MusicRowLife: WTHO Georgia Radio Personality Steve Ferguson Passes

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Ferguson and Garth Brooks

Steve Ferguson lost his battle with cancer last night (Feb. 18); he was diagnosed with terminal bile cancer earlier this year. He served on the MusicRow reporting panel for 12 years with WTHO.

Ferguson began his radio career in 1985 with WMTZ in Martinez, Georgia, as a part-time Sunday afternoon host. In five years, he had been promoted to program director and morning drive host. In 1990 when WMTZ’s format changed to oldies, Ferguson left the station to work for WTHO in Thompson, Georgia. He served as the program director for 29 years as well as morning drive host for 18 years.

In 2010, Ferguson was awarded MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year for his love and dedication to his profession. Last week (Feb. 13), he was awarded the Randy Jones Award for the same devotion to his community and career. Ferguson was also an avid musician having played bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Visitation was held Thursday (Feb. 21) at Beggs Funeral Home in Thomson, Georgia. Funeral Services were held Friday (Feb. 22).

Bobby Karl Works The Room: BMLG Doubles Down On Artist Development

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Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Riley Green, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, Noah Schnacky. (Front Row, L-R): Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney and Gary LeVox, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Jenkins

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 615

At the BMLG label luncheon at CRS, the emphasis was on artist development.

On Friday afternoon (Feb. 15) at the Omni Hotel, the company used its moment in the spotlight to introduce new artists and new sounds. The showcase luncheon’s star attraction and closing act was Rascal Flatts. But on the way to the band’s hit-packed presentation, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta had other fish to fry.

After greeting the radio conventioneers, Borchetta brought out newcomer Riley Green. The delightfully countrified Riley kicked off his set with “In Love By Now,” a penetrating rocker featuring his hot band. Both “Georgia Time” and “Bettin’ Man” were songs he wrote about loves gone wrong.

“About a year ago I was an unsigned artist framing houses in Jackson, Alabama,” he told the crowd. “Now I have a single that’s No. 8 in the country. So thank you very much.”

That introduced a romping treatment of “There Was This Girl.” We loved it.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” said Scott. “And you really feel that when your friends start getting inducted into the [Country Radio] Hall of Fame.”

He offered a shout-out to this year’s inductees, Mac Daniels, Jeff Garrison, Kyle Cantrell, Gregg Lindahl, Charlie Monk and the late Bobby Denton.

Back to the newcomer business at hand, fresh company signee Lauren Jenkins was up next. She already makes videos and short films of her songs, so that part of her talent was screened.

Then the CRS first-timer sang her artful, introspective “Makers Mark and You” and “Running Out of Road” in her smoky, languid voice.

I have long thought that Brantley Gilbert has one of the coolest voices in modern country music. Not that you could hear it much over his loud, country-meets-Megadeth band. On a brighter note, he and the group were a stylebook of facial-hair grooming modes.

Brantley favored us with hits such as “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “Bottoms Up.” But his set was truly uplifted by the appearance of Lindsay Ell. She and Brantley demonstrated dynamic interplay while introducing their new duet “What Happens in a Small Town.”

“That’s the first time they have performed that together,” said Scott. He predicted “a big future” for his next act, newcomer Noah Schnacky. “Noah already has 50 million streams on his songs. He’s really the whole package.”

Sitting alone on a stool in the spotlight, Noah proved to be a deft acoustic guitarist as well as an able vocalist. The youngster was also teen-heartthrob handsome as he performed his romantic tunes “Hello Beautiful” and “Maybe He Will.”

“I grew up on country radio,” said Noah to the country radio crowd. “You all showed me what I liked. You made me the artist that I am today. So if you don’t like me, it’s your fault.”

Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Big Machine Records GM Jim Weatherson, Riley Green, CRB Board President Kurt Johnson, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis, The Valory Music Co. GM George Briner. (Front Row, L-R): BMLG EVP & BMLG Records President Jimmy Harnen, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney and Gary LeVox, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Lauren Jenkins, Brantley Gilbert, Stoney Creek’s Lindsay Ell, Noah Schnacky

Rascal Flatts came out with a driving, blood-stirring treatment of “Yours If You Want It” that was so much better than its recording of the song. They not only sing like champs, their band cooks with gas.

“Thank you for being our voices to the world,” said member Jay DeMarcus. “Without you, we wouldn’t have had 19 years in this wonderful business.”

True to the spirit of the showcase, the group introduced new music. Its just-released single, “Back To Life,” was performed as a super power-waltz.

The melodic pile-driver “I Like the Sound of That” was embellished by a soaring Joe Don Rooney guitar solo. “What Hurts the Most” was a vocal showcase, wherein lead singer Gary LeVox went from wispy, atmospheric phrasing to full-throated emotional blasts. The audience was on its feet throughout the rocking, pulse-quickening finale, “Life Is a Highway.”

Sharing the sounds and the fried-chicken lunch were Jeremy Westby, Leslie Fram, Becky Harris, Jim Varnell, Sarah Skates, Billy Dukes, Tom Baldrica, Don Cusic, Ron Allen, Sherod Robertson, Tracy Berry and visiting Ottawa academic Jada Watson.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: CRS’ New Faces Show Was A Star-Making Moment For Jimmie Allen

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Jimmie Allen. Photo: CRS

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 616

Nice guys finish first.

Personable Jimmie Allen walked off with this year’s New Faces Show at Country Radio Seminar. He was far and away the evening’s finest singer. Not only that, his songs had the most substance, and his performance demonstrated scene-stealing showmanship.

Jimmie was not without competition. Lindsay Ell had the guitar chops and the beauty. Russell Dickerson had stage presence and dance moves. LANCO had hits and charm. Dylan Scott had the physique and the warmth.

Another highlight of the event was the surprise appearance by superstar Tim McGraw. Following a video where he reminisced about his New Faces Show appearance 25 years ago, the curtain parted to reveal him in the flesh, singing his first hit, “Don’t Take the Girl.” He then waded into the crowd to pose for selfies.

We all went nuts. What a moment.

Bill Mayne and Keith Urban. Photo: CRS

The evening’s other headliner was another nice guy, retiring Country Radio Broadcasters exec Bill Mayne. He was saluted with a career-spanning video overview, a presentation by Keith Urban and a standing ovation.

“I thank you very much for letting me have the best job in the world for the past 10 years,” said Bill. “I love you all. You will be in my heart forever.”

The four-hour marathon show and three-course banquet took place on Friday night (Feb. 15) at the Omni Hotel downtown. More than 1,000 attended.

Russell Dickerson. Photo: CRS

Official show-opening act Russell Dickerson took charge from the moment he stepped on stage. He came out bobbing and dancing to his peppy current single “Every Little Thing,” then launched into his chart-topping “Blue Tacoma.”

“I’ve been dreaming of this day since the first time I came here in 2010,” said the Nashville native of CRS. “You guys had no reason to believe in us, but you did,” he added.

That led naturally into his Platinum breakthrough No. 1 hit, “Yours.”

He didn’t let up. Russell rocked out on the frothing “MGNO (My Girl’s Night Out).” Bounding down into the crowd, he segued into Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” pulling women from their seats to shake their booties with his and sing along.

Lindsay Ell. Photo: CRS

Speaking of exercise, Lindsay Ell was introduced via a humorous video where she took her radio promotion team to a 4 a.m. fitness boot camp. She began her set with her debut hit, “Criminal.”

Her guitar prowess was never better showcased than on the new song she introduced, “Go To.” It was intercut with U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Lindsay finished her set with the rousing lament “Space.”

“Thank you to everyone in this room for putting me on this stage,” she said with sincerity.

