On Music Row: CRB chief exits

Also: Look for less lavishness during party season and Warner Music planning NASCAR ride [From our print edition featured in Monday's City Paper]

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Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon has left his role as executive director of Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. Although there was no official report last week, it appears that Salamon has exited the organization effective immediately.

Official CRB spokesman Jeff Walker of Aristomedia said the group “does not comment on employment matters,” but <i>MusicRow</i> verified reports regarding Salamon’s departure that began to surface on Wednesday evening.

The leadership change arrives as the CRB’s planning process for the organization’s annual event next February is in full swing. Word of the board’s decision began to spread down the Row after the adjournment of Nashville CRB Board meetings last week.

Salamon was responsible for the production of and fund-raising for all CRB initiatives and also serves as an adjunct professor at Belmont University. His past posts include president of programming at Westwood One Radio. Salamon was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

Awards parties, meet the recession

Extravagant after-parties have long been a hallmark of the CMA Awards, but Music Row revelers can expect some belt-tightening this awards season as labels scale back their soirees. At the same time, the CMA is working on a come-one-come-all solution to these budget busters.

Capitol Records Nashville Senior Director of Media/Public Relations Dixie Owen said the label has “definitely been more mindful of budgets and costs” during this year’s party planning. Despite help from sponsor Dr. Pepper, Capitol had to trim its guest list and focus more on the importance of label staffers and artists spending time together.

“We have three nominees,” she explains. “We’re really proud of our artists and want to celebrate with them.”

Downtown at UMG Nashville, which also has several artists up for awards, executives are steering away from a post-party and instead hosting a staff-only gathering to watch the awards broadcast. Senior VP of Artist Development and Marketing Jason Owen (no relation to his Capitol peer) said that, in this economic climate, “we’ve got to prioritize.”

That’s understandable when events like these can easily ring up a $100,000 tab. Jason Owen thinks UMG’s over-the-top extravaganzas of years past “were fun, but had gotten a little out of hand with the amount of people.” Still, the label didn’t really want to cut its guest list, so it just opted against the event altogether.

Meanwhile, Sony Music Nashville’s Manager of Media Chris Melancon reports that the company is hosting “the typical courtyard party we’ve done in the past.” For its part, Curb Records stopped having post-Awards events several years ago.

“What I’d really like to see is the CMA throw an after-party for all the labels. Our artists are friends with other labels’ artists,” said Jason Owen, echoing a sentiment from many in the industry who would enjoy gathering in one place rather than spending the cold evening scurrying from one packed venue to the next.

The CMA is working diligently to bring the labels and artists back to its official after-party, with Senior VP of Operations Bobbette Dudley helping spearhead the effort. Ironically, attending wouldn’t cost the labels anything. Many record executives, managers and other handlers are paying to go to the official party whether they show up or not: The Diamond- and Platinum-level tickets they typically purchase — and which are not available to the public — include admission.

Dudley said the CMA’s efforts have resulted in “small steps” of progress. Some labels are attending its official event this year while others are on board for 2010. Bottom line, the CMA wants to make the official post-awards party a fun, beneficial experience for everyone, from artists to labels to visiting corporate guests.

“It’s great networking opportunity if [the labels] will seize it.”

Warner sponsoring NASCAR team

Warner Music Nashville has entered a marketing partnership with NASCAR Sprint Cup team BAM Racing. Through the agreement, Warner Nashville artists will be promoted at NASCAR events through artist tie-ins, sponsorships and promotional appearances on racetrack video screens and event stages.

Warner artists including Blake Shelton, Whitney Duncan, James Otto and Michelle Branch will also receive special positioning of their images and branding on BAM’s No. 49 racecar, show cars, transporter and pit equipment.

BAM principals Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau took off this year’s NASCAR season after struggling to secure consistent sponsor backing in 2008. The team’s first promotional event with Warner Nashville artists is scheduled to take place on Feb. 6 at Daytona International Speedway.

— For more music industry news, visit MusicRow.