Momentum Staffs Up For Debut Single

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Jamie O’Neal’s Momentum Label Group has added three new regional promo reps. They join managing partner Jimmy Murphy, and previously announced promotion staffers John Ettinger and John Christian. O’Neal is overseeing every aspect of Momentum, including producing select acts on the label’s expanding roster.

The company is gearing up for the April 16 release of flagship artist Rachele Lynae’s debut single “Party ‘Til the Cows Come Home.”

Kathie Romero is handling Southwestern Regional Promotions. She got her start in the music business as part of Interscope Records’ founding team, and has worked at EMI and Warner Music Group/Reprise. Reach her at 817-251-6369 or promoromero@gmail.com.

Jay Thomas will head up Northeast Regional Promotions. His 20-plus years of experience includes time as a radio programmer, followed by work as a successful independent promoter. He can be reached at 703-888-1826 or jay@jaythomas.us.

Jack Pride will oversee the label’s Eastern Regional Promotions. He is a 30-year industry veteran who has multiple No. 1 hits to his credit. He can be reached at 615-302-0072 or jackpride@bellsouth.net.

“I’m so happy about the new additions to our Momentum family,” says O’Neal. “Each team member will bring a unique combination of music business sensibility mixed with an incredible passion for our artists and their music. I have long-standing relationships with may of them, so it’s going to be exciting as we launch the new single for our flagship artist, Rachele Lynae.”

Sidewalk Records Launches With Newfield

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Sidewalk Records has re-launched in Nashville with ACM Award-winner Heidi Newfield as the label’s flagship artist. Newfield’s first single for Sidewalk, “Why’d You Have To Be So Good,” written by Jeffrey Steele and Jeremy Popoff (of Lit), will be shipped to radio in Spring 2012.

Wayne Fricks has been named Sidewalk’s General Manager, and the in-house promotion staff includes Larry Hughes, Wix Wichmann, and Nanette Ballinger. The company’s offices are housed at 47 Music Sq. E., Nashville, TN 37203.

Originally launched in 1963 by Curb Records Chairman Mike Curb, Sidewalk Records produced soundtrack recordings including Thunder Alley, The Wild Races, and Peter Fonda’s The Wild Angels. The label also released recordings by Davie Allan and the Arrows, Gypsy Boots, Buddy Miles, and the Stone Poneys (featuring Linda Ronstadt).

Contact info:
Larry Hughes – 615-400-7673, lhughes@sidewalkrecords.com
Wix Wichmann – 615-972-2326, wwichmann@sidewalkrecords.com
Nanette Ballinger – 615-321-5080 x 227, nballinger@sidewalkrecords.com
Wayne Fricks – 615-321-5080 x 225, wfricks@sidewalkrecords.coom

Angela Borchetta White to Lead Canadian Promotion For BMLG

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Big Machine Label Group has announced the appointment of Angela Borchetta White to the newly-created position of Canadian National Director of Promotion. White will relocate to Toronto, where she will be based out of the the Universal Music Canada office and oversee all Country radio promotion for BMLG’s roster in Canada.

“Yes, Angela is my sister!” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “If anything, that made the path into our company even tougher because she had to completely win the team over on her own utilizing her own incredible promotion abilities and doing it without prejudice from me. She’s gotten so strong in the field that if we didn’t step up quickly we were going to lose her to the competition!”

White began her promotion career in Pop world, where she worked as a regional for Curb and then later Atlantic, promoting a wide array of artists including Tori Amos, Stone Temple Pilots, and Genesis among others. She also spent time with RCA, playing a pivotal role in the radio successes of Dave Matthews Band, ‘N Sync, Christina Aguilera and more. Most recently, White launched her independent promotion company White House Promotion, working with Jewel for her Valory Music Co. album Perfectly Clear, plus BMLG artists Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and others.

Congratulate her here.

No. 1 Party: Kenny Chesney’s “Reality”

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(L-R): (front row) BMG/Chrysalis' Sara Johnson; Warner/Chappell Music's Steve Markland; co-writers Brett James and Kenny Chesney; manager Dale Morris; and Sony/ATV Music Publishing's Troy Tomlinson; (back row) ASCAP's Mike Sistad; Sony Music Nashville's Gary Overton; producer Buddy Cannon; BMI's Clay Bradley; and BNA Records' Norbert Nix. Photo: Rick Diamond

BNA Records’ Kenny Chesney and songwriter Brett James celebrated their recent co-written No. 1 chart-topper “Reality,” produced by Buddy Cannon, at Sambuca’s Sky Room on Thursday (4/5). BMI and ASCAP co-hosted the event, which honored Chesney’s 23rd trip to the top of the charts.

