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Our clients say...
"The Custom Channels team helped us craft a radio station that meets all of our objectives for in-store play. We were looking for the perfect mix of tunes to express Life is good’s mission of spreading the power of optimism - not a cookie cutter playlist aimed at a specific demographic. Custom Channels took the time to understand our needs and has been a tremendous partner in bringing the good vibes to Life is good’s customers."

-James Macdonald
Life is good

 

Custom Channels Company News

March, 2010
Rodeo Houston Radio Busts Out Of The Chute
The online Rodeo Houston Radio, produced by Custom Channels, plays only performers that have appeared at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo over the past 68 years. Among the 350 superstar entertainers on the channel are Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney. And rodeo entertainers go beyond Country to include Beyonce, Selena, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, CCR, Sherly Crow and John Mayer. Even Elvis Presley played the event and is on Rodeo Houston Radio.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world's largest livestock exhibition and the richest regular-season PRCA rodeo event, partnered with Custom Channels for an audio channel to boost their year around web presence for the huge annual event. The all-time general attendance record was broken in 2009 with 1.9 million visitors over 20 days. The 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs March 2-21.

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February, 2010
Life is good Stores Get Even Better With Music By Custom Channels
Life is good sells clothing and products with a message of optimism and an emphasis on simplicity, humor and humility trying to create a symbol about what was right in the world. Through Life is good Festivals, positive products, and a steady dose of ping pong, the Life is good staff keeps the good vibes flowing. That's why they chose Custom Channels to create an exclusive music mix for their stores and company offices. Bert and John Jacobs launched their apparel company out of a Boston apartment 15 years ago. The New England based brand works with 125 independently owned stores known as Genuine Neighborhood Shoppes that carry a full line of Life is good gear. Another 4,500 stores carry Life is good merchandise.

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February, 2010
Bonnaroo And Custom Channels Reveal Summer Festival Lineup
The Bonnaroo Music Festival and Custom Channels teamed together in a unique way to announce the extensive list of bands that will be playing this summer the preeminent U.S. music festival. The roll out was coordinated with the Bonnaroo Music Channel, produced by Custom Channels, that airs 365 days a year on the Bonnaroo web site.

The artist lineup for the four day festival in Tennessee is a highly anticipated event for concert goers with bloggers and music critics speculating who will be on the stage list. For a month before the February announcement, Custom Channels aired audio clues on the Bonnaroo channel to heighten interested and give listeners hints about the lineup. The festival supported the audio hints with clues on twitter and message boards.

On the day of the official artist announcement, Bonnaroo directed fans to their MySpace Music web page where graphic animation revealed a new band or musician every six minutes. As each band or musician was revealed, their song would play on the Bonnaroo Music Channel. It was live radio integrating the web and streaming to make it buzzworthy for Bonnaroo and fun for the thousands of music fans. And it was another great example of how Custom Channels delivers custom, unique programming to clients of music conscious brands.

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January, 2010
Custom Channels Exhibits Smile Radio At Rocky Mountain Dental Convention
Dental professionals rely on music in the office to ensure the comfort of their patients and staff more so than most professionals. Smile Radio is the new alternative to FM radio, Sirius/XM, CDs or iPods for music without repetition in dental practices. Over 250 exhibitors showcase their products and services in the Expo Hall at the Denver Convention Center. Custom Channels' music pros talk with dentists, hygienists, chairside assistants and office staff about in-office music and demonstrate Internet music players. The 103rd Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is the largest gathering of dental professionals in the Rocky Mountain states.

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December, 2009
Houston Rodeo Lassoes Custom Channels For Rodeo Radio
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world's largest livestock exhibition and the richest regular-season PRCA rodeo event. It's been the heartbeat of the Southwest for 77 years. The all-time general attendance record was broken in 2009 with 1.9 million visitors. The biggest music names in Country, Pop and Rock play the 20 day event. Custom Channels will produce Rodeo Houston Radio for The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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December, 2009
Smile Radio by Custom Channels profiled in The Denver Business Journal
Smile Radio aims to keeps dentists, their staff and their patients smiling by giving them something new to listen to. The Denver Business Journal was intrigued by a music service that's tailored just for dental practices so the DBJ featured Custom Channels' Smile Radio with an article and photos.
Read more.

