VH1 Classic is extending its brand via a new weeknight Westwood One syndicated radio, hosted by classic rock veteran Eddie Webb.
Starting May 17, VH1 Classic Rock Nights will air from 7 p.m. to midnight from VH1 Classic's state of the art studio in New York. At launch, the show will be available in 20 markets through stations owned by Cumulus Media, according to officials at the 57-million subscriber network.
VH1 Classic Rock Nights will offer genre fans the music and artists they love each night with tracks, fresh in-studio interviews, road reports from tours, promotions and giveaways, and vintage performances and interviews from VH1 Classic's archives.
During the first week, the show will welcome Ray Manzarek and John Densmore of The Doors, Mick Jones of Foreigner and Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company, who will help kick things off on day one.
In addition to a live studio hotline for call-in requests, the show's Web site VH1ClassicRockNights.com will feature streaming audio and video from in- studio interviews, news, links to affiliate sites and more. Listeners can also connect to the show via Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
Eddie Webb began his radio career at 15 in a small town in Iowa. Since then, he has worked for leading radio stations, including KUPD-Phoenix, WRCX and WLUP-Chicago, WAAF-Boston and XM Satellite Radio. He has worked for Skid Row, Guns N' Roses and most recently for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's "Ozzfest," where he ran the VIP program for the tour. Eddie's knowledge of rock music and his relationship with top artists give him a vantage point unlike most in the radio business.
"First and foremost, this show is going to be about the music. Fans of classic rock are some of the most passionate groups out there, which is why we've decided to extend our highly-regarded VH1 Classic brand to a nightly radio show," said Tom Calderone, president, VH1 and VH1 Classic, in a statement. "VH1 Classic viewers have come to love our music programming and appreciate the access we have to top artists. Now they can experience all that and more every night on the radio with VH1 Classic Rock Nights."
"When you combine legendary artists, a powerhouse brand and an energetic, dynamic host you strike radio gold," noted Gary Schonfeld, president Westwood One Network. "We are thrilled to partner with VH1 Classic to bring what is sure to be a massive hit show to our affiliates and advertisers nationwide."