Presentations were made by BMI’s Clay Bradley and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, as well as Warner/Chappell’s Steve Markland, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, and BMG Chrysalis’ Sara Johnson. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox presented a financial contribution in the name of the writers to Chesney’s preferred charity, Plan!t Now.

“I’ve been very blessed with a lot of great people that have been part of a really incredible ride,” said Chesney. “The thing that makes me the happiest is when I can sit down with a guy like Brett James and create something that touches people. Thank you everybody for giving us a great reality.”

Brett James also thanked everyone for the accolades and added, “We wrote ‘Out Last Night’ and ‘Reality’ on the same day. Thank God for that day!”


YouTube video

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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People Country magazine recently named Blake Shelton its Hottest Guy for 2012, one more honor he can add to a growing list that includes winning ACM Male Vocalist of the Year and a judging spot on NBC’s hit show The Voice. And also, another multi-week CountryBreakout No. 1 single with “Drink On It.”

“I think it’s funny,” he tells People Country. “It’s just funny to me, because there is nothing about me, if I was a girl, that I would think is sexy. Miranda’s like, ‘Man, I can’t believe there’s actually other people out there besides me that like you! I mean, there must be something wrong with them!”

Maybe she shouldn’t be so surprised. Both Shelton and Miranda Lambert have been on star trajectory for some time, and Shelton’s impressive resume keeps growing. “Drink On It” is his latest in a series of Country radio hits, plus he has added co-hosting duties with Reba on the ACM Awards over the last two years. He also appears on Lionel Richie’s album Tuskegee, collaborating with Richie on the hit “You Are.”

Tom English Named GM at WSM-AM

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Award-winning radio veteran Tom English has been named General Manager of Nashville’s iconic 650 AM WSM radio station. English fills the vacancy created by Mike Ford who led the Gaylord Entertainent station for the previous two years.

“What an amazing honor to captain the Mother Ship of Country Music Radio,” English said.

English has served in numerous capacities during his 30 year career in broadcasting. Most recently, English served as Vice President/Market Manager for Clear Channel Radio in Nashville (including WSIX). He was with the station for eight years, and was named Clear Channel Innovation Award-winner in 2005 and 2006. He also served as chairman of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters in 2008.

“We are all pleased to welcome Tom to 650 AM WSM,” said Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment senior vice president. “His past successes speak for themselves, and I am confident he will make immeasurable contributions to the success of this legendary station.”

Congratulate English here.

650 AM-WSM’s programming includes the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, “Coffee, Country, and Cody” and “The Eddie Stubbs Show,” hosted by Country Radio Hall of Fame personalities Bill Cody and Eddie Stubbs, respectively. Additional programming includes “Bluegrass Underground,” “Station Inn Sessions,” “An Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs,” and more.

Weekly Chart Report (4/6/2012)

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To support her new single “When You Say My Name,” Show Dog-Universal artist Jessie James recently stopped to visit with WGAR/Cleveland PD Charley Connolly and staff. (L-R): SDU Promo rep Nathan Cruise, James, Connolly

LIFENOTES
MusicRow extends its sympathies to KKAJ/Ardmore, OK PD/Mornings Win Patton on the recent loss of his father. Windell Dean Patton passed away April 2 at the age of 64. Memorial services were held yesterday (4/5) at First Baptist Church in Ardmore. Reach out to Win Patton here.

RADIO NEWS
Syndicated Country radio personalities Tony & Kris, in partnership with Thinking Bee Productions, have launched a new web series. Shot in Nashville, “Tony & Kris TV” features man on the street interviews, visits with country artists, and more. The series will air on tonyandkris.com. See a promo here.

SPIN ZONE
In the post-ACM Awards chart, it’s co-host and Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton who hangs on to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. Shelton’s “Drink On It” took a tiny dip in spins, but successfully held off Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” and his other half Miranda Lambert’s “Over You.” Closing out the Top 5 are Lee Brice’s “A Woman Like You” and Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States.” Carrie Underwood’s“Good Girl,” which opened the ACM show, struts into the Top 10 at No. 9.

Know who else had a good ACM Awards night? Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, that’s who. The superstar pair will be on tour together this summer, and debuted new single “Feel Like A Rock Star” on the ACM telecast. Programmers eagerly devoured the new single, playing it nearly 800 times in the first week for an excellent debut at No. 39. Band Perry’s praised performance of “Postcard From Paris” was also beneficial, as the trio’s latest gained 230 spins to move to No. 20. Dierks Bentley’s“5-1-5-0” is a hot new item, moving No. 67-37 in its second week.

