Cumulus Presents “Healthy Living Expo”

On Saturday, June 26, Cumulus Nashville, a five-station radio conglomerate which includes SuperTalk 99.7, 92Q, 95.5 The Wolf, 97.1 RQQ and i106, will hold the Healthy Living Expo at CoolSprings Galleria from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Unlike many health fairs, the Healthy Living Expo is designed to be interactive. Attendees will have access to free samples, blood-pressure checks, an activity area for the kids, Q&A seminars, dance demonstrations and more. The event is being promoted on all five Cumulus radio stations to reach across demographic and lifestyles lines covering Country, Classic Rock, Contemporary Hits, Adult Urban and News/Talk listeners.

“Health care need not be boring,” says Bill Hutcherson, Event Director.  “There are always new cutting-edge technologies to explore, great new nutritional foods, and fantastic and fun ways to get in shape beyond the traditional routine of working out at the gym. We want to give people the chance to explore new opportunities and engage in a healthy lifestyle that works for them.”

Healthy Living Expo participants will include a wide-array of health, nutrition and fitness professionals including Milestone Staffing, Daymar Institute Massage Clinic, Don Ho Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, Amerigroup Community Cares, Podiatrists of Middle Tennessee, HCA Healthcare, New Image Dentistry National College of Business, Rolling Hills Dentistry, Vein Pavilion (The Vein Guys), American Cancer Society, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Center for Anti-Aging Medicine, Meharry Medical Women’s Research Center, Dr. Rishi Saxena (Cardiologist), Park Place Retirement Community, Hermitage Hall, Pure Romance, Debbie’s School of Dance, Powers Modeling, Music City Wellness, the American Red Cross, Dohnal Chiropractic, MARC (Medically Assisted Recovery Centers), 1-800 Fix-My-Teeth, Brentwood Chiropractic and Pain Management, Adventureworks.com, Allergy and Asthma Center of Middle Tennessee, Gordon Law Group, Laser Liposuction Clinic, Dr. Gil Chiropractic, New York Life, Bellevue Medi-Spa, Williamson Wellness Solutions, Marable Personal Healthcare, Elder Care Essentials, Max GLC, Dr. Dwayne Allison and Franklin Allergic Care, and more. For more information, call (615) 321-1067.

CMA Music Fest Photos

Blake Shelton’s fan club party, Judds reunion tour, Martina McBride at the Premiere Radio remote, Blair Garner’s After Midnite party, Riverstages and more…

Blake Shelton hosted his annual fan club party at the Wildhorse Saloon. The sold-out crowd requested songs and for every song he didn't know, Shelton donated $20 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. His final tally was $510. Miranda Lambert's mother, Beverly, requested the Black Crowes song, "She Talks To Angels," telling the singer, "I have a $100 request. If you don't know it, you have to double the donation." After conferring with his band, Shelton performed the Black Crowes hit. "Dancing With The Stars" finalist and ESPN correspondent, Erin Andrews, requested "Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound" by Hank Williams Jr. However, she told Shelton that she wanted Dierks Bentley to sing it. Surprise guest Bentley then took the stage. Other surprise guests were Laura Bell Bundy and Miranda Lambert. In all, Shelton's fan club raised over $31,000 for LLS that evening. Pictured (L to R) – Blake Shelton and Erin Andrews.

The Country Music Association presented The Judds with a 25th Anniversary plaque during their “The Final Encore” tour announcement at the 2010 CMA Music Festival. (L-R) CMA’s Bobette Dudley, Wynonna Judd, acting CMA Executive Director Steve Moore, Naomi Judd, Kerry Hansen of Big E Enterprises Management, and WME agent Greg Oswald.

Premiere Radio Networks, the official radio partner of The 2010 CMA Music Festival, hosted 18 of Country radio’s biggest stations, and the syndicated show, After MidNite with Blair Garner, at the Nashville Convention Center last week. More than 60 artists and celebrities stopped by, including Martina McBride (pictured above).

Blair Garner's After Midnite party, held Friday night at the Wildhorse Saloon. Pictured (l-r): Jaron of Jaron And The Long Road To Love, Laura Bell Bundy, Blair Garner, Miranda Lambert and Jarrod Neimann.

Point of Grace with Brenda Lee at the CMA Music Festival opening parade. Brenda Lee was the Grand Marshall. Pictured (L-R): POG members Dana Cappillino and Denise Jones, Brenda Lee, and POG member Shelley Breen.

Sammy Kershaw prior to his performance on the River Stages on Sunday. Pictured (L-R): CMA’s Kyle Quigley, Sammy and Jake Kennedy of BLA.

