Charlie Cook On Air: Blu-Ray

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I write a lot about choosing radio or online music sources. It seems to be the most researched topic in the music business. Not only by record companies, but also by trade organizations and even radio stations.

We know that the purchase of music has gone from CD purchases to online transactions. Online has also taken over movie purchases. There are still a lot of DVD sales but when you see the cost going to $5 for non Blu-Ray DVDs and the actual DVD player for sale at $29.00 you know that this is soon coming to an end.

What I find interesting is the DVD player including software that will make the player itself obsolete. When I bought a Blu-Ray player I was sure to get one that allowed me to stream movies from Netflix, HULU or to buy or rent the movie from Amazon. Bam! No reason to rush out to Blockbuster, or Redbox when I can stream the movie at home or buy it from DirecTV. The actual DVD player is my connection to online viewing.

Apple is offering you a $99 device, called Apple TV, to replace that $29 DVD player and enable you to watch TV through their system. So far no takers from the TV and Movie companies. They have seen this play for control before and it ends with Apple being the holder of all of the aces in a two-handed poker game.

Apple has also included iTunes in their Apple TV. What a surprise there, huh? Right now they only offer YouTube and Netflix in addition to iTunes. There are about a half dozen other options out there today.

Only early adopters are in this battle right now.

Currently the transmission sources are also deeply involved with the content. Broadcast 100 episodes of Big Bang Theory and you have content forever through syndication. Invite Apple into the picture to sell individual episodes, and 22 minutes of BBT without the spots for 99 cents is tough to score with over and over again.

Anyway back to our issues, which can look very similar to those of the video industry.

Nielsen just did an online study with 3000 panelists. This is like going into CiCi’s pizza and asking the customers if they like pizza, but that aside, 48% of these folks…the panelists, not the pizza lovers, still reported that they discover music most often through the radio. Ten percent say they discover music through friends and relatives and 7% say YouTube.

YouTube crushed radio with teens, scoring  64% to 56% for radio. I know that this is over 100% but it must be that new math that teens are doing today. Another thing that YouTube does, if you have spent any time online with it, is hook you by suggesting other videos you might want to view. Going online to see “For You” -Keith Urban ended up taking 45 minutes, by the time I viewed 10 other things that were there on the page. Many of them were disappointing, by the way. But if I am going to click on a cat singing a Brad Paisley song I deserve three minutes of torture…twice.

Okay back to my point. Most radio stations have apps for Smartphone listening. Great idea. Easy to access and hopefully encourages listening when…when I guess that you can’t hear the station on a broadcast radio. Does encouraging the transition from broadcast radio to app listening hasten the demise of traditional listening?

Nielsen says younger listeners opt overwhelmingly for the technologically advanced methods but that broadcast radio is still a strong driver.

Yeah, and I still see a lot of Blu Ray DVD players on the shelves too. I wonder just how long they have been there.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

No. 1 Party: Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”

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Pictured (L-R): back row –George Briner, Scott Borchetta, Dann Huff, Rich Egan, Ron Cox, Steve Tusman, and Clay Bradley; front row – Steve Markland, Brantley Gilbert, Jim McCormick, and BJ Hill. Photo Rick Diamond

Big Machine Label Group was on the stands for a second time this week, this time to celebrate Brantley Gilbert and Jim McCormick’s No. 1 song “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” during a rooftop reception at Nashville’s BMI offices yesterday (8/22).

The song is McCormick’s first No. 1 hit and Gilbert’s fourth No. 1 as a songwriter (and second as an artist). Both writers received silver cups from BMI from Clay Bradley, Warner-Tamerlane No. 1 plaques from representatives Steve Markland and BJ Hill, CMA medallions from Brandi Simms and CRB recognition from Michelle Tigard Kammerer. Paying it forward, Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox presented a contribution made in honor of the writers to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Fund.

McCormick received a special black BMI Takamine guitar for his career milestone, to which Hill remarked, “Hopefully, you’ll be up here celebrating this a lot.”

