I do like success stories, especially English businesses doing well in this adverse economic climate so the success of internet radio station, CMR Nashville, led by the human equivalent of a cat with nine lives, Lee Williams, is a tale worth telling.
A year ago, Lee (pictured left, with me) and I shared a coffee and doughnut (neither of us had started our diet then, and the truth is, we still haven’t!) and he told me of his plan to establish the world’s leading country music radio station. I was sceptical as I knew that Lee had worked on several projects to develop a country music radio station and they had never quite worked out.
So, what was different this time? Well, it was the internet. Previous projects had to bear the huge costs of either hiring analogue radio frequencies or renting space on satellite TV platforms. These huge costs made making money a huge nightmare. The increasing sophistication of the internet meant that broadcasting costs were slashed.
So, I wished Lee well and, because we share a passion for live music, especially country music of all genres, we have kept in contact. My only query was whether or not listeners in the US and Canada would like to tune in to country music on a European radio station.
CMR Nashville, available on www.cmrnashville.net, is now celebrating its first year of broadcasting 24/7, featuring the best mix of Country Music from over 20 presenters from around the world. They rightly pride themselves in covering all styles of Country Music and reflect the popularity from various parts of the world with programmes from their studios in Tennessee, London, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Brazil and Scotland.
The play the best of today’s Country, Classic Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Texas Music, Indie Country, Irish Country, and Australian Country along with so much more. They also make it possible for most shows to be repeated at different times to suit various time zones around the world.
So, how have they done? Remarkably, CMR Nashville has recently reached its first millionth visitor, with the monthly figures steadily rising each and every month. That is impressive by any standard.
The fact that a large proportion of listeners are in the US and Canada is equally impressive. It’s like selling ice to the Eskimos but the proof is there in the listener statistics!
Lee is excited about the future. Internet radio listeners have increased world-wide and Internet Radio is now globally accepted by the industry and public alike. The growth of stand-alone Internet Radios shows little sign of slowing with over 20 models available at prices as low as £40 UK ($80 US) for some basic models.
For CMR Nashville there is a new and exciting development opening up new opportunities for listeners and advertisers. Nokia Phones have added CMR Nashville and CMR Hot, their sister country releases show broadcasting 24/7 without DJ’s, to their Internet Radio Service. This is a network of stations that are now available world-wide to their millions of mobile phone users. It also means that, with the use of Bluetooth, people can listen to their favourite radio station in the car. This will again increase the listeners to Europe’s #1 Country Music Service.
David Allan, a hugely respected UK journalist, TV and Radio Broadcaster is quoted as saying: “CMR Nashville offers the most satisfying all-round programming. It’s my idea of a good country radio station, hugely enjoyable and entertaining (Country Music People magazine November 2007).
Congratulations to Lee and his team. I look forward to another successful year of broadcasting American music back to America!
and in the American Chronicle syndicated series
