Music City Roots Launches Roots Radio

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Weekly live radio show and webcast, Music City Roots, has announced the launch of Roots Radio, a streaming service featuring music, talk and news content.

“Music City Roots is approaching three years on the air and over more than 120 episodes we’ve accumulated an incredible archive of performances by the best roots artists in the world,” says co-producer John Walker. “For quite some time we’ve dreamed of growing and serving our community of music fans with a streaming music service that could be heard virtually anywhere free.”

The streaming music service will pull from a library of more than 500 tracks, compounding weekly from the shows, which have included The Civil Wars, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Elizabeth Cook, Apache Relay, Rodney Crowell, The Kopecky Family Band, Jerry Douglas, and Riders In The Sky. News and talk/interview segements, produced by co-host Craig Havighurst, will be called Connect: The Roots Radio Interview and air Saturday and Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm CT.

Americana and Roots performances are available on the web in HD video, to smartphones via the free Roots Radio app, and on the air via Lightning 100, WRLT-FM.

Music City Roots went on air in October 2009, now broadcast Wednesday night at 7:00 CT at the Loveless Café Barn. Veteran Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey emcees with help from musical host, Jim Lauderdale, and Havighurst.

CMA Announces Broadcast Awards Finalists

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Lee Brice revealed the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists this morning via Live Stream from CMA’s Nashville offices.

Five finalists are selected for CMA Broadcast Personality and CMA Radio Station of the Year in four categories: Small, Medium, Large, and Major Market. There was a tie in this year’s Medium Market Personality of the Year thus there are six contenders in the category.

The CMA Broadcast Award winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 46th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Thurs., Nov. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host the event for the fifth time. See the list of nominees in artist categories here.

CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
National 
“The Big Time with Whitney Allen” (Whitney Allen) – Dial Global
“CMT’s Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Crook & Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) –  Jim Owens Entertainment and Premiere Networks

Major Market
“Fitz in the Morning,” Cory “Fitz” Fitzner, Ellen Tailor, Tony Russell, and Randy “The Biscuit” Stein – KKWF, Seattle-Tacoma, WA
“K102 Wakeup Crew,” Donna Valentine and Mike Mussman – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show,” Laurie DeYoung – WPOC, Baltimore, MD
“Mike & Amy,” Mike Chase and Amy Faust – KWJJ, Portland, OR
“Paul Schadt Morning Show,” Paul Schadt and Meg Butterly – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia, NC/ Rock Hill, SC

Large Market
Angie Ward – WTQR, Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC
“Big Dave and Chelsie,” David Chandler and Chelsie Shinkle – WUBE, Cincinnati, OH
“Mornings with Dave O’Brien,” Dave O’Brien – WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Q Morning Crew” Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, NC
“KJ and Friends,” Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin – KAJA, San Antonio, TX

Medium Market
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club,” Tom O’Brien, Roger Todd, and Melissa Moran – WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
“Andy & Alison and the Morning Crew,” Andy Ritchie and Alison Mencer – WIVK, Knoxville, TN
“Buzz Jackson,” Buzz Jackson – KIIM, Tucson, AZ
“Ellis and Bradley Morning Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
“Kevin Richards Show,” Kevin Richards – WGNA, Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
“Party Marty Mitchell & The Morning Tailgate,” Marty Mitchell – WKMK, Monmouth-Ocean, NJ

Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry,” Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, OR
“Dex and Mo Show,” Bill Poindexter and Melissa Turner – WUSY, Chattanooga, TN
“The Eddie Foxx Show,” Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green – WKSF, Asheville, NC
“Gary, Nelson, & Kellie,” Gary Greenwood, Josh Nelson, and Kellie Wesslund – KFGE, Lincoln, NE
“Officer Don and DeAnn,” Don Chase and DeAnn Stephens – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, KY

CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

Major Market
KNIX – Phoenix, AZ
KWJJ – Portland, OR
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WMZQ – Washington, DC
WPOC – Baltimore, MD

Large Market
KAJA – San Antonio, TX
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, RI
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind
WLHK – Indianapolis, Ind
WUBE – Cincinnati, OH

Medium Market
KFDI – Wichita, KS
KUZZ – Bakersfield, CA
KXKT – Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
WIVK – Knoxville, TN
WSSL – Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

Small Market
WGSQ – Cookeville, TN
WKSF – Asheville, NC
WKXC – Augusta, GA
WLLR – Quad Cities: Davenport-Rock Island, Iowa/Moline, Ill.
WUSY – Chattanooga, TN

 

CRS 2013 to Present Innovative Fan Research Study

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The Country music fan research studies are always a highlight of Country Radio Seminar, but the 2013 version promises to take things in an entirely new direction from the statistical analysis and focus groups of years past.