“I’m more excited to celebrate Jim’s No. 1, than for myself,” said Gilbert, who also accepted special recognition from label representatives Annie Ortmeier and Brittney McKenna for reaching a social media milestone, 1 million ‘likes’ on Facebook. The star made an effort to thank management’s Rich Egan and Steve Tusman, and his bus driver, security, brother and mother in the audience. Valory VP of Promotion George Briner accepted recognition onstage alongside BMLG head Scott Borchetta.

“Look how beautiful this day is,” noted Borchetta before delivering remarks. “When we decided to add a few more tracks to Brantley’s album, I called his publisher at Warner Chappell. Let me say, not since Taylor Swift have I received a catalog this good.”

“I got a call from Scott,” recalled producer, Dann Huff. “I both hate and love them when he asks for favors. Brantley and I found a common thread through music. I’d like to point out this is Brantley’s band on the track…and give credit to Justin Niebank for engineering. And thank you Scott, for the call.”

“Today is a chance to say thank you for those who’ve encouraged me along the way,” said McCormick, who recognized his mom, dad, brother, sister, and wife among a list of industry salutes, saving his final thank you for Gilbert. “And thank you Brantley, for taking our song to the top.”

No. 1 Party: Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over”

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(l-r): ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and Sam Hunt. Photo: Ed Rode

Music City’s party-going set convened at CMA headquarters Tuesday (8/21) to toast the creative team behind Kenny Chesney’s recent No. 1 “Come Over”—his 22nd career chart topper. Writers Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne both earned their first No. 1 with this hit, and collaborator Shane McAnally earned his third in 18 months, extending a run that includes Jake Owen’s “Alone With You” and Chesney’s “Somewhere With You.”

“If you can’t find Shane McAnally these days, you probably haven’t spent much time at any No. 1 parties,” echoed ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, who hosted the proceedings.

Black River’s Celia Froehlig extolled the talents of Osborne. In addition to the Chesney hit, the Kentucky native also has a piece of the current Chris Young single “Neon” and the expected next Love and Theft single.

Chesney’s manager Clint Higham, who is also Sam Hunt’s manager and publisher, has a long history with McAnally dating back to his days as a Curb artist in the ‘90s. Other presentations were made by McAnally’s publisher Robin Palmer, CRS President Bill Mayne, and CMA’s Brandi Simms and additional awards were presented to producer Buddy Cannon and Sony Music’s Gary Overton and Norbert Nix.

Hunt, who is currently recording his debut album with Joey Moi, credited Tom T. Hall with inspiring him to write the songs he loves. He also thanked his parents, who were present. “I told y’all, ‘I got this!’” he joked. Hunt’s co-writers both predicted major success for him as a recording artist.

Osborne managed to be charming even as he was getting choked up over his accomplishment. “If you’re in the music business, please find the right person,” he advised, before thanking his wife and some of the others he found.

And despite his many recent successes, McAnally was still grateful that he gets to do this for a living. Gesturing to his friend Clint Higham, he said, “It certainly didn’t end up where we thought, but it’s better than I imagined.”

Chesney was unable to attend but sent congratulations via Higham.

Weekly Chart Report (8/17/2012)

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Since the first week in June, Flying Island’s Gwen Sebastian has been busy on her summer solo tour. With an appearance on NBC’s “The Voice” under her belt, her single, “Met Him In a Motel Room,” has risen up to No. 40 on this weeks’ CountryBreakout Chart. Gwen is pictured here with tourmate Kix Brooks.

SPIN ZONE
Nothing can sink Little Big Town’s buoyant “Pontoon” right now. (And yes, I’ve got a hundred more bad puns for this one). The summer smash is cruising through a third week as the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 song, even tacking on another 85 spins for good measure. Elsewhere in the top 10, Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” moves up to No. 5 and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” hops to No. 6. Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” moves 11-8 and Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted” gets a big spin boost to go 14-10.

