Inaugural Innovation Awards Honor Radio, Digital, Touring, And Music Leaders

Innovation Awards

CBS RADIO WYCD/DETROIT PD TIM ROBERTS, iHEARTMEDIA KBQI/ALBUQUERQUE PD BEV RAINEY, and RM BROADCASTING KPLM/PALM SPRINGS PD KORY JAMES were radio honorees for Major, Medium, and Small markets, respectively, during last NIGHT's (6/6) first-ever INNOVATION IN MUSIC AWARDS at NASHVILLE's WESTIN HOTEL (NET NEWS 3/27).

Designed to celebrate those who have played a critical role in the development and advancement of the music industry, the slick and highly-produced show was the brainchild of COLD RIVER RECORDS President PETE O'HEERON and SVP/Radio Promotions & Artist Development JOHN ETTINGER, whose hopes and dreams include making the awards an annual event, with designs on creating a SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, innovation was the key word for the night, with presenters and award recipients preaching the merits of taking risks, while reminding everyone that failure breeds eventual innovation. GUPTA MEDIA's GOGI GUPTA, the Digital Media winner, pointed out that his company's seven failed ideas were key to their three enormously successful ones. 

But there was also an overriding presence of passion and dedication to introducing artists and music to listeners from all honorees. Digital Broadcast winner JR SCHUMANN of SIRIUSXM enthusiastically described the impact of music on the soul; TIM ROBERTS said he was inspired by the innovative music made available to him through the years; and Heritage Award winner MIKE MCVAY, EVP/Content & Programming for CUMULUS MEDIA, and Innovator of the Year JOHN ESPOSITO, WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE Chairman, each deflected praise, with MCVAY claiming, "I'm not smart, I'm lucky," crediting his family and colleagues for his success. ESPOSITO, completely ditching his prepared remarks said, "I'm not claiming innovation, I'm claiming tenacity."

RASCAL FLATTS' JAY DEMARCUS served as host for the nearly three-hour ceremony – until he had to leave for a "CMT Crossroads" taping with EARTH, WIND & FIRE. He was at his best when going off-script, punctuating introductions and reactions with occasional F-bombs. And, he had one of the best lines of the night when introducing KRISTIAN BUSH, saying, "Even though we're both on album covers, we both have the sinking feeling nobody knows what we do."

In addition to radio winners, previously announced winners included:

• Innovation In Music, Executive: THIRTY TIGERS' DAVID MACIAS
• Innovation In Music, Artist & Creative: SMACKSONGS' SHANE MCANALLY
• Innovation In Music, Live/Touring: LIVE NATION's BRIAN O'CONNELL
• Innovation In Music, National Media: CMT's LESLIE FRAM
• Innovation In Music, National Radio: iHEARTMEDIA's BOBBY BONES
• Innovation In Music, Digital Media: GUPTA MEDIA's GOGI GUPTA
• Innovation In Music, Digital Broadcast: SIRIUSXM's JR SCHUMANN
• Heritage Award: MCVAY MEDIA/MCVAY SYNDICATION/LISTENER DRIVEN RADIO's MIKE MCVAY
• Innovator of the Year: WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE Chairman/CEO JOHN ESPOSITO

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