Musical Chairs: McGinn back in driver’s seat at Authentic; JOY FM GM exits; ABC’s Stan Thomson retiring; New names for A2IM board; Loft ex-GM launches label

Tony McGinn back in driver’s seat at Authentic Entertainment

After posting a $2.8 million loss for the 2014 financial year citing a soft ad market, founder Tony McGinn takes the reins again at Authentic Entertainment, Mumbrella reported. A restructure is taking place, with CEO John Wardley shifted to set up new specialist branded content and experiential service Authentic Creative Labs while some divisions were closed or downsized. It continues to represent Vevo in Australia and makes radio and TV content including Live At The Chapel.

JOY FM’s GM stepping down

After ten years at Australia’s only LGBTIQ radio station JOY 94.9 (three as its GM), Conrad Browne is leaving end of June. He began as a volunteer in 2005 before joining the staff in sponsorship and production. He became GM in late 2011. Jed Gilbert, JOY President, said, “He has shown exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the station and our community. He is leaving JOY 94.9 in a very strong position strategically, culturally, and financially. While I am sad to see him go, I'm excited about what he has to offer the community and the sector in any future role.”

ABC’s Stan Thomson retiring

After 27 years at ABC SA’s South East Mt. Gambier, Stan Thomson(pictured)is retiring, effective Friday July 31. With a start on commercial radio in the 1970s (PD for the Advertiser Broadcasting Network) he switched to Aunty in 1988.

New names for A2IM board

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) elected three new members to its board – Beggars Group Chairman Martin Mills, INgrooves EVP Amy Dietz and Secretly Group co-founder Darius Van Arman. Their three-year terms begin on July 4 –the tenth anniversary of its formation.

Keith Conlon takes over SA HOF inductions

Veteran radio broadcaster Keith Conlon takes over the inductions of the South Australian Hall of Fame from the late David Day. His first duty is this Friday for a posthumous award to jazz man Mike Stewart who passed last year. As part of the celebrations, the Mike Stewart Big Band, featuring Bob Jeffery perform at Goodwood Institute at the Adelaide Music Collective’s Live Music Sessions, with The Marmalade Trio, The New Cabal and Bill Polain.

Row heads south

Jamie Row is Operations Manager and floater at smoothfm Sydney. He held the same roles at Nova Brisbane.

Booker for new Melbourne venue

Cellar Bar, the new live music venue in Melbourne’s St. Kilda, officially announced Jeremy Jankie as its band booker. He’s believed to have begun some weeks ago. Jankie is also Manager of Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club.

Sydney’s Nick Condon heads to Adelaide

Nick Condon leaves ARN Sydney after seven years. As its Head of Digital, he launched its digital stations, brought iHeartRadio to Australia, built ARN’s digital team of two to 20, and made it one of the Top 30 local digital publishers. He moves to Adelaide as Director of Digital Innovation at Business SA, heading the SA Chamber of Commerce's digital and technology teams and providing Business SA’s digital strategies and “ensure South Australian businesses are equipped with the technologies and platforms needed to transact in a digital world.”

Shuffles at Sea Sunshine Coast, Power Bega

Rachel McLarnon is new Music Director / announcer with NX FM Newcastle. She was MD and morning announcer at Sea 91.9 Sunshine Coast.

Her role is taken over by Joseph Groth (ex-Power FM Bega) who also takes on Acting PD duties.

James Perrin moves from K Rock/Bay FM Geelong, where he was Promotions Manager and Integration Manager, to become PD at Power FM.

Sophia Brous curating inaugural Supersense

Performer Sophia Brous is curator of the inaugural three-day Supersense Festival. It is held at Arts Centre Melbourne covering music, film, dance, performance art, sound and light. Those booked include Ariel Pink, Ash Ra Tempel/Manuel Gottsching and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

MJ Bailey heads south

After hostingbreakfast at 4CA Cairns since August 2013, Michael J Bailey is now on the Sunshine Coast. From the Grant Broadcasters Media House, his weekday arvo program is networked to Cairns, Rockhampton and Mackay.

Lawyer turned broadcaster Murray Jones now does 4CA breakfast and produces the morning show. He worked part time at 4CA while studying law.

Simon Wheeler lands top Yahoo7 role

Simon Wheeler, Deputy Editor of MailOnline, is now Head of Editorial, Australia and New Zealand at Yahoo7. His beat also covers entertainment.

Michael Connell turns on the juice

Melbourne comedian and harmonica player Michael Connell, who not too long ago MC’d a fund raiser for “good taste radio” Juice 107.3 breakfast show on the Gold Coast, is now co-hosting its breakfast slot with Susie Holt.

Lofty ex-GM launches new record label

Ben Russell, one time GM of Warrnambool’s The Loft venue, set up Silver Ball Records. It’s a vinyl-only format issuing singles and EPs by local acts as Blues Heat, Red Eagle, Crossfire Hurricane and Blackwood Jack.

New recording studio opens in Nelson

Bay City Sound Studio is a new recording studio in Nelson, New Zealand. Its Managing Director is Reagan Poynter, Mark Patterson is Studio Engineering Director and James Cameron is Financial Director. The studio plans to offer subsidized rates for indie acts. The three work together on music-themed enterprises, which are also housed in the Rutherford St. studio building. They include an audio installation business (both Poynter and Patterson are sound engineers) and the New Zealand Organ Manufactory which was first established in 1888 by renowned organ maker Edgar Jenkins.