Then it was Jimmie Allen’s turn. He was preceded by a long, deep, echoing, electronic noise and then burst into the spotlight with the upbeat “County Lines.” He displayed admirable aplomb and confidence as he delivered his current single, “Make Me Want To” in a strong, clear voice.

Jimmie is country’s first African-American artist in history to top the charts with his debut single. He gave that song, “Best Shot,” an impressively full-throated vocal.

He cranked the energy up even higher on “Underdogs,” an uplifting ode to strivers and dreamers. As he sang it, he walked all the way through the ballroom, high-fiving people at every table he passed and wailing the high notes with chesty ease. The crowd went wild.

His finale was the power-ballad message song “All Tractors Ain’t Green.” Its stirring melody was augmented by a lineup of soulful female vocalists behind him.

He received a well-deserved standing ovation.

LANCO. Photo: CRS

LANCO had an introductory video that told of the band’s graduation from a camper to a tour bus, concluding with the former’s being blown up in farewell. The group then took the stage, opening with its chiming, bright and driving “Born to Love You.”

Lead singer and principal songwriter Brandon Lancaster (the band’s name is shorthand for “Lancaster and Company”) introduced the radio tastemakers to his new song, “Save Me.”

Then came the five-man group’s breakthrough No. 1 hit, the highly tuneful “Greatest Love Story.” The finale was the exciting, anthemic sing-along “Rival.”

Am I wrong, or was this Arista Records act Sony Music Nashville’s only major presence during CRS?

Dylan Scott. Photo: CRS

Curb Records up-and-comer Dylan Scott closed the show. He was introduced via a clever video that toyed with his impressive, gym-toned, buff bod by suggesting he had a magic, hit-enhancing supplement.

He took no prisoners with a rocking, pounding performance of his Gold-selling top-10 hit, “Hooked.” The fastest-rising single of his career came next, “Nothing to Do Town.”

Dylan sat at the piano to introduce “Nobody,” which he said he wished could be his next single. It built impressively to a rousing crescendo.

The Louisiana-bred singer’s father is Scotty Robinson, who played guitar for Freddy Fender, Freddie Hart and other classic country stylists. “I’m an old-school country music fan,” said Dylan. “My hero was a guy named Keith Whitley.”

He sang Whitley’s ballad “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” On the one hand, it was an admirable tribute. On the other hand, he’s not near his late idol, vocally (but then again, who is?). The performance did elicit a big cheer.

“I’ve been here 10 years, and it’s been a long 10 years,” added the budding star. “But I am so happy and so blessed.”

A thudding, intense rendition of his chart-topping Platinum smash “My Girl” concluded his set and the show.

Tim McGraw. Photo: CRS

The event was punctuated by videos of various artists reminiscing with Gator Harrison about their New Faces Show experiences. In addition to McGraw, they included Luke Bryan, Jake Owen and Lee Brice.

The 2019 CRS New Faces Show was sponsored by the Academy of Country Music. The organization’s Pete Fisher saluted this year’s ACM radio nominees, teased its April 7 awards show, talked about its Lifting Lives charity and introduced a video and stage segment about St. Jude’s Hospital.

During the pre-show cocktail hour, Dillon Carmichael offered a spirited set. Bopping along throughout the night were Rob Simbeck, Nancy Kruh, Ash Bowers, Mike Dungan, Jim Ed Norman, incoming CRB exec RJ Curtis, LB Rogers, Tom Roland, George Briner, Jack Purcell, Brandi Simms, the omnipresent Charlie Cook, Preshias Harris, Jimmy Harnen, Jon Loba, Christy Walker-Watkins, CRB board prez Kurt Johnson, Gayle Thompson, Lon Helton, Brenden Oliver and Lauren Patterson.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Hootie & The Blowfish Close Out Team UMG Show At CRS