Other big movers include Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” which jumps from 17-13, followed by Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” at No. 14. Luke Bryan’s “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” gets a 31-27 bump, and his Capitol labelmate Dierks Bentley leaps 69-26 with “Tip It On Back.”

And hey, wasn’t there some kind of something that happened earlier this week? An announcement or something? Okay, now I’m just being silly. As expected, Taylor Swift’s shiny new single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” makes a big dent, debuting at No. 49 only four days after its release. Also earning strong debuts are Alan Jackson with “You Go Your Way” at No. 70 and Eli Young Band with “Say Goodnight” at No. 72.

Frozen Reports: KMOK, KYEZ, KYKX, WAAG, WBYZ, WDGG, WIFE, WKWS, WTHO, WXMM, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
August 20
Flynnville Train/The One You Love/Whiskey Bent-Flying Island
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine
Tommy Dalton/Talk Me Down

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

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine – 49
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/ACR-EMI Nashville – 70
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville – 72
Lauren Alaina/Eighteen Inches/Mercury-19 Records – 73
Chris Weaver Band/Standing In Line/American Roots Records – 74
Maggie Rose/I Ain’t Your Mama/RPM Entertainment – 75

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine – 591
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 348
Jason Aldean/Take A Little Ride/Broken Bow – 345
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 341
Eric Church/Creepin’/EMI Nashville – 257

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Taylor Swift/We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/Big Machine – 42
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 20
Alan Jackson/You Go Your Way/EMI Records Nashville – 20
Eli Young Band/Say Goodnight/Republic Nashville – 18
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 13
Clay Walker/Jesse James/Sidewalk Records – 11

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Craig Morrison/Fences/Lucky 53’s-GMV Nashville – 190
Zach Paxson/Good Luck With That/FutureGrass – 190
Aaron Watson/Raise Your Bottle/HTK Records – 182
Katie Armiger/Better In A Black Dress/Cold River – 180
Dave Russell/Where The Money Goes/Cupit – 176

John Rich was in Chicago before the taping of CW’s new show “The Next,” where he joins Joe Jonas, Nelly & Gloria Estefan as a celebrity coach. Big & Rich’s current single “That’s Why I Pray” takes CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 11 spot this week. (L-R): Larry Gatlin, WUSN’s Jeff Kapugi, Lisa Dent, WAR’s Lindsay Walleman & Rich.

Easton Corbin is on the road visiting radio to support his single “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and upcoming album All Over The Road, due Sept. 18. (L-R): WLHK HANK/Indianapolis GM Charlie Morgan; PD Bob Richards; MD Fritz Moser; Corbin; Promotions/Marketing Queen Lisa Wall; Radio Hall of Famer JD Cannon; UMG’s Chris Fabiani

 

Newcomer Stephanie Grace recently visited Dylan and Dana at WZMR/Albany NY to promote her latest single, “Hey There,” which is currently No. 78 on the CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): Guitar Player Jason Howard, WZMR's Dylan, Stephanie Grace, and WZMR's Dana.

Charlie Cook On Air: Love and Theft and Gloriana

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Last week two records were going for the top spot on the chart. Big deal? This happens every week. Yeah, you’re right, but this time it was a big deal because both groups were/would be first time No. 1 acts: Love and Theft, and Gloriana.

Coincidentally both of these acts played an event for us at Disneyland about three years ago when I was at KKGO Radio in Los Angeles. They would both have been considered baby acts at that point but they both blew up the club that night and it was obvious that they were in for the long haul.

There have been a number of changes with both groups. Cheyenne left Gloriana and Lyric Street left Love and Theft. In both cases that could have spelled the end of the groups. In both cases it did not.

I must admit to a long time bias for Gloriana. Rachel is an Orange County, California girl so we got behind them at Go Country as about 70% of the station’s audience is in Orange County.