Titled “A Day In The Life Of A Country Fan,” the project conducted by Edison Research will offer a video-based Ethnographic Research study of Country music fans as they go about their daily routines under the lens. Subjects will presented in high definition video in a variety of environments including work, home, and in their vehicles.

“We are very excited to have Edison Research bring us to a new level this year by actually taking us into the home, car, office and other natural environments of the Country fan,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “This will allow us to see how they listen to radio, discover new music, use new media and more in their daily life. Joel Raab and his research committee have put together one of the most powerful and useful experiences at CRS 2013 for our attendees to take back to their businesses for profit. You simply cannot afford to miss this!”

Participants in the project include both male and female Country fans, aged 18-54 from Country lifestyle and non-Country lifestyle markets with varying degrees of technological knowledge. Edison Research is partnering with Prosperity Productions to conduct the study.

The results of the study will be presented by Edison Research’s Larry Rosin and Prosperity Productions’ Lori Hamilton during CRS 2013 on Wednesday, Feb. 27. CRS 2013 runs Feb. 27 – March 1 in downtown Nashville. Register here.

Weekly Chart Report (8/31/2012)

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A mono-stricken Thomas Rhett (L) recently stopped by CMT Radio Live to catch up with Cody Alan, who strapped on his surgical mask as precaution. Rhett’s new single “Beer With Jesus” just made an impressive debut at No. 77 on the MusicRow chart

SPIN ZONE
Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” has now spent five weeks at No. 1 on the MusicRow chart. It’s not an all-time record, but it’s certainly the longest stretch in a couple years. The last time a record stayed on top this long was back in 2010, when LBT’s Capitol Records brethren Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum both enjoyed five weeks at No. 1 with “Come Back Song” and “Our Kind Of Love,” respectively.

Speaking of Lady A, the trio is at No. 2 with “Wanted You More” and in good position for a takeover. Unless, that is, they don’t get usurped by a red hot collection of singles from No. 3 to 6 including Zac Brown Band’s “The Wind,” Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town,” Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” and Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted.” Applying the pressure are Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” at No. 7 and Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” at No. 8.

While in Los Angeles, Columbia Nashville’s Tyler Farr visited with KKGO to promote his new single "Hello Goodbye.” He’s pictured here with KKGO PD Tonya Campos.

And for Darius Rucker’s part, he has the biggest debut of the week with his new single “True Believers,” which hits No. 57 in its first week charting. Other new singles faring very well include Taylor Swift’s massive “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” which moves to No. 24 in its third week, Dierks Bentley’s “Tip It On Back” at No. 28, and Eli Young Band’s “Say Goodnight” at No. 40.

Frozen Playlists: KBOE, KGMN, KVVP, KWEY, KXKZ, KYYK, WKKW, WKWS, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
September 4
Kix Brooks/Bring It On Home/Arista
Thomas Rhett/Beer With Jesus/Valory

September 10
High Valley/Love You For A Long Time/Eaglemont-Rodeowave
Phoenix Stone/100 Proof Moonshine/Stonehall-Nine North-Turnpike
Kacey Musgraves/Merry Go ‘Round/Mercury
JT Hodges/Sleepy Little Town/Show Dog-Universal
Gloriana/Can’t Shake You/Emblem-WAR

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol – 57
Craig Morgan/More Trucks Than Cars/Black River – 71
Lonestar/The Countdown/4 Star Records – 76
Thomas Rhett/Beer With Jesus/Valory – 77
Reggie Shaw/Someone I Can’t Live Without/Wynnesong Records – 78

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol – 424
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 300
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville – 291
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 249
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/ACR/EMI Nashville – 226