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November, 2009
Radio Connects With Custom Channels For Christmas
For the 11th holiday season, Custom Channels offers customized Holiday music channels for radio station's web sites. Radio programmers in all formats, from AC to Country and Triple A to Oldies, choose their own Christmas music playlist, tailored to their station's format, using Custom Channels' web based Song Select program of thousands of holiday titles. Then, Custom Channels produces the music mix combined with that station's on-air messaging and commercials. Each station's Holiday channel is streamed with a branded web player utilizing audio and video gateway announcements with all music licensing and reporting covered by Custom Channels. This season, at least 35 radio stations will be offering local digital advertising options by streaming Holiday music from November to Christmas with Custom Channels. See more.

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October, 2009
Blakroc Radio Launches With Custom Channels
BlakRoc is a rap rock collaboration between The Black Keys and several hip-hop musicians and R&B artists. The project is overseen by Damon Dash, the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records. Roc-A-Fella specializes almost exclusively in hip-hop music. Check out Blakroc Radio on www.blakroc.com.

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October, 2009
Custom Channels expands coverage with Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market's custom in-store mix provided by Custom Channels has expanded from the local stores in the Boulder, CO area to the 27 stores in the Rocky Mountain Region. Whenever you visit a Whole Foods Market in New Mexico, Utah, Kansas and Colorado you'll hear music and messaging provided by Custom Channels. "Whole Foods Radio has proven to be a very effective solution. The music mix is as unique as the stores. We often go into Whole Foods and see staff and customers singing along or moving to the beat" said Dave Rahn, co-president of Custom Channels.

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May, 2009
Floyd's 99 Radio by Custom Channels profiled in The Denver Post
DENVER - Many businesses work hard on their "look", but Custom Channels wants to convince them that having their own sound is important, too. The Denver Post profiled Custom Channels' in-store music service with photos at Floyd's 99 Barbershop. Read more

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May, 2009
Smile Radio Begins Bringing Better Music To Dental Offices
BOULDER - Filing a hole and expanding beyond traditional retail music services, Custom Channels has created Smile Radio - a selection of fully licensed, digital music channels specifically designed around the unique needs of the professional dental office environment. Dental professionals rely on music in the office to ensure the comfort of their patients and staff more so than other professionals. Dentists can put their patients at ease, improve staff morale and make the workday more enjoyable for everyone in the office with the right music mix. Smile Radio is the right mix with 24/7 streaming channels created just for dental practices.

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April, 2009
Bonnaroo Radio by Custom Channels profiled in Billboard Magazine
NASHVILLE - Custom Channels believes it can combine the best of both worlds with custom-built online radio channels for festivals. An early customer is Bonnaroo Radio at bonnaroo.com since 2004. Read more.

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November, 2008
Cost Plus World Market Radio Lets Shoppers Explore a World of Music
SAN FRANCISCO - In addition to one-of-a-kind home furnishings, foods, spices and wines from around the world, Cost Plus World Market now has another worldly offering for its customers: World Market Radio powered by Custom Channels. Online shoppers can tune into a wide range of international music selections that serve as a great soundtrack the diverse products available on costplusworldmarket.com.

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September, 2008
Roti Mediterranean Grill Radio - A Greek Isle Resort in The Middle of the City
CHICAGO - When the new Roti Mediterranean Grill wanted a signature soundtrack to match its innovative menu and hip restaurant atmosphere, they called on Custom Channels. Our music experts got to work, creating an always fresh, energetic blend of music encompassing Eurobeat, Latin, electronica, and other exotic flavors -an on-premise music mix as varied and interesting as Roti's menu itself. Roti plans additional locations around Chicago and in other cities in 2009.

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July, 2008
Custom Channels Pumps Up The Volume at The Pump
NEW YORK - Manhattan-based Pump Energy Foods chose Custom Channels to design a specialty music mix for their growing restaurant chain. Specializing in fresh, healthy, energy-producing foods, The Pump wanted an organic and eclectic mix of music that reflected the uniqueness of the menu and the restaurant itself. Indie rock, Americana, international... The Pump's on-premise radio is as good for the ears as their food is for the body.

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July, 2008
Custom Channels Launches Floyds 99 Radio for Floyd's Barbershops Nationwide

DENVER - When you walk into any of the dozens of Floyd's 99 Barbershops across the country, you get more than just a great haircut you'll get a full-on rock and roll experience. In addition to their famous poster wall featuring music greats, Floyd's 99 even has its own radio station, pumping out great tunes, a fun between the records attitude, listener requests and special features like a Friday afternoon Happy Hour. Floyd's 99 Radio is created and broadcast live to Floyd's locations nationwide by Custom Channels where DJs keep Floyd's Barbershops rockin day and night.