Additionally I was impressed with how tight their vocals were when they played the Go Country conference room. So much so I called Clarence Spalding and recommended them as an opening act for Brooks and Dunn in LA. I think that this was their biggest show at that point.  That was about three years ago.

I cannot imagine the hard work, the long trips and the sleepless nights that young acts have to endure to keep on track until they become overnight successes.

Three years is a long time. I am sure that it is closer to 5 years for both groups. That is a lot of grinning and gripping with program directors and fans. Always aware that the final turn could be just ahead. (Speaking earlier of Disneyland…ever been in line there where the turn just leads to another 300 yards of more line?)

The Country Music format has seen some acts “just appear” this past year. Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer, Hunter Hayes, Kip Moore and others. I doubt that any of these kids would consider themselves to have taken an easy way to the top of the charts and radio airplay.

I have talked to a number of new acts in my role at McVay/Cook and Associates. We have worked with some newcomer acts trying to help them navigate the waters. My first comment is that this is going to be tougher than a trip to the dentist and not as much fun.

There are many “promising acts” on the lower perches of the chart today. I have seen performances by Edens Edge, Maggie Rose, Jaida Dreyer and Glen Templeton. I know that these guys have not had clear paths to the top and I know that they are out there kicking butt at every radio station and small venue.

None of the above acts are going to give up. All of them are just too darn talented.

Just as I tell the acts that we have worked with that this is tough ride and I cannot truly imagine how difficult it is I also cannot imagine turning on a Country Radio station and hearing my song come across my car speakers. Or see my name and song next to a number on the chart.

Congrats to Love and Theft and Gloriana. I suspect that you have not met all of your goals but you are a lot closer than you were at Disneyland three plus years ago.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Survey Reveals Music Discovery Habits

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Radio remains the dominant form of music discovery in the United States, unless you happen to be a teenager.

According to Nielsen’s recent “Music 360” report, 48% of those surveyed said radio was how they found new music, followed by recommendations from friends/family (10%), and YouTube (7%). But the teenage results show they listen to new music mostly through YouTube (64%), then radio (56%), iTunes (53%) and CDs (50%).

“The accessibility of music has seen tremendous expansion and diversification,” said David Bakula, SVP Client Development, Nielsen. “While younger listeners opt for technologically advanced methods, traditional methods of discovery like radio and word-of-mouth continue to be strong drivers. With so many ways to purchase, consume and discover great new music, it’s no wonder that the consumer continues to access and enjoy music in greater numbers.”

There are approximately 42.7 million individuals between the ages of 10-19, or 13.8% of the country’s total population, according to US Census Data from 2010. People ages 20-29 account for roughly the same percentage as teens, with 30-39 year olds slightly less at 12.9%. People ages 40-49 years make up the largest slice at 14.1%, and those 50-59 years of age amount to 13.6%. There are an additional 40.5 million people below the age of 10 who will grow up with a multitude of discovery options at their fingertips, from YouTube to traditional radio to Spotify and beyond.

Young consumers who purchase digital tracks are also more likely to download a song soon after release. Thirty-three percent of teens reported buying a digital track within one week of release, versus only 21% of those ages 18 and above for the same period.

And while 18-24 year olds are most likely to attend live events, 54% of teenagers who go to concerts will purchase t-shirts, versus 46% of 18-24 year olds.

Other interesting findings from the Nielsen study show 54% of respondents are more inclined to purchase something if a friend gives it a recommendation, and 25% are more likely to purchase something hyped in the blogosphere. Of smartphone users, 54% report having some kind of music player app, and 47% have a radio app.

Weekly Chart Report (8/10/12)

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Carrie Underwood visited with KCYY/San Antonio APD Jeff Roper while on the road to promote “Blown Away,” which lands at No. 17 on the CountryBreakout Chart this week.