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol – 35
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville – 18
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 14
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/ACR/EMI Nashville – 13
Thomas Rhett/Beer With Jesus/The Valory Music Co. – 13

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Zach Paxson/Good Luck With That/FutureGrass – 216
Bucky Covington w/Shooter Jennings/Drinking Side of Country/eOne – 210
Pat Green/All Just To Get To You/Sugar Hill – 203
Kevin Fowler/Here’s To Me And You/Average Joe’s – 191
Tim Dugger/Tennessee/Curb – 181

Dustin Lynch shared his new self-titled album with WKIS/Miami at his album release party at Cowboys Davie. Lynch's "Cowboys and Angels" lands at No. 16 on the MusicRow Chart this week. (L-R): PD Ken Boesen, Lynch and Broken Bow’s Lee Adams

Radio and music industry friends gathered at Belmar Country Club in Norman, OK for a Toby Keith golf outing and new music listening event. Keith's latest single, "I Like Girls That Drink Beer," from his upcoming Nov. 13 album release takes the No. 18 spot on the MusicRow chart. (L-R): TK Kimbrell, Tom Travis (KTST), Wade Jessen, Joe Patrick, Laurie Gore (SDU), Mark Wright (SDU President), Macy Morgenthaler (SDU), Bob Moody, Robin Rhodes, Keith, Abby Zellmar (WMAD), Lon Helton, Nathan Cruise (SDU). Lisa Owens (SDU), Bill Mayne (CRB) and Kevin Christopher (KJKE). Kneeling: Greg Sax (SDU), Smokey Rivers (KNIX), Rick Hughes (SDU), Steve Powers (WKSJ) Rick Moxley (SDU) Mick Anselmo (KMNB), Rob Morris (KMNB)

High Valley visited WBCT in Grand Rapids, MI supporting the upcoming single "Love You For A Long Time," co-written by lead singer Brad Rempel. (L-R): Bryan Rempel (High Valley), Doug Montgomery (Clear Channel/Premium Choice), Teddi Bonadies (Rodeowave Entertainment), Brad Rempel (High Valley), Dave Taft (APD, WBCT/Grand Rapids), Curtis Rempel (High Valley) and Stan Marczewski (Rodeowave Entertainment)

Black River Taps New VP Promotion

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Bill Macky

Black River Entertainment’s General Manager Greg McCarn announced today (8/30) the addition of Bill Macky to the promotion staff as Vice President Of Promotion.

As a part of the restructuring, Brian Rhoades moves from NE Promotion Rep. to Sr. Director of National Promotion & Strategy, and Bill Lubitz continues on as the Director of National Promotion and is in the process of relocating to Nashville.

Officially taking the helm of Black River’s Promotion Department on Sept. 5, Macky fills the vacancy left by the resignation of VP of Promotion Rick Baumgartner who exited due to non-life-threatening health issues.

Macky joins Black River after spending over 30 years in the music industry, including 16 years programming country radio stations in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego. Macky’s executive experience includes stops at MCA Nashville, Sony Nashville, Category 5 Records, 1720 Entertainment, Stroudavarious Records and Rodeowave Entertainment.

Upon accepting this position, Macky said, “Black River Entertainment is poised to become a major player in our industry and I am honored to have been asked to be a part of this team. The environment that Greg McCarn and Gordon Kerr have created is unlike any other I’ve been around. From the artists to the staff, this is a very special place. I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get started.”

In making this announcement, McCarn states, “I am so excited about the addition of Bill Macky to Black River. His leadership, depth and experience are a valuable addition to our promotion team as we move forward with the development of the label and our artists.”

Macky will be seeking regional candidates for the Director of Promotion – West Coast and for the newly available Director of Promotion – Northeast, resulting from the recent promotion of Rhoades. Contact Macky via macky@blackriverent.com or 615-780-3070.

No. 1 Party: Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl”

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L–R: (back row) producer Mark Bright, ASCAP's Marc Driskill, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Steve Markland, Combustion Music's Chris Farren, Sony Music Nashville's Gary Overton and Lesly Tyson, XIX Entertainment's Ann Edelblute, and EMI Music Publishing's Tom Luteran; (front row) ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, co-writer Chris DeStefano, Carrie Underwood, co-writer Ashley Gorley, and BMI's Jody Williams.

