MTV, VH1 and CMT to devote themselves to music again (for one day, at least)

For all of you mostly old-timers who gripe about how “MTV just doesn’t play music anymore!” (and I know who you are, because I’ve often been one of you), you may be glad to hear the news that MTV, VH1 and CMT are declaring July 4, 2013, to be their Music Independence Day.

From 6am-6pm ET/PT on July 4, all three networks will dedicate themselves exclusively to music, providing what they call the “ultimate party playlist” covering all genres, exposing new artists, celebrating superstars and offering a chance to directly support those who work hard to create music.

On Music Independence Day, emerging artists looking to build a base will have the chance to reach new fans on MTV, VH1 and CMT through the Artist Platform (artists.MTV.com, artists.CMT.com or artists.VH1.com). To participate in Music Independence Day, artists can claim or create a page on the Artist Platform and opt in to Music Independence Day. Those artists will have their music and videos considered for MTV, CMT and VH1. Whether they end up getting on-air play or not, all artists who are part of the day will be able to drive audiences to their pages via social networks and the Twitter hashtag #MusicIndependenceDay.

MTV, VH1 and CMT have also announced that their parent company, Viacom, and Monster DNA Headphones, will collectively match dollar-for-dollar fan support of unsigned artists via the Tip Jar feature on the Artist Platform during Music Independence Day.

The networks say that each channel will have its own spin on how Music Independence Day is celebrated on-air:

MTV: “MTV celebrates July 4 with a block party of music with hosting duties split between some of today’s biggest and emerging artists, including Vampire Weekend, Iggy Azaela, Chance The Rapper and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino. The day’s playlist will feature an eclectic mix of genres while spotlighting independent artists that have emerged from Artists.MTV.com. From themed video hours to intimate performances to some of the bigger music moments throughout MTV history, Music Independence Day is a day when superstars reveal who on the horizon is catching their ears and emerging artists share the spotlight with the big names. The day will feature exclusive new interviews and packages with artists including Ke$ha, The Wanted, Mac Miller, Hunter Hayes and Big Time Rush, as well as emerging artists like Austin Mahone, Chvrches, Travi$ Scott, Joey Bada$$, Dillon Francis, Flume and Bloody Beatroots.”

CMT: “CMT hosts its annual BBQ Week, which culminates in the ultimate BBQ playlist on Music Independence Day. Guided by country music’s biggest superstars, CMT will celebrate music without boundaries and showcase the best established, emerging and indie artists across the fringes of country music. From contemporary to bluegrass, roots and everything in between, CMT’s ultimate playlist will include favorites and emerging artists like The Lumineers, Brandy Clark, Ella Mae Bowen, John & Jacob, Maggie Rose and Striking Matches, as well as country superstars like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. Along with the best in the genre, CMT reveals breakthrough acts discovered via artists via Artists.CMT.”

VH1: “Hosted by VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown’s Jim Shearer, who will be based out of the Philadelphia on July 4. VH1 not only celebrates a day of music from 6am-6pm, but will feature the 2013 Philly 4th of July Jam, from 8pm-11pm, live from Philadelphia, featuring performances from The Roots, John Mayer, Jill Scott, Demi Lovato and more, and hosted by Kevin Hart. Leading up to the concert, VH1 will play videos and performances from the best summer jams to get everyone in the party mood. In addition, VH1 will premiere a new music series STOP/WATCH. On each STOP/WATCH a band or solo artist performs a complete song in sixty seconds flat, allowing viewers to discover new artists and sample new music on TV, online or on a mobile device.”

1 Comment

  1. For all of us mostly old-timers who gripe about how “MTV just doesn’t play music anymore!”… how about a “Blast from the Past Day” with some of the great old videos from our day?

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