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First Row (L-R): Jeannie Sullivan, Jill Burnett, Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Sally Green, Anna Johnson, Summer Harlow. Second row (L-R): Ashley Laws, Mara Sidweber, Katie Dean, Donna Passuntino, Jack Christopher. Third row (L-R): Charlie Dean, Darius Rucker, John Trapane, Michelle Tyrrell, Mike Krinik, Annie Sandor, Katelyn Lester, Connor Brock. Fourth row (L-R): Dean Felber, Chris Schuler, Donna Hughes, Brent Jones, Trudie Daniell, Kaileen Mangan, Miranda McDonald, David Friedman, Jackie Stevens, Megan Youngblood, Jimmy Rector. Fifth row (L-R): Cindy Mabe, Jordan Davis, Kassi Ashton, Caylee Hammack, Adam Hambrick, Brandon Lay, Chris Fabiani. Sixth row (L-R): Mark Bryan, Briana Galluccio, Nick Kaper, Travis Denning, Jim Sonefeld, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 614

The highlights of this year’s UMG show for CRS came from the company’s new acts as well as its established stars.

In the former category were such relative newcomers as Brandon Lay, Jordan Davis, Caylee Hammack and Kassi Ashton. Not to be outshone, proven hit makers such as Eric Church, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley and Chris Stapleton blazed just as brightly. And then there was the enduring brilliance that is Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill.

As always, the event took place at the hallowed Ryman Auditorium. The venue won its 11th Pollstar Award this week as America’s No. 1 concert hall (nine of those wins have been consecutive). Fifteen artists performed at the two-hour lunchtime showcase on Thursday, Feb. 14.

“On behalf of our entire staff, welcome to the 10th Team UMG at the Ryman,” greeted host Royce Risser. “This show has really become a marquee event of CRS.”

Do you know a more lovable label promotion exec? I didn’t think so.

“It’s Valentine’s Day,” Royce continued, “and the world has had a love affair with this group since the day they started.”

Cue LBT, who introduced a new song, the strikingly feminist “God For the Daughters.” It drew a huge cheer from the radio tastemaker women, as well as the men.

Jon Pardi was up next, introducing the strummy bopper “Tequila Little Time With You.” Dierks Bentley was charming, breezy and philosophical on his fine new tune, “Living.”

Kassi Ashton, who was introduced at this CRS event last year, delivered an ear-opening ballad with a Valley-of-the-Dolls theme, “Pretty Shiny Things.” Backing her on guitar was Luke Laird, who won a Grammy Award earlier this week for co-writing “Space Cowboy” with Kacey Musgraves.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban sang his lilting new song “We Were.” He performed it with its studio track via his phone, complete with technical glitches. Then he forgot the words. The crowd loved him dearly anyhow.

In a ballad-heavy day, newcomer Brandon Lay rocked out, delivering “Still Rock & Roll” with an endearingly youthful swagger. Maddie & Tae offered the swirly pop of their current single, “Die From a Broken Heart.” Staging his Team UMG debut was a visibly nervous Adam Hambrick, who nonetheless delivered a jaunty “Rockin’ All Night Long.”

Throughout the show, Royce dished out snarky, humorous comments about the radio folks, as well as his roster. Travis Denning got him back: “Doesn’t Royce look like a cute, Build-a-Bear Teddy Bear?” he asked the crowd. “I mean, 247 pounds of stuffing and five pounds of bull.” On his honky-tonker “After a Few,” Travis showed he has guitar chops as well as the vocal goods.

Undeterred, Royce compared bearded Jordan Davis to Big Foot, calling him “the Eighth Wonder of the World” during his intro. Jordan wowed the crowd with a dreamy, wistful, romantic ballad, “Slow Dance in the Parking Lot.” Earlier this week, Davis picked up the Breakthrough Artist of the Year honor at the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards.

“This is one of the coolest things we get to do,” he told the CRS audience. “It’s so great to see so many familiar faces.”