SPIN ZONE
There are still plenty of good summer days left, and Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” recognizes that by staying anchored in the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot for a second consecutive week. But Love and Theft might soon be ready to steal the title away, as the duo’s “Angel Eyes” ascends to No. 2 with a total of 3286 spins. Zac Brown Band’s “The Wind” blows right in to the No. 3 spot, followed by Lady Antebellum’s “Wanted You More” at No. 4.

As always, there are a handful of the format’s heavy hitters moving quickly up the chart. But like Love and Theft, there are also an impressive number of new artists making inroads. Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” has been charting nearly 30 weeks, and just jumped to No. 7 with a gain of almost 150 spins. Kramer’s WMN labelmate Hunter Hayes is on his second single with “Wanted,” and he rises to No. 14 with a big gain. Just behind Hayes at No. 15 and 16 are Republic Nashville’s Greg Bates with “Did It For the Girl” and Broken Bow’s Dustin Lynch with “Cowboys and Angels,” respectively.

Most of these newcomers are male solo or duo acts, like Jon Pardi (No. 23), Florida Georgia Line (No. 25), or Kip Moore (No. 33). But like Jana Kramer, a few solo female or female-fronted acts are getting some traction. RCA Nashville’s Joanna Smith is performing well at No. 21 with “We Can’t Be Friends” after 21 weeks charting. Big Machine’s Edens Edge is also moving quickly at No. 25 with second single “Too Good To Be True,” and Gwen Sebastian’s “Met Him in a Motel Room” is at No. 41. On the way are new offerings from Miss Willie Brown (No. 56) and Kelleigh Bannen (No. 59).

Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KVAY, KVOM, KVVP, KWEY, KXBZ, KYEZ, KYYK, WBKR, WGGC, WMEV, WOWF

Upcoming Singles
August 13
One Night Rodeo/Real Good/Fox Hill
Bucky Covington with Shooter Jennings/Drinking Side of Country/eOne
Tim Dugger/Tennessee/Curb

August 20
Flynnville Train/The One You Love/Whiskey Bent-Flying Island
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 69
John Maison/Love Is A Trip/Big High Five – 76
Lucas Hoge/Do What Makes You Feel Good/Animal House Music Group – 77
Tim Culpepper/Pourin’ Whiskey On Pain – 78

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 461
Toby Keith/I Like Girls That Drink Beer/Show Dog-Universal – 405
Jason Aldean/Take A Little Ride/Broken Bow – 367
Eric Church/Creepin’/EMI Nashville – 320
Brantley Gilbert/Kick It In The Sticks/Valory – 281

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 32
Dierks Bentley/Tip It On Back/Capitol – 26
Toby Keith/I Like Girls That Drink Beer/Show Dog–Universal – 23
Brantley Gilbert/Kick It In The Sticks/Valory – 18
Parmalee/Musta Had A Good Time/Stoney Creek – 13

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Maggie Rose/I Ain’t Your Mama/RPM Entertainment – 181
Lauren Alaina/Eighteen Inches/Mercury-19 Records – 178
Chris Weaver Band/Standing In Line/American Roots Records – 177
Aaron Watson/Raise Your Bottle/HTK Records – 174
Katie Armiger/Better In A Black Dress/Cold River – 174

Jason Michael Carroll (center) recently stopped to visit with Renegade Radio Nashville's' Captain Jack (L) and Laura Lynn (R) and talk about his latest album “Numbers.”

Way Out West Nashville recording artist LiveWire recently caught up with friends from KKOW/Pittsburg, KS at the Labette County Fair. (L-R): LiveWire's Bobby Degonia, Cory Shultz, KKOW's Bobby in the Morning, LiveWire's Adam Hagerman, Andy Eutsler, Danny Bell, and Landon Rolfe.

Blake Shelton sat down with syndicated host Whitney Allen and team while out promoting his latest single "Over.” (L-R): producer Mike McNamee, Shelton, Whitney Allen, and 'Big Time With Whitney Allen' PD Steve Ringgold.

