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Americana Radio Promotion - About Us

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"Americana Music--Keep It Real"
 
 
"Oh yeah, that's what it's all about alright, but saying it and doing it are two different things!"
 
If you landed here by accident then you probably need to go get a cup of coffee, because the “About Us” page is a bit of a story.
Our reputation at Americana Media Production is we aren’t afraid to go the distance for our clients. We have fought to level the playing field for the independent artist and continue to work everyday to keep this the format real.
Our commitment and passion for this music is unmatched by any of our competition.
I started on radio in 1996 on a station in NJ called WDVR. When I started I had a show called “The Sunday Night Revival” and got permission to create a two hour show called “HepCats and Neon Armadillos” playing something called “Americana Music”, which grew to a 3 hour show. I was chairman of the Programming Department and during my stay we at the station we added just about 108 hours a week of Traditional Country, Bluegrass and Americana music. The annual budget also grew from $20K to almost $200K. After 9/11 the company I worked for disappeared, literately so I decided that after having over 75 artists stop by to stay in my home over the previous 6 years, all of which were broke, I decided to help.
While there I had the pleasure of bringing on to the staff, some important names in Americana music. “Big Kev” Ploghoft, R W Shamy (Twangcast) , Rich Evans (Bluegrass DJ) "Torchie Blaine" , Russ Hunsberger, 'Mr.Ed" Kilker and discovering some incredibly talented artists including Moot Davis.
Currently we are still involved with the Americana music scene:
Partner of E-Magazine "The Daily Ripple"  a social change news, music and ideas magazine. Its focus is on alternative news, socially active music and ideas that create "Ripples" of positive change. June 2011 - current
Morning Drive Host of "The Last Chance Medicine Show"- Allentown.Bethlehem16 hours weekly Americana show WLVR is a full time Roots Rock/ Americana Music station. An important feature on the show is "The Morning Roll Call" the daily reading of the military casualty reports  Nov 09-current
Board of Directors Americana Music Association-- With the highest number of nomination to date to be placed on the ballot. Fred Boenig was elected by the members for the At-Large seat on the board. After the death of his son, Fred did not run for election for a second term. Currently our partner Bob Benckert is Treasure of the AMA
Owner of Artist Development Co Op-- Created with Bill Hurley and Danny McCloskey, a co operative of top industry personnel that has been down sized from the record industry and are valuable resources for Independent Roots Americana artists. The co op provides the best record of success in the Americana format for charting indie artists in the Top 40. We provide access to distribution, internet development and promotion, e commerce, video development, film placement, tour support and publicity. 07- 10
Partner in the E magazine "TheAlternateRoot.com "--A web based virtual Roots Americana Music magazine with unique features including audio interviews and videos from artist such as Billy Bob Thornton, Buddy Miller, Allison Moore and Buck Jones. This magazine is a Quartly Hard Copy magazine. 07-current
Partner in "The Alternate Root TV "- A web based video TV channel, featuring Roots Americana Music videos and interviews, currently developing a weekly show for 64 Cable Access channels nationally. 
Partner in "ADC Film"- A Roots Americana Music video film production company co owner with Bill Hurley
Co-Host of Morning Drive Time Roots programming on WXLV- Allentown- 20 hours weekly Americana show WXLV is a full time Roots Americana Music station. Sept 06-Sep 09
Host of "This Outlaw Thing" on WLVR Allentown--four hour weeklyRoots Americana Musicshow. 05-current
Host of "Broken hearts and Auto Parts" on WMUH Allentown--two hour weekly Americana show. 04-07
Co-Producer of "The Living Room Series" and "It's Motel Time Again" with WXLV Americana Music Director Big Kev-- a syndicated live performance and interview show with guests that include BR549, Buddy Miller, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Rodney Crowell. Matt Angus, Alicea Nugent, Tom Gillam, Hacienda Brothers, Dan Penn, James Hunter, Dave Insley and Hayes Carll. All performances recorded in my Emmaus PA living room. We are currently broadcasting world wide through Air Play Direct Syndication of this show from 05-current
Some other things we’ve done:
 