Caylee Hammack was making her debut on the Ryman stage, as well as at UMG’s musical cafeteria. She delivered the hot tempo tune “Family Tree” with impressive aplomb, working the stage like a seasoned pro. Caylee has spent two-and-a-half years entertaining the tourists at Rippy’s, Tootsie’s and Honky Tonk Central.

Chris Stapleton was searing and white-hot on “Millionaire,” performing solo with just his own acoustic guitar. Eric Church was greeted with wild whistles and cheers. He was bluesy and sexy on “Heart Like a Wheel,” accompanied by the backup vocals of Joanna Cotton.

Vince Gill is now a member of The Eagles. But he’s still working on solo tracks for MCA. He brought everyone to the edge of tears with a paean to his mamma called, I think, “The Bottom of My Heart.”

“I love seeing these young people come out on this stage – it’s beautiful,” Vince reflected. “Forty-five years ago, I made my first record…I’ve been with MCA for 30 years….I feel grateful for everything that I have been given. So thank you for all those wonderful years.”

His heart-tugging performance drew a standing ovation.

The finale of Team UMG’s show is traditionally a superstar surprise. This year, it was Hootie & The Blowfish. The rock vets are newly signed to the company.

“We’ve been a band since we’ve been 18, 19,” said lead singer Darius Rucker. “We’re 50-something now. We want to thank Mike [Dungan] for giving us the chance to do this one more time.”

The band closed the show with their churning pop-rock classics “I Only Want to Be with You” and “Hold My Hand.” A standing ovation ensued.

Spotted in the cheering throng were Dale Dodson, Donna Hughes, Diane Cox, Paula Jones, Brent Jones, Mike James, Jimmy Rector, Ree Guyer, Bob DiPiero, Dan Hill, Steve Lowery, Melinda Newman, Shane Barrett, Phyllis Stark, Scott Musgrave, Clay Myers, Becca Wells, Brenden Oliver, Walter Campbell, John Reynolds, Hunter Kelly, Brandi Simms, Charlie Cook, David Friedman, Angela Strader and Rachel Whitney.

Weekly Chart Report (2/15/19)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Kacey Musgraves Won A Grammy For Album Of The Year, But Will Country Radio Catch On?

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Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Grammys

On Sunday (Feb. 10), Kacey Musgraves stood on the Grammys stage, looking confident, even regal, offering an elegant rendition of “Rainbow,” an uplifting song from her genre-bending fourth studio album Golden Hour.

By the time she took the stage, Musgraves had earned two honors already that day, with “Space Cowboy” being named Best Country Song, and “Butterflies” earning the Best Country Solo Performance.

By the end of the night, Musgraves had earned not only Best Country Album, but the coveted, overall Album of the Year honor for Golden Hour.

It was a stunning victory for an album that, to date, hasn’t had a single reach the Top 50 on the country radio charts.

Beverly Keel—MTSU’s Recording Industry department chair, Change the Conversation co-founder, and esteemed music journalist—notes the similarities between Musgraves’ album sweep and the success of one of Musgraves’ UMG Nashville labelmates.

“It reminds me of when Chris Stapleton swept the CMA Awards a few years ago. Then he started getting some radio airplay, and then he became far more mainstream to the casual listener. I want Kacey’s music to get heard on every possible platform. This is the last and biggest platform so I am ever hopeful.”

The disparity between accolades, album sales and radio airplay has been a constant since Musgraves released her debut album Same Trailer, Different Park, which earned Musgraves her first—and so far, only—Top 10 single on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The album went Platinum and earned Musgraves her first Grammy for Best Country Album in 2014, as well as her first Best Country Song honor for “Merry Go ‘Round.” That year, she also earned Song of the Year at the CMAs for “Follow Your Arrow.” Though an award winner, “Arrow” peaked at No. 43 on the Country Airplay chart.

Similarly, Golden Hour had previously been named Album of the Year at the CMA Awards in November, with little support from country radio.

Immediately following Musgraves’ Album of the Year crowning, MCA Nashville released the soothing “Rainbow” to country radio.

