Updated: Ed Salamon Exits CRB

/by
Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon is departing his role as Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters Inc., MusicRow has confirmed.

Although there has been no official report, it appears that Salamon has exited the organization effective immediately. Official CRB spokesperson, Aristomedia’s Jeff Walker noted, “CRB does not comment on employment matters,” but MusicRow has verified reports which began to surface yesterday evening (10/28) regarding Salamon’s departure.

The leadership change arrives with planning for the organization’s annual event Feb. 24-26, 2010, in full swing. Word of the Board’s decision began to spread after the adjournment of Nashville CRB Board meetings which concluded yesterday.

Salamon was responsible for production and fundraising for all CRB initiatives and also serves as an adjunct professor at Belmont University. His past posts include President of Programming for Westwood One Radio. Salamon was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

Brenner 19

CRB President Becky Brenner

According to CRB President Becky Brenner of KMPS, “For the past 12 months, Country Radio Broadcasters has conducted an extensive review of its operations in terms of the organization’s administrative functions and the execution of its flagship event, Country Radio Seminar. As a result of this review process, the CRB Board of Directors has initiated several internal changes, which are designed to keep the organization growing in this very challenging economic climate. A number of adjustments have already been made. As we continue our ongoing effort to ensure the vitality of our organization and achieve our mission of growth through sharing, we do anticipate additional changes.”

CRS-41: The early bird registration rate of $499 for CRS 41 expires on Friday, Oct. 30. Registration is available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487.

Country Radio Seminar is packed with top-notch talent and expert speakers once again this year. Superstar Taylor Swift performs at the popular Music City Jam™ (sponsored by the Academy of Country Music), and financial authority Dave Ramsey kicks off the event with CRS 41’s Keynote Address. 

Additionally, a new, streamlined agenda delivers more universally appealing panels and research presentations for all attendees, regardless of market size. Best-selling business author and journalist Bob Rosner provides attendees the necessary skills to survive in a tough economy with his “Workplace 911” panel. Also new this year is a Friday morning focus group, titled “Normal People: From the Mouths of the Consumer.”

Gone Pink: Artists, Radio Fight For A Cure

/by

Troy Gentry

Troy Gentry

Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry has been sporting pink Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers all over town lately in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He wore them on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and in the studio where he and Eddie Montgomery are finishing up their latest album. Gentry explained, “I have three very special women in my life, my wife Angie and daughters Taylor and Kaylee, and even if it’s a small gesture, I wanted to do my part in helping spread awareness about breast cancer to hopefully keep them and all women safe from this disease. ”

———————————

The Grenax Broadcasting staff in Flagstaff, Arizona, which includes MusicRow Country Breakout Chart Reporter KSED, dressed in pink to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation earlier this month. Money was collected in the office and around the market to be donated to breast cancer education services across Northern Arizona. Hundreds of listeners also joined in by wearing pink and spreading awareness. Operations Director Dan Baisden said, “Susan G. Komen Foundation serves thousands of women across the state every day and anything we can do to help promote their education initiatives and research is very important.”

Grenax Broadcasting staff dress in pink.

The Grenax Broadcasting staff dress in pink.

————————–

lantana

Lantana at the State Fair of Texas (L-R): Lisa Underwood, Biz Haddock, Dalene Richelle. Photo: Mark Davis

Country trio Lantana was scheduled to perform before an estimated crowd of 100,000 at the Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25 as the football giants kicked off their first Breast Cancer Awareness month event. The Dallas Cowboys’  “GameDay Productions” Team booked the band after seeing their recent performance before a crowd of 92,000 at the State Fair of Texas during the University of Texas vs Oklahoma University game. Lantana has spent the past year working on songs for a new CD, perfecting their new stage show and building a solid fan base in their home state of Texas.

Signings And Musical Chairs

/by
strickland

Lisa Strickland

Golden Music Nashville has hired Lisa Strickland as Regional Director Northeast Promotion and Marketing, effective Mon., Nov. 2. She has spent the last two years at Citadel Media as Director of Affiliate Relations and Distribution Sales, working on American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks.

The move to Golden, whose roster includes Williams Riley and Benton Blount, reunites Strickland and Brad Howell who first worked together in the Warner Bros. promotion department. Strickland’s 20 years in the business also includes being KZLA’s MD/Asst. PD, and time as a regional director with Asylum Records, Warner Bros., Dream Catchers, and Universal South.

She can be reached at 615-289-2319 or lisa@goldenmusic.biz.

——————————

John Michael Montgomery has signed with The Bobby Roberts Company for concert booking.

——————————

Sara Evans has signed with Spalding Entertainment, the company which also manages Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean and others.

