Rhett Akins Enjoys Unprecedented Seven-Year Run On Country Airplay Chart

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Talk about a streak: Rhett Akins has had at least one song in the Country Airplay chart every week for the past seven years straight, including 28 songs that hit the top of the charts during that time period. The Warner/Chappell Nashville writer’s current hits on the charts include this week’s No. 1, Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy,” and Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Like You.” Akins’ song “Kinda Don’t Care” by Justin Moore impacts radio next week.

Akins is the recipient of 29 BMI Awards, as well as six Triple Play Awards, which recognize three No. 1 singles in a 12-month period. Over the course of his impressive career, Akins has been named BMI Songwriter of the Year twice, and his songs have been awarded BMI Song of the Year and ASCAP Song of the Year.

“I write songs I hope people will relate to, so it’s humbling to see these numbers,” said Akins. “It’s also a testament to all the talented artists and co-writers I’ve worked with and to everyone on my team.”

“This unique achievement is further proof that Rhett belongs among country music’s all-time greats,” said Ben Vaughn, President of Warner/Chappell Nashville. “Rhett has been shaping the modern day Country Songbook that we’ve all sang along to each week for the past seven years.”

A full list of Akins’ songs that have been in the Country Top 40 over the seven-year stretch:
1.  Gimmie That Girl – Joe Nichols
2.  Farmer’s Daughter – Rodney Atkins
3.  All About Tonight – Blake Shelton
4.  All Over Me – Josh Turner
5.   Shape I’m In – Joe Nichols
6.   A Buncha Girls – Frankie Ballard
7.   Honey Bee – Blake Shelton
8.   Take a Back Road – Rodney Atkins
9.    Bait a Hook – Justin Moore
10.  This Ole Boy – Craig Morgan
11.   I Don’t Want This Night to End – Luke Bryan
12.   Kick It in the Sticks – Brantley Gilbert
13.   I Can Take It from There – Chris Young
14.   Point at You – Justin Moore
15.   Boys ‘Round Here – Blake Shelton
16.   Hey Girl – Billy Currington
17.    It Goes Like This – Thomas Rhett
18.    Parking Lot Party – Lee Brice
19.    Wild in Your Smile – Dustin Lynch
20.   When She Says Baby – Jason Aldean
21.    Get Me Some Of That – Thomas Rhett
22.    Ready Set Roll – Chase Rice
23.    Small Town Throwdown – Brantley Gilbert
24.    Just Getting’ Started – Jason Aldean
25.    Young & Crazy – Frankie Ballard
26.    Going Out Like That – Reba McEntire
27.    Tonight Looks Good on You – Jason Aldean
28.    That Don’t Sound Like You – Lee Brice
29.     Mind Reader – Dustin Lynch
30.     I Know Somebody – Locash
31.      Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day – Luke Bryan
32.      Dirt on My Boots – Jon Pardi
33.      Star of the Show – Thomas Rhett
34.      A Girl Like You – Easton Corbin
35.      Missing – William Michael Morgan
36.      Small Town Boy – Dustin Lynch

Rock Rising: Cumulus Extends “Next” Franchise With Scott Borchetta, Steve Jones, Gavin Rossdale, Desmond Child

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Expanding on Cumulus Media’s NASH Next music competition to find country music’s next big star, Cumulus Media has launched the second installment with its neXt2rock 2017 contest, a local and national grassroots search to discover rock talent.

Music producer Bob Ezrin; musician, songwriter and producer Desmond Child; Sex Pistols’ rock guitarist Steve Jones; Gavin Rossdale; and Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta will serve as mentor judges for the competition’s finale

The winner of the four-month long competition will receive a label deal with the newly-launched joint venture between Big Machine and John Varvatos Records, as well as exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

Sixty-one Cumulus stations in 47 markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Minneapolis, will conduct searches. Local artists can enter via participating local station websites, which include Chattanooga’s KZ106, Memphis’ 98.1 The Max, and Tri-Cities 101.5 in Tennessee.

