IVANA'S NEW THEME SONG:
"WHEN I WAS YOUNG"

On Sunday, news of former KNRK MD/APD Jaime Cooley’s untimely death hit us like a ton of bricks. She was so young, so talented, so enthusiastic, and with a smile that made her already beautiful face light up a room. She was a shining star who truly, deeply loved music, musicians, radio, the business, her dogs, SXSW, Jell-O shots at the dive bar around the block from the Crystal Ballroom, junkets, all of “my” bands and her vast network of friends and admirers. I knew Jaime very well for many years, and had tried to be a mentor/big sister to her as best I could. This is a tragic loss and my heart goes out to her parents and her many loved ones. I hope she knew that we loved her for who she was, and not for what she did for work…. A much wiser friend of mine said yesterday, “you may like or even love your job, but it won’t love you back.” The mistake that many make is having their identity wrapped up in what they do, where they work, and whatever power they might wield. It’s an aspect of your life, but should never define who you are. Beyond doing whatever it takes to thrive at your job (and remain employed), think about the “big picture.” What are your strengths? How have you contributed to the music business? Helped an artist’s career? What else could you be doing if it all falls apart? Lynn McDonnell is opting for a move back to Buffalo, where she landed a killer marketing job working for Live Nation. Most of us deal with a national network of associates, not just on a local level. Your contacts and relationships are more extensive than you realize. Throw in a return phone call once in a while and a slightly better attitude, and you too might have an array of options beyond your current gig. If this HITS thing doesn’t work out, I’ve already asked Dennis Blair if I can sell merch for Gotye…. Usually new bands start with either the Rock-leaning stations OR the Alt-leaning stations, and then the song builds until it’s an undeniable hit that will be embraced by all. It’s very rare to have new singles come out of the gate with adds at both KNDD AND WXNR, but such is the case with Civil Twilight’s “Fire Escape.” The song, which has been “inescapable” whenever I turn on AltNation, manages to be cool but also very accessible. Lorraine Caruso, no stranger to breaking new bands, has a big potential hit with this one. Foxy Shazam’s “I Like It” also fulfills the promise of bringing the rock, with a Southern swagger we haven’t really heard since the Black Crowes’ prime, scoring big adds this week from KPNT, WBRU, WFNX, KXNA and more. Great job, Capone!…. I’m absolutely obsessed with the Kasabian song “Days Are Forgotten,” speaking of music with universal appeal and a huge potential upside. This is a band that plays multiple O2 Arena dates and have worldwide success far exceeding 99% of the other artists on the Modern Rock charts. In the last two weeks, KROX, KRBZ and X-96 have come onboard. This is the right song at the right time, plus they already sell tickets and are a known band to your audience. Did I mention that I’m obsessed?… Another spectacular week for Bush’s “Baby Come Home,” with 13 adds including Live105, KPNT, WEND, KENZ, WLUM, WRRV, WWWX, KFRR, KNRQ and our new friends at WACV. It’s been a minute since Bush has had two songs on the chart at once, so the band is blown away and very grateful. I have it on good authority…. A big hail to Amber at WEQX for adding Alabama Shakes this week! The rest of you will be there, soon enough. You will not see a better live band this year (especially since Arcade Fire are off-cycle)…. You know those songs you hear once, and then need to hear over and over and over again, usually on repeat for an hour or more? For whatever reason, you connect with it on a visceral and emotional level, which then prompts you to send it to everybody you know. I feel that way about the Nada Surf song, “When I was Young,” from their new CD The Stars are Indifferent To Astronomy. Watch the video on www.nadasurf.com and tell me you agree…. Please be kind to yourself and to others…[email protected].