Patty Fantasia 02-24-10

By Patty Fantasia
Photo credit: Patty Fantasia

Taking the Tour at XRadio.biz

Going on tour usually means travel, but I received an overview of the independent music scene in Las Vegas without leaving the city this week when I was invited to tour the new digs of XRadio.biz.  The brainchild of marketing and communications mogul, Cd Palmer, the station was created in 2002 at Cerritos College where Palmer produced a one hour show every Wednesday for 52 weeks before launching his first radio station in Upland, CA in September of that year.  It is a prime example of his formula combining business strategy with education in order to assist people in branding their names or companies.

The new Las Vegas facility has been beautifully redecorated and transformed from its former incarnation as a spa.  A studio featuring state of the art equipment and big windows faces out to the street, while a training center and recording booths are housed downstairs.  Meeting rooms and executive office space also occupy the first floor.  The station’s concept is to support indie music in numerous ways and to act as a liaison between artists and DJs, promoting job creation and community events.

XRadio.biz offers broadcasting on the internet aimed at creating an independent music network and stresses its’ desire to provide resources and jobs in a family atmosphere. Their plan is to work with the community and media partners.  This agenda is involves a number of projects including a non profit kids radio station, which is run and staffed by adolescents.  KWAV debuted last November with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Henderson Pavilion and a free family event featuring global and local reggae and rock bands.  You can listen to their programming live every weekend from 8:00am to 5:00pm.     One of their upcoming events, which will be happening on April 3rd is the Rock The Economy Concert, which will also feature rock and reggae bands.  

In all there are four areas of concentration: airtime, placement, video and models.  The station has initiated a process for training new DJ’s by creating mentoring programs and establishing access to opportunities for talent.  At the moment they are booking local House DJ’s through casinos and giving them air time.  One radio host, Jeremy Womack, I had the pleasure of meeting in the hallway.  An experienced photographer and blogger, he has a live show that streams from 9:00am to 1:00pm on the station including a chat listeners can participate in.  DJ Damien Jay will be hosting an XRadio.biz sponsored club party at Moon Night Club in the Palms Hotel this Sunday night February 28th beginning at 11:00pm.

The type of music featured on air runs the gamut from rock and roll to country with the main criteria being that it’s not considered mainstream.  As for the models, Palmer recently launched a promotional team called the “XGirls” made up of an appealing group of females, who can serve as a main attraction in promoting any type of event.  An active search is currently being conducted for girls to join the team, as well as for marketing and sales representatives.  The plan is for XRadio.biz to be a tool for promoting the growth of indie artists and adding services and events to support them, all of which will require an organized staff capable of keeping listeners and viewers informed about what’s happening and continuously encouraging them to participate.

XRadio.biz is currently developing a strong social media presence on the internet, busily adding Facebook fans and Twitter followers and promoting all of its activities on its website, which is constantly seeking independent artists, DJs, musicians and lovers of the arts to sign up and join its ranks.  

Another tool in Cd Palmer’s arsenal is the IEA (Independent Entertainers’ Association).  Launched in August 2008, the IEA serves as a lobbying resource for Independent Entertainers and offers a platform for concerts, music distribution, trademark, tours, concept protection and health benefits.  By making membership and advertising packages available, the IEA provides marketing options designed for exposure and distribution via advertising, social networking and search engine optimizing (SEO).

XRadio.biz is poised for success here in Las Vegas as it continues to make in roads in music, on the internet and as part of our community.   Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.