Jed Hilly- Executive Director of AMAChance Austin- WLVRChance Austin - WLVR

 
 
 
We have had 20 Top 10 CDs and 7 Top 5.
First Self-Released CD in Top 10 -- With a modest budget, Big John Mills’ “Honky Tonks and Neon Lights" was the first self-released CD to appear in the Top 10. It was also Most Added for six weeks.
First Indie Artist CD in Top 5-- Tom Gillam started on Haydens Ferry and we got him signed to 95 North Records when he reached # 11 in 5 weeks He stayed in the top 10 for 10 weeks. The only Indie artist to have enough spins to make the AMA Top 20 Was nominated for "Emerging Artist of the Year 2005"
First Indie Artist CD to debut on the AMA chart at # 14--- Clay DuBose debuted at #14 the same week that the Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard debuted at # 16. Peaked at # 6
Only Self-Released Artists in Top 60 -- Kerri Powers and Kimmie Rhodes were the only two self-released artists to appear in the Top 60 CDs of the Year list (“You, Me and A Redhead” at #50and "Love Me Like A Song" at# 53, respectively
Client List: One Riot One Ranger, Kerri Powers,Kimmie Rhodes, Chuck Pyle, Billy Don Burns, Kenny Butterill, Clay DuBose, Big John Mills, Big Al Downing, Randy Weeks,Scott Gibson,Dave Isaacs,Tim Krekle, I Mihana,Kaz Murphy, Penny Jo Pullus, Rock House Ramblers, The Piners, Ben Winship, The Coming Grass, Dan Israel, Kevin Deal, Audrey Auld, Bill Chambers, The Mickeys, The McKay Brothers, Chip Taylor, Jay Ryan, American Ambulance, Russell Ray, Wayne Hancock, Karl Shiflett, Moot Davis, Anthony Michael James, Tom Roznowski Cactus Hunters, Kate James and Lost Country, Randy Thompson, Billy Lee Riley, Moot Davis, Woodys, Dale Keys, Troy McManus, Wade Jacoby, Randy Thompson, Matt Angus, Andy Tanas, The Lees, Rosie Flores, Stan Swiniarski, The Swindles, The Carburetors Bob Cheevers, Todd Fritsch, James Lann, Keith Sykes, The Believers, The Melroys, Todd Thibaud, Sidewinders, Clay DuBose, Frank Brown, Jeff Talmadge, Lori Willcuts, Doc Marshals, Tom Gillam, The Woodys, John Coinmen, Alistair Moock, Kim Carnes, Buck Jones, Claude Diamond, Lisa Best. Trailer Park Troubadours, Antsy McClain, Milroys, Jen Cass, Hunger Mountain Boys, Michael ONeill, Fred Eaglesmith, Darcy Lynne Ward, Brad Colerick, Lisa Hayes, Doug & Telisha Williams, Doug Spartz, Jonathan Edwards, Danny Santos, Dave Insley, Patricia Vonne, Iris Dement, Jeff Walburn, Bill Toms, Steve Goodman, Butch Hancock, Yarn, Roger Salloom, Kendel Carson, Carrie Rodriguez, John Platania, Tim Scott, The Mystix, Sara Cox, Tres Womack, Bill Kelly, Megan Munroe, Digney Fignus, Mitch Webb, Christopher Denny, A.J. Downing, Natasha James, Girls Guns and Glory,Victor Camozzi, Brian Ashley Jones, Lynne Hanson,Glenna Bell, Chris Loid, T G Sheppard, Jon Jackson, Winifred Adams, Bryan Clark, Dan May, Israel Nash Gripka, Honey Don't, Grant Peeples, Dan Reed, T Edwin Doss, The Boxmasters, Full Moon Revue, Desoto Rust. Jim Keaveny, Bruce Coburn, Danny Barnes, The Mississippi Sheiks Tribute, Cam Penner, Darryl Lee Rush, Harpeth Rising, Rob Lytle, Pure Grain,YARN, Brian Molnar, Chief Greenbud, Stan Martin, Lisa Biales, Jo Wymer, Omar and The Howlers, Buford Pope, Billy Don Burns, James Hand, Chris Daniels and the Kings.
1996-2008 WDVR FM 89.7 Non-Commercial Sergeantsville, NJ
Americana Music Program Director. Responsible for contact with record companies, promoters and sponsors. Develop Americana-related programming and events and maintain station library. Station revenue grew from $20K to over $180k a year during those years. (‘98-03)
Americana APD/Music Director of The Year, an award given by Album Network, a national magazine similar to Billboard Magazine containing the official Americana Chart, once a year to the top Program Director. Votes are collected from record companies, radio DJs and music industry personnel. (’01)
Executive Producer and Creator of Heartlands Hayride , a weekly live-performance traditional country radio show. Featuring 14 live musical acts in two hours, it’s the only show of its kind being broadcast in its entirety in North America. Serve as production engineer; supervise and train sound and stage crew; service sponsors and coordinate promotions, sales, syndication and annual budget for show. The show has generated more income for the station then any show on the station The show generates over $40k a year (‘00- 03)
Host and Engineer of Hepcats and Neon Armadillos, a weekly radio show featuring Americana and Western Swing music. (‘98-08)
Executive Producer and Host of Live@ TheLoft,a live-performance interview and music series featuring nationally known Americana music talent. (’00-'03)
Developed WDVR's Bluegrass Festival, responsible for developing 3 day Bluegrass festival that is currently in its fifth year. featuring Del McCoury and Rhonda Vincent with a 50K entertainment budget (‘99-02)
Station Webmaster, designed and maintain station website WDVRFM.org . Designed and custom-built computer and implemented programming to enable station to broadcast over the Internet. Designed and custom-built computer to broadcast programming 24 hours a day. (‘99-Present)
Executive Producer and Writer of Americana on the Air, a syndicated, live-performance radio show featuring nationally known talent from such old-time radio shows as The Shadow, Ethel and Albert and The Kate Smith Show. These actors performed on stage together with such well known Folk and Americana artists as Christine Lavin, Wayne Hancock Jimmie Lafave, Sandy Rogers and Buddy and Julie Miller. This show was one of the first to be broadcast live on the Internet. (’97-‘98)
Host and Engineer of Sunday Night Revival, a weekly Gospel music and comedy show. (‘96-‘98)
Panelist for: the AMA, Album Network, RootsMusicReport.com, Progressive Country and Gavin Magazine Top 40 Americana Music Weekly Charts, Root 66 Chart. (‘98-current)

