40,000 homes suffering damage. Over 30,000 people have been rescued since Friday, with more being brought to safety by the hour, and over 60,000 people have registered for disaster aid from FEMA, according to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards' office. Swift added, "I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time."
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• If you are anything like us, you have pretty much put your entire life on hold for the past two weeks in order to watch the Summer Olympics "on the networks of NBC," while marveling at the endless array of athletic events that range from spectacular (swimming, women's gymnastics) to the downright bizarre (badminton, two-person dinghy, etc.). In case you were unaware, the NBC Olympics promo announcer is none other than our longtime friend, voiceover maestro Steve Kamer, who has graciously lent his dulcet tones to the soundtrack of this massive worldwide event.
"I'm very proud to be lending my voice to the networks of NBC and the Rio Olympics," Kamer tells RAMP. "This is the sixth time I have been awarded this honor, and it still feels very special indeed. I strive to give the viewers a Gold Medal-performance each time I open the mic." When you get a moment, check out Mr. Kamer in all of his Olympic glory at SteveKamer.com.
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| Amazing Opportunities Available!
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• RAMP has confirmed that Skip Mahaffey will be stepping down as host of the Wake Up With The Wolf morning show on Cumulus Country KPLX (99.5 The Wolf)/Dallas on September 1. He had been in the position since December of 2014. Wolf PD Mac Daniels has now fired up a ceremonial flare to attract the attention of killer replacement candidates who can come plug in across from talented co-host Lisa Taylor. "This is the best gig in the country at 'America's Most-Listened-To Country Station!" Daniels tells RAMP.
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of large or major market on-air experience with a successful ratings history and the ability to work well in a team environment. Obviously you must possess solid show prep skills, the ability to deliver content creatively and concisely and a strong social media presence.
For immediate consideration for this position, please complete the online application process at cumulus.com/careers and send a resume, cover letter, aircheck and salary requirements to: Mac Daniels, c/o Cumulus Media Dallas, 3090 Olive Street, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75204 or email your package to jobs@995thewolf.com. No calls, please. Cumulus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Skip Mahaffey can be reached at skip@skipshow.com.
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• Scripps Top 40 KHTT (106.9 K-Hits)/Tulsa now has two key openings -- nights and morning co-host. Last week told you K-Hits evening entertainer Aly Presser was moving up to mornings -- the search is now on for a) a new K-Hits night jock, and b) a co-host for Presser's new morning show. As OM Steve Hunter describes the night gig, "We need someone who can do a morning show at night, work the phones and social media like no one else. This is a live full-time show! If you have mad imaging skillz, that is a plus."
Meanwhile, could you be the "Blank" half of Aly & "Blank" in the Morning? K-Hits is in the final phase of the search for Presser's morning co-host. If you want to be part of a live and local morning show working for a company that puts a lot of value on localism, this job is for you.
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• Beasley Media Group Las Vegas has re-upped market fixture Mike O'Brian to a new multi-year contract to remain in place as PD/wake-up artist on Classic Hits KKLZ. Market Manager Tom Humm said, "Mike O'Brian holds the distinction of being the longest-running morning show host in Las Vegas radio history! As Mike enjoys his 31st year, he continues to serve brilliantly as Program Director for KKLZ, an iconic brand in Las Vegas radio. We're extremely pleased Mike has agreed to stay with Beasley Media Group and we want him with us for years to come!"
O'Brian (left) commented, "I'm honored to work with our great staff here at 96.3 KKLZ and I'm so proud to work with my partner-in-crime in the morning, also known as my talented co-host, Carla Rea! I'm glad that the Beasley team and Market Manager Tom Humm have shown such faith and confidence in me. I'm just really grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve as Program Director, while I am living my lifelong dream as a record-breaking host of a fantastic morning radio show in Vegas, baby!" Your congratulatory emails can be sent to mike.obrian@bbgi.com.
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• Streaming service CÜR Media reportedly shuttered its operations on Tuesday and laid off all of its employees. One of those people adversely affected is veteran radio programmer Mark Edwards, who had served as CÜR Media's Music Technology Director since April of 2015. The news of the shutdown initially appeared yesterday on Music Business Worldwide.
Edwards' lengthy programming history includes WLIT/Chicago, WEJM/Philadelphia, WVRV & WSSM/St. Louis, KOSI/Denver, KYKY & KEZK/St. Louis and KZPT/Kansas City. More recently he served as SVP of Content Development for TeshMedia Group, and he continues to operate Mark Edwards Worldwide, his St. Louis-based consultancy. Edwards can be reached at at 773-336-2753 and edwardsmark@gmail.com, and his complete resume is posted online at http://hiremarke.com.