Three local music industry professionals will judge each competitor’s fan-rated original song. Local markets will then host live events or select their finalist by judging contestants in a video performance of that original song. Local winners will move on to the national challenge, submitting a live performance video showcasing their best original song, with the top five artists selected by rock industry professionals.

Those national finalists will then compete at a live concert event, hosted at the Viper Room in Los Angeles on Dec. 12, where the panel of celebrity mentor judges will select the neXt2rock 2017 winner.

Cumulus Media, which reaches more than 245 million listeners each week, is home to iconic rock stations including KLOS, KQRS, WLUp, KATT, KSAN, and WGRF.

“By launching neXt2rock under Cumulus Media’s “Next” franchise, we are putting a stake in the ground to support the next generation of music talent, further signaling to listeners, advertisers and business partners that Cumulus is invested in the future of music and radio,” said Mary Berner, CEO and President, Cumulus Media. She added, “With the renewed interest in the rock genre among Millennials and Gen Xers, Cumulus has even more opportunities for growth, providing expanded exclusive content and programming for fans, and an even larger audience for America’s newest rock star.”

Rossdale said, “The process of being discovered has changed a lot over the years but one thing is for certain – my career wouldn’t have gone the way it has without the support of radio. It plays a big role in every artist’s music career and has been an amazing partner for me over the past two plus decades. When my friends at Cumulus asked if I would be interested in lending my voice and support to help find a hard-working, aspiring artist fulfill a dream to be in this business, how could I say no? I had so many people help me in my early days when I was trying to launch my career, and I consider it an honor to be part of this unique talent search that is delivering what no one else out there does – national airplay across Cumulus rock stations, a major recording contract, and all the incredible exposure that comes with that. Good luck!”

Borchetta said, “Rock never dies…it’s the recoiled cobra snake that waits for its moment and then strikes with a vengeance. I’ve been seeing the resurgence of a new generation of young rockers around the fringes of the mainstream who are ready for a new national platform. It’s irreverent…like it’s supposed to be…it’s loud like it’s supposed to be…it’s got a new attitude, and it’s gaining an underground audience…like it’s supposed to…and now we’re going to expose it coast to coast and enable these new young rock stars to connect with a national audience and hotwire the scene. Count this as a warning.”

Industry Pics: KPLX’s Mac Daniels, Levon, Ricky Skaggs, Cole Swindell

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KPLX/Dallas Wins Country Station of the Year

Pictured: KPLX/KSCS PD Mac Daniels with country group Levon.

The 2017 National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Marconi Radio Awards, which honor radio stations and on-air personalities for excellence in broadcasting, were announced Thursday night (Sept. 7) at the 28th annual NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show in Austin, Texas. The Country Station of the Year recipient was KPLX/Dallas, and PD Mac Daniels was on hand to accept the award.

 

Ricky Skaggs Wows Sold-Out Crowd At Nashville Palace

Photo: Courtesy of Carson Photoworks

Country music legend Ricky Skaggs wowed a sold-out honky tonk crowd in Nashville last Saturday night (Sept. 2). For the first time in 20 years, Skaggs plugged-in his electric guitar and joined his band onstage at the Nashville Palace for a two-hour live concert featuring the hit country songs that made him famous including “Heartbroke,” “Highway 40 Blues,” “Uncle Pen,” “Country Boy,” “Honey (Open That Door),” “I Don’t Care,” and “Lovin’ Only Me,” among many others.  Skaggs also performed “Somebody’s Praying” and dedicated it to Houston and the other areas in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“I wanna thank everyone who came out to the Nashville Palace last week,” says Skaggs. “I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. It was so great to sing those old country hits. Let’s do it again real soon!”

 

Cole Swindell Makes Radio Rounds In Denver

Pictured: Cole Swindell (center) with KWOF/Denver’s Bo Jaxon (right) and his son John (left).

Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell, NBC News/Denver’s Kathy Sabine, and KYGO/Denver’s PD John E. Kage.

