There’s a 99% likelihood that my post-Boomer music business peers, especially those of us who grew up in an industrial town along the Delaware River, quoted this lyric from “Thunder Road” in their high school yearbook. Aug. 25 marked the 40th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s perfect album Born to Run, which was even acknowledged on KROQ, as Kat Corbett chose Frank Turner’s gorgeous cover of “Born to Run” for her 12:35 “pick.” I know this album note for note, word for word; it still holds a permanent spot in my all-time Top 10. I wonder which records from the past decade, well after Nevermind, OK Computer, Ten, Pretty Hate Machine, etc. will still have that emotional resonance 30 or 40 years from now. Adele’s 21 is certain, and I am confident that Vampire Weekend’s Contra, Mumford & Sons’ Sigh No More and Arcade Fire’s Funeral will be remembered as transformative records that also shifted the mainstream. My favorite song on Born to Run is “Meeting Across the River,” in case you were wondering…

Nearly 30 years ago, I met Soundgarden when they were signed to Sub Pop. Then A&M Records, where I worked, signed the band. The label’s New Music Marketing Department, which I ran, oversaw the promotion of the SST release Ultramega OK and the band’s A&M debut Louder Than Love. In the years that followed, Chris Cornell has had countless Modern Rock radio smashes with Soundgarden, Audioslave and solo. He’s sold millions of records and has played shows in front of millions of fans. I’ve worked at HITS. Chris has one of the best voices in the history of rock music and remains one of Modern Rock’s truest STARS. I’ve worked at HITS. Now, I’m absolutely enamored with “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart,” the first single from his upcoming solo album Higher Truth. It’s rare to see a song #1 Most Added at Triple A and Active Rock, while also garnering 10 early adds at Modern Rock. It happens maybe once every few years, at best. “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” is an extraordinary song—certain to mitigate any bias the format might have (this week) against ’90s core artists. As an executive once declared, at an album listening session attended by Ted and me, “Sometimes the best song is just the best song.” I’m about to embark on a three-day/five-city trip to find out if my radio friends agree…

I’m not the only one celebrating a 25th anniversary this summer: CD1025 in Columbus has been on the air since 1990! To mark the occasion, the station launched an extensive Indiegogo campaign to raise the $1 million necessary to renew their broadcast license and remain on the air. So far, the station has received donations from more than 2,000 individuals/groups, raising $153,000. Many of you reading this have deep pockets. You remember growing up with your ear glued to the radio—it’s how you discovered new music. CD1025 is an independently owned and operated station, run by people who live and breathe music. Wasn’t that once your dream—to own a small station in a cool college town, playing music you loved? I had empirical evidence that Tame Impala’s “Elephant” was a hit because it was the #1 testing song of the year at CD1025, months before we launched it at Modern Rock. There are so few stations that are willing to step out on new music—we need to protect the ones that do. Make a contribution NOW to www.cd1025.com. The clock is ticking….

In case you missed it, here’s the latest: Leslie Scott, our friend since her WPGU days, has been upped to PD at KNDD Seattle. She’s been “in the building” for many years and her success as PD seems preordained. We are thrilled…

Bill Carroll has moved back to the East Coast, and will announce his new plans soon. Gary Gorman, formerly of Atlantic WC, is his replacement at Capitol. Ed Brennan, last at Concord, following his years at Wind-up, is replacing Gary. Ron Poore will be returning to his post at Atlantic very soon, which is truly exciting news. Mike DePippa marked his final week at Columbia by being #1 Most Added with the Neighbourhood single. He’s headed to Republic, replacing Ron Cerrito, who will segue into marketing. A replacement for DePippa has yet to be named, but, considering it includes access to the Springsteen catalog, I might have to throw my hat in the ring. In the meantime, Nick Petropoulos is under contract at Glassnote, with no intention of going elsewhere.