 

 fred and DelbertDoug Sahm and Fred BoenigElizabeth Cook and Fred BoenigKerri Powers and Fred Boenig

Hank III and Fred BoenigGrayson Capps and Fred BoenigFred Boenig on WXLVFred Boenig and David OlneyFred Boenig Tom Gillam Ray Wylie Hubbard Chip Taylor and Fred BoenigJimmie Del Gilmore and Fred BoenigArlo Guthrie and Fred BoenigRoger Wallace  Fred Boenig

Big Al Downing- Fred BoenigTim krekel and Fred Boenig

Phil Alvin Big Kev and Fred Boenig Lonesome Bob  and Fred Boenig

Billy Joe Shaver and Fred BoenigEilen Jewell and Fred Boenig 

Buck Jones and Fred BoenigCarrie Rodreguz  Fred Boenig

Raul Malo and Fred BoenigJay Boy Adams and Fred Boenig

Asylum Street Spankers   and Fred BoenigChip Taylor Kendel Carson John Platania and Fred Boenig

Iris Dement and Fred BoenigSlaid Cleaves and Fred Boenig

Randy Weeks and Fred BoenigKevin Deal and Fred Boenig

Big Kev Ploghoft and Angela RemingtonFred Eaglesmith and Fred Boenig

Todd Snider and Fred BoenigJim Keaveny and Fred Boenig

BR549 and Big Kev Ploghoft taping the Living Room SeriesShooter Jennings, Ted Russel Kamp Big Kev and Fred Boenig

Chris Gaffney and Fred BoenigBig Kev & Fred  The Tejas Brothers

Local DJ dedicates portion of radio show to read the names of war casualties

Published: Sunday, November 06, 2011, 4:43 AM
 
 
 
 
war casualtyView full sizePhoto Courtesy of Fred Boenig. Fred Boenig shares a photo of his son, Airman First Class Austin Harper Gates Benson, being transported home at Dover Airforce Base.

