ABC Radio, Skyview Networks and Front and Center Entertainment Announce New Country and Rock Music Programming

September 25, 2018 — PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 25, 2018) – ABC Radio, Skyview Networks and Front and Center Entertainment are introducing two new programs exclusively for country and rock formats: “Front and Center Sessions” and “The Speakeasy Sessions.” Both series will feature 12 two-hour programs that are being produced exclusively for ABC Radio and are based on the critically acclaimed public television programs, “Front and Center” and “Speakeasy.”

“Front and Center” has featured some of the biggest and brightest names in country music, including superstars Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Ronnie Dunn, Jennifer Nettles, Clint Black, Luke Combs and Kane Brown.

“’Front and Center’ and “Speakeasy” have both set a high bar for insightful, entertaining and engaging music programming,” said Executive Producer of Front and Center, Don Maggi. “We felt that, beyond just television, these shows would thrive on radio. These performances, from some of music’s best known and biggest artists on “Front and Center,” along with the compelling and fun conversations on “Speakeasy,” create a perfect fit for radio.”

“The Speakeasy Sessions” will bring unique conversations, stories and insights from some of the most recognizable icons of rock and roll including Joe Elliott, Roger Waters, John Mellencamp, Billy Gibbons and Geddy Lee. The show features a unique format where artists are interviewed by a person of their choosing, creating intimate, revealing moments.

“We are excited to work with today’s greatest performers in country and classic rock music,” said Steve Jones, Vice President and General Manager of ABC Radio. “We’re taking a wealth of content and weaving it into fast-paced radio programming that features great music and riveting behind the scenes stories and never before shared anecdotes from some of the biggest country and rock stars.”

Each month, affiliates will receive one two-hour program with music performances and daily thirty-second vignettes of never released interview material.

“These shows are a perfect strategic asset for association with the biggest performers in music,” said Jeanne-Marie Condo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Skyview Networks.

For affiliation information, contact Heidi Oringer at 212.456.5541 or [email protected].

For sales information, contact Jeanne-Marie Condo at [email protected].

About Front and Center Entertainment

Front and Center Entertainment, LLC produces the popular music performance television series Front and Center as well as the groundbreaking talk show Speakeasy and the monthly series MTV Live: Setlist. Since 2012 Front and Center has presented an eclectic mix of Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Award winners, rock icons and multi-platinum sellers including Keith Urban, Steven Tyler, Cyndi Lauper, Counting Crows, Rob Thomas, and The Avett Brothers. Speakeasy, which began airing in January 2015, features an iconic talent chatting intimately with an interviewer of their choice.  Included are conversations with Roger Waters and Bill Weir, David Crosby and Wynton Marsalis, Nile Rodgers and Valerie Simpson, and Robbie Robertson with Warren Zanes. MTV Live: Setlist spotlights rising artists spanning multiple genres including St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Dua Lipa, and Muna.

About ABC Radio

ABC Radio syndicates America’s largest commercial radio news network, ABC News Radio, along with the ABC Radio Lifestyle and Entertainment network and ABC Radio Digital to over 1650 radio stations and multiple digital distributors. ABC Radio reaches more than 76-million listeners each week across broadcast and digital audio platforms. ABC Radio is part of the Disney ABC Television Group.  For more information: www.abcradio.com.

About Skyview Networks

Skyview Networks is a broadcast technology and national network sales solutions company that provides services to ABC Radio, CBS Audio, professional and collegiate sports organizations and two state news networks. Founded in 1995, Skyview is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and focuses on providing best-in-class services that include satellite distribution, full network automation, inventory management systems and network audio sales. For more information, visit skyviewnetworks.com.