“We timed the release of “Rainbow” following the Grammy performance for immediate airplay because we felt the performance would be a moment for both Kacey and this amazing album, and it was,” says MCA Nashville VP, Promotion Katie Dean.

The timing is unique, as Musgraves’ Grammy wins kicked off the week leading into the annual Country Radio Seminar—the place where Musgraves first made a stir among country programmers with a debut performance of “Merry Go ‘Round” back in 2012.

According to Mediabase, the song had 37 adds in its first week as a single at country radio. A recent ad for “Rainbow” touted the song as the third most-added track at country radio this week, with 54 stations adding the song to their rotation. “Rainbow” entered at No. 58 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart dated Feb. 16.

On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart, “Rainbow” is the second most-added song for the week and has the second-highest spin increase, behind George Strait’s “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar.”

Dean notes that 16 stations began playing the song early, though she says Musgraves’ Grammy sweep “absolutely” affected the number of first-week adds the single earned on country radio.

“We are very optimistic about the strong start at country radio. Many stations are playing ‘Rainbow’ in all dayparts, while other stations have additional songs from the album in rotation as well,” Dean adds. “Ultimately, listener reaction is key for any single to climb the chart, but radio definitely understands that Kacey is poised for global superstardom.”

Even after earning the Grammy’s top album honor—an achievement very few country artists have done (the short list including names like Taylor Swift, Glen Campbell and the Dixie Chicks)—Musgraves has a fight on her hands in getting “Rainbow” to become a country radio hit, given the dearth of female artists having country radio hits in recent years.

After 22 weeks on the Country Airplay chart, Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins” is at No. 13. Other females in the Top 50 this week include Kelsea Ballerini’s “Miss Me More” (No. 18), Maren Morris’ “Girl” (No. 27), Runaway June’s “Buy My Own Drinks” (No. 31), Lindsay Ell with Brantley Gilbert on “What Happens In A Small Town” (No. 32), Maddie & Tae’s “Friends Don’t” (No. 33), Carly Pearce’s “Closer To You” (No. 39) and Lauren Alaina’s “Ladies In The ‘90s” (No. 48).

Keel is cautiously optimistic about the chances for radio success for “Rainbow,” and says, “Country needs to embrace it and promote it. Country music is at its most successful when it embraces a big-tent philosophy, like in the ‘90s when we had every sound and every look.

“This is an album that will stand the test of time,” Keel says. “It will be just as beautiful and important 10 years from now as it is now. And it had critical acclaim, national TV exposure—everything but the radio component. Kacey will bring more fans to country music so I think it’s a boost for country music, and I’m glad Kacey’s album is getting another listen at country radio.”

YouTube video

WTHO’s Steve Ferguson Receives Randy Jones Award

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Steve Ferguson, Program Director of WTHO in Thomson, Georgia, was presented with the Randy Jones Humanitarian Award on Feb. 13, for his dedication to his community. Ferguson served on the MusicRow reporting panel for 12 years and was MusicRow’s Reporter of the Year in 2010. Ferguson was recently diagnosed with terminal bile duct cancer.

The Randy Jones Award is presented each year at CRS to a station for their countless hours of charitable work, selfless dedication to their community and listeners, and the tireless promotion and preservation of country music. The award’s namesake Randy Jones served the MusicRow panel at WDHR before his sudden passing in 2010. Previous winners of this award include Russ Oker Ed Carter, Win Patton, Ted Cramer, Bill Booth, Melissa Frost, Mike Thomas.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Ferguson’s medical bills. Those wishing to donate can click here.

Country Radio Hall Of Fame Class Of 2019 Revealed

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Pictured (Clockwise, L-R): Charlie Monk, Mac Daniels, Bobby Denton, Kyle Cantrell, Gregg Dahl, Jeff Garrison

Six celebrated broadcasters will join the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2019, as Grammy-winning duo Dan+Shay revealed this year’s inductees during today’s (Feb. 13) opening ceremonies for Country Radio Seminar (CRS).