Carrie Underwood celebrated her 15th no. 1 hit “Good Girl” in Nashville yesterday (8/28) at CMA offices. Underwood co-wrote “Good Girl,” the lead single off her latest album Blown Away, with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley.

The single, which has been spun over 100,000 times, was produced by Mark Bright.

BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s Leann Phelan, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, EMI Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Steve Markland, CRS’s Bill Mayne, CMA’s Brandi Simms, Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox all recognized the songwriting trio during their presentations. Cox also announced a donation would be made to Underwood’s own C.A.T.S foundation in her name and in her co-writers’ names.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to get to do what I love and work with amazing people,” said DeStefano, who was celebrating his very first No. 1 hit. Of Underwood he noted, “It’s truly inspiring to be in the room with someone that talented. It brought me up 100 levels in my game.”

Gorley, who also co-wrote Underwood’s “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” kept his thanks short and sweet saying, “This was the ideal writing scenario… It’s the best-sounding cut of a record that I’ve been a part of.” “Good Girl” is his 8th No. 1.

But Underwood set the record straight. “What Ashley really meant to say was I totally crashed their writing session.” She went on to explain that it was kind of a funny story. “I had a rare day off,” she said. “So it was either go shopping or go write with these two. I think I made the right decision.”

Radio News (8/28/2012)

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The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for its 2013 class until Fri., Oct. 1. To submit a nomination, click here to access the form.

 ••••

Bob Moody

Country Music Radio Hall of Fame member Bob Moody opened full service consulting company Real Local Radio Group last month. His Country playlist is now available free every week, designed to help medium and small market stations develop unique local content.

A complete package of consulting services including recurrent and gold lists, a confidential weekly music memo, market-specific recommendations, email reminders, and music calls are available to clients in addition to the playlist.

••••

Warner Music Nashville‘s Sr. VP of Promotion Chris Stacey is searching for a Southeast Regional Dir. for the W.A.R. team to report to Chris Palmer. Please send resumes to: abbigail.law@wmg.com.

 

CRS Taps Marketing/Sponsorship Director

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Country Radio Seminar has announced the hiring of Bradford Hollingsworth as Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships.

Hollingsworth joins the Country radio organization as a former account executive with the Nashville Predators, where he excelled in corporate sponsorship sales and worked with brands including Delta Dental, Goo Goo Cluster, Gaylord Entertainment, Patron Spirits and Ticketmaster, among others. Prior to his position with the Predators, Hollingsworth served in a similar marketing and sponsorship post with the Detroit Pistons.

“I am extremely excited to have Bradford join our CRS team in the role of Director Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnership,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “He brings a wealth of energy, creativity, passion and expertise to join with Michelle Kammerer in providing our partners and sponsors the best service and branding opportunities for CRS 2013 and beyond!”

Hollingsworth joins Michelle Tigard Kammerer as one of Country Radio Seminar’s two Directors of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships.

CRS 2013 will be held Feb. 27–Mar. 1, 2013 in downtown Nashville. For more information visit CRB.org.

CRS Names Panel Moderators

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Five Country radio veterans have been selected to serve as core panel moderators for CRS 2013. Collectively, they will oversee and direct the bulk of the educational panels over three days at CRS 2013, to be held Feb. 27- March 1 inside the downtown Nashville Convention Center.

The core panel moderators are: Ken Boesen, Operations Manager, WKIS/Miami; Beverlee Brannigan, Operations Manager, Journal Broadcast Group/Milwaukee; Dan Halyburton, Business Development at Texas State Network, CBS Radio/Dallas; Todd Schumacher, VP/Market Manager, Cox Media Group/Louisville; and Matt Sunshine, Executive VP, The Center For Sales Strategy/Plano.

“We’re so excited to announce the five core moderators,” says CRS Agenda Committee Chair Annie Sandor. “I have the utmost respect for all of them and get more excited with each call. They bring so much to the table and will enhance the great panels the Agenda Committee has put together for CRS 2013.”

Halyburton is serving for the third year in a row, while Brannigan returns for her second year. Meanwhile, Boesen, Schumacher and Sunshine are making their debut appearances as moderators.

