CLEVELAND, OH. (Radio & Records PR) -
Radio & Records, the benchmark publication of the radio and recording industries for more than 30 years, is excited to bring its annual convention to the place dubbed "The New American City." "R&R Rocks Cleveland," taking place from June 23-25, 2005, marks the first time since R&R resumed holding yearly conventions in 1998 that the convention will be held away from R&R's hometown of Los Angeles. The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel - in the heart of the city's business, shopping and entertainment districts - is the host hotel for "R&R Rocks Cleveland."
Kicking off this year's convention is a private opening-night party at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, featuring intimate performances from Big 3 Records' Jon Secada, Groove United's Wade O. Brown, and Jazz Cruises' Warren Hill. Partygoers will also enjoy complete access to the hall's impressive collection of memorabilia, including such one-of-a-kind items as Ringo Starr's Sergeant Pepper uniform, Janis Joplin's psychedelic-colored Porsche, Jim Morrison's Cub Scout shirt, and guitars owned by Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Bono. Cleveland has afforded a springboard to success for many in the radio and record industries, including such broadcasters as Jack Paar, Don Imus, and Casey Kasem, and musicians including Joe Walsh, Eric Carmen, The Pretenders, and Devo.
R&R Publisher/CEO Erica Farber voiced enthusiasm for bringing the convention to America's heartland. "Based on feedback from attendees over the years on aspects ranging from sessions, speakers, activities, hotel and city, it was time to converge in a new meeting place," Farber said. "Just as the radio and record businesses have been evolving and undergoing transformation in recent years, the same can be said for Cleveland, which is often cited as a model for urban rebirth."
Multitalented singer/actor/radio host Little Steven Van Zandt will keynote Thursday's daylong annual Jacobs Media Summit, which for the 10th year will feature an all-star lineup of radio - and music-industry figures discussing important issues of the day. Greater Media CEO Peter Smyth will sit down for an hourlong discussion of radio's current challenges and its prospects for the future, while other panels will focus on the state of rock music, methods to reach male listeners and an update on the current and future impact of technology on radio.
Radio's digital future will also be examined during Thursday's technology session, titled "Broadcast Entertainment In An On-Demand World." Clear Channel Radio's Gerrit Meier will moderate.
Special sessions are scheduled for many radio formats, including Alternative, AC (Adult Contemporary), Hot AC, Country, CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio)/Pop, CHR/Rhythmic, Rock, Urban, Urban AC, Gospel and Smooth Jazz. Representatives of radio stations from across the country, radio group executives, network personnel and record-label decisionmakers are expected.
These entertaining and informative sessions will be highlighted by performances from some of the music industry's top talent. Scheduled to perform are Walter Barnes Jr., Big Keyz, Paul Brown, Eric Carrington, Andre Delano, Carol Duboc, Scott Grimes, Kamaflaj and Brice Long.
Also, multiplatinum rock group Disturbed will host a Friday-evening listening party for their new Reprise Records release, while Rendezvous Entertainment artist Jonathan Butler will host a Thursday-afternoon meet-and-greet session.
Friday night's annual R&R Industry Achievement Awards ceremony will recognize the hard work and contributions of the radio and record industries' top executives. Kidd Kraddick will host the event, and dozens of local Cleveland air personalities will help present the awards. The ceremony will feature performances by J Project and Brendan James.
Immediately following the awards ceremony, the R&R Hall of Fame Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament to benefit the TJ Martell Foundation will test the mettle of the industry's card sharks and reveal who really knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em! There will be prizes and raffles, including a trip for two to Las Vegas and a choice of two tickets to next year's Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl!
The complete agenda is available at https://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/con2005/agenda/index.asp
The stage is set for another great R&R Convention, so don't miss it! Cleveland rocks! And R&R rocks Cleveland!
