Regarding the recent op-ed piece Recording Academy President Neil Portnow wrote for Radio Ink that alleged artists no longer thank radio for playing their music, NAB Executive VP Dennis Wharton has responded with the following statement and examples of several artists that did thank radio, during last week’s Radio Show in Austin.
Wharton said, “While Neil Portnow and musicFIRST may pretend that broadcast radio no longer contributes to performing artists’ success, the artists themselves tell an entirely different story. Just last week at the Radio Show in Austin, musicians ranging from Demi Lovato to Drake White to Asleep at the Wheel praised local radio stations for their support and thanked them for helping launch their careers. Rather than deal in false arguments, broadcasters are committed to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between local radio, musicians, and record labels.”
Wharton said at last week’s Radio Show these artists expressed their appreciation for the role of local radio in promoting their music. Here are a few of Wharton’s tweets regarding the quotes from those artists:
Demi Lovato on hearing her music on radio
Demi Lovato on radio’s role in her career
Drake White
Asleep at the Wheel
Jack Ingram
From the Denver Post regarding the Taylor Swift Trail
Swift trial: The imbalanced relationship between radio stations and superstars
Swift team says radio stations hold the power
“For better or for worse, the radio stations have the power over the artists,” testified Frank Bell, who had 37 years in radio before going to work with Swift as her radio promotions manager.
Taylor Swift and her team believes that Radio matters. Taylor Swift. There is your answer.