Billboard Summit Talks Radio

PPM, the evolution of the country demographic, and the artist royalty legislation were among the topics discussed at the Billboard Country Music Summit’s panel “The Changing Face of Radio: 2010 and Beyond” on Monday (6/7). Moderated by Billboard Sr. Chart Manager, Nashville, Wade Jessen, panelists included Paul Allen (Middle Tennessee State University), Tom English (Nashville VP/Mkt Manager Clear Channel), Steve Hodges (SVP Promotion, Capitol/EMI Nashville), Jeff Garrison (CBS Radio, KILT/Houston), and Bud Walters (Cromwell Radio Group).

Garrison’s market was one of the first to adopt Arbitron’s Portable People Meter (PPM) measurement, which he said reflects reality, rather than the flawed recall of survey subjects. “The biggest surprise,” he noted, “was that there were no surprises at all with PPM.” Sample sizes are currently small for PPM, but large markets like Nashville are preparing for when the time comes to switch.

English and Walters underscored the differences between large and small market radio when English noted how challenging the last 18 months have been. Revenues were down nearly 20%, and only projected to be back up 2% this year. And yet, he claimed, more people listened to terrestrial radio last year than any in history. Walters, on the other hand, noted the ease with which he sells advertising on WCRC, his small market country station in Illinois. “It’s the easiest format to sell because advertisers can relate to it.”

Garrison noted an ethnic shift in Houston (and possibly nationwide) that was affecting his listenership, but hasn’t seen any wide shift in demographics for country music. “It’s a cyclical business,” offered English, “driven by artists.” He added that years earlier, Garth Brooks had brought younger fans to the format much like Taylor Swift has.

The panel’s hot-button issue was clearly the Performance Rights Act. This stalemate does not seem likely to disappear soon, as the radio industry firmly believes the service it provides is mutually beneficial for both parties: radio gets free content to bolster their advertising, and airplay is like free advertising for artists/labels selling records. Walters indicated that the act’s passage could signal a widespread disappearance of music programming in radio. “The business I’m in is community service and selling commercials,” said Walters. “I’m agnostic about what goes between those.” Proponents of the legislation, namely Allen, pointed out that the US is one of a handful of countries worldwide to not have such a tax in place and that the annual costs would be variable for stations netting below $1.25M annually and variable for those above. English took issue with that figure, saying that his four stations in Nashville would be forced to pay over $3M annually for music.

On the bright side, country music remains a healthy format for radio. Capitol’s Hodges surmised that the fans are still tuning in, at least in part because of “artist accessibility to radio and fans” and an overall positive perception of the inudstry.

“CRS: One-On-One” Reprising In June

Based on the success of its inaugural CRS: One on One mentoring session in May, Country Radio Broadcasters has announced a June 18 follow-up installment, focusing on new media marketing opportunities at radio.

Industry veterans Paul Williams (Senior Director, Strategic Marketing, Sony Music Nashville) and Roy Elkins (CEO, Broadjam) are this session’s featured speakers. Attendees will learn how to improve their radio station’s marketing efforts through new media initiatives and technology, as well as gain a better understanding of how consumers and listeners are using that technology. Twelve Country radio marketers will be chosen for the June 18 CRS: One on One session.

“After the success and feedback from our first One on One event, we moved quickly to organize another installment,” says CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne. “We felt like the new media marketing angle was something that is relevant to every single radio station in the country, so we recruited two of the best and brightest on the subject, Paul Williams and Roy Elkins, to discuss that topic with our next batch of attendees.”

CRS: One on One encourages candid, one-on-one interaction and discussion between participants about the current issues and challenges faced by those working in the country radio industry today. The next session will be held Friday, June 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the newly remodeled Country Radio Broadcasters offices in Nashville. Radio marketers interested in attending must submit the application found on www.CRB.org before Friday, June 4 at 5 PM/CT.

Eligible applicants must have radio marketing experience (any market size) and pay a $59 participation fee, which includes lunch during the session. A random lottery system drawing will determine the 12 accepted applicants. Those accepted will be notified and listed on the CRB website no later than Monday, June 7.

Warner Re-works Promo Dept., Hires Chris Palmer

Radio promotion executive Chris Palmer is joining the team at Warner Music Nashville (WMN). Starting June 14 he will be on board as Vice President of Promotions. Palmer will oversee the newly-created promotion staff team known as Warner Bros., Atlantic & Reprise (WAR), which will complement Warner Music Nashville’s (WMN) current promotion staff headed by Bob Reeves, Vice President of Promotions. Both Palmer and Reeves will report directly to Chris Stacey, Sr. Vice President of Promotions. WMN’s two radio promotion teams will not be label specific, but rather artist specific, with each team focusing their resources on individual artist projects.