 

Weekly Chart Report (9/8/17)

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

iHeartMedia’s Bobby Bones Welcomes Jake Owen, Kristian Bush For Nashville Podcast Network

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iHeartMedia’s Bobby Bones has announced the launch of the Nashville Podcast Network, an eclectic collection of seven podcasts from a variety of hosts, including country artists such as Kristian Bush and Jake Owen. The network will also be home to Bones’ own BobbyCast, which features the radio host’s interviews with artists and songwriters, including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris and more.

The network will give listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville and will be available for download across various podcast platforms including iHeartMedia, reaching iHeartRadio’s millions of listeners.

“My focus is content and to provide my audience with many options for it,” Bones said. “If you’re into fashion or music or even the stories of American heroes, this network is here to make sure you are always just one tap away from being entertained or informed.”

NASHVILLE PODCAST NETWORK

BobbyCast: iHeartMedia’s Bobby Bones goes behind-the-scenes in Nashville with BobbyCast, a podcast featuring songwriters, artists and candid conversations about the inner workings of Nashville’s music scene and Bones’ nationally syndicated The Bobby Bones Show.

Velvet’s Edge with Kelly Henderson: Based on the blog VelvetsEdge.com, this podcast will feature fashion, beauty, lifestyle and travel from one of Nashville’s most prominent female tastemakers and taste finders.

The Frontline Generation with Marjorie K. Eastman: This is a “hero” podcast, sharing the inspiring stories of people who have found a way to serve, to give back, those who have stepped up to help. Award winning author Marjorie K. Eastman, a combat veteran herself, will interview frontline leaders, including veterans, law enforcement, first responders, philanthropists and more.

Good Company with Jake Owen: Jake Owen has numerous No. 1 albums and hits, including personal songs that reflect on his own life. This podcast takes listeners a step further as Owen dives into the good and bad sides of being a country music superstar.

Whiskey Riff Raff: The creators of the country music site WhiskeyRiff.com talk raw and candidly from the perspective of country music fans. These podcasts are uncensored, highly opinionated and often involve a lot of alcohol.

Geeking Out with Kristian Bush: Fans matter, and everybody is a fan of something. Kristian Bush, one-half of the Grammy-winning duo Sugarland, talks to people from all walks of life about what they’re geeking out over, and shares his own musical obsessions along the way.

BoBo and Mikey: This is a podcast for kids ages four to eight, featuring two larger-than-life characters BoBo and Mikey. Each episode will include an educational lesson with the fun feel of listening to a cartoon.

Cumulus Media To Simplify Station Advertising Through Agreement With WideOrbit

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WideOrbit and Cumulus Media are entering into a licensing agreement to install WideOrbit Traffic software and other software at all 447 Cumulus Media radio stations across the U.S.

Under the terms of the agreement, WideOrbit will provide Cumulus with a comprehensive operations solution for traffic management, digital advertising, network and barter ads, electronic payments, revenue optimization, and hosting. The software allows all stations to log into the same database, and will streamline corporate reporting and credit management, optimize spot scheduling, and give Cumulus advertisers a simple, integrated method for paying invoices with credit cards and ACH electronic payments.

WideOrbit products will replace Cumulus’s Stratus traffic system, with implementation expected to begin before the end of the year and continue through the First Quarter of 2019.

“WideOrbit’s best-in- class traffic operations system will support and propel our businesses across the U.S. by simplifying and streamlining the advertising process,” said Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cumulus Media. “This step is another move to further integrate operating systems companywide, empowering managers in local markets with tools to maximize revenues by making it easier for our customers to buy radio in every Cumulus market.”

Darcie Van Etten Named Marketing Manager For Country Radio Broadcasters

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Darcie Van Etten has joined the CRB/CRS staff as Marketing Manager, effective immediately. In her new position Van Etten will focus on marketing and strategy for Country Radio Broadcasters, Country Radio Seminar, and its affiliated events.

Van Etten joins the Country Radio Seminar team from Round Hill Music, where she served as Administration Coordinator. A recent graduate of Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, she previously volunteered and interned for CRS.

