Long time Billboard writer, Ray Waddell is leaving the trade magazine to work with Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff at their recently launched Oak View Group. Wadell has covered live touring for Billboard for 30 years, and his departure will leave a gaping whole in Billboard’s coverage of the sector.
_________________________________
By Dave Brooks of touring trade Amplify.
Ray Waddell is leaving Billboard to work with Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff at the Oak View Group.
The Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring at Billboard is leaving the industry publication after 30 years to accept a position with Leiweke’s growing company as it looks to expand in the trade media and conference world. Today is Waddell’s last day at Billboard.
Waddell will help Leiweke grow the company’s media presence and develop a new industry event for sports and live music professionals, drawing on his own success with the Billboard Touring Conference, which has consistently sold out for the last four years.
No word yet on who will replace Waddell at Billboard.
Waddell is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and came to Billboard via Amusement Business. Over the decades, Waddell has proven himself to be the top reporter and editor in the live music space, consistently breaking big stories including Live Nation’s decision to purchase C3 Presents, Guns N’ Roses headliner slot at the 2016 Coachella and the impending sale of Bowery Presents to AEG Live.
Waddell currently lives near Nashville. No word yet on when he starts his new position at Leiweke and Azoff’s new company.