Big Machine-Cumulus

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ’90S NOSTALGIA? Big Machine and Cumulus have just announced a joint venture called Nash Icons, which will feed radio stations and stage events such as concerts and TV specials. Big Machine will take 50% of the profits from these Icons-branded events and will co-own a new Nash Icons label. The Wall Street Journal broke the news late Tuesday. Cumulus is bringing its 68 Country stations under an umbrella brand it calls "Nash," and will convert some of them into "Nash Icons" stations, a new spinoff brand that will spotlight old hits and new material by 1990s stars like Garth Brooks, George Strait, Shania Twain and the Judds, along with a handful of similar acts from the late ’80s and early 2000s. Cumulus's contemporary Nash stations will feature occasional Icons-themed weekend specials. Big Machine topper Scott Borchetta said he’s in advanced talks to sign a handful of ’90s country stars to the label; he’d already got Reba McEntire. "There's a real need for this—there's increasing demand from the audience to have choice," said Cumulus chief Lew Dickey. (5/14a)