Two on-air personalities and four off-air broadcasters will be honored. The 2019 Country Radio Hall of Fame Class includes Radio category honorees include Mac Daniels (KPLX and KSCS/Dallas) formerly KALM, KBOX/Dallas, KPLX, WMXQ/Washington, KASE & KVET/Austin, WYCD/Detroit, iHeartMedia, KSKS/Fresno, and NASH-FM/San Francisco, Bobby Denton (WIVK/Knoxville), Jeff Garrison (KCYY/Cox Media), formerly KKBQ, WESC, WFNQ/Greenville, KMLE/Phoenix, KILT, and Gregg Lindahl (Cox Media) formerly KOMA/Oklahoma City, WSM-AM/FM, WKY, WSOC-A/F/Charlotte, KUPL/Portland, and WKXK/Chicago.

The Air Personality category includes Charlie Monk (SiriusXM’s “Willie’s Roadhouse”) formerly of WGEA/Geneva, AL, WMTS; and Kyle Cantrell (SiriusXM) formerly WMTS/Murfreesboro, WSM-AM/Nashville, and WKDF/Nashville.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format. The Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner will be held in Nashville on Wednesday, June 19, at a location to be announced soon.

About the 2019 Inductees:

Air Personality Category:

Charlie Monk is the longtime host on SiriusXM’s “Prime Country” format, a role that barely scratches the surface of his contribution to the country radio/music industry. His broadcast career was launched in 1956, sweeping floors at WGEA/Geneva, AL. He quickly segued to an on-air position, and then worked in several Alabama markets, including Troy, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa. He moved to Nashville in 1968 to program WMTS and then branched into publishing, where he wrote songs recorded by Eddy Arnold, Jerry Reed, Charley Pride, Jimmy Dean, and others. Wearing his publisher hat, Monk fostered the careers of Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney. In 1969, Monk teamed with industry friends to found Country Radio Seminar (CRS). He’s served on the CRS Board from the beginning and currently is a Director Emeritus. With CRS celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, Monk is the only person who can boast of attending every single one.

After getting his radio start at WMTS/Murfreesboro, TN in 1980, Kyle Cantrell quickly rose to host mornings there, before joining the staff of WSM-AM/Nashville, handling a variety of air shifts. In 1983, Cantrell expanded his duties, adding music oversight of WSM’s network operation, Music City Radio Network (MCRN). He also hosted a nationally syndicated weekend oldies show, airing across 85 stations. In 1985, Cantrell began serving as an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, a role that he continues to this day. He was named WSM AM Program Director in 1993, moving the station’s music focus to Classic Country – the nation’s first such country outlet. In 2002, Cantrell began working for Sirius Satellite radio on its Classic Country channel. He continued with local radio joining WKDF/Nashville, where he remained until taking a fulltime position at SiriusXM and has since handled programming chores for Bluegrass Junction and Roadhouse channels. Cantrell added T2K programming duties in 2013, as well as Enlighten, SiriusXM’s Gospel brand.

Radio Category:

Mac Daniels has been working in radio for more than 40 years, beginning his career while still in high school, at Country/Gospel KALM/Thayer, MO, where he doubled as a salesperson. Drawn more to programming, Daniels was named for overnights at KBOX/Dallas while still in his teens. In 1980, Daniels segued to newly launched country outlet KPLX/Dallas and stayed for the next 14 years initially handling part-time air shifts, while helping establish the station’s research department. Daniels took on overnights, then evenings, soon adding Music Director responsibilities. During his time at KPLX, Daniels was honored with the Billboard Major Market Music Director of the Year six times and won the CMA MD of the Year trophy twice (1989, 1990). Major market programming opportunities followed, as Daniels eventually programmed nationally respected brands such as WMZQ/Washington, KASE & KVET/Austin, and WYCD/Detroit. In 2004, he was given Regional Programming responsibilities, based in Austin again, where he doubled as OM for the six-station Austin Cluster for iHeartMedia. Programming stints included KSKS/Fresno and NASH-FM/San Francisco, upon its 2013 launch. Daniels’ career came full circle in 2016 when he was named PD for Cumulus-owned country combo KPLX and KSCS/Dallas, where he remains. KPLX is the highest Cumulus country station in America and has been honored with an NAB Marconi Award.

