Jason Donaldson is a Radio Mercury Finalist
“Twenty years ago, a group of radio and advertising executives got together to encourage agencies to make more, and better, radio commercials. A big cash prize seemed like it might help.”
In 2011, as the Radio Mercury Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary, our very own Jason Donaldson is one of only two student finalists in this prestigious competition and up for a whopping $2500 prize.
On October 4th, Jason will be at the award ceremony in NYC where he will learn how his spot, The Shoals, fared in the competition.
He wrote the spot for Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a town in north Alabama, located half-way between Nashville and Memphis. This is actually a perfect location if you’re a musician on tour between the two cities and need a place away from the crowds to record your next album. At least it was 50 years ago. Back then everyone from Johnny Cash to The Rolling Stones recorded at the numerous recording studios in the area. Today, there’s a re-emergence of great music in the area. The Civil Wars, Drive-by-Truckers (half of them), and several others call the area home, while big name artists like The Black Keys and Band of Horses recorded their latest albums there. His idea for the spot is to get people in the south to consider driving up to the Shoals and take in the music and culture by seeing a show and visiting the restored Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Secondarily, he hopes more recording artists head down south and become a part of the musical history that remains alive and well in Muscle Shoals.
The spot was recorded at Riot, Erich Netherton was the audio engineer, and George Robinson, provided the voice-over.
Congratulations to Jason!