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June, 2008
John Bradley
of Custom Channels and SBR as featured in Fortune Magazine on CNNMoney.com.
See the article here.

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June, 2008
Custom Channels launches In-Store Radio for Whole Foods Market
Boulder, CO - Tom Rich is the store Team Leader of the busy Whole Foods Market on Pearl Street. And almost as much as he's into the locally-grown produce, fresh meats and seafood, organic dairy products and whole grain breads, he's into music. All kinds of music: rock, blues, folk, oldies, indie, bluegrass, world music - you name it. But short of programming his own iPod, Tom just couldn't find the right mix of eclectic music that fit the pace and vibe of Whole Foods Market. After trying other music services, Tom called Custom Channels to create a radio station for his store: Whole Foods Radio. "Whole Foods Radio has a very unique sound - it's organic and active - just like the stores themselves" said Dave Rahn, co-president of Custom Channels.

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May, 2008
Emmis Communications' 101.9 WRXP Adds On-Line Radio from Custom Channels

New York - 101.9 RXP has retained Custom Channels to add three new online channels to it's website at www.1019rxp.com. In addition to RXP's live stream, listeners can now tune into the RXP New Music Channel, RXP Deep Tracks Channel and the RXP Nor'easter. In the short time since 101.9 RXP burst onto the New York Radio dial in February, the music-intensive station has gained a loyal following among New York music fans. "The RXP On-Line Channels help underscore what the idea behind RXP is all about," said John Bradley co-president of Custom Channels and a programming consultant to RXP. "The channels also allow RXP to go deeper and wider musically than is even possible over the air to superserve different audience interests. The New Music Channel for example goes beyond the singles and gives listeners the opportunity to really immerse themselves in new music. The Deep Tracks Channel features a lot of "B sides" and live tracks and the Nor'easter dives into the vast world of local, New York area bands." Listen to the 101.9 RXP On-Line channels at www.1019rxp.com.

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January 1, 2008
SBR spawns Custom Channels, LLC; Focus on Digital In-Store and On-Line audio entertainment.

Boulder, CO - SBR Creative Media has been running its Custom Channels service since late 1999, specializing in providing on-line streaming and HD Radio "side channels" for radio stations. Now, SBR has set up Custom Channels, LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary of SBR Creative Media. While the people running Custom Channels will remain the same, the change is more than symbolic. "By setting up Custom Channels as it's own business entity, it shows our commitment to grow in the area of digitally delivered audio entertainment to a wider variety of clientele" said Custom Channels manager and SBR co president Dave Rahn. "Custom In-Store Radio will be a major new focus of Custom Channels in the coming year in addition to growing our on-line radio client base" said Rahn.

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November, 2007
Major Broadcasters tap Custom Channels for Holiday Music Channels

Boulder, CO - Leading Philadelphia Soft Rock station WBEB (B101) Philadelphia is well known for "going all Christmas Music" each holiday season. This year, B101 is offering its listeners more ways to listen to Christmas Music - and the station's regular Soft Rock blend - both online and over-the air. B101 has contracted with Custom Channels to create an exclusive, on-line, All-Christmas stream for listeners that just can't wait for the station to change format on-air the air. Then, when B101 does "flip format" for the holidays, listeners needing an occasional break from the holiday cheer will be able to tune into an on-line version of B101 featuring the station's regular (non Christmas) on-line mix. Custom Channels will serve up fully-branded, Christmas music streams for 75 radio stations this year. In addition to B101, other clients include New York News/Talk powerhouse 1010 WINS, Greater Media's WMJX/Magic 106.7 in Boston, Adult Rock WXRT Chicago, Country leader KSON San Diego and dozens more.

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April, 2007
CBS Radio Taps Custom Channels for AT&T Blueroom On-Line Radio Channels.

NEW YORK- CBS Radio, a division of CBS Corporation and one of the nation's largest owner and operator of radio stations (140 stations nationwide) has contracted with SBR Custom Channels to provide five custom-branded on-line radio channels for CBS Radio client AT&T Blueroom. AT&T blueroom is a premier music and concert portal with emphasis on music, videos, interviews and live webcasts from major music festivals around the country. CBS Radio is a content partner for AT&T Blueroom. "We have a great track record of working with many individual CBS stations over the years and we're really pleased to be a part of this exciting, high-profile opportunity for CBS and AT&T Blueroom," said Custom Channels' co-president Dave Rahn. AT&T Blueroom Radio will feature year 'round channels such as Rock, Hits, Mix and Country plus a "festival channel" that will highlight music from major music festivals including Bonnaroo, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Austin City Limits, Vegoose and others.

