The most recent edition of Davey-D's FNV Newsletter contains a bombshell: according to Jerry Del Colliano of Inside Music Media, "Clear Channel is done." As in, stick a fork in it. As in, Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, probably within the "next six to nine months."
Del Colliano cites several reasons for this: the economy is a major factor, as is the over-leveraged status of most CC stations. "Some stations are actually making money, but not enough to pay down huge corporate debt," he says. He believes that "much or all of Clear Channel will eventually be broken up - sold off to raise as much revenue as possible," noting that "Clear Channel is already acting like there is no tomorrow," by "gutting the stations, cutting every possible expense and using repeater radio content from national syndicators and their network to fill up the airwaves."
Del Colliano is so sure of this eventuality, his blog addresses not only the possibility of Clear Channel's demise--and the possible demise of two other commercial radio chains, Citadel and Cumulus--but what the commercial radio spectrum will look like after this happens, which could be as early as the 4th quarter of 2009.
The Punk Funk Mob, B'Nai Rebelfront, and Greg Scott are the featured performers in "We Got the Funk: A Tribute to the Sixth Funk Dynasty," a musical miniseries highlighting local funksters happening June 15-17 at Yoshi's SF.
Punk Funk Mob features singer Femi, who's normally a soul/R&B/house vocalist; in PFM she'll embrace her funk/rock/new wave side. Rebelfront is a soft-spoken, hard-rockin' guitarist who plays with Lyrics Born and the Coup; he'll step out of the sideman shadows at his Yoshi's gig and present his own solo material, which references everyone from Ernie Isley to early Prince to Funkadelic. Scott is a keyboardist/vocalist in the Donny Hathaway mode whose new album, Bring Me Back, updates the funk template with vocoderized soul slams and other rhythmic nuggets.
According to the PR, "The Sixth Funk Dynasty picks up where author Rickey Vincent's, "Funk: The MUSIC, the PEOPLE, and the RHYTHM of THE ONE" left off," following in the footsteps of the "First Funk Dynasty (Unification), Second Funk Dynasty (The Shining Star), Third Funk Dynasty (P-Funk), Fourth Funk Dynasty (Naked Funk) and Fifth Funk Dynasty (Hip Hop Nation)." In the Bay Area, the funk never really left, so these 6th D funkateers are probably more of a continuation than a revival. Still, for anyone who likes funky music in a live setting, all three of these shows should tickle your funk fancy without hurting your wallet too much--tickets are only $10 advance and $12 at the door.
From clubs editor John Graham. I think the title just about says it all.