 

Upcoming Singles
April 9
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista
Edens Edge/Too Good To Be True/Big Machine
Lathan Moore/Nothin Like A Woman/Render
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol
Jaida Dreyer/Guy’s Girl/Streamsound
Scotty McCreery/Water Tower Town/19/Interscope/Mercury

April 16
Greg Bates/Did It For The Girl/Republic Nashville
Rachele Lynae/Party ‘Til The Cows Come Home/Momentum
Tammie Davis/It’s a Beautiful Life/ATP Records.
Kellie Pickler/100 Proof/19/BNA

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw/Feel Like A Rock Star/BNA — 39
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg — 69
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol — 77
Stephanie Grace/If You Asked Me/SMG — 79
Barry Michael/Uncountrify Me/Stockbridge — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw/Feel Like A Rock Star/BNA — 794
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol — 491
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal — 324
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 233
The Band Perry/Postcard From Paris/Republic Nashville — 230

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw/Feel Like A Rock Star/BNA — 48
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol — 29
Justin Moore/’Til My Last Day/Valory — 11
Chris Young/Neon/RCA — 11
Martina McBride feat. Pat Monahan/Marry Me/Republic Nashville — 11
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg — 10
David Frizzell/Say Hello To Heaven/Nashville America — 7
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 7

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Brad Wolf/Too Many Mondays/Evergreen — 218
Craig Campbell/When I Get It/Bigger Picture — 215
Steve Richard/Toothbrush/Force MP — 174
Josh Abbott Band/Touch/PDT — 173
Randy Rogers Band/Last Last Chance/MCA — 167

Kenny Chesney (center, in hat) recently appeared at a Clear Channel company meeting in preparation for the launch of his forthcoming album Welcome to the Fish Bowl, due for release on BNA Records June 19.

R&J/Emrose Records recording artist Maggie Rose, who previously impacted the CountryBreakout Chart with “Maybe Tonight” (as Margaret Durante), performed a private radio/industry concert at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on Fri., March 30. (L-R): Scott Siman (RPM Management); Mike Culotta (WQYK/Tampa); Maggie Rose, (R&J/Emrose Records); John Shomby (WGH/Virginia Beach); and Tim McFadden (R&J Records)

 

In the days leading up to the ACM Awards, CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan welcomed an outstanding visitor lineup that included Rascal Flatts (pictured), Lionel Richie, Jason Aldean, and Lady A’s Charles Kelley. RF is currently at No. 2 on the CountryBreakout Chart with “Banjo.” (L-R): Joe Don Rooney, Alan, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus. Photo: Dingo O’Brien

Charlie Cook On Air: Who Is Going To Own Radio?

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Last month Clear Channel made more personnel cuts, this time going into bigger markets than in the past. The discussion that followed centered on whether radio companies really care about doing live and local programming any longer.

Let me say that Clear Channel should do whatever they believe works for them. They know what makes their company successful. They know what they need to do to deliver the kind of programming that will create revenue and ratings.

Last weekend someone asked me, “Who is going to own radio stations in five years?” The question came from this person’s belief that the Clear Channel model of eliminating personnel and operating stations with just a few live bodies in house (he was not suggesting the hallways are strewn with dead bodies, by the way) sends a message that the business is not profitable enough to be involved with.

I still have few miles left on this chassis and I hope to drive all the way to the end of the road as a radio person. So this worried me at first.

After I left my friend (making sure he paid for lunch, as he is no longer in radio or records and appears to have a more secure future than me), I started to really think about this. However I became less worried about the future if there would still be owners who:

  1. Believe in the responsibility to serve their local communities.
  2. Believe in presenting programming that gets results for their clients.
  3. Believe that running the local high school football games on Friday night is both a great programming tool and a revenue generator.
  4. Believe that engaging their listeners in contests and discussion throughout the day makes the station an important part of the audience’s day.
  5. Make sure local and national newscasts are more than just once per day part.
  6. Think weather forecasts are programming elements, not just sales features.
  7. Who feel like the people that work for them are not just line items but part of the family.
  8. Who still do public service programs, not because the government mandates it but because they know it’s right for the listener.
  9. Who are not in a race to own the most stations, but the best.
  10. Who believe that live and local morning shows are important.

Not all owners feel the same way about their properties. This does not make them bad guys or wrong. I really have no problem with businesses running their operations however they please. That is not what this article is about.

This is simply the answer to the question my friend posed. His question came from not thinking anyone would want to be in the radio business in five years. I think that, if the big guys decide to sell some of their properties in order to meet their financial goals, there will be people who believe in the tenets above and will be happy to be in the business.

