Music Executive to Run Air America

The nation's most prominent liberal talk radio network has tapped one of the music business' most prominent liberal activists to be its new boss.

Air America Radio, seeking solid footing after a rocky start last year, on Thursday named veteran music executive Danny Goldberg chief executive of the network. Goldberg joins such on-air figures as Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo as newcomers to the medium in Air America's campaign to make inroads in a realm largely seen as a stronghold of conservative voices.

"This is really a new genre, kind of like being involved with rock 'n' roll in San Francisco in 1965 — a real learning curve that everybody's on," said Goldberg, who is taking over from acting CEO Doug Kreeger, who will remain a member of the company's board.Goldberg, 54, this month left his post as chief executive of Artemis Records. The independent company, which he founded, has released Grammy Award-winning albums by Steve Earle and the late Warren Zevon. His past positions include CEO stints at Mercury Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records, and he was founder and president of Gold Mountain Entertainment, where he managed the careers of such artists as Bonnie Raitt and Nirvana.

Goldberg, 54, this month left his post as chief executive of Artemis Records. The independent company, which he founded, has released Grammy Award-winning albums by Steve Earle and the late Warren Zevon. His past positions include CEO stints at Mercury Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records, and he was founder and president of Gold Mountain Entertainment, where he managed the careers of such artists as Bonnie Raitt and Nirvana.

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