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| Toucher & Rich: A Decade Of Decadence
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We wanted to send our best wishes (and a fistful of Extra-Strength Tylenol) to Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb, who this week celebrated their 10th anniversary -- or 520th week -- on CBS Radio's WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub)/Boston. On Tuesday evening the guys hosted a sold-out, big-ass 10th Anniversary Broadcast at Boston's historic Wilbur Theater, and the finished product aired yesterday morning.
The gala event featured visits from former Boston Bruin Shawn Thornton, Mike Gorman, the TV voice of The Boston Celtics, former Celtic Brian Scalabrine and many others. According to Marketing Director Cha-Chi Loprete, the event featured an "98 Mile" rap battle between several of the Sports Hub personalities, along with a congratulatory video montage featuring celebs like Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Bob Saget, New England Patriots fave Rob Gronkowski and Team President Jonathan Kraft, hometown hero Mark Wahlberg and comedian Bill Burr. Jimmy Kimmel and his announcer Dicky Barrett (frontman for Boston's own Mighty Mighty Bosstones) also recorded a video in front of a live studio audience. Prior to the event a VIP party was held downstairs at The Cure for premium ticket holders and Sports Hub guests. A portion of the show's proceeds and t-shirt sales proceeds went to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Pictured here, at some point during the festivities, (l-r): Fred Toucher; Cha-Chi Loprete; Mike Thomas, VP of Sports Programming for CBS Radio & VP of Programming, CBS Radio Boston, and some dude claiming to be Rich Shertenlieb.
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The RAMP crew was recently invited out to a showcase by rising Lava/Republic star Stanaj. The venue just happened to be one of our favorite L.A. locations, the Sayers Club in Hollywood. To say the joint was packed would be an understatement, as the capacity crowd included Republic President/COO Avery Lipman, TV's Randy Jackson and a large contingent of Stanaj's incredibly close-knit and supportive family, including his proud and tearful mother, an aunt, several brothers, cousins, etc.
Backed by a tight band and several incredible back-up singers, Stanaj, who hails from Yonkers, NY, cranked through an amazingly soulful set that was peppered with entertaining between-songs observations. He kicked off the evening with "Goddess," followed by "Romantic," the forthcoming single, "Ain't Love Strange," and the final song, the powerful "Sleep Alone." Afterwards, we fought our way backstage to meet Stanaj's entire family and capture this souvenir photo -- From left, Jason Flom, CEO of Lava Records, RAMP's Kevin Carter, Stanaj and RAMP's Steve Resnik. [Photo credit: Fares Oz Soudani]
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• Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters is bringing "The Great American Songbook" to the Los Angeles market tomorrow, as the company announced it would flip KMZT-AM (K-Mozart)/Los Angeles from Classical to Adult Standards. The station will be rebranded as "Unforgettable AM 1260" and feature core artists like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Steve Tyrell, etc.
The new format will also be available on the HD3 channel of sister KKGO (Go Country 105.1), just in case. The Classical K-Mozart format will continue to be enjoyed on KKGO-HD2, and online at KMOZART.com.
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| • Dave Hooker has been named as the new co-Host of SportTalk, the long-running afternoon sports talk show on Cumulus Media's WGOW (TalkRadio 102.3)/Chattanooga, TN. Hooker (left) joins longtime SportTalk hosts Scott "Quake" McMahen and Joe "Cowboy" Varner and fills the position left by the untimely July 4 death of market legend Gary "Dr. Basketball" Haskew. Hooker will debut on SportTalk on Monday, August 29, from 4-7pm.
WGOW Interim PD Bill Lockhart said, "Dave will add a fresh new dimension to a show that’s been an afternoon destination for Chattanooga listeners for more than 27 years. Dave's knowledge and contacts, plus his radio, print, and digital experience will usher in a new era in Chattanooga radio."
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Newest Radio Hall Of Famer
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Elizabeth Ruiz, a three-decade fixture at Alpha Media News-Talk KTSA/San Antonio was inducted into the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame on Sunday, August 14. Alpha Media Operations Director Greg Martin commented, "Liz has been a credible voice in San Antonio for more than 30 years. Beyond her news credibility, Liz is also known for her charitable work around San Antonio having emceed hundreds of community events throughout the years."
Ruiz remarked, "It's truly an honor to be in the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame with such a distinguished class of 2016 inductees. I'm truly blessed to have worked with some of the best talent in the business for more than three decades and be part of the 'radio family' at KTSA and KTFM." Ruiz is a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame, the Edgewood Hall of Fame and Fiesta San Antonio's Order of the Cascaron, among numerous other honors and awards. The Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to recognize the accomplishments of radio broadcasters who worked in the San Antonio market from the 1920s to the present day.
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