(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Clear Channel Radio will begin production next month on Stripped — an exclusive, weekly in-studio performance series that will be available, on-demand, from Clear Channel Radio station Web sites. Artists from pop, adult contemporary, urban, country and rock formats will be featured with Rob Thomas, John Legend, Gavin DeGraw and Jesse McCartney up first.
All performances, which will be branded as local-station programming, will be shot live with four hand-held cameras in a widescreen and 24p format to capture the bare essence of each performance in on-air, CD and television quality. The five-song shoots will include hits, a new single and one cover, all with a new flair and arrangement.
Like MTV's Unplugged and Saturday Night Live's characteristic performance stage, Stripped will have a distinct visual look, shot in New York and Los Angeles. Minimal set designs will reflect the intimacy of the event. A projected backdrop will vary by performance.
A comprehensive promotions package for each weekly performance includes:
— Satellite radio tour with exclusive on-air interviews and listener questions in 10 to 15 key markets and a general interview to all other participating markets;
— Significant on-air campaign, including spots and mentions;
— Heavy promotion on participating stations' home pages; and
— An e-mail blast to station database the week of performance's debut.
In addition, local program directors, artists and labels will be able to track interest in the weekly performances local market by local market, giving important visibility into audience reaction.
"Stripped will offer artists a chance to connect with our devout audience in a brand new way, both on-air and online," said Evan Harrison, executive vice president of Clear Channel Radio and head of the company's Online Music & Radio unit. "Each Stripped session will strip artists to their essence and provide a unique and intimate experience for fans on our stations' Web sites." –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
