March 31, 2015

Program April 1, 2015

Dateline: Richmond, Virginia
April 1, 2015
For Immediate Release

WRIR has been a pace-setter among low-power FM radio stations since it was founded in 2005: it had the largest service area of any LPFM, it was the first LPFM to carry National Public Radio programs, and it was the first to serve as its home city's official emergency broadcaster.

Now WRIR sets the pace once again by announcing that it is selling out to iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel Communications), America's largest owner of radio stations, with the sale closing on April 1, 2015.  Terms are undisclosed.

Jesse Oremland, board president of the Virginia Center For Public Press (WRIR's parent company) commented on the sale, "Our objective has always been to build America's best low-power FM station, then sell it to the highest bidder while leaving our community high and dry.  After a decade of noble and selfless work by hundreds of volunteers, finally we are able to achieve this goal.  And I'm going to Disney World."

Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia (and founder of MTV, back in the day) said about the acquisition, "We've been looking for the smallest radio station we could find so we can put The Rush Limbaugh Show on it.  We're stuck with that jackass' contract for another couple of years and we can't sell any advertising on his show, so the best we can do is put him on the smallest station in each market.  WRIR really fits the bill.  Plus Mike Huckabee will slide in well there too.  We've successfully lost billions of our investors' dollars since 2008, and we're highly confident the WRIR acquisition will keep our track record intact."

iHeartMedia's plans for WRIR's music programs were undecided at press time.  However, they are considering a few different music options: an all-new wave and punk format, soul oldies, classic rock, and America's favorite radio format, country.

This week on Global A Go-Go, I'll use my two hours as a way to audition for a position at the new iHeart 97.3.  I'll take on each of those formats in succession, with an international perspective of course.  Think of it as a preview of what the new 97.3 might sound like.  And happy April Fool's Day to you.

Podcast: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/80051
All the podcasts: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/series/Global+A+Go-Go


Song | Artist (Country) | Recording | Label | Year

Separation | Oliver Lake (USA) | Matador Of 1st & 1st | Passin' Thru | 1997
Global A Go-Go | Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros (UK) | Global A Go-Go | Hellcat | 2001

La China Es Cumbianchera | Kumbia Queers (Argentina-Mexico) | Kumbia Nena! | Horario Invertido | 2007
Don't You Want Me | The Jolly Boys (Jamaica) | Great Expectation | eOne Music | 2011
My War | The Skints (UK) | FM | Easy Star | 2015
Llamame | Love Star (USA) | Espectro, Capitulo Uno | self-released | 2015
Rock El Casbah | Rachid Taha (Morocco-France) | Tekitoi | Wrasse | 2004

It's A Man's Man's Man's World | Sekouba Bambino (Guinee Conakry) | Sinikan | Sono / Next Music | 2002
When A Man Loves Woman [sic] | Dr. Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta (RD Congo) | Eternel Dr. Nico | African | 1967
Me And Mrs. Jones | Chico & The Gypsies (France) feat Billy Paul (USA) | single | SMART | 2014

The Rubberband Man | Youssou N'Dour (Senegal) | Nelson Mandela | Polygram | 1985
In The Midnight Hour | Maloko (Cameroon-RD Congo-USA) | Soul On Fire | Introducing | 1988
Un Million De Lagrimas | Claudya Con Ramon Y Sus Showmen (Spain) | Chicas! Vol. 2: Spanish Female Singers 1963-1978 | Vampisoul | 1970

Suffragette City | Seu Jorge (Brazil) | The Life Aquatic Exclusive Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge | Hollywood | 2005
Space Oddity (Curiosidad De Espacia) | Hermanos Calatrava (Spain) | single | Belter | 1974
Amame Dos Veces | Los Shakes (Mexico) | Los Nuggetz: '60s Garage & Psych From Latin America | Rock Beat | 196x

A Hard Day's Night | Rita Lee (Brazil) | Bossa 'N Beatles | Ghordo Music | 2002
Venus | Ros Sereysothea (Cambodia) | Cambodian Psych-Out | Defective | 197x
Sospesa Ad Un Filo | Conjunto De Oliveira Muge (Mozambique) | Cazumbi: African Sixties Garage, Volume 1 | No Smoke | 1967
La Neurastenia | Los Salvajes (Spain) | La Neurastenia EP | Regal | 1966

In A Gadda Da Vida | Albert Kuvezin & Yat-Kha (Russia: Tuva Republic) | Re-Covers | World Village | 2006
Whole Lotta Love | The Dynamics (France) | Version Excursions | Groove Attack | 2007
Smoke On The Water | Senor Coconut & His Orchestra (Germany-Chile) | Fiesta Songs | Emperor Norton | 2003
Born To Be Wild | Fanfare Ciocarlia (Romania) | Borat original soundtrack | Downtown / Atlantic | 2006

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere | The Bluebeaters (Italy) | Everybody Knows | Record Kicks | 2015
16 Toneladas | Noriel Vilela (Brazil) | 25 Years Of Mr Bongo | Mr Bongo | 1971
Rueda De Fuego | Mingo Saldivar (USA) | Rueda De Fuego: 20 Super Hits | Hacienda | 1992

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