VH1 Classic and Westwood One to Launch Live Syndicated Nightly Radio Show, 'VH1 Classic Rock Nights' Beginning May 17

NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 Classic and Westwood One have announced "VH1 Classic Rock Nights," the new syndicated nightly radio show hosted by classic rock radio veteran, Eddie Webb. Beginning Monday, May 17, the show will air weeknights from 7:00pm -- 12:00am ET live from VH1 Classic's state-of-the art studio in New York. During its first week, "VH1 Classic Rock Nights" will welcome guests Ray Manzarek and John Densmore of The Doors, Mick Jones of Foreigner and Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company – who will help kick things off on day one.  At launch, "VH1 Classic Rock Nights" will be available in 20 markets.

"VH1 Classic Rock Nights" will offer fans of classic rock the music and artists they love each night with radio-friendly music programming, new in-studio interviews with the biggest names in classic rock, road reports from the hottest tours, promotions and giveaways, and vintage performances and interviews  from VH1 Classic's vast classic rock archives. 

"First and foremost, this show is going to be about the music. Fans of classic rock are some of the most passionate groups out there, which is why we've decided to extend our highly-regarded VH1 Classic brand to a nightly radio show," said Tom Calderone, President, VH1 & VH1 Classic. "VH1 Classic viewers have come to love our music programming and appreciate the access we have to top artists. Now they can experience all that and more every night on the radio with 'VH1 Classic Rock Nights.'"

"VH1 Classic Rock Nights" will also offer listeners several ways to interact with the station and host, Eddie Webb. In addition to a live studio hotline for call-in requests, the show's Web site VH1ClassicRockNights.com will feature streaming audio and video from in- studio interviews, news, links to affiliate sites and more. Listeners can also connect to the show via Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

"When you combine legendary artists, a powerhouse brand and an energetic, dynamic host you strike radio gold," said Gary Schonfeld, President Westwood One Network. "We are thrilled to partner with VH1 Classic to bring what is sure to be a massive hit show to our affiliates and advertisers nationwide."

Cumulus Media has partnered with "VH1 Classic Rock Nights" to broadcast the live radio show to markets throughout the country.

"We are in before the launch because this show is really going to be something special," said John Dickey, Chief Operating Officer, Cumulus Media. "Eddie Webb is a phenomenal host, and the combination of exclusive content and cross promotional opportunities between our stations and the VH1 Classic cable channel makes 'VH1 Classic Rock Nights' a perfect fit for Cumulus."

Eddie Webb began his radio career at 15 in a small town in Iowa. Since then, he has worked for leading radio stations including KUPD-Phoenix, WRCX and WLUP-Chicago, WAAF-Boston and XM Satellite Radio as one of the original dirty dozen PD's. He has worked for Skid Row, Guns N' Roses and most recently for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's Ozzfest where he ran the VIP program for the tour. Eddie's knowledge of rock music and his relationship with top artists give him a vantage point unlike most in the radio business.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's and 80's, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and U2. Learn more at VH1Classic.com.

About Westwood One

Westwood One (Nasdaq: WWON) is one of the nation's largest providers of network radio programming and one of the largest domestic providers of traffic information in the U.S. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio and 170 TV stations in the U.S. Westwood One provides over 150 news, sports, music, talk and entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. Through its Metro Traffic business, Westwood One provides traffic reporting and local news, sports and weather to approximately 2,200 radio and TV stations. Westwood One also provides digital and other cross-platform delivery of its Network and Metro Traffic content to over 700 radio, television and newspaper affiliates.

SOURCE VH1