 

Charlie Cook On Air: Technology

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Would I have been against the Gutenberg printing press? Do I consider “Wings” the last good movie ever made? Should I finally sell my stock in the Wolverine Horse and Buggy company?

I don’t think of myself as a Luddite. I was carrying a Kaypro Computer before most people knew what a “Portable” computer was. Not exactly portable by the way: the size of a small suitcase barely fitting in the overhead of airplanes and the darn thing did almost nothing.

I was early with a Smartphone and a Smart TV.

I have pretty much been an early adopter when it came to technology in the past. I am less so today as I realized that newer does not always mean better. It often means more expensive though.

Anyway, I was thinking earlier this week about how the business I have been in since I was 19 years old has undergone changes in the intervening years since. There are forces that have put broadcast radio under attack in the last 5 years or so. It comes not just from the technological side but from the soft side. The delivery side and the supplier side.

The dashboard in automobiles is changing rapidly and that could be the real shifter in this fight for heart, head and ears.

My hometown automaker, Ford is leading the charge. They redesigned the dashboard first and have been the most aggressive about marketing it. As an aside, I think that I might kick Mike Rowe in the shins if I ever see him.

Their Sync system seems to have everything except AM/FM. I know that it’s in there somewhere but you might have to search long and hard to find it. I know that you can play with the MP3 integration, hook your phone (or a computer) via Bluetooth for audio streaming. Some of the systems have an SD card slot so that you can load more music or video. Some have dual video screens and Internet connectivity. You can even have your own Wi-Fi hot spot.

Where the heck is 540-1610? Where is 88-108?

GM was actually the first to hook us up to a cell signal with On-Star. Apparently GM had other things on its mind, like staying solvent, so Ford got a jump in the entertainment part of the race.

GM, with the backing of the taxpayer, is back in the contest. The new Cadillac challenges a 767 with the CUE System.

I started this by saying I am not against technological advances and I am not. But I am struck that Broadcast radio is still the first choice of consumers in discovering new music and being entertained in the car and at work.

Broadcast radio still has a huge lead today but is this only because we are at the beginning of the Dashboard Revolution?

Clear Channel is dragging the Broadcast industry into the digital age with iHeartRadio and this is finding its place on the dashboard, which may ultimately be the way to stay in the contest. iHeartRadio may end up being the one button in the Sync or Cue system that gets the listener out to up to 10,000 “broadcast” radio stations.

I guess that if/when that happens broadcasters will have to work harder to be entertaining. That is the one thing that broadcasters have over the other buttons on the dash.

If my screen comes up and I see Pandora, iHeartRadio, MP3, Sirius, SD Card I do not see equal access. All of those buttons say music to me. Only one has KIIS-FM and Ryan Seacrest, WJR and Paul W. Smith, or WAMZ and Coyote Calhoun.

My friends in the record business are excited about the additional opportunities to get their music in front of the consumer. They should be. They should not be excited about trying to make an end run around Broadcast radio though. I believe that it is in this environment that more music can be sold and introduced.

We know, from a recent Country Music Association research project, that the addition of the passion and knowledge of the disc jockey can complement the music and make it more appealing to the listener.

If technology was the only issue I would be worried about Broadcast radio’s future. Because the industry is filled with smart and entertaining people I am encouraged about what is ahead.

Now, if I could just afford a new car with all that dashboard stuff.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Stark Exits Radio-Info.com

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Veteran Nashville journalist Phyllis Stark is among those exiting Radio-Info.com today (Friday, Aug. 3). She had served as Executive Editor, Country Music and authored the twice-weekly Stark Country newsletter since she joined the company in October 2009. The company will no longer be publishing its newsletters, resulting in a number of layoffs including writers Sean Ross, Dana Hall, and more.

Prior to joining Radio-Info.com, Stark was Nashville bureau chief at Billboard magazine and its websites, where she had worked for 17 years. She will continue to write her MSN blog, along with country music news for MSN, in addition to other freelance work.

Reach her at 615-463-7321 or p.stark@comcast.net.