Fred Boenig, also known by his radio name DJ Chance Austin, experienced every parent’s worst nightmare in May 2010.

Military cars pulled up to his house and informed him that his 19-year-old son, Airman 1st Class Austin Harper Gates Benson, 19, of Hellertown, had died in Torkham, Khyber, Afghanistan.

Benson was a 2008 graduate of Saucon Valley High School where he was voted “Most Likely to Change the World” by peers, according to his father.

Boenig would soon find out that his son wasn’t killed in combat, but from a self-inflicted gunshot.

“That’s when the carnival ride starts,” Boenig says of the emotions and chain of events that started after hearing the news.

The next morning, he didn’t know where to land or how to go on, so he did the only thing he knew to do. He went on the air and did his morning radio show as usual.

"The Last Chance Medicine Show" still went on as it does every Monday through Wednesday and Saturday morning from 6 to 10 o’clock on WLVR, the Community Public Radio station at Lehigh University in Bethlehem. The show is a mixture of Americana rock and whatever else Boenig feels in the mood to play, sometimes including selections by Matthew Sweet and even Marilyn Monroe.

Boenig freely voices his knowledge and opinions on social and political topics that can range from light-hearted to serious.

“When my son died, I went on the air the next day, crying for two weeks,” Boenig says. He says while his bosses told him to take time off, they knew he needed to do what he needed to do. “They’ve always been really supportive.”

Austin BensonView full size Fred Boenig or DJ Chance Austin, dedicates a portion of his radio program "The Last Chance Medicine Show" to reading the names of war casualties.

One morning, not long after his son had passed, while researching news to be read on his show, he came across the daily casualty report from the Department of Defense. He decided to read the names on the air.

“It happened one morning when I was just looking for news,” he says. "I saw three names showed up one day. It was a Saturday morning so I read them. Sunday, I decided to read them again, the next set that were there. By the time I had read the names on Tuesday I figured I’d better ask if it was OK. “

He says his supervisor agreed to let him do it as long as he did so in a professional way.

The roll call begins at 7 a.m. sharp each day DJ Chance Austin is on the air, with a cadence. He reads the names over a music bed of "Amazing Grace." After the names are read, he plays taps.

He says the names were difficult to read at first, and sometimes he couldn’t make it through without crying. He says it has gotten easier, but there are times he does get tripped up, especially when he comes across a soldier whose cause of death is noted as noncombat related.

“How do you get people to recognize that something is going on?” he says. “I have the ability to talk on the air, but how do you get people to understand every day just about some kid’s name, some parent’s kids' name.”

Boenig is also involved with programs that address post traumatic stress disorder in soldiers once they return from combat.

“When all these kids come home, there are issues,” he says. “You get wounded. You get blown apart. You lose legs. Your body is 80 percent burned. These people are really hurt. “

He is helping to promote a concert with musician JD Malone and the Experts at Veterans Sanctuary in Allentown, a facility offering specialized care to soldiers. The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and is open to the public. The performance is free, but donations are encouraged.

“It’s not about me,” Boenig says of the radio show and his volunteer work. “It’s about what’s going on.”

Boenig, currently living in Emmaus, continues to advocate for soldiers and veterans while staying informed of war events. He reaches out to other parents and people in the military that have to deal with casualties and deaths of people in the armed services.

While Boenig doesn't know whether or not reading the names every day is helping with his personal healing process, he wants to help other families and possibly prevent one more person from suffering. He feels very strongly about the young people that are being killed and injured at such a young age.

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