Palmer’s career began in radio in 1988. Ten years later he was hired by Disney’s then-new country music imprint, Lyric Street Records, as Director of Regional Promotion/Northeast. He spent 12 years with Lyric Street, handling different regions and then being raised to Sr. Dir of National Promotion for the label’s Carolwood Records imprint. When Carolwood shuttered one year later, he remained as Senior Director of National Promotion for Lyric Street.

Ohio Station Steps Up For Flood Victims

Ashtabula, Ohio’s WYBL-FM, 98.3 The Bull is stepping up to help victims of Nashville’s devastating flood. After watching TV footage of the floods, station staffers decided to start the Need For Nashville Kids Toy Campaign. The station is working with area businesses to donate toys for children affected by the flood who have lost everything. They will then deliver the toys to Nashville-area charities so that “children can find a little bit of light in the darkness of despair.”

The Need For Nashville Kids Toy Campaign:

  • Will collect toys from now until May 23, 2010.
  • Will deliver the toys to Nashville from Ashtabula, Ohio (stopping along the way to pick up other available donations and locations)
  • Will deliver toys to Nashville and then get involved with HON.org to help restore Nashville.

If other station or artists would be interested in getting involved, 98.3 The Bull will promote it on the air and in any documents they release.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Roger McCoy at (440) 993-2126 x 116 or at rogermccoy@983thebull.com.

CMA Broadcast Awards Submission Schedule

Beginning Friday, May 21, the Country Music Association will accept online submissions for the 2010 CMA Broadcast Awards for Broadcast Personality, Station, and National Broadcast Personality of the Year at Broadcast.CMAawards.com. The site will continue to accept submissions through 5:00 PM/CT, Thursday, July 1.

Categories for submission include Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year in four different market sizes (major, large, medium, and small), as well as CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year.

To submit an entry, CMA member radio stations and broadcast personalities in the U.S. and Canada should log on to Broadcast.CMAawards.com, where guidelines and instructions for entries are posted. All entries must reflect performances and events between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010.

CMA’s panel of judges, who are radio and industry professionals, will be able to view and evaluate the entries online. After the judges’ scores are recorded, Deloitte & Touche LLP® will tabulate.

Winners will be notified in early October and recognized at The 44th Annual CMA Awards, which will be held later this year in Nashville. The annual gala, known as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network.

For more information about CMA Broadcast Award entries contact Brandi Simms, CMA Senior Manager of Awards Balloting & Election Administration, at BSimms@CMAworld.com.

Renee Leymon At Bigger Picture/New Revolution; Capitol Hiring

Renee Leymon

Twenty-year radio promotion executive Renee Leymon has joined Bigger Picture and New Revolution Entertainment. In her new roles, Leymon will be assisting Rob Dalton in growing and developing the promotion staff at New Revolution Entertainment, and she will also assist the promotion staff at Bigger Picture in securing radio airplay.

Leymon was most recently at Lyric Street Records, working with Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Sarah Buxton and others.

“As you know, we don’t do titles, so like everyone else, Renee will be coming in as a Promotions Executive, custom building the position and which stations she’ll be working to suit her expertise,” said Powers. “We’re excited to have someone of her caliber join us in working the careers of our fine acts like the Harters, Zac Brown Band, Gloriana, Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Tim McGraw and others.”

“I’ve known and trusted Jeff Solima for many years and always wanted to work with him,” says Leymon. “Getting to work with Michael Powers, Rob Dalton and the entire staffs of both teams are an honor for me.”

Leymon can be reached at 615-417-7484 or calebsmeme1@aol.com.

•••••

Capitol Nashville/EMI Records Nashville has added Rachel Dobson as Promotion Coordinator. She can be reached at 615-269-2047 and rachel.dobson@emicap.com. Dobson replaces Alisa Bowman who was promoted to Manager, Syndication & Special Projects.

Clear Channel Rallies For Flood Relief

Clear Channel Nashville is holding a daylong radiothon today (5/4) to benefit local flood relief efforts. All five stations in the cluster (WSIX, WRVW, WLAC, WNRQ, WUBT) will be simulcasting, with on-air talent from each outlet sharing hosting duties until midnight. Proceeds will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Tennessee Disaster Response Fund.

The hosts are encouraging donations and keeping listeners up-to-date with the latest news and interviews. This morning Gerry House spoke to Gov. Phil Bredesen and Chief of Police Ronal Serpas during his 7-9 AM time slot.

