Gimme Radio

Gimme Radio was an Internet radio and online store established in June 2017. It was based in San Francisco, California and was founded as an advertising-free service.[1][2] Gimme broadcast heavy metal music 24/7 and among its DJs were Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, Lamb of God's Randy Blythe and Amon Amarth's Johan Hegg.[3][4]

Gimme Radio
IndustryInternet radio
FoundedJune 2017 (June 2017)
DefunctApril 2023 (April 2023)
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Key people
Tyler Lenane
David Rosenberg
Jon Maples
Websitegimmeradio.com

Gimme Radio has been described as the first streaming platform dedicated exclusively to heavy metal.[5][6]

History

Gimme Radio was co-founded by Tyler Lenane (Chief Executive Officer), David Rosenberg (Chief Operating Officer), Jon Maples (Chief Product Officer) and Andrew Gilliland (Chief Creative Officer), all of whom have previous experience at streaming services: Lenane is the former business development executive at Apple Music, Rosenberg is the former head of distribution partnerships at Google Play, and Maples previously served as vice president of product at Rhapsody and 8tracks.[3] Gimme Radio is the first streaming service of Gimme Media.[7]

They founded the radio as a response to the streaming services which have often "left [the metal community] out" of their focuses and innovations, despite being highlighted as the most loyal demographic by genre in 2015 on Spotify, with its fans relying on more traditional formats such as vinyls and CDs.[8][9][5] Around 50% of the music played on Gimme Radio were premieres from established acts and a considerable portion were underground music.[10] Gimme had no sponsors and depended exclusively on sellings, including exclusive vinyl, collectible items and enabling listeners to purchase the records which were playing at the moment.[3]

Gimme Radio was curated by and associated with many musicians, music journalists, producers and label affiliates, in a freeform, non-playlist approach.[11][10] Among its radio shows were "The Dave Mustaine Show",[12] "The Power Remains" with Randy Blythe,[13] and "Hammer of the North" with Johan Hegg.[11] Other associates and DJs included Dave Catching, Ben Weinman, Albert Mudrian, Carlos Ramirez and a rotating roster of Metal Blade and Nuclear Blast guest DJs.[2][3][11][14] JJ Koczan, editor of The Obelisk webzine, hosted the specialty show "The Obelisk Show", dedicated to stoner, doom and sludge metal.[15]

At the end of 2017, Gimme Radio released mobile applications for Android and iOS operating systems.[12]

In November 2018, Gimme announced a membership subscription tier called The Vault which enabled its members to listen to all its previous programs, listen to them offline, new radio shows and other exclusive features.[4] On the 17th of that month, Gimme celebrated its first anniversary with a show co-sponsored by Decibel.[16]

In February 2019, Gimme announced the launching of Gimme Country, an online country music radio that followed the same format as Gimme Radio, which led to the creation of Gimme Metal to differentiate it.[17][18] Its first four DJs were Brandy Clark, Russ Tolman, Joshua Hedley and Dillon Carmichael.[19][17]

In April 2023, Tyler Lenane announced the shutdown of Gimme Radio, as well as their respective Gimme Metal and Gimme Country apps due to a lack of finances needed to keep the company running. [20]

References
  1. Pehling, Dave (November 15, 2018). "Online Metal Radio Station Celebrates 1st Anniversary At Elbo Room". cbslocal.com. San Francisco. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  2. Godla, Frank (June 29, 2017). "New Ad-Free Metal Online Radio Service, GIMME RADIO, Has Launched (And It's Free)". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  3. Hu, Cherie (November 2, 2017). "How Gimme Radio Wants to Reinvent Music Streaming for Diehard Metal Fans -- With Megadeth's Dave Mustaine On Board". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  4. "Gimme Radio Launches Membership Tier, Introduces On-Demand Programming". Revolver. November 14, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  5. McIntyre, Hugh (April 27, 2018). "Music Startup Roundup: Tracklib, Gimme Radio And Twickets". Forbes.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  6. "Gimme Radio Announces Launch of Gimme Country". San Francisco: PRWEB. February 13, 2019. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  7. Hu, Cherie (May 3, 2018). "Meet the 2018 Techstars Music Startups Transforming the Music Industry for Good: Exclusive". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  8. "There's A New Streaming Service Dedicated To Metal". Kerrang.com. November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  9. Amy X. Wang (November 14, 2017). "Metal—the most-loved genre of music—is getting its own streaming service". Quartz. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. Thornhill, James (February 20, 2019). "Rock radio's alive and well – you just need to know where to look". Louder Sound. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  11. Godla, Frank (October 3, 2017). "Metal Injection Interview: Ad-Free Heavy Metal Global Radio Service, GIMME RADIO, Adds DJ's Randy Blythe, Ben Weinman, Johan Hegg & More!". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  12. "MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE To Launch Show On GIMME RADIO". Blabbermouth (published November 1, 2017). November 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  13. "LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE Joins GIMME RADIO". Blabbermouth. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  14. Ramirez, Carlos (January 18, 2018). "No Echo Joins Forces with Gimme Radio for Weekly Show". NoEcho.net. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  15. Koczan, JJ (December 12, 2018). "The Obelisk Show on Gimme Radio Recap: Episode 6". The Obelisk. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  16. "Online Metal Radio Station Celebrates 1st Anniversary At Elbo Room". November 15, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  17. Desk, TV News. "Joshua Hedley Debuts New Program on Gimme Country". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  18. "Gimme Radio launches its second music service: Gimme Country". May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  19. "Gimme Radio Launches Country Platform With Brandy Clark, Lee Ann Womack as DJs". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  20. Lenane, Tyler (April 10, 2023). ""I've Seen the Future and I've Left It Behind": An Epitaph". Medium. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
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