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March 2007
CustomChannnels.net releases whitepaper concerning 2006-2010 Webcast Royalty Rates
WASHINGTON, DC -A three judge Copyright Royalty Board has issued its decision regarding royalties webcasters must pay to record labels for the use of music in on-line radio for the term 2006-2010. Custom Channels, alongside major broadcasters and webcasters, participated in the contentious, 18-month long process. Following the CRB determination, Custom Channels's David Rahn prepared a whitepaper on the decision, entitled, "The New Webcast Royalties - What they are, what happens next and what you should be prepared for." A PDF of the whitepaper can be downloaded here.

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February, 2007
Custom Channels serves up Chipotle Radio for Chipotle Mexican Grill
DENVER - Walk into any of the nearly 600 Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) locations across the U.S. for a burrito and one immediately notices the energy of the music in the dining rooms. As steak and veggies sizzle on the grill, an eclectic mix of world, indie rock, salsa, Latin, Americana, funk and more flows from the speakers. Music is such a part of the Chipotle Mexican Grill experience that music lovers can now listen to Chipotle Radio anytime at www.Chipotle.com (click restaurants | music). Chipotle Mexican Grill chose Custom Channels to provide a custom on-line radio solution to mirror the music played in Chipotle's. "There are two things we really love around here - Chipotle burritos and music. Chipotle Radio is a great station to have on at the office on a Friday afternoon," said Bodie Johnson, Custom Channels' customer service manager.

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July, 2006
Entercom Communications Signs Up Custom Channels to Coordinate HD2 Radio Channels.
BOULDER - With over 100 radio stations in 23 markets across the country, setting up an additional 50 or 60 HD2 stations with quality programming can be a daunting logistical technical challenge. So, Entercom Communications Corporation has selected Custom Channels to design and build their network of digital "side channels" to be broadcast on stations' HD2 signals and webcast on-line. "This is a challenging project, but one that's right up our alley given our programming and technical experience creating on-line radio stations for years" said Dave Rahn, co-president of SBR Custom Channels. The project will entail working with individual format program directors to create 10 or more new music-based formats and then distributing that programming live to over 50 individual stations' digital transmitters. The Custom Channels solution enables individual Entercom stations to utilize "network" music programming while having complete control over local content, promos, public service announcements and commercials. Stations also have the option of streaming their HD2 channels on-line. For more information click here.

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February, 2006
Greater Media Boston Taps SBR Custom Channels for HD2 Channels
BOULDER - SBR Custom Channels announced it will be coordinating music and programming for two new HD2 channels for Greater Media stations WMJX and WBOS in Boston. WMJX HD2 will feature a Smooth Jazz format while WBOS HD2, The WBOS Coffee House, will have an acoustic music focus.

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July, 2005
Custom Channels serves up national New Music Channel for Triple A Station Websites.
BOULDER - SBR Creative Media, through it's Custom Channels service, has launched the New Music Channel (NMC), a 24/7, on-line radio channel featuring recent releases from new and established Triple A artists. SBR Custom Channels is offering a branded version of the NMC free to select Triple A Radio stations to promote from their websites. "The NMC is a great way for Triple A stations to bring a wider variety and depth of new music to their musically curious listeners," said John Bradley, SBR Custom Channels co-president and program director of the NMC. "It's also a great way for artists and record labels to showcase their new projects to a wide audience," he added. SBR Custom Channels makes a limited number sponsorship positions available to record labels and artists per month. Stations receive a branded media player and NMC website page, and the opportunity to insert localized promos and commercials. The NMC can be accessed through any of 20 NMC affiliate station sites including WXRT Chicago, KBCO Denver, KTCZ/Cities 97 Minneapolis, WTTS Indianapolis and many others.

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June, 2005
CBS Radio's Dallas Stations go online with Custom Channels
DALLAS - Under the direction of CEO Mel Karmizan, CBS Radio owned and operated radio stations aren't known for streaming their stations on-line. While streaming isn't expressly verboten at CBS, technical, legal, revenue and other concerns make local station streaming - and especially music streaming - a tough sell to the higher-ups in New York. But Custom Channels has come up with a novel new way to enable CBS's four-station cluster in Dallas including KJKK/Jack-FM, KOAI/The Oasis, KLUV and KVIL to stream on-line: by creating custom on-line versions of CBS's over-the-air formats. By creating on-line versions of the stations, hosted and managed by Custom Channels, CBS is able to contract out the tasks of technology and webcast-compliance (i.e. music royalties, ad insertion and trafficking, etc) to Custom Channels. Custom Channels' Dave Rahn said "We were able to make this practically turn-key for the stations - everything is built and programmed to their exact specifications, but since we do all of the heavy-lifting behind the scenes, it's a service that passes muster at [CBS] corporate - it's a win-win situation for stations that want to be on-line, but need creative solutions."