Weekly Chart Report (8/3/2012)

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WBCT PD Dave Taft (L) visits with Billy Currington before a show in Grand Rapids last week.

SPIN ZONE
It was only a matter of time, really. Little Big Town released the irresistible “Pontoon” on the cusp of summer and after 14 weeks, it has floated up to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. Last week’s No. 1 Keith Urban drops back to No. 2, and Love and Theft moves up to No. 3 with “Angel Eyes.” Blake Shelton’s “Over” holds at No. 4, and Lady Antebellum scoots up to the No. 5 spot with “Wanted You More.”

Major movers include Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” leaping 19-13 in its 5th week charting. Jason Aldean’s brand new “Take A Little Ride” gains 424 and moves 32-25. Eric Church’s “Creepin’” is one spot behind him at No. 26 with a gain of 335 spins. Toby Keith’s “I Like Girls Who Drink Beer” debuted at No. 59 in the previous chart and adds 554 spins to rocket up to No. 34.

One of this chart’s big surprises is a posthumous appearance by Waylon Jennings, whose version of Tony Joe White’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’” lands at No. 66. The track appears on the new collection Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings (Saguaro Road), due out September 11. Also debuting are Brantley Gilbert (“Kick It In The Sticks”) at No. 62, EMI Records Nashville newcomer Kelleigh Bannen (“Sorry On the Rocks”) at No. 69, Stephanie Grace (“Hey There”) at No. 79 and Zach Paxson (“Good Luck With That”) at No. 80.

Frozen Playlists: KDKD, KVAY, KVVP, WJVL, WKBQ, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
August 6
Lucas Hoge/Do What Makes You Feel Good/Animal House
Florida Georgia Line/Cruise/Republic Nashville
Chelsea Bain/What If I/Rock Ridge-InstiGator
Her & Kings County/Family Tree/Elektra Nashville-WMN
Heidi Newfield/Why’d You Have To Be So Good/Sidewalk
Rich O’Toole/Red Wine On Your Lipstick

August 13
One Night Rodeo/Real Good/Fox Hill
Bucky Covington with Shooter Jennings/Drinking Side of Country/eOne

Big Ride’s Craig Wayne Boyd previewed his new CD for Mark and Shelly of the Breakfast Bunch at WWBE/Selinsgrove, PA last week. Boyd’s “I Ain’t No Quitter” lands at No. 50 on this week’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): Mark Roberts, Boyd, and Shelly Marx

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brantley Gilbert/Kick It In The Sticks/Valory – 62
Waylon Jennings/Goin’ Down Rockin’/Saguaro Road – 66
Kelleigh Bannen/Sorry On The Rocks/EMI Nashville – 69
Stephanie Grace/Hey There – 79
Zach Paxson/Good Luck With That/FutureGrass – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Toby Keith/I Like Girls That Drink Beer/Show Dog-Universal – 554
Jason Aldean/Take A Little Ride/Broken Bow – 424
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 343
Eric Church/Creepin’/EMI Nashville – 335
Tim McGraw/Truck Yeah/Big Machine – 293

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Toby Keith/I Like Girls That Drink Beer/Show Dog–Universal – 31
Luke Bryan/Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye/Capitol – 19
Jason Aldean/Take A Little Ride/Broken Bow – 18
Kip Moore/Beer Money/MCA – 14
Brantley Gilbert/Kick It In The Sticks/Valory – 14
Eric Church/Creepin’/EMI Nashville – 13

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jon Wolfe/It All Happened In A Honky Tonk/Vision–Average Joes – 169
JB and The Moonshine Band/No Better Than This/Average Joes – 156
Katie Armiger/Better In A Black Dress/Cold River – 152
Craig Morrison/Fences/Lucky 53’s–GMV Nashville – 149
John Maison/Love Is A Trip/Big High Five – 145

Warner Music Nashville's HER & Kings County rock the boat in San Francisco with a group of local PDs & MDs