Bobby Denton spent his entire 49-year career at WIVK/Knoxville, helping build the station into the iconic radio brand it is today. Denton started on the air and rose to a leadership position at WIVK and, its parent company, Dick Broadcasting where he was elevated to VP in 1981. In that role, Denton was responsible for the company’s radio stations in Knoxville, Nashville, Greensboro, NC, Colorado Springs, CO, and Birmingham, AL. Denton helped WIVK in garnering numerous industry awards, including eight CMA Station of the Year honors; five ACM Station of the Year trophies, and four Marconi Awards. In addition to this year’s inclusion in the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Denton is also a member of the Opryland Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. Denton enters the Country Radio Hall of Fame posthumously, after passing away following a short bout with cancer in 2014.

Jeff Garrison’s journey to the Country Radio Hall of Fame started in Nacogdoches, TX in 1983, working every possible air shift for country and Top 40 formats. He quickly gravitated to programming in 1985, and then moved to Houston in 1993, signing on KKBQ. Garrison moved to WESC and WFNQ/Greenville, SC in 1994, then KMLE/Phoenix in 1996, before returning to Houston, and the programming helm at KILT. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Garrison took on VP/Country Programming for KILT parent company CBS Radio, with oversight of 23 country outlets nationwide. Since 2013, Garrison has called San Antonio home, programming KCYY, and serving as format leader for Cox Media’s six country stations. Garrison has also given back to the country industry, serving on the ACM and CMA board of directors.

Gregg Lindahl has handled responsibilities at every level in radio, starting as an on-air personality before rising to MD, PD, and GM during 20 years at 10 country stations in seven markets. His career included 15 years at the corporate level, leading a market research company while pioneering digital initiatives. Like many radio professionals of his generation, Lindahl started while attending high school in Ortonville, MN. In 1980, he moved to KOMA/Oklahoma City, launching it as a country station. A move to legendary country brands WSM-AM/FM followed and included WSM-FM’s move to country. Lindahl returned to Oklahoma to program WKY and soon became the station GM. His managerial career continued at WSOC-A/F/Charlotte, KUPL/Portland, and WKXK/Chicago – which he flipped to country in 1995. In 1995, Lindahl joined Cox Media, serving as President for Eagle Research, and later VP/Interactive and New Technologies, and SVP/Digital Strategy. Lindahl has served on the CMA Board of Directors, the CRS agenda committee, and has been called upon for core moderator duties at recent CRS events.

The Valory Music Co. Ups Ashley Sidoti

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Ashley Sidoti

The Valory Music Co. has named Ashley Sidoti to the newly-created title of Senior National Director, Promotion & Marketing, effective immediately. Most recently serving as National Director, Promotion & Marketing, she will continue to build relationships between radio and the label’s artist roster, which includes Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Tyler Rich and Delta Rae.

“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Ashley to Senior National Director,” said The Valory Music Co. GM George Briner. “She came into the Valory Music world as an intern back in 2008 and since then has grown through the ranks, continuing to contribute to the success of The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine Label Group every day.”

“I’m thankful for Scott, George and Chris’ continued trust and confidence in me and this team,” said Sidoti. “I’m so proud of all we have built, and I know that it’s still only the beginning. I look forward to continuing to grow the Valory Music Co. – loud and proud!”

Ashley can be reached at 615-574-7827 or via ashley.sidoti@valorymail.com.

Weekly Chart Report (2/8/19)

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