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April 2005
KINK-FM Portland Streams Four On-Line Side Channels with Custom Channels
PORTLAND, OR - KINK FM has long been known for playing a wide variety of diverse programming - everything from rock and pop to acoustic, blues, jazz and more. KINK has teamed up with Custom Channels to expand its on-line offerings with four new on-line audio channels: The KINK Blues Room, Acoustic KINK, KINK Lights Out and the KINK New Music Channel. The channels allow KINK to superserve listeners with diverse music interests 2/7 all within the powerful KINK brand. KINK Program Director Dennis Constantine said, "The channels help us create a stronger bond with our listeners. We know that when they're listening to our channels, they're not listening to their iPod or satellite radio." Custom Channels provides KINK with music and programming coordination and hosting, streaming, custom media players and SoundExchange music royalties.

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October, 2005
SBR Custom Channels to Participate in Copyright Royalty Board Proceeding on Webcast rates.
WASHINGTON, DC - If the sides can't agree, they'll have to go see the judge. That's what's happening in the on-going struggle between on-line radio webcasters and the record industry. At stake is what webcasters must pay record labels and artists for the right to "perform" sound recordings over the Internet. SBR Custom Channels has been in the webcasting business since early 2000 and the rates the small company pays to SoundExchange (a collective agency representing record labels) each year are eye-popping. Still, SoundExchange wants to raise the royalty rates even higher starting in 2006 through 2010. So, SBR Custom Channels' co-president David Rahn, along with dozens of other large and small webcasters and broadcast groups, will take his case to a three-judge Copyright Royalty Board that will hear arguments from both sides and make a decision. The case is expected to take a year or longer to complete. A copy of Rahn's Direct Testimony to the CRB can be found here.

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October, 2005
WJJO Madison Makes Active Rock Move To Milwaukee with Custom Channels.
MILWAUKEE - When Saga Communications flipped longtime rocker Laser 103 to classic rock "The Hog" last month, heritage active rock station WJJO in nearby Madison saw an opportunity - even though their signal barely reaches Milwaukee. The Madison station launched "JJOMilwaukee.com", an on-line station targeted to hard rock fans in Milwaukee left without a station after the demise of Laser 103. WJJO teamed with Custom Channels to create and manage the music programming, stream, custom media player and webcast royalties. Billed as "Solid Rock JJOMilwaukee - Harder, Louder, Faster", JJOMilwaukee will be localized to the Milwaukee market, featuring local concert info, advertisers and promotions.

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November 2004
Over 50 stations to go "All Christmas" on-line with Custom Channels Holiday Music Channels.
BOULDER - Despite the fact that many stations have turned off their year-round live streams due to concerns over bandwidth, music royalty and AFTRA licensing costs, SBR Custom Channels reports a record number of stations signing up for its Holiday Music Channel service this year. Custom Channels provides stations with turn-key, fixed-price customized programming and streaming of a 24/7 All-Christmas-Music version of client stations' formats during the holidays. "The number of stations coming to us just keeps growing year after year" reports Dave Rahn, co-president of SBR Custom Channels. "Clearly, stations are finding Holiday Channels a great way to serve listeners and generate additional revenue in 4th quarter." Some notable participating stations in 2004 include Clear Channel's WSNI/Sunny 104.5 in Philadelphia, the entire 10-station Delmarva Broadcasting Group, CBS Radio's WXRT in Chicago and dozens more.

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May, 2004
Custom Channels launches Custom On-line Radio for Bonnaroo Music Festival
BOULDER - The Bonnaroo Music Festival has chosen Custom Channels to create and manage its Bonnaroo Radio on-line radio station for it's website at www.bonnaroo.com. Bonnaroo Radio features music, interviews and live performances from past and present Bonnaroo Music Festival artists. The Bonnaroo Music Festival, first held in 2002, has become the nation's preeminent multi-day music festival highlight established and emerging artists like Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Jason Mraz and dozens more. Listen to Bonnaroo Radio at www.bonnaroo.com.


 

 
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