“In the time that Darcie has assisted our staff, she has been such a bright shining star,” said CRB/CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne. “She knows the part, and she’s going to be great.”

“After several years of helping the CRS team, I am thrilled to officially join their staff as Marketing Manager,” said Van Etten. “I could not ask to work for a better company, or to be a part of a better team.”

Van Etten can be reached at 615-327-4487 or [email protected].

Finalists Announced For CMA Broadcast Awards

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The finalists for Country Music Association’s Broadcast Station and Personality of the Year were announced Monday morning (Sept. 4). Winners will be honored during the 51st CMA Awards, to be held Nov. 8 on ABC.

CMA SMALL MARKET BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” with Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry on KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Oregon
“Ben and Arnie” with Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler on WCOW, La Crosse, Wisconsin
“The Cat Pak Morning Show” with Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton on WYCT, Pensacola, Florida
“Officer Don and DeAnn” with Don Evans and DeAnn Stephens on WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” with Scotty Cox and Cara Denis on KCLR, Columbia, Missouri

CMA MEDIUM MARKET BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Brent Michaels on KUZZ, Bakersfield, California
“Cash and Bradley” with Natalie Cash and Matt Bradley with KWEN, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“The Dex and Mo Show” with Bill “Dex” Poindexter and Melissa “Mo” Turner on WUSY, Chattanooga, Tennessee
“New Country Mornings” with Nancy Wilson and James Frye on WHKO, Dayton, Ohio
“Tom & Becky” with Owens and Becky Palmer on WBBS, Syracuse, New York

CMA LARGE MARKET BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
“Amanda and Jesse” with Amanda Valentine and Jesse Tack on WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Boxer Show” with “Boxer” Brandon Nasby on WCOL, Columbus, Ohio
“Double-L” with Lois Lewis on KWNR, Las Vegas, Nevada
“The Randy, Jamie, and Jojo Show” with Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, and JoJo Meza on KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
“Tige And Daniel” with Tige Rodgers, Daniel Baker, and Mari Mueller on WSIX, Nashville, Tennessee
“Woody and the Wake-UP Call” with Woody Johnson, Dan E. Zuko, and Kayla Hanley on WCOL, Columbus, Ohio

CMA MAJOR MARKET BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
“Bud and Broadway” with Bud Ford, Jerry Broadway, and Kelly Rebal on WIL, St. Louis, Missouri
“Michael J On Air” with Michael J. Stuehler on WPOC, Baltimore, Maryland
“Mike & Amy” with Mike Chase and Amy Faust on KWJJ, Portland, Oregon
“Paul Schadt and Meg” with Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight on WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina
“The Q Morning Zoo” with Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico on KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas

CMA NATIONAL BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
“American Country Countdown” with Kix Brooks on Cumulus
“The Big D and Bubba Show” with Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, Patrick Thomas, and Carsen Humphreville on Compass Media Networks
“The Blair Garner Show” with Blair Garner on Cumulus
“The Bobby Bones Show” with Bobby Bones on iHeartMedia
“Country Gold” with Terri Clark on Westwood One

CMA SMALL MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
KCLR in Columbia, Missouri
KKNU in Eugene-Springfield, Oregon
KORA in Bryan-College Station, Texas
WCOW in La Crosse, Wisconsin
WYCT in Pensacola, Florida

CMA MEDIUM MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
CKRY in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
KXKT in Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa
WBBS in Syracuse, New York
WIVK in Knoxville, Tennessee
WYRK in Buffalo-Niagara Falls, New York

CMA LARGE MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
KCYY in San Antonio, Texas
WCOL in Columbus, Ohio
WQDR in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
WQIK in Jacksonville, Florida
WSIX in Nashville, Tennessee

CMA MAJOR MARKET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
KPLX in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
KUPL in Portland, Oregon
KWJJ in Portland, Oregon
WIL in St. Louis, Missouri
WKKT in Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, North Carolina

Weekly Chart Report (9/1/17)

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

Weekly Chart Report 8/25/17

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