——————————

Average Joe’s Entertainment, the label home to Colt Ford, has signed Brantley Gilbert. With Atlanta and Nashville offices, the label is headed by CEO Shannon Houchins and other employees include Ken Madson.

Gilbert is managed by Ken Fulghum. His album A Modern Day Prodigal Son was released earlier this month and the follow-up Halfway To Heaven is due in February 2010.

Average Joe’s Entertainment is located at 1010 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212 and can be reached by phone at 615-329-4762.

—————————–

Mickie James, a star of World Wrestling Entertainment, has signed with Sherry Massaro of Skyline Management Group, Inc. for management and Absolute Publicity’s Don Grubbs for public relations. She has also obtained the services of local stylist Lori Bumgarner and is expected to announce plans for a country music career in the coming weeks.

Industry Items: CMT Awards Date, CRS Panel

/by

cmtSave The Date: The 2010 CMT Music Awards will take place June 9, 2010 in Nashville.

——————-

The popular consumer focus group panel will return to Country Radio Seminar® 41 when the event hits Nashville Feb. 24-26, 2010. This will be the first time a live focus group has been held at Country Radio Seminar since CRS 35. “Normal People: From the Mouths of the Consumer” is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26 at 10 AM/CST. The live focus group provides a candid glimpse into the minds and opinions of the Country music consumer, from high school students to career-oriented professionals. Panelists will represent a generous cross-section of regional Country radio markets of varying sizes.

Several other events that have not been featured in recent years are also expected to return for CRS 41. As previously announced, Taylor Swift will perform at the Music City Jam, and financial expert Dave Ramsey will deliver the Keynote Address. The early bird rate of $499 expires Friday, Oct. 30.

Armiger Sets Chart Record

/by
katie

Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger with WLLX’s Dan Hollander, following her recent Country Cafe performance at the station.

Katie Armiger’s single “Trail of Lies” recently landed at No. 19 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart, making her the highest charting independent female of 2009. The song is from her second album, Believe, on Cold River Records. Now she is working the charts with the follow-up single “Gone.”

Armiger, who co-wrote “Trail of Lies” with Lisa McCallum and Quinn Loggins, has set records on the MusicRow chart before. Her 2007 debut single “17 In Abilene” peaked at No. 22, making it the highest charting debut for a solo independent artist since 2003.

She was also the first artist chosen for the just launched “Fresh Catch” segment on Premiere Radio Network’s After MidNite With Blair Garner.

Armiger has been working on her third album with several well known Nashville songwriters and it is expected to be released early next year.

New CMA Research Will Be A CRS Highlight

/by

crs-41Information from the CMA’s recently completed Prime Prospects Study, focusing on consumer trends related to radio and radio Web sites, will be shared with attendees at the upcoming Country Radio Seminar. The study’s findings will be discussed at the CMA Research Presentation on Thurs., Feb. 25 at 11 AM, during CRS-41. That session will be followed by the CMA Research Workshop panel to help attendees analyze the results.

The CMA’s timely research concludes just months before CRS 41 is held, Feb. 24-26, 2010, making it particularly relevant to the current Country Radio and Music industry. The study also includes results from an upcoming fourth quarter Annual Tracking Study.

Last year’s CMA Research Presentation surveyed more than 7,500 consumers in an effort to define key trending statistics for Country music fans, including listener and viewership habits, revenue drivers (“Core” and “Low-Funding”), economic factors and further profile studies of its “CountryPhiles” and “MusicPhiles.”

A detailed schedule of the CRS 41 agenda and confirmed panelists can be found at the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Web site. The CRS early bird registration rate of $499 ends Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. Registration is currently available at the CRB Web site or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. offices at 615-327-4487.

Indies On The Rise: Russell Works Oklahoma, Armiger on AOL

/by
sr

Shawna Russell and Way Out West Records form an alliance with Joe Burris, Gilead Productions (l-r): Way Out West Records’ President/Artist Co-Manager, Tim Russell; Russell; Gilead Productions President, Joe Burris; Way Out West’s VP/Artist Co-Manager, Clif Doyal. Photo: Patti Doyal

Oklahoma based artist Shawna Russell has been making big moves in her home state recently, including headlining a concert in Oklahoma City, performing on the Fox 25 News morning show, and entering an endorsement deal with Sheplers Western Wear/OKC. Russell and Way Out West Records have also formed a marketing and regional publicity alliance with Joe Burris’s OKC-based Gilead Productions. Burris will report to Russell and label/artist co-managers, Clif Doyal and Tim Russell, and will also provide non-exclusive booking and sponsorship acquisition services for the artist.

———————————
Cold River Records artist Katie Armiger has been selected as AOL The Boot’s Video of the Week for her current single, “Gone.” The rising star wrote the song the night before she left for Nashville about leaving home to chase her dreams. Watch it here.

jen

Garth Fundis and Jen Foster at her recent showcase.

