Seacrest, Usher Engage in "Intimate Conversation." Notwithstanding "
American Idol" has concluded its final season, the talent competition's host –
Ryan Seacrest – still has a plethora of other responsibilities that keep him busy. Earlier this week, for example, the morning personality of
iHeartMedia Los Angeles mainstream CHR KIIS "Kiss-FM" was in Paris during the Cannes Lions Festival, where he discussed "hustle" and entrepreneurship with eight-time Grammy winner
Usher. Introduced by iHeartMedia chair/chief executive officer
Bob Pittman, the "Intimate Conversation with Usher" focused on the path to success and what it takes to build a lasting career. "Even though I created a benchmark to start, Usher states, "I found new motivation in creating diversity as an artist. If I call myself an entertainer, then that means I should be able to do it all, I should be able to reach out, to have an understanding of different genres and to have an idea about how music is made." He stresses that the point is to evolve. "We all individually are brands – the more we diversify and reach into other areas the more we grow." Invoking the term "hustle," the host of
Premiere Networks' "AT40" asks Usher to define it and the singer candidly states, "You've got to have
chutzpah and defy the ideas that were set before you. If I continue to push on my vision, eventually somebody other than [me] will believe it too. It only takes one star to light the universe." As far as the entrepreneurial spirit is concerned, Usher emphasizes, "Be willing to be the first there and the last to leave. Stand strong and be benevolent in your pursuit of what you believe in." In what is bound to be music to the ears of radio programmers throughout the United States, Usher graciously maintains that the medium is "the only tool" in his opinion that "still matters with making a genuine connection with the consumer. Radio program directors and personalities have the ability and the responsibility to curate the story of the artists in the right way." Touring is "definitely on the horizon" for Usher, while Seacrest explains that he (Seacrest) is "someone who thinks that where there is a void, I need to fill it. I am trying to have patience and a little bit of discipline. I am waiting to host the 'Olympics' this summer, do a bunch of things with
NBC, and after that – see if there is something else to do."
Page Ends Mid-day Search. After having worked weekend and swing shifts at
Cumulus Media Atlanta's WNNX "Rock 100.5,"
Alyssa Page will join KNDD "107.7 The End" for mid-day duty the middle of next month. Page succeeds former music director-mid-day talent "
Pepper," who left the
Entercom Seattle alternative station four months ago.
KNDD program director
Leslie Scott comments, "Alyssa's sense of humor, grit, and passion make her the perfect addition to our already strong team. I cannot wait for Seattle to get to know her." Page remarks, "It's not everyday you get to go work for your dream station. 'The End' is unique and extremely authentic in everything they do and I have so much respect for the brand. I am thrilled and honored to be joining such a tremendous team." Down or flat for the fourth successive sweep (3.8 – 3.7 – 3.3 – 3.1 – 3.1, 6+), "The End" finishes at #15 in Seattle's May 2016
Nielsen Audio PPM report;
Hubbard Broadcasting CHR KQMV is #1 with a 6.2 (6+).
Led Zep's Stairway to Vindication. A jury in Los Angeles yesterday (Thursday, 6/23) ruled that
Led Zeppelin did not pilfer any portion of its most famous track – "Stairway to Heaven" – from the 1968
Spirit instrumental "Taurus." According to a statement issued on behalf of Led Zeppelin members
Robert Plant and
Jimmy Page, "We are grateful for the jury's conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favor, putting to rest questions about the origins of 'Stairway to Heaven' and confirming what we have known for 45 years. We appreciate our fans' support and look forward to putting this legal matter behind us." A
Warner Music Group spokesperson notes, "Supporting our artists and protecting their creative freedom is paramount. We are pleased that the jury found in favor of Led Zeppelin, re-affirming the true origins of 'Stairway to Heaven.' Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest bands in history. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant are peerless songwriters who created many of rock's most influential and enduring songs." Owing to a legal matter, the jury was not allowed to listen to original "Stairway to Heaven" and "Taurus" recordings to determine their verdict. Instead, an expert performed both songs based on the original sheet music. Page and Plant testified they did not remember ever hearing Spirit's "Taurus." The original complaint against Led Zeppelin was filed just over two years ago (May 2014) on behalf of the trust of the late
Randy Craig Wolfe, a Spirit guitarist.
Nash Harmonizer. The winner from the fifteenth – and final – season of "
American Idol," Trent Harmon (left) visited WNSH "Nash FM," New York yesterday (Thursday, 6/23) to chat with 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm personality
Jesse Addy (right). Currently working on his first album, Harmon performed some of his songs, including "What Are You Listening To," "Falling," and "There's a Girl" for station listeners.