Radio Personalities Play ‘Key Role’ in ACM Success

Blair Garner addresses a sea of fans during ACM Concerts on Fremont Street

Country music radio luminaries Blair Garner, Shawn Parr and Storme Warren – along with winners in ACM radio categories and Westwood One – played a key role in the success of the Week Vegas Goes Country® preceding the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. The telecast reached more than 13 million viewers and won the night for the CBS Television Network.

Two-time ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year Award winner Blair Garner, of After MidNite with Blair Garner, emceed the Academy’s two days of free, open-to-the-public all-star concerts held on two stages at Fremont Street Experience, a five-block entertainment zone in downtown Las Vegas.  On-air talent including from both local Las Vegas country radio stations, KCYE and KWNR also co-emceed on one night each. Rick Kelly and Jason Rooney from KCYE and Bob Bishop from KWNR participated on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Shawn Parr with artist Joe Nichols onstage at the post-Awards ACM All-Star Jam

A record 45,000 fans crowded the stages on Friday and Saturday night, April 16 and 17 to see headliners Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert, and performances by newcomer category winners Luke Bryan, Joey + Rory and Gloriana. The concerts also featured Danny Gokey, David Nail, Emily West, The Band Perry and Randy Rogers Band. ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience is sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Shawn Parr, KKGO-FM Go Country 105 Los Angeles’ morning man and host of the nationally syndicated The Country’s Hotlist, was back for the 18th consecutive year as the official voice of the Academy of Country Music Awards. In addition, Parr hosted the ACM All-Star Jam after the live Sunday telecast, which featured performances by Jason Aldean, Ash Bowers, Luke Bryan, Laura Bell Bundy, Eric Church, Billy Currington, Jack Ingram, Jaron and The Long Road To Love, Joey + Rory, Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, James Otto, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Jordyn Shellhart, Steel Magnolia, Glenn Templeton, The Band Perry, Thompson Square, Trailer Choir, Cowboy Troy, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, James Westley, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young, Eli Young Band and more.

Storme Warren with Montgomery Gentry at the USO Concert in Partnership with ACM Lifting Lives™

Parr also hosted and played in the KKGO-FM listener poker tournament held Saturday, April 17 at the MGM Grand Poker Room. Participants of the tournament were selected in a pre-Awards on-air station promotion, winning a spot to play in the tournament with artist Joe Nichols and tickets to the ACM Awards, with the tournament winner receiving VIP fan pit tickets for the ceremony.

Storme Warren, host of GAC’s Headline Country, SiriusXM Highway Channel’s Music Row Happy Hour and co-host of the recently launched radio show Music City Saturday Night, rode in the ACM Chairman’s Ride and then emceed the USO Concert in Partnership with ACM Lifting Lives™ on Saturday, April 17 at Nellis Air Force Base. The free, private con

cert for the troops and their families featured Dierks Bentley, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Thompson and USO tour veterans Randy Houser, James Otto, Anthony Smith and Montgomery Gentry, who were also honored with the 2010 ACM/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

The event was the first-ever partnership for ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, and the USO. It was open to all military ID holders and their families and was attended by approximately 3,000 people.

Radio Station of the Year and On-Air Personality of the Year Winners with Miranda Lambert at the radio winners’ reception.

Radio category winners attended an Academy reception in their honor at the MGM Grand on Saturday, April 17, where Miranda Lambert presented them with their trophies. Attendees included CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan, KIIM’s Buzz Jackson, KIZN’s Rich Summers, KMPS’ Becky Brenner & Erica Hall, KNIX’s Ben Campbell & Matt McAllister, KSCS’ Chris Huff & Cari Swartzell, KUZZ’s Evan Bridwell, Toni Marie & Mel Owens, WFRE’s Jess Wright, WGSQ’s Gator Harrison, WQDR’s Janie Carothers, Billy Dukes, J.J. Herr, Lisa McKay, Dede Wakefield & Mike Wheless, WSIX’s Keith Kaufman (winner Gerry House, Mike Bohan, Al Voecks, Duncan Stewart and Richard Falken were regretfully unable to attend), and WUSY’s Jay Cruze, Jared Stehney & Brian Stewart.

Reception hosts Bill Mayne, President of the Academy of Country Music, Charlie Cook, Chairman of the ACM Radio Task Force and Bob Romeo, ACM Executive Director, in turn encouraged the radio winners to surprise Lambert with her trophy and the news she had won the Video of the Year category for “White Liar.”  Video producer Tameron Hedge and director Chris Hicky were regretfully unable to attend but were notified of their win that night via telephone by the Academy.

Westwood One, an Academy corporate partner for almost a decade, brought out 26 radio stations from across the country to participate in radio remotes on Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, driving tune-in and consumer awareness of the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  Artists who participated include Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and more.