Texas Regional Music Awards Highlights

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(L-R): Randy Rogers Band's Randy Rogers and Brady Black

Industry professionals gathered at Texas Music’s biggest night at the Texas Regional Music Awards to honor radio and music before a packed house at the Arlington Music Hall. Deryl Dodd and Ali Dee hosted the show.

Eli Young Band was the night’s big winner with four awards including Group of The Year, Single of the Year for “Crazy Girl,” Song of the Year for “Crazy Girl,” and Video of the Year for “Crazy Girl.” The band was unable to attend because they were on tour with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in Australia, but they sent their thanks saying, “We are sorry that we can’t be there tonight. Texas is not only the cornerstone of our career – it’s home. We are proud to be a part of and a representative of the Texas Music Family, along with so many of our friends. Thank you so much for your support of us and our music.”

The Randy Rogers Band was another big winner for the evening, taking home Entertainer of the Year. The group built a huge grassroots fan base in Texas and neighboring states before landing a major record deal on MCA Records. The band’s second award of the night was for Album of the year for Burning The Day, produced by the Randy Rogers Band and Paul Worley. “We appreciate our fans always supporting us out on the road and sticking with us all these years,” said Rogers after the wins.

The complete list of winners for the 2012 Texas Regional Radio Awards is below.

Entertainer of the Year
Randy Rogers Band

Male Vocalist of the Year
Stoney LaRue

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sunny Sweeney

Duo/Group/Band of the Year
Eli Young Band

Single of the Year
“Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band

Album of the Year
“Burning the Day” – Randy Rogers Band

Song of the Year
“Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band

Music Video of the Year
“Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band

New Male Vocalist of the Year
William Clark Green

New Female Vocalist of the Year
Heather Roberts

New Duo/Group/Band of the Year
Six Market Blvd

Record Label of the Year
Winding Road Music

Event of the Year
Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival

Humanitarian Award
Justin Frazell, for his charity work for “Pickin’ for Preemies”

Radio Station of the Year – Super Market
KFWR – 95.9 The Ranch – Fort Worth

Radio Station of the Year – Large Market
KJDL 105.3 The Red Dirt Rebel – Lubbock

Radio Station of the Year – Medium Market
KRVF 106.9 The Ranch – Corsicana

Radio Station of the Year – Small Market
KNAF 105.7/KEEP 101.3 – Fredericksburg

Radio Station of the Year – Out of Region
WDMS – Greenville, MS

Internet Radio Station of the Year
Radio Free Texas

Syndicated Radio Station of the Year
Texas Red Dirt Radio – Justin Frazell (TXRDR.com)

On-Air Personality of the Year – Super Market
Justin Frazell –KFWR 95.9 The Ranch Fort Worth

Personality of the Year – Large Market
JB Cloud – KBCY 99.7 – Abilene
Neely Yates – KJDL 105.3 – Lubbock

On-Air Personality of the Year – Medium Market
Jim Nash & Carey Dean – 106.9 The Ranch – Corsicana

On-Air Personality of the Year – Small Market
JD Rose – KNAF 105.7/KEEP 101.3 – Fredericksburg

On-Air Personality of the Year – Out of Region
Ashton Taylor – KVOM 101.7 – Morrilton, AR

ACM Radio Winners Celebrated in Vegas

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(L-R): WUBE/Cincinnati’s Big Dave & Chelsie; WPCV/Lakeland’s Roger Todd and KUZZ/Bakersfield’s Steve Gradowitz; Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton; KUZZ’s Geoff Emery; WPCV’s Melissa Moran; Chris Young; KKNU/ Eugene’s Bill Barrett and Tracy Berry; KYGO/Denver’s Kelly Ford and Rider; KKNU’s Tim Fox; and WPCV’s Tom O’Brien.

The Academy of Country Music celebrated the 2012 ACM Radio Winners at a reception at the MGM last Saturday (3/31). Chris Young attended the reception to present the personalities and stations with their awards.

On-Air Personality of the Year (Note tie in Medium Market):
National: Lon Helton – CMT Country Countdown USA
Major Market: Kelly Ford & Rider – KYGO-FM – Denver, CO
Large Market: Big Dave and Chelsie – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
Medium Market: Steve & Geoff in the Morning – KUZZ AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA (tie)
Medium Market: Roger, Tom & Melissa – WPCV-FM – Lakeland, FL (tie)
Small Market: Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR

Radio Station of the Year:
Major Market: WQYK-FM – Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL
Large Market: WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
Medium Market: KATM-FM – Stockton, CA
Small Market: WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN

(L-R): WUSY/Chattanooga, TN’s Gator Harrison; WQDR/Raleigh’s Lisa McKay; Chris Young; KATM/Stockton-Modesto, CA’s Nikki Thomas; and WQYK/ Tampa’s Mike Culotta.