Boulder Awards Brunch star Jack Johnson goes to the top of the list on the strength of the single, “At Or With Me,” as 11 stations add To The Sea. Lee Ritenour has yet another week on this list, tying with the new one from another Boulder performer, Guster, with each posting nine adds. Gov’t Mule’s By A Thread, featuring “Railroad Boy,” scores eight adds to land in the fourth spot. Finally, Sarah McLachlan, The Cat Empire and Widespread Panic each pull in seven stations to tie for the last spot.

            The list of impacting records grows as Boulder grows near, with FMQB Triple A Conference performers included on that list. Thursday night Fox headliner Guster celebrates its first record for Aware/Universal Republic with “Do You Love Me” and Friday cocktail party hostess Sahara Smith puts “The Real Thing” on your desk. You will also want to check out the full-length from Jesca Hoop, Hunting My Dress. The full list of impacting records can always be found on the Available For Airplay page of the Triple A format room at FMQB.com.

Michele Clark And FMQB Expand Sunset Sessions

Michele Clark and FMQB have announced a new partnership for Sunset Sessions 2011, taking place from February 17-20, 2011, as well as the first ever Alternative Sunset Sessions for the Modern Rock format, taking place from June 2-5, 2011. Both Sunset Sessions will happen at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, CA.

            “I am so excited to be working with FMQB on both of this year’s Sunset Sessions!” exclaimed Clark. “Jack Barton and I share a strong common vision for the unity of the Triple A community and we believe this partnership will further enhance the format’s strength, longevity and viability. Working closely with Michael Parrish and Mike Bacon, we hope to help bring the same sense of strong community to the Alternative world with the first ever Alternative Sunset Sessions! Both formats along with the wonderful group of Music Supervisors who attend help make Sunset Sessions a truly unique event that will continue to launch so many great new artists.”

“Triple A has always been about diversity and discovery, both on the music and radio sides, including stations regardless of market size or dial position,” adds FMQB VP/Triple A Jack Barton. “Through its evolution, Sunset Sessions has come to represent everything that is inclusive about Triple A. I look at this partnership as an opportunity for FMQB to expand on the spirit of ‘oneness’ that is Triple A. I’m also looking forward to working with some really great partners in Michele and M:M Music.”

“We are looking forward to bringing Sunset Sessions’ 13 years of successful and strong branding at the Triple A format to the Alternative radio community,” commented FMQB VP/Operations Michael Parrish. “This partnership between FMQB and Sunset Sessions gives opportunity to fill a long overdue void and provide an annual event that will restore a sense of unity among Alternative radio programmers.”

As usual, the 2011 Sunset Sessions will bring together Radio Programmers, Top Music Supervisors from Film & Television, record labels, managers, publishers, and booking agents to turn them on to the freshest new artists, along with some legendary favorites. The event is held over 3 nights and often showcases over 30 artists. The Triple A event, which is entering its 14th year, is presented by M:M Music. It is broadcast by KPRI/San Diego along with a multitude of other media outlets in television, online and print. For more detailed information, please visit www.sunsetsessions.org and www.facebook.com/mcsunsetsessions.

Boulder Discount: 10 Days Left!

Before we arrive at the aforementioned Sunset Sessions, there is still a trip to Boulder, CO to attend to! There are only a couple of weeks left to get your registration discount for the 2^nd Annual FMQB Triple A Conference, taking place from August 11 to 14 at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa. The cost right now is only $349, but after August 1, the walk-up rate of $399 goes into effect. That registration gets you into all the Conference events, starting with The Keynote Interview With (FMQB CEO) Fred Deane, featuring Gold Village Entertainment President Danny Goldberg all the way through Triple A Awards Brunch on Saturday morning, August 14, with performances from Jack Johnson and ALO. You can register now at this link: http://registration.fmqb.com/

Registration also gives you access to all the events at the hotel and performances at Boulder’s famed Fox Theatre, including artists like Alpha Rev, Bascom Hill, Carney, Dawes, Delta Spirit, Donavon Frankenreiter, Dr. Dog, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Everest, Gogol Bordello, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Guster, Iron & Wine, Isaac Russell, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Josh Charles, Katie Melua, Keane, Lauren Pritchard, Malea McGuinness, Margo Valiante, Matt Nathanson, Matt White, Nathaniel Rateliff, One eskimO, Robert Francis, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Ry Cuming, Sahara Smith, The Doobie Brothers, The Rescues, Tift Merritt and Truth & Salvage Co. Additionally, you will pick up a laminate for access to the E-Town show taping at the Boulder Theater on Thursday, August 12 at 5:45 p.m. featuring music and conversation with Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs and JJ Grey & Mofro. For the full schedule of panels and performances, go to this link: http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=1524567

Meanwhile, don’t forget that Friday afternoon will be the Pro.qb Music Meeting, hosted by KGSR/Austin MD Mark Abuzzahab. You can send him music for inclusion in the meeting at this address: 8309 N. IH 35, Austin, TX  78753 or e-mail mark@kgsr.com. Please clearly mark the envelope with, “FMQB Boulder Music Meeting.” Abuzzahab will accept submissions until Friday, August 6.

Only a few rooms are left at the St. Julien for the special FMQB rate of $209 per night, but you will need to call the hotel at (720) 406-9696 and mention FMQB, as the online block is sold out. Alternate lodging is available at the Marriott Boulder for $189 per night by calling (303) 440-8877. If you still need more options, try the Best Western Boulder Inn, and more info can be found at bestwestern.com.

Triple A News Bites

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced the finalists for the 2010 NAB Marconi Radio Awards, and KBCO/Denver is nominated for Legendary Station! The winners will be announced on September 30 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show held during the 2010 Radio Show at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC…  WFUV/New York will air two days of live main stage performances from the famed George Wein's Newport Folk Festival.  On Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 from 11:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., WFUV, in cooperation with NPR Music, will be broadcasting and webcasting all the festival's main stage performances as they happen. MD Rita Houston, FUV morning personality Claudia Marshall and NPR host Bob Boilen will be in Newport to bring listeners performances by Andrew Bird, John Prine, The Swell Season, Levon Helm Band, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile and many others… Eric Cole has decided to exit his post doing radio promotions for Rock Ridge Music and move on to a new career at an advertising agency. For all Rock Ridge radio inquiries, please contact Pete Mitchell at pete@rockridgemusic.com. Cole's personal e-mail is ecolenyc@hotmail.com… Evan Blackstone of Rogue Island Entertainment has a new e-mail address. Effective immediately please use evanblackstone@comcast.net… Michael Franti & Spearhead's seventh studio album, The Sound Of Sunshine, has been moved back from an August 24 release date to September 21. The title track is currently moving up the chart at Triple A radio. Additionally, the band announced a fall tour in support of the upcoming album. The tour begins with a set at the Earth Dance Festival on September 19, with dates announced up to November 14 in Detroit.

Michael Copps Calls For Indecency Ruling Appeal

Last week, a U.S. Court of Appeals struck down the FCC's powers over broadcasters when it comes to "fleeting explitives," calling the policy "unconstitutionally vague." Out of the five FCC Commissioners, only Michael Copps has responded to the news. In a statement, Copps called the decision "anti-family" and said he hopes the court ruling is "appealed and ultimately reversed."

Copps' entire statement reads: "I am shocked by such an anti-family decision coming out of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Sadly, the court focused its energies on the purported chilling effect our indecency policy has on broadcasters of indecent programming, and no time focusing on the chilling effect today’s decision will have on the ability of American parents to safeguard the interests of their children. I hope that this decision is appealed—and ultimately reversed.  In the meantime, as even this court recognizes, the FCC has the power to create a constitutional and enforceable indecency policy.  I’m convinced we already have one. In light of the uncertainty created by today’s decision, I call on this Commission to move forward immediately to clarify and strengthen its indecency framework to ensure that American parents can protect their children from the indecent and violent images that bombard us more and more each day. These parents – millions of them – are waiting."

Troubled Times For Live Nation

Live Nation Entertainment told investors last week that sales for its top 100 tours in the first half of 2010 are off by nine percent, with a 17 percent decline for the overall concert industry. Live Nation also predicts a continued decline in the second half of the year. The news hurt the company's stock, which dropped 14 percent in Thursday (7/15) afternoon's trading to close at $9.80, according to the Wall Street Journal. As of 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, July 16, it was trading at $8.87 a share. Despite promised benefits from its Ticketmaster merger, Live Nation operating income is projected at $405 million in 2010, down $40 million from '09.