The $399 Early Bird registration rate for CRS 2013 is now available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or (615) 327-4487.

Weekly Chart Report (8/24/2012)

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Matt and Barry of Stoney Creek Records’ Parmalee stopped by Renegade Radio Nashville on Wednesday, August 22 for a live interview with Captain Jack (center). Parmalee’s “Musta Had a Good Time” is currently No. 55 on the CountryBreakout Chart.

SPIN ZONE
Industry servants in Nashville got to hear a performance of Little Big Town’s new album Tornado (due Sept. 11) earlier this week, and excitement over the collection is definitely warranted. For the next couple of weeks, anyway, the public will have to keep grooving to “Pontoon,” which holds at No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart for a fourth week. Nearly 600 spins back at No. 2 is Lady Antebellum’s “Wanted You More,” followed by Zac Brown Band’s “The Wind” at No. 3, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” at No. 4, and Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” at No. 5.

It’s going to be an interesting battle for the top spot when “Pontoon” finally floats away. Hunter Hayes has been on a tear lately, and his “Wanted” now sits right behind McGraw at No. 6 after gaining 337 spins. Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” makes a big move up to No. 8. Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” ascends to No. 10, and Eric Church’s “Creepin’” takes a big step to No. 14. And Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is indeed huge. Two weeks on the chart, and already up to No. 25.

Leading the new songs this week is Clay Walker’s “Jesse James,” which debuts at No. 74, followed by Katie Armiger’s “Better In A Black Dress.” Other new tunes include The Wheeler Sisters’ “This Is Gonna Get Ugly” at No. 77, Zach Paxson’s “Good Luck With That” at No. 78, Craig Morrison’s “Fences” at No. 79, and Kevin Fowler’s “Here’s To Me And You” at No. 80.

Frozen Playlists: KGMN, KTHK, KXIA, WEIO, WLJE, WXMM, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
August 27
Claudia Lee/Take My Hand/CLM Enterprises
Lucky Ned Pepper/I Remember The Music/Nine North-Turnpike
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville
Craig Morgan/More Trucks Than Cars/Black River
Tyler Farr/Hello Goodbye/Columbia
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/ACR-EMI Nashville

September 4
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol
Kix Brooks/Bring It On Home/Arista

• • • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Clay Walker/Jesse James/Sidewalk Records – 74
Katie Armiger/Better In A Black Dress/Cold River – 75
The Wheeler Sisters/This Is Gonna Get Ugly/Ocala – 77
Zach Paxson/Good Luck With That/FutureGrass – 78
Craig Morrison/Fences/Lucky 53’s-GMV Nashville – 79
Kevin Fowler/Here’s To Me And You/Average Joe’s – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine – 848
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 464
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic Records – 337
Toby Keith/I Like Girls That Drink Beer/Show Dog-Universal – 313
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away/19/Arista Nashville – 302

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine – 36
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 28
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville – 21
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/ACR/EMI Nashville – 20
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville – 14
Brantley Gilbert/Kick It In The Sticks/The Valory Music Co. – 13

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Reggie Shaw/Someone I Can’t Live Without/Wynnesong Records – 180
Dave Russell/Where The Money Goes/Cupit – 176
Pat Green/All Just To Get To You/Sugar Hill – 175
Lonestar/The Countdown/4 Star Records – 175
Bucky Covington w/Shooter Jennings/Drinking Side of Country/eOne – 158

Lonestar visited at the Eagles Nest for WGH/Norfolk last Friday night (8/17) after a performance. The group attempted to “solicit” some airplay for its latest single, "The Countdown,” but WGH staff held strong. (L-R): Richie McDonald; Mark McKay (WGH-PD); John Shomby (WGH-OM) and his wife; Michael Britt and Keech Rainwater; and Dean Sams (kneeling)

Gloriana visited with radio friends before a show at the Intersection in Grand Rapids, Mich. (L-R): WBCT/B93’s Bobby Bare, Gloriana’s Tom Gossin and Rachel Reinert, WBCT’s Dave Taft, Gloriana’s Mike Gossin, Clear Channel’s Doug Montgomery, and W.A.R.’s Lindsay Walleman