(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Clear Channel Radio has revealed broad momentum for its programs supporting new and emerging music artists. The company's New Music Network, an online promotional resource for unsigned artists, received its 20,000th uploaded song and has doubled the number of acts showcased on the site in the past year. Natalie Loftin, the winner of the company's first Radio Star competition, has released her first single for Epic Records. Clear Channel Radio stations have increased programming dedicated to showcasing new and emerging talent and are organizing a growing number of festivals and concerts that play a key role in local support of these new artists.
"Promoting new talent is part of the fabric of our company," said Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan. "By supporting new music, Clear Channel Radio is solidifying its position as a leader in the industry by helping fill the pipeline with fresh acts and talent to the benefit of artists, listeners and the overall industry."
Between 1998 and 2002, Clear Channel Radio stations increased the number of unique songs played by 15,215 and the number of unique artists by 3,093, according to Mediabase. Clear Channel Radio stations in some 70 markets devote airtime to showcasing new talent and some stations devote their entire format to local artists.
Dedicated to discovering and exposing new music to fans and the producers, agents and record labels who can launch new artists, the Clear Channel New Music Network (www.clearchannelnewmusicnetwork.com) earlier this month received its 20,000th song. The site has also doubled the number of acts featured in the past 12 months. The New Music Network streams eight channels of music and includes visitor-driven favorites lists.
Radio Star, created in conjunction with Sony Music and Winterfresh gum, provides hundreds of unsigned artists and bands with a national platform and the chance to be heard by record-label executives. The winner receives an Epic Records recording contract, a $50,000 cash prize, a guaranteed opening spot at two of Clear Channel Radio's biggest concert events, and an option for management representation by the William Morris Agency.
And, expanding on a longstanding programming tradition, hundreds of local Clear Channel Radio stations across the country now have dedicated programs and events showcasing emerging local talent.
Most recently, KTCL 93.3 FM in Denver launched the recording careers of two local bands. Recognizing the national hit potential of Love .45 and The Fray, KTCL committed to playing their songs alongside those from national, signed acts aired regularly playing during prime listening hours. As a result, Love .45 was signed to Studio E records and released their major label debut this month, exceeding album sales expectations. The Fray signed with Epic, and their major label debut will be released in the summer/fall of 2005.
New York City's number-one classic rock station, Q104.3 (WAXQ-FM) airs "Out of the Box," a Sunday night program featuring the best in new music and local undiscovered artists. It is currently New York's most popular new music show.
San Antonio's KAJA 97.3 FM launched "The Other Side of KJ", which spotlights local and regional artists each Sunday night. KJ-97 also hosts the "Texas 10 at 10," featuring local and regional artists five nights a week.
Huntington, West Virginia rock station 106.3 WAMX-FM has showcased local bands during its "X-Fest" for the past eight years. When the event started in 1997, it was on one stage and featured five up-and-coming rock bands. Today, the event is an all-day concert performed on three stages, and features a dozen of the area's most promising artists and acts. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