———————————

Singer-songwriter Jen Foster performed at a showcase Tues. night (10/13) at The Rutledge in Nashville. She is shifting her focus from on-stage performer to behind-the-scenes collaborator and current plans include working with renowned producer Garth Fundis.

———————————

Lots of indies are releasing new product, with many opting exclusively for digital distribution. Black River Music Group’s Emma Jacob’s new CD 2,232 Miles is available exclusively on iTunes. The single “Julianna” is currently featured as a free download in People magazine’s Country issue….Grammy-winner Bryan White’s new studio album, Dustbowl Dreams, has been digitally released, including lead single, “The Little Things.”…. Also going for digital distribution is Derek Sholl with his self-titled album, which includes “When They Come Back,” a tribute to veterans returning from combat.

Mark Wayne Glasmire headed out on the first leg of his fall radio tour of MusicRow Country Breakout reporters last week. The run included visits to 15 stations in four states and supports Glasmire’s debut country single, “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright.” ….Pheromone Recording artist Greg Hanna released his self-titled debut on Tues., Oct. 13. The CD was produced by Hanna and hit songwriter, Kim Tribble. The first single “It’s A Man’s Job” just entered the Top #40 on MusicRow’s Breakout chart and a video to support the single will be airing soon at various video channels.

CMA Broadcast Awards Revealed

/by
kix_brooks_13565

Jamey Johnson surprises "American Country Countdown" host Kix Brooks in-studio with news of his CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year. (l-r) Johnson, Brooks, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Teddy Gentry of Alabama.

Jamey Johnson called several special radio stations on-air this morning (10/13) to tell them they won CMA Awards for Broadcast Personality of the Year and Radio Station of the Year. The winners, covering all market sizes, will be recognized during the The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Among the newly revealed winners is Kix Brooks, who is the first Country artist in history to claim a CMA Broadcast Awards trophy. As host of Citadel Media’s American Country Countdown, he won the National Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. “When Jamey Johnson walked in our ACC studio today, I wasn’t sure what was going on—thought maybe I’d forgotten about an interview or something. Next thing I know, he’s telling me that we won the CMA National Air Personality of the Year Award,” said Brooks. “The whole ACC team was in here screaming and jumping around! Everyone works hard and puts their all into making ACC the best it can be. I’m shocked, humbled, and extremely honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire American Country Countdown staff.”

2009 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners:
National – Kix Brooks, American Country Countdown, (Citadel Media)
Major Market – Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson, Harry Schroeder, Mac “Captain Mac” Douglas, “The Cornbread Morning Show featuring Cornbread, Pat James, Producer Annie, Father Harry, and Captain Mac,” WIL, St. Louis, Mo. (Bonneville International).
Large Market – Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, Kevin Freeman, “Jim Denny and Friends,” WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind. (Cumulus Media).
Medium Market – Jack Ryan, “WIVK at Night with Jack Ryan,” WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn. (Citadel).
Small Market – Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, “Gator & The StyckMan,” WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville Communications).

2009 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners:
Major Market – KYGO, Denver/Boulder, Colo.
Large Market – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Medium Market – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
Small Market – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.

• CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2008 were not eligible in 2009.

Sony Musical Chairs

/by

Lauren-(L.T.)-ThomasSony’s revolving door has Lauren (L.T.) Thomas replacing Kates Rogers as Arista Nashville’s new National Promotions Coordinator. Thomas joins the label on Mon., Oct. 12. Her most recent job was Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, and her background also includes a five-year stint as Promotions Manager for KMLE Phoenix. Rogers exited on Fri., Oct. 2.

Pat Green and Keith Anderson are no longer signed to Sony. Green was on the BNA imprint and Anderson was part of the Columbia roster. Also, Caitlin & Will, who were picked up by Columbia following their win of CMT’s Can You Duet, are no longer a duo.

Lifenotes: BMI Board Member Don Thurston

/by

Don Thurston, a former BMI Board member who was instrumental in developing the organization’s Nashville office, has died at age 79 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. During his 60-year career he founded and served as President of Berkshire Broadcasting. In addition to the BMI board, he was the National Association of Broadcasters Joint Radio-TV Chairman, NAB Radio Chairman, and was acknowledged with the NAB’s Distinguished Service Award.

Jack Sander, BMI Board Chairman, released this statement:

“We were saddened to learn of the passing of one of the broadcast industry’s most admired and respected leaders, a man who played a seminal role in the growth of BMI, our former Board member, Don Thurston. Don served on the Board from 1990 to 2005, was its chairman from 1994 to 1997, and led the initiative to move much of its operations staff to a new, state of the art building on Music Row in Nashville, saving the company tens of millions in operating expenses and